maintenance HONDA CIVIC SEDAN 2001 (in English) User Guide

A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. 203
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
166

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .192
.
Important Safety Precautions . 193
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 194....................
Maintenance Record .201
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
..............................
Fluid Locations .204
......................................
Engine Oil .205
..................................
Adding Oil .205
....................
Recommended Oil .205
..............................
Synthetic Oil .205
....................................
Additives .205
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 207
.............................
Cooling System .209
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 209
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 211
....................
Windshield Washers .215
.......................
Transmission Fluid .216
Automatic .........................
Transmission .216
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .217
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 218
............................
Brake System .218
...........................
Clutch System .219
..............................
Power Steering .220
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .221
....................................
Hood Latch .222
....................................
Spark Plugs .223
..............................
Replacement .223 ............................
Specif ications .225
...........................................
Battery .226
.................................
Wiper Blades .228
..............
Air Conditioning System . 230
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 231
.....................................
Drive Belts .233
....................................
Timing Belt .233
...............................................
Tires .234
......................................
Inf lation .234
Recommended Tire Pressures ...........
f or Normal Driving . 235
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 235
..................................
Inspection .236
..............................
Maintenance .236
.............................
Tire Rotation .237
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 238
......................
Wheels and Tires .239
..........................
Winter Driving .239
.............................
Snow Tires .239
...................
Traction Devices . 240
.............................................
Lights .241
.....................
Headlight Aiming .243
........................
Replacing Bulbs .243
...........................
Storing Your Car .251
309
Maintenance
Maint enance191

Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by a Honda
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Maint enance
Maintenance Saf ety
192
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts.
Do
not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
Bef ore you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is of f . This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:
You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air. To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, be caref ul when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
f uel-related parts.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
193

µ
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your car
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving.
Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous conditions.
160
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners
194

Ì
µ According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
NOTE: If you only OCCASIONALLY
or NEVER, drive under a ‘‘severe’’
condition, you should f ollow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Normal
Conditions.
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your car best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or more inf ormation.
U.S. Vehicles: We recommend the use of Genuine
Honda parts and f luids whenever you
have maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
Maint enance
Maintenance Schedule
Maintenance, replacement or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Canadian Owners
195

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Maint enance196
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months 10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
Service the following items at the recommended intervalsEvery 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 84 months
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months Every 36 months
20
32
40
64 80
128 100
160
60
96
30
48 90
144 120
192
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See air conditioning filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots, Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connectionsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace air conditioning filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Replace timing belt, and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 24
4872
12 3660
MT
AT
1: : 195
231
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance197
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A
B
C
D
E
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
10,000 mil/16,000 km/1 yr
20,000 mil/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mil/48,000 km/2 yrs
40,000 mil/64,000 km/2 yrs
50,000 mil/80,000 km/3 yrs
60,000 mil/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mil/112,000 km/4 yrs
80,000 mil/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mil/144,000 km/5 yrs
100,000 mil/160,000 km/5 yrs
110,000 mil/176,000 km
110,000 mil/176,000 km/6 yrs
110,000 mil/176,000 km/7 yrs
120,000 mil/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mil/192,000 km/10 yrs Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
237).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter .
Replace air cleaner element every 30,000 mi/48,000
km (independent of time).
Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent of
mileage).
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
DoitemsinA,C,D.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
DoitemsinA,C,D.
Do items in A, B.
Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, E. Replace timing belt, inspect water pump.Inspect idle speed.
Replace transmission fluid (MT, AT).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D. Replace engine coolant.
194
1
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page . See air conditioning filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
NOTE: 1:
: 231
195
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Maint enance198
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Service the following items at the recommended intervals
Every 36 months
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 84 months
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in dusty conditions,
otherwise use normal schedule
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See air conditioning filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See timing belt on page to determine need for replacement.
Replace engine oil and filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate locks and hinges
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots, Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connectionsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace air conditioning filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 24
4872
12 3660
MT
AT
1:
2: : 231
233 195
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

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CONT INUED
Maint enance199
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A
B
C
D
E
F
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D,E.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
DoitemsinA,E,F.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.Replace transmission fluid (MT, AT).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,E.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Replace transmission fluid (AT).
DoitemsinA,B,D,E. Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
237).
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter .
Replace air cleaner element every 15,000 mi/
24,000 km (independent of time).
Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent of
mileage).
5,000 mil/8,000 km/6 mos
10,000 mil/16,000 km/1 yr
15,000 mil/24,000 km/1-½ yrs
20,000 mil/32,000 km/1 yr
25,000 mil/40,000 km/2 yrs
30,000 mil/48,000 km/2 yrs
35,000 mil/56,000 km/2-½ yrs
40,000 mil/64,000 km/2 yrs
45,000 mil/72,000 km/3 yrs
50,000 mil/80,000 km/3 yrs
55,000 mil/88,000 km/3-½ yrs
60,000 mil/96,000 km/3 yrs
65,000 mil/104,000 km/4 yrs
70,000 mil/112,000 km/4 yrs
75,000 mil/120,000 km/4-½ yrs
80,000 mil/128,000 km/4 yrs
85,000 mil/136,000 km/5 yrs
90,000 mil/144,000 km/5 yrs
194
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)