1991 HONDA CIVIC Owners Manual

Index

Battery
Charging System Warning Light.............................................. 30
Jump Starting ........................ 110
Maintenance............................. 89
Specification (Hatchback).... 116
Specification (Sedan)............ 119
Beeper System Fasten Seat Belt Beeper(Sedan).................................. 11

(Hatcback)............................ 15

Belts, Seat............. See "Seat Belts"
Body Repair.................................. 102
Brake Warning Light...................... 31 Brakes
Brake Failure Warning Light.... 31

Brake Fluid................................ 84

Brake System Design.............. 83
Brake Wear Indicators............. 84
Parking Brake........................... 42
Parking Brake Warning Light.. 31
Break-in Period................................. 2

Bulb
Replacement............................
92

Specification (Hatchback)....
117
Specification (Sedan)............

120
Buzzer........... See
"Beeper System"
Capacities (Hatchback)............... 115 Capacities (Sedan)....................... 118
Care and Cleaning.......................... 99
Catalytic Converter..................... 126 Certification Label....................... 121
Chains, Tires...................................

95
Check Engine
Warning Light......... 31
Child Proof Door Locks...................

5

Child Restraint
System................. 21
Cigarette Lighter............................ 44

Clock............................................... 42
Clutch Pedal Adjustment.............. 61
Compact Spare Tire.................... 104
Coolant Temperature Gauge ........

28
Cooling (with
A/C).........................

49

Cooling System..............................

80

Crankcase Emission Control
System................................... 124
Cruise Control Operation.................................. 39
Indicator.................................... 31

Defogger........................................ 34
Defroster........................................ 51

Doors
Child Proof Door Locks............. 5

Locks........................................... 3

Power Locks.............................. 4

Emergency
Changing a Flat Tire............... 105
Hazard Warning System ......... 37If Your Car Gets Stuck.......... 112
Jump Starting........................ 110

Shoulder Belt Buckle............. 113

Towing.................................... 111
Warning and Indicator Lights.. 29
Emission Controls........................ 124

Engine
Coolant...................................... 80

Coolant Temperature Gauge... 28
Exhaust Controls................... 125Identification Number............ 12

1
Oil and
Filter.............................. 76
OH Pressure Warning Light..... 30
Specification (Hatchback).... 116
Air Conditioner
Operation.................................. 47

Service...................................... 98

Air Filter.......................................... 86

Air Pressure, Tires......................... 94
Antifreeze.. See "Radiator Coolant" Anti-theft Steering Column Lock System ..................................... 57
Appearance Care........................ 100

Ashtrays......................................... 44

Automatic Seat Belt...................... 10

Automatic Transmission
Driving Technique.................... 66

Fluid........................................... 79

Operation.................................. 64

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index (cont'd)

Specification (Sedan)............ 119
Engine Exhaust Gas Warning........ 60
Evaporative Emission Control
System.................................... 125

Exterior Care.................................. 99
Filters

Air.............................................. 86
Engine Oil.................................. 76

Fuel........................................... .86

Fluid..................................... See "Oil"
Foreign Countries, Operation in.... 55
Front Seat
Adjustment................................. 6

Fuel
Filler Door and Cap................... 55
Fitter..........................................86
Gasohol..................................... 54

Gasoline .................................... 54

Gauge........................................ 28

Requirement............................. 54

Fuse
Checking and Replacing .......... 91Specification (Hatchback).... 116
Specification (Sedan)............ 119

Hatch................................................. 5

Hatch/Trunk-open Indicator Light
...................................................31

Hazard Warning System............... 37

Headlights
Flasher...................................... 36
High Beam Indicator................. 29High Beam/Low Beam Switch ...............................................36

Switch...................................... 36

Headlight High Beam Indicator Light
...................................................29

Head Restraints................................ 7
Heating............................................. 50 High Beam
Indicator Light.......................... 29

Switch...................................... 36

Hood Latch..................................... 41
Identification Numbers................ 121
Ignition Keys............................................ 3

Switch....................................... 57

Indicator Lights.............................. 29
Inflation Pressures, Tire................ 94 Instrument Panel............................ 26
Instrument Panel Brightness Control ................................................... 37

Interior Light................................... 37

Interior Trim Care .......................... 99
Keys
Door Locks................................. 3
Hatch/Trunk Lid Lock................ 5

Ignition....................................... 57
Keys............................................ 3
Lap/Shoulder Belts .......................... See "Seat Belts"
Light Bulb Replacement.................... 92
Fuse Replacement................... 90
Operation.................................. 36
Warning and Indicator Lights.. 29
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock...............................................57
Child Proo f
Door Locks ............. 5

Doors........................................... 3

Fuel Filler Door.......................... 55 Hatch/Trunk Lid......................... 5
Power Doors.............................. 4
Luggage Area Light........................ 38
Luggage Cover................................. 9
Gasoline............................ See "Fuel"
Gas Station Information. back cover

Gauges............................................ 28

Glove Box....................................... 42 Jack.............................................. 106
Jump Starting.............................. 110ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Maintenance
Non-Scheduled MaintenanceRecord................................... 72
Scheduled Maintenance Record................................... 71

Schedule................................... 68

Severe Driving Conditions...... 72
Manual Transmission Clutch Pedal Adjustment........ 61
Maximum Allowable Speeds.. 63
Oil...............................................
78

Recommended Shift
Speeds.. 62

Shifting......................................

61

Meters, Gauges..........
See "Gauges"
Mirrors Power Mirrors.......................... 35

Rearview Mirrors..................... 35

Octane Rating, Gasoline. See "Fuel"
Odometer........................................ 28
Oil
Engine Oil.................................. 75

Fluid Locations......................... 74
Oil Pressure Warning Light..... 30
Power Steering Fluid................ 85
Transmission Oil/Fluid.............. 78
Operation In Foreign Countries..... 55
Panel Brightness Control............... 37
Parking Brake................................. 42
Passive Belt.................................... 10
PGM-FI
System.................................... 125
Power Door Locks................................. 4
Mirrors...................................... 35
Steering..................................... 85

Windows.................................. 43

Pregnant Women........................... 25
Pressures, Tire Inflation................ 94
Preventive Service...................... 102 Radiator Coolant............................ 80

Rear Seat.......................................... 8

Rearview Mirrors........................... 35
Rear Window Defogger................ 34Rear Window Wiper...................... 34Reminder Lights .................. See "Warning Lights"
Replacement
Air Filter.................................... 86

Bulb............................................ 92
Engine Oil.................................. 76

Fuel Filter.................................. 86

Fuse...........................................90
Oil Filter..................................... 76
Radiator Coolant...................... 82
Spark Plugs............................... 87

Tire............................................ 94
Wiper Blades............................. 88
Rust Prevention........................... 101
Safety Defects, Reporting.......... 128

Safety Items................................... 59

Seats
Adjustment................................. 6
Head Restraints.......................... 7
Seat Belt Reminder Light
and Beeper (Sedan).................. 14

Seat Belt Reminder Light and Beeper (Hatchback).......... 17
Seat Belts Anchor Points (Hatchback)..... 22
Anchor Points (Sedan)............ 24

Automatic Belt......................... 10

Buckling the Front Seat Belts (Sedan)............... 11
Buckling the Front Seat Belts (Hatchback)....... 15
Buckling the Rear Seat Belts .. 19
Child Restraint.......................... 21
Cleaning..................................... 25

Fasten Seat Belt Reminder Light and Beeper (Sedan).............. 14
Fasten Seat Belt Reminder Light and Beeper (Hatchback)...... 17

(cont'd)

Numbers, Identification............... 121ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index (cont'd)

Inspection................................. 25

Passive Belt.............................. 10
Pregnant Women..................... 25
Rear Center Seat Belt.............. 20
Replacement............................. 25 Shoulder Belt Buckle............. 113

Seats
Front Seat................................... 6
Head Restraints.......................... 7

Rear Seat.................................... 8

Shifting
Automatic................................ 64

Manual....................................... 61

Spare Tire Changing a Flat Tire............... 106
COMPACT Spara Tire........... 104
Spark Plugs Replacement............................. 87
Specifications (Hatchback) ..116Specifications (Sedan).......... 119
Speedometer.................................. 28
Starting the Engine......................... 58
Steering Anti-theft Column Lock .......... 57Power Steering......................... 85

Tilt Steering.............................. 32

Stuck Car..................................... 112

Sunroof........................................... 52
If the Sunroof Won't Close..... 53
Maintenance............................. 53
Operation.................................. 52

Sunshade.................................. 52

Tachometer.................................... 28
Temperature Gauge, Coolant....... 28 Tilt Steering.................................... 32
Tire Air Pressure............................. 94
Balancing................................... 97

Chains....................................... 95

Changing a Flat Tire............... 106COMPACT Spare.................. 104
DOT Tire Quality Grades....... 122
Inflation Pressures................... 94 Requirement............................. 96
Rotation.................................... 97
Snow Tire................................. 95
Spare Tire............................... 104
Specification (Hatchback).... 116 Specification (Sedan)............ 119
Tools............................................. 105
Towing.......................................... 111

Transmission
Capacity.................................... 79
Identification Number............ 121

Oil/Fluid..................................... 78

Shifting the Automatic............ 64

Shifting the Manual.................. 61
Transmission............................ 78
Treadwear.................................... 122

Trip Meter....................................... 28
Trunk Access From Rear Seat....... 8

Trunk Lid........................................... 5

Turn Signals.................................... 36
Warning Lights............................... 29
Warranty Service........................ 127Washer Rear Window Washer............. 34Reservoir Capacity.................. 33
Windshield Washer.................. 33
Washing........................................ 100

Waxing......................................... 101

Windows
Appearance Care................... 100
Power Windows...................... 43

Windshield Defogger..................... 51 Windshield Washer....................... 33
Windshield Wipers........................ 33
Wiper Blades ..................................
88
Wipers Rear Windo
w Wiper................ 34
Windshield Wipers................... 33
Vehicle Identification Number.... 121
Ventilation...................................... 45ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Authorized Manuals
A Factory-Authorized Manual is Available for Your Vehicle.

The following publications covering the operation and servicing of your vehicle can be obtained from Helm Incorporated either by filling out
the reverse side of this form or, for credit card holders, calling toll-free. Formanuals prior to the year shown below, contact Helm Inc.,
Box 07280, Detroit, Michigan 48207, or call (313) 883-1430.

Service Manual

This manual covers maintenance and recommended procedures for repair
to engine and chassis components. It is written for the journeyman mechanic, but is simple enough for most mechanically-inclined owners to

understand.

Electrical Troubleshooting Manual

This manual compliments the Service Manual by providing in-depth
troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in your car.

Body Repair Manual

This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of
damaged body parts.
61SH303

61SH303EL

61SH330

31SH3630
HON-RProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can pay by check or money
order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to Helm, Incorporated at the address shown below.
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.
P.O BOX 07280 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207 (313)883-1430ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Zone Office Locations

Western Zone
P.O. Box 2260
700 Van Ness Avenue
Torrance, California 90509-2260
(310) 781-4565

Northwestern Zone

P.O. Box 20186
12439 N.E. Airport Way
Portland, Oregon 97220
(503) 256-0943
(also includes Alaska and Hawaii)

South Central Zone

4529 Royal Lane
Irving, Texas 75063

(214)929-5481
Central Zone

101 South Stanfield Road
Troy, Ohio 45373
(513) 332-6250

Northeastern Zone
P.O.
Box 337
Eastgate Industrial Park 115 Gaither Drive
Moorestown, New Jersey 08057

(609) 235-5533

Includes: NYC Metro area and
Fairfield County, CT area

Mid-Atlantic Zone

902 Wind River Ln., Suite 200
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878

(301) 990-2020

Southeastern Zone
1500 Morrison Parkway
Alpha retta, Georgia 30201
(770) 442-2045
North Central Zone

601 Campus Drive, Suite A-9
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004 (847) 870-5600

New England Zone

555 Old County Road
Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096
(203) 623-3310

See Zone 5 for: NYC Metro area
and Fairfield County, CT area

West Central Zone
1600 South Abilene Street, Suite D
Aurora, Colorado 80012

Puerto Rico and U.S. V.I.

Bella International

P.O. Box 190816

San Juan, PR 00919-0816
(787) 250-8070

The above addresses and telephone numbers are subject to change. If you
cannot reach your Zone office, ask your Honda dealer for the current
information.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
1919 Torrance Blvd., Torrance California 90501 1991 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. - All Rights Reserved

31SH3630 CRES 10009805

00X31-SH3-6302 PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Gas Station Information

Gasoline: UNLEADED only
Pump octane of 86 or higher.
Gas Tank-Capacity: 45 l (11.9 US gal, 9.9 Imp gal)
Tire Pressure (measured cold) front/rear STD Hatchback: 240 kPa (35 psi) /220 kPa (32 psi)DX Hatchback: 220 kPa (32 psi) / 220 kPa (32 psi)
Si Hatchback: 195 kPa (28 psi) /195 kPa (28 psi)DX Sedan: 220 kPa (32 psi) / 220 kPa (32 psi)
LX Sedan: 180 kPa (26 psi) /180 kPa (26 psi)
EX Sedan: 180 kPa (26 psi) /180 kPa (26 psi)
Compact Spare: 415 kPa (60 psi)
Other Tire Information See "Tires" pages 94-97.
Hood Release Pull handle under left side of dash.
Engine Oil: Use "Energy Conserving II" SG grade oil. 5W -30 preferred (see page 75 for complete viscosityrecommendations).
Capacity (including filter):
3.5 l (3.7 US qt, 3.1 Imp qt)
Manual Transmission Oil: Use SF or SG grade oil.
10W-30 or 10W-40 preferred (see page 78 for complete
viscosity recommendations). Capacity (including differential): 1.8 l (1.9 US qt, 1.6 Imp qt)
(Oil should be up to filler bolt hole in housing beside
right axle)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Us
e
DEXRON® II type Automatic Transmission Fluid

(ATF). Remove
dipstick from right end of transmission,
wipe off, reinsert, remove and read fluid level - do not
force the rubber plug in when reading fluid level or replacing dipstick.
Capacity (including differential):
2.4 l (2.5 US qt, 2.1 Imp qt)
Power Steering Fluid Use only Honda power steering fluid: do not use ATF or
any other brand of power steering fluid because it will
damage the system.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t