1991 HONDA CIVIC check engine

6. Reinstall the filler cap securely.
7. Start the engine and make sure oil is not leaking from the drain
bolt or the filter.

8. Shut off the engine and recheck the oil level.
NOTE:Please dispose of used motor oil in a manner that is compatible with
the environment. We suggest you take it in a sealed container to

your local service station for reclamation. Do not throw it in the

trash or pour it on the ground.

CAUTION:

Used motor oil may cause skin cancer if repeatedly left in contact
with the skin for prolonged periods. Although this is unlikely
unless you handle used oil on a daily basis, it is still advisable to
thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible after handling used oil.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Transmission Oil/Fluid Check
Transmission oil/fluid must be checked with the engine off and the
car on level ground.
If the engine has been running, some engine components may be
hot enough to burn you.

CAUTION:

If the oil/fluid level is low, check for possible leaks before adding
oil. Do not overfill.
Since the transmission and differential are in the same housing, you
are actually checking both oil/fluid levels in one procedure. Change
transmission oil/fluid according to the Maintenance Schedule on
page 70.

Manual
Remove the oil filler bolt (beside the right axle). Feel inside the bolt
hole with your finger. If the oil is up to the bottom edge of the hole,
the oil level is correct. If it is not, slowly add oil until it runs out of
the hole, then reinstall the bolt and tighten it securely with a wrench.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGE CAPACITY: 1.8 (1.9 US qt, 1.6 Imp qt)
Use only SF or SG grade motor oil when adding or changing transmis-
sion oil. OIL CHECK/
FILLER BOLT
CORRECT LEVELProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Use the proper viscosity oil

for the climate in which
you drive:

Ambient Temperature

Automatic
The automatic transmission fluid level is checked (with the engine off and the car on level ground) using the dipstick on the passenger
side of the transmission housing. Remove the dipstick and wipe it

DIPSTICK
UPPER

LOWER

Insert the dipstick and remove it. The fluid level should be between
the upper and lower marks. If necessary, add fluid and recheck. Use only DEXRON
Automatic Transmission Fluid (A.T.F.) when adding or changing fluid.
After checking the fluid level, push the dipstick in securely
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE CAPACITY: 2.4 (2.5
US qt, 2.1 Imp qt)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Cooling System
The engine in your Honda contains a number of aluminum parts. Therefore, it requires an antifreeze/coolant specifically formulated
to protect the aluminum parts from corrosion. Failure to use asuitable antifreeze/coolant may seriously shorten the life of the
engine as the result of rapid corrosion damage. Some antifreeze/
coolants, although labelled for use in engines containing aluminum,may not provide adequate protection for your engine.
Therefore, use only a Honda RECOMMENDED antifreeze/coolant.
CHECK WITH YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER.

For best corrosion protection, the mixture of coolant and water
must be maintained year-round at 50/50. Concentrations less than 50% coolant may not provide sufficient protection against
corrosion and freezing. Concentrations of greater than 60% coolant
will impair cooling efficiency and are not recommended. Low- mineral drinking water or distilled water should be mixed with the
antifreeze/coolant. Coolant loss should be replenished by a mixture
containing the proper concentration of antifreeze and water.Do not mix different antifreeze/coolants.
Do not use additional rust inhibitors or anti-rust products, as they
may not be compatible with the radiator coolant.
ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY IMPROPER COOLANT USAGE IS

NOT COVERED BY THE NEW CAR WARRANTY.

Checking Coolant
Check the coolant level in the reserve tank when the engine is at
normal operating temperature.
Do not remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot; the
coolant is under pressure and could severely scald you.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

RESERVE TANKIf the level is below the MAX
mark, but still visible, add a 50/50
solution of antifreeze and water
to bring it up to MAX. If there is no coolant in the re-
serve tank, the cooling system should be checked for leaks and
repaired if necessary. Coolant

must then be added to the radi-

ator.

CAUTION:

Radiator coolant will damage paint. Quickly rinse any spilled
coolant from painted surfaces.
Wait until the engine is cool, then turn the radiator cap counterclock- wise until it stops. DO NOT PRESS DOWN WHILE TURNING THECAP. After any remaining pressure has been relieved, remove the
cap by pressing down and again turning it counterclockwise. Add
enough coolant to fill the radiator, and reinstall the cap. Be sure to
tighten it securely. Fill the reserve tank up to the MAX mark with
the engine cold.

Maintenance
1. Check the freeze protection level of the coolant with a hydrome- ter.
2. Keep the front of the radiator free of dirt and debris.
3. Check hoses and hose clamps regularly.
Replacing Coolant Replace coolant at 36 months or 45,000 miles (72,000 km), which-
ever comes first. Thereafter, replace every 2 years or 30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.

(cont'd)

MAX
MIN

RADIATOR COOLANT

REFILL CAPACITY:
(excluding reserve tank) 0.4 (0.11 US gal, 0.09 Imp gal)
Manual transmission 4.0 (1.06 US gal ,0.88 Imp gal)

4.1 (1.08 US gal,0.90 Imp gal)*

Automatic transmission 4.0 (1.06 US gal,0.88 Imp gal)*
4.5 (1.19 US gal,0.99 Imp gal)

* : DX Hatchback and DX/LX Sedan
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Cooling System (cont'd)
1. Set the heater temperature control dial to maximum heat.
2. Remove the radiator cap, splash shield and drain plug when the radiator is cool, and drain the radiator.
3. Remove the drain bolt from the front side of the cylinder block,and drain the engine and heater.
4. Apply non-hardening sealant to the drain bolt threads, then rein-stall the bolt and tighten it se-

curely.

5. Tighten the radiator drain plug se-
curely.

6. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of low-mineral or distilled water and fill
the reservoir to maximum, as illustrated.
7. Loosen the air bleed bolt in the thermostat housing, then fill the radiator to the filler neck with the coolant mixture. Tighten the
bleed bolt as soon as coolant starts to run out in a steady stream

without bubbles.

8. With the radiator cap off, start the engine and let it run until warmed up (fan goes on at least twice). Then, if necessary, addmore coolant mix to bring the level back up to the filler neck.
9. Put the radiator cap on, then run the engine again and check for
leaks.
RADIATOR

CAP

BLEED BOLT

DRAIN BOLT
DRAIN PLUG
Fill to

here
FILLER
NECK
Fill to here

MAXProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Brakes

Brake System Design

The diagonally-separated dual serv-
ice brake system is designed so half
the system will still provide braking action if the other half fails.
Stopping the car after losing the brake fluid from half the system will
require more pedal pressure and pedal travel than normal. Also, the
distance required to stop will be longer using only half the brake
system. If the brakes fail suddenly, downshift to a lower gear for increased engine braking, and pull off the road as soon as possible.
It is dangerous to drive your car with a problem in either thebrake electrical or hydraulic system; have your dealer check
both systems if you suspect brake trouble.
Driving through deep water may affect the brakes.Check their effectiveness by pressing the brake pedal gently.
If the car does not slow down at the normal rate, continue
gently applying the brakes, while maintaining a safe speed, until
they dry out and normal performance returns. Do not ride the brakes. In other words, don't put your foot on
the brake pedal unless you intend to brake. This causes excessive brake wear and can damage, or lead to loss of braking
effectiveness through overheating. Your brake lights may also
confuse drivers behind you.
Brake Wear Both front and rear brakes should be inspected for wear at the
intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedule on page 70.
When the brakes require maintenance, use only genuine Honda
replacement parts or their equivalent.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Power Steering
The Sedan (except DX with manual transmission) and DX Hatch- back with automatic transmission are equipped with power steering.
The power steering on your car provides easy handling while parking and maneuvering in traffic, without loss of road "feel" at
highway speeds. An engine-driven hydraulic pump provides full
power assist at low speeds and decreasing assist as the car goes

faster.

CAUTION:

If the power steering system should fail, or if the engine should
stall, the car can still be steered. However, much greater effort
will be required, particularly in sharp turns at low speed.

NOTE:

You may feel a slight clunk or knock when turning the wheel with
the engine off. This is a normal condition due to the design of the

system.

RESERVOIR CAP

UPPER
LOWER

Power Steering Fluid
Check the power steering fluid level
with the engine cold and the car
parked on level ground. Make sure
the fluid level is between the upper and lower marks on the reservoir. If
the level has dropped close to or below the lower mark, check for
leaks before adding fluid to theupper mark. Do not overfill.

CAUTION:

Use only genuine Honda power steering fluid. The use of other
fluids such as A.T.F. or other manufacturer's power steering fluid will damage the system.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t