1991 HONDA CIVIC service

Appearance Care (cont'd)

Preventive Service

Check all drain holes in the doors and body panels for clogging and
clear if necessary. When washing your car, also clean the underside of the car by using high pressure water; above subframe,
inside front fender, rear suspension, inside rear wheel housing,
and under rear bumper.
After washing your car or after heavy rain, check for leaks. While
checking for leaks, lift the floor mats in the passenger, cargo and
spare tire areas, and check beneath them. Water can collect in
these areas and remain unseen for prolonged periods. Dry any wet areas of your car's interior. Remove and dry wet floor mats. Have
leaks repaired as soon as possible.
After driving your car, wipe off any road dirt or salt on the radio
antenna, with it fully extended.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If towing is necessary, contact a professional towing service. Your
authorized Honda dealer can assist you with detailed towing

instructions.

Never use tow chains or rope to tow a car; your ability to safely
control the car may be adversely affected.
We recommend the following: Flat Bed Equipment —Entire car is winched on a flat bed vehicle.
This is the best way of transporting your Honda.
Wheel Lift Type—Tow with the front wheels off the ground.

If the car can only be towed with the front wheels on the ground:

make sure the transmission is full of fluid (see pages 78 — 79) and
tow with the transmission in neutral (N) and the ignition key in the 1
position.

CAUTION:

To avoid serious damage on automatic transmission cars, first
start the engine and shift to D4, then to N and shut the engine off. If the engine does not run or the transmission cannot be shifted
while the engine is running, the car must be transported on flat
bed equipment.
Check local regulations for towing.

CAUTION:
Do not exceed 35 mph (55 km/h) or tow for distances of more
than 50 miles (80 km).
If a sling type tow is used, the tow truck driver should position
wood spacer blocks between your car's frame and the chains
and lift straps to avoid damaging the bumper and the body. Do not use the bumpers to lift the car or to support the car's
weight while towing. TowingProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If Your Car Gets Stuck
If your car gets stuck in sand, mud, or snow, call a professional
towing service for assistance in getting your car out.
CAUTION: Do not rev up the engine and allow the wheels to spin freely at
high speed. Severe transmission damage may result if the wheels are allowed to spin for more than a few seconds.DO NOT try to free a car with automatic transmission from
snow, etc. by rocking the car alternately between forward and
reverse gears. Severe transmission damage may result from
shifting into gear with the wheels moving.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

DOT Tire Quality Grades
The tires on your car meet Federal Safety Requirements. All tires are also "graded" according to Department of Transportation (DOT)
standards for tread wear, traction and temperature.
Tread Wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified
government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one and one half (1-1/2) times as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, and C, andthey represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor

traction performance.

The traction grades assigned are based on braking (straight ahead)
traction tests and do not include cornering (turning) traction. Three grades
are shown on the
tire sidewall

TIRE

WHEEL RIMProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Warranty Service

Warranty

The following warranties are provided with every new vehicle. 1. New Car Limited Warranty
2. Emission Control Systems Defects Warranty
3. Emission Performance Warranty
4. Original Equipment Battery Limited Warranty 5. Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
6. Accessory Limited Warranty 7. Replacement Parts Limited Warranty
8. Replacement Muffler Lifetime Limited Warranty 9. Seat Belt Limited Warranty
10.Replacement Battery Limited Warranty
Your car's original tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tirewarranty information is in a separate booklet.
All warranty details pertaining to your car can be found in theWarranty booklet provided with your new car except the requiredmaintenance schedule which is contained here in the Owner's

Manual.

If you are unable to obtain warranty service or are dissatisfied with
the warranty decision or service you received at an authorized Honda dealership, you should review the matter with that
dealership's Service Manager. This will normally resolve your problem. If it does not resolve your problem you should appeal the
decision with the owner of the dealership. Please bear in mind that
your problem will likely be resolved at the dealership, using the
dealer's facilities, equipment and personnel. So it is very important
that your initial contact be with the dealer or his management.

After following these steps, if you wish to have the matter
reviewed by American Honda you should contact the Zone Office
serving your area, as shown on the map on the inside of the back
cover. When contacting American Honda, please provide the Zone

Office with the following information:

Vehicle Identification Number
Servicing Dealer Name and Address

Date of Purchase

Mileage on your Car

Your Name, Address, and Phone Number Nature of Problem

Selling Dealer

After a review of the facts, you will be advised of what can be done.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

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

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