
1991 Civic Hatchback/Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Features & Safety ........................................................................\
........................................................ 2
What you should know before driving your car.
Starting & Driving........................................................................\
..................................................... 54
What gas to use, how to change gears, etc.
Maintenance ........................................................................\
............................................................... 68
The Required Maintenance Schedule and some items you can service.
Emergency Service ........................................................................\
.................................................. 103
Changing a flat, jump starting, towing. Consumer Information ........................................................................\
............................................ 121
Reporting Safety Detects, warranty service, vehicle identification numbe\
rs, etc.
Index ........................................................................\
........................................................................
129
Gas Station Information
Contents
Owner's Identification
ProCarManuals.com

Jump Starting
To start a car with a dead battery, use another battery of the samevoltage, and the proper jumper cables.
Procedures other than those below could cause injury or
damage from battery acid spray, explosion or charging system
overload.
Never connect the jumper cable directly to the negative post of
the "dead" battery.
Never allow the two cars to touch each other. Never allow the jumper cable clamps to touch each other.
Never lean over the battery when making connections.
Never attempt to jump start a vehicle with a frozen battery. The
battery could rupture and explode. If you suspect a frozenbattery, remove the vent caps and check the fluid. If there
seems to be no fluid, or if you see ice, do not attempt a jump
start until the fluid thaws.
CAUTION:
If jumper cables are connected backwards, the car's main fuse
may blow.
1.Turn off all lights, heater and other electrical loads, set parking brake, and shift the transmission to Neutral or Park.
2. Use one cable to connect the positive terminal of the booster
battery to the positive terminal of the "dead" battery.
3. Use the other cable to connect
the negative terminal of the
booster battery to the engine at
the ground cable as shown.
4. To remove the cables, reverse the above procedures exactly.
DO NOT push or tow a car to start
it. The forward surge when the en- gine starts could cause a collision.
Also, under some conditions, the catalytic converter could be dam- aged. A car equipped with an auto-matic transmission cannot be
started by pushing or towing.
DEAD
BATTERY
Negative to the
engine at the
ground cable, not
to the battery
Do not attach
cable here
Positive to
positive
BOOSTER
BATTERYProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system to help
clean-up the harmful exhaust gases that can cause air pollution.
To be effective, the converter must work at high temperature, so don't park your car over dry grass, leaves or anything else that
could burn easily.
To stay effective, the converter must not be contaminated by
leaded gasoline; use only unleaded gas as explained on page 54.
CAUTION:
The converter can be overheated and damaged if it's fed too much
unburned fuel mixture from the engine, so:
— Don't push or tow the car to start it; if the battery is dead, jump start the car as shown on page 110.
— Don't turn the key off while the engine is running above idle
speed.
— Don't change the ignition timing, or remove any emission control
parts.
— Use only the spark plugs specified in this manual. — Don't keep driving your car if it isn't running properly, or if its CHARGE warning light comes on; have it checked by your
Honda dealer.
CATALYTIC CONVERTERProCarManuals.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

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