Page 13 of 136

Seat Belts (cont'd)
CAUTION:
If the sunvisor is positioned near the door area, movement of the
seat belt buckle can damage the sunvisor. Before opening or
closing a front door, turning the ignition on or removing the key
from the ignition, make sure the sunvisor is returned to its clip above the windshield.
NOTE:
If the door is not closed completely, the shoulder belt buckle will
not move and the door warning light will come on (see page 14 ). If the door is opened with the ignition on, the buckle will release
itself from its locked position and move forward. If the shoulder belt buckle stops halfway or does not move at all,
see page 113 for shoulder belt buckle operation.
3. Take hold of the lap belt's tongue plate and pull it from its retractor. Be sure the belt is not twisted or caught on anything.
NOTE:
If pulled too fast, the belt will lock. If this happens, allow the belt to
retract then pull it out more slowly.
4. Push the tongue plate into the buckle until it clicks locked. Position the belt across your lap, low on your hipbone and below
your abdomen. This way, if the car is involved in an accident you would be less likely to slide under the seat belts.
Avoid placing the lap belt across your abdomen. In the event of a collision, the pressure of the belt on the abdomen may increase
the extent of injury. Pull the belt across
your lap
Keep below
hip bone
TONGUE PLATEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 15 of 136

Seat Belts (cont'd)
Fasten Seat Belt Warning Light and Warning Beeper
Lap Belt Warning Indicator: Both the light and the
warning beeper will go on for about
six seconds if the ignition switch is
turned on when the driver's lap belt
is not fastened. The beeper will not
go on if the driver's lap belt is
fastened, but the warning light will come on for about six seconds each
time, to remind the driver to have passengers put their belts on.
Automatic Shoulder Belt Warning Indicator:
The warning light will come on if either of the automatic shoulder
belts is unlatched with the ignition ON. The beeper will sound for
approximately six seconds while the warning light is ON. Related the belt: the light should go off when the belt is latched.
The warning light will also come on while the shoulder belt buckle moves from its front off position to its rear locked position.
Automatic Shoulder Belt Malfunction Indicator:
The warning light will flash and the beeper will sound rapidly if either shoulder belt buckle stops before completing its full cycle (see page113 for normal operation).
NOTE:
If the shoulder belt's tensioner mechanism locks and prevents the
buckle from moving fully forward when you want to get out,
recycle the system by closing the door and reopening it.
The buckle should move fully forward; if it does not, recline the
seat-back and use Emergency Belt Release (see page 13 ).
When the system does not function by either method, have the
system checked by an authorized Honda dealer.
If the light and beeper do not function at all or if they come on
even with the belts latched and doors fully closed, it indicates a malfunction in the seat belt system. In the event of a collision,
severe personal injury could result. The system should be checked
immediately by an authorized Honda dealer.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 16 of 136
![HONDA CIVIC 1991 Owners Manual [Hatchback]
Wearing the Front Seat Berts The automatic ("passive") lap/shoulder belt systems with emer-
gency locking retractors are designed to lock only during a suddenstop or impact. Other HONDA CIVIC 1991 Owners Manual [Hatchback]
Wearing the Front Seat Berts The automatic ("passive") lap/shoulder belt systems with emer-
gency locking retractors are designed to lock only during a suddenstop or impact. Other](/manual-img/13/57901/w960_57901-15.png)
[Hatchback]
Wearing the Front Seat Berts The automatic ("passive") lap/shoulder belt systems with emer-
gency locking retractors are designed to lock only during a suddenstop or impact. Otherwise, they allow you some freedom of move-ment in the seat. The lap/shoulder belt must remain permanently
latched.
NOTE:
The motion sensing lock mechanisms for the front belts are located in each door. Therefore, if a door is opened too quickly, the belt may
lock and the door cannot be opened further. If this happens, close
the door and open it again more slowly. Enter the car and close the door completely.
If a door is not completely closed, the warning lights in the ceiling
and in the instrument panel will come on and the beeper will
sound when the ignition switch is turned on (see page 17).
The driver's seat should be moved to a comfortable distance from
the steering wheel. Sit straight up and well back in the seat.
The seat belt should fit snugly against your body. The shoulder portion of the belt should go over your shoulder and across your
body to evenly distribute the belt's restraining force. Check that the lap portion of the belt is positioned low on your
hipbone and below your abdomen. This way, if the car is involved
in an accident, you will be less likely to slide under the seat belts.
If the belt is too near your neck and throat, move toward the
center of the seat.
Never drive the car with the doors ajar. The front doors must be
closed completely for the front seat belts to function properly.
(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 18 of 136

Front Seat Belt Warning Light and Warning Beeper
There are four warning lights in the car. Two of them are in the instrument panel and the other two lights are in the ceiling behind
the rearview mirror. Each warning light will go on for about two seconds, when the ignition switch is turned on.
Warning Light Indicators Either Door Open
The warning light in the instrument panel will come on when the ignition is switched on. The beeper will also sound for approximately
six seconds. Confirm which door is open and close the door
completely, the lights will go out.
If either door is opened while the car is being driven, the beeper and
all four warning lights will come on and stay on. If this happens, pull
off the highway, stop the car immediately and close whichever door is open. The warning lights and beeper should go off.
(cont'd)
PASSENGER'S BELT UNLATCHED
DRIVER'S BELT UNLATCHED WARNING LIGHT
DRIVER'S BELT UNLATCHED
EITHER DOOR
OPEN
WARNING LIGHT
Si Hatchback
onlyProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 19 of 136
Seat Belts (cont'd)
Driver's Belt Unlatched
The warning lights in the ceiling and in the instrument panel will come on and stay on if the driver's belt is not latched. The beeper
will sound for approximately six seconds when the ignition is turned
on. Relatch the belt; the light should go off.
Front Passenger's Belt Unlatched
The warning light in the ceiling will come on and stay on if the front passenger's seat belt is not securely latched, the beeper sound for
approximately six seconds. Relatch the belt; the light should go off.
If the lights and beeper do not function at all or if they come on
even with the belts latched and doors fully closed, it indicates a malfunction in the seat belt system. In the event of a collission,
severe personal injury could result. The system should be checked
immediately by an authorized Honda dealer.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 27 of 136
Instrument Panel
CRUISE
CONTROL
MASTER SWITCH (LX/EX Sedan) WIPER/
WASHER
SWITCH
DIGITAL CLOCK
(Si Hatchback
and LX/EX Sedan)
REAR
WINDOW
DEFOGGER
SWITCH
HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHT
SWITCH
GLOVE BOX
ASHTRAY
HEATING/
COOLING
CONTROL
PANEL
CIGARETTE
LIGHTER (Except for STD
Hatchback)
POWER
MIRROR
ADJUSTMENT
SWITCH
(LX/EX Sedan)
IGNITION
SWITCH
HORN
BUTTON
PANEL
BRIGHTNESS CONTROLDIAL
LIGHT SWITCH/
TURN SIGNAL/ HI/LO BEAM SWITCH FUSE
BOX
HOOD
RELEASE
HANDLEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 30 of 136
Warning and Indicator Lights
Si Hatchback and LX/EX Sedan
STD/DX Hatchback and DX Sedan
Shift Lever Position Indicator (Automatic Transmission only)A lighted indicator between the fuel and coolant temperature
gauges shows which gear you have selected.
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights
When the turn signal lever is pushed for left or right turns, the
appropriate green indicator arrow on the instrument panel will blink along with the signal. Pushing the hazard warning switch will make
all turn signals and both arrows blink (see page 37 ).
Headlight High Beam Indicator Light
This blue indicator light will go on whenever the high beams are switched on (see page 36 ).
(cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 31 of 136

Warning and Indicator Lights (cont'd)
DX Sedan STD/DX Hatchback
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The oil pressure warning light will come on, and remain on, if there is
insufficient oil pressure or when the ignition switch is turned on
with the engine not running. If the light should come on while driving,
get the car off the road as soon as you can, turn the engine off and check the engine oil level (see page 75 ).
Even if the oil level is correct, the engine should be checked by aHonda dealer before the car is driven again.
NOTE:
The oil pressure warning light will only light as a result of low oil
pressure. It is not directly an oil level indicator.
CAUTION:
Running the engine while the oil pressure warning light is on
constantly may cause immediate and severe engine damage.
Charging System Warning Light
The charging system warning light comes on when there is a problemwith the electrical charging system
or when the ignition switch is turn-
ed on with the engine not running. If
the light comes on while driving, get off the road, stop the car and turn
off the ignition. Then check the
alternator belt for proper tension.
To check the belt tension, push with about 98 N (22 Ib) of force on
the middle of the belt as shown. The belt should deflect about: 9.0 — 11.0 mm (0.35 — 0.43 in)
If the engine has been running, some engine components may be
hot enough to burn you.
NOTE: If necessary, have the charging system checked by an authorized
Honda dealer.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t