1991 HONDA CIVIC warning lights

[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.

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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

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

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 ).

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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

Hazard Warning System
This system should be used only
when your car is stopped under
emergency or hazardous conditions.
To activate, push the hazard warn- ing switch ( ). The front and rear
turn signals will blink simultaneously and both indicator lights will flash. Push the switch ( ) again to turn

the system off.

Panel Brightness Control
When the light switch is in either of
the two "ON" positions, the intensi-
ty of the instrument lights can be adjusted by turning the panel bright-
ness control dial.
Interior Light
The interior light has a three posi- tion switch. The light is off all the
time in the OFF position. In the mid-dle position, it goes on only when a
door is opened. In the ON position, it is on all the time.

(cont'd)

OFF

ON

DOOR

ACTIVATED
PushProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Safety Items

Before driving away, check that: The doors are closed properly.
The mirrors are properly adjusted, and the windows clean.
The driver and passengers are wearing properly adjusted seat

belts.
The head restraints are properly adjusted.
The warning and indicator lights are operating properly. The brake pedal feels normal.

All luggage and cargo is secured.
Nothing is interfering with the driver's feet or blocking vision to

the rear.

While driving remember to: Always drive defensively; expect the unexpected.Reduce your speed during night hours and bad weather.Follow at a safe distance; don't tailgate. Get off the highway when you are tired; stop and take a rest.
When stopping for repairs: Park the car well off the road.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher. Use flares or other warning devices to warn other motorists.
After parking your car: Apply the parking brake and shift to first gear if equipped with
manual transmission, or PARK on automatic transmission equip-ped cars.
Make sure the sunroof and windows are closed and the doors are
locked.
If parked on a hill:

1. Turn the front wheels away from the curb if facing uphill.
2. Turn the front wheels toward the curb if facing downhill.
Never leave children unattended in a parked car. Take your keys.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

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