1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE Owners Manual

Tires

Wheels and Tires

Wheels:
(U.S.: DX, EX, Canada: Si)14x5J
(U.S.: HX)
14x51/2 JJ

Tires:

P185/65R1485S

See Tire Information o
n page 235 for
additional information about tire and
wheel size designations. See page 231 for information about DOT Tire
Quality Grading.
Winter Driving

Tires that are marked "M + S" or
"All Season" on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They should be suitable for most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed for optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate performance in winter driving.For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should installsnow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under certain conditions.
Snow Tires

If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your vehicle's handling in all weather conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads may not be as high as your vehicle's
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommenda-
tions.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Tires

Tire Chains

Mount snow chains on your vehicle
when warranted by driving condi- tions or required by local laws. Makesure the chains are the correct size
for your tires. Install them only on
the front tires. If metal chains are
used, they must be SAE class "S".Cable type traction devices can also
be used.
When installing chains, follow the manufacturer's instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis, stop and investigate
them. Make sure the chains areinstalled tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove the chains as
soon as you begin driving on cleared

roads.
Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
vehicle's brake lines, suspension, body,
and wheels. Stop driving if you hear the chains hitting any part of the

vehicles.

Maintenance

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Lights

Check the operation of your vehicle's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your
vehicle's visibility and the ability to signal your intentions to other

drivers.

Maintenance
HEADLIGHT

TURN SIGNAL/
SIDE MARKER/PARKING LIGHTSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Check the following: Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)

If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible. Refer to the chart on page 234 to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.
Maintenance
STOP/TAILLIGHTS/

REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHTS

BACK-UP LIGHT

TURN SIGNAL LIGHTSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed when your vehicle was new. Youshould check their aim if you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk. Each headlight assembly has
horizontal and vertical adjustment
indicators. These are set to their "0"
positions after the headlights are aimed at the factory.
To check these settings: 1. Make sure the fuel tank is full. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who weighs the same should be sittingin the driver's seat for all checks
and adjustments.
Load the trunk with the items you
normally carry.
3. Open the hood.

4. Check the horizontal angle gauge. The line on the adjustment screwindicator should line up with the
"0" mark on the gauge. 5. Check the vertical angle gauge.
The bubble should be centeredunderneath the longest scribemark on the gauge.
Maintenance HORIZONTAL ANGLE GAUGE
VERTICAL ANGLE GAUGE

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Lights

6. If either indicator is not aligned with its "0" mark as described, anadjustment can be made using a
Phillips-head screwdriver to
realign it with the "0" mark. Please
refer to the illustrations. 7. If you cannot get an indicator to

align, have your Honda dealer

inspect the vehicle for body

damage or suspension problems.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb

Your vehicle has halogen headlight bulbs, one on each side. Whenreplacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from contact with your skin or hardobjects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean

cloth.

Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot when lit Oil perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to

overheat and shatter.

CONTINUED

Maintenance
HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT


VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT

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Lights

1. Open the hood. If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver's side,
remove the power steering
reservoir tank by pulling it out of
its holder. 2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by squeezing theconnector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.

3. Remove the rubber weather seal by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire from its slot. Pivot it out ofthe way and remove the bulb.
5. Insert the new bulb into the hole, making sure the tabs are in theirslots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.Make sure it is right side up; it is

marked ''TOP".

7. Push the electrical connector onto the tabs of the new bulb. Makesure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Driver's side) Reinstall the power steering

reservoir.

Maintenance
HOLDER

WEATHER SEAL
BULB
CONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN WIREMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking Light Bulb
1. If you are changing the bulb on the driver's side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off theengine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger's side, turn
the steering wheel to the left. 2. Use a flat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
inner fender.
3. Pull the inner fender cover off.
4. Remove the socket from the headlight assembly by turning itone-quarter turn counterclockwise. 5. Remove the burned out bulb from
the socket by pushing it in and
turning counterclockwise until it
unlocks.

6. Install the new bulb in the socket. Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
7. Insert the socket back into the headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
8. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
9. Put the inner fender cover in place. Install the holding clip and tighten
it securely.

Maintenance

HOLDING

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