1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE Owners Manual

Lights

Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Fenders)

1. Open the trunk.

Undo the fastener on the side of the
trunk lining by pushing on the center of the fastener's head until it pops in.
Pull the lining back. 2. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker light or turn signal.
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 4. Pull the bulb straight out of its

socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
5. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
6. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
7. Reinstall the trunk lining.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

8. Reset the fastener by pushing on the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
9. Put the fastener in the hole of the side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is flush with the head).
Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Trunk

Lid)
1. Open the trunk.
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the two screws from the
bulb holder. Remove the holder
from the taillight assembly. 3. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/sidemarker or back-up light.
4. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise.

CONTINUED

Maintenance
SCREWMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

5. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.

Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
6. Insert the socket back into the light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
7. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
8. Reinstall the bulb holder assembly. Install the screw and tighten it
securely.

Replacing a High-mount Brake Light Bulb
1. Open the trunk and remove the socket from the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
2. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
3. Reinstall the socket. Turn it clockwise until it locks. Make sure
the new bulb is working. Replacing a Rear License Bulb
1. Remove the two screws and remove the license light assembly.
2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

4. Turn on the parking lights and check that the new bulb is
working.
5. Reinstall the socket. Turn it clock- wise until it locks.
6. Put the license light assembly in place. Reinstall the two screws and
tighten them securely. Replacing an Interior Light Bulb

(U.S.: EX, Canada: Si)

1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens in
the middle with a fingernail file ora small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housing
around the lens.
(U.S.: DX, HX, Canada: DX)

2. Remove the bulb by pulling it straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
CONTINUED

Maintenance

INTERIOR LIGHT
INTERIOR LIGHTMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Lights

(U.S.: EX)
Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb

The trunk light is available on HX and

EX models in the U.S., and all models in
Canada

1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens in
the middle with a fingernail file or
a small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housing around the lens. 2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Maintenance
SPOTLIGHT
TRUNK LIGHTMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Storing Your Vehicle

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.Change the engine oil and filter (see page 157).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.

Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5- speed manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).

Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper bladearms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the vehicle with a
"breathable" vehicle cover, one
made from a porous material such
as cotton. Nonporous materials, such as plastic sheeting, trap
moisture, which can damage the

paint.

If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your vehicle for 12
months or longer, have your Honda dealer perform the inspections called
for in the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000 km) maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 146).
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are riot
needed unless the vehicle has actually reached that time or mileage.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Appearance Care

Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Honda helps to keep it "new" looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your vehicle and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also included are several things you cando to help prevent corrosion.
Exterior Care.................................. 200 Washing...................................... 200
Waxing........................................ 200 Aluminum Wheels..................... 201 Paint Touch-up...........................201
Interior Care................................... 202 Carpeting.................................... 202
Fabric.......................................... 202
Vinyl............................................ 202 Seat Belts.................................... 202
Windows..................................... 203
Air Fresheners........................... 203
Corrosion Protection..................... 203
Body Repairs.................................. 204
Appearance CareMain Menu s t

Exterior Care

Washing
Frequent washing helps preserve
your vehicle's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap
and bird droppings can permanently
ruin the finish.
Wash your vehicle in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the vehicle is
parked in the sun, move it into the shade and let the exterior cool down
before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's
Manual.

Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your vehicle.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with
cool water to remove loose dirt. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for vehicle

washing.

Wash the vehicle using the water and detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth.
Start at the top and work your way down. Rinse frequently.
Check the body for road tar, treesap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not need waxing.
When you have washed and rinsed the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or soft towel. Letting itair-dry will cause dulling and water

spots.
As you dry the vehicle, inspect it for
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 201).
Waxing Always wash and dry the wholevehicle before waxing it. You should
wax your vehicle, including the metal
trim, whenever water sits on the surface in large patches. It should
form into beads or droplets after
waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish and protects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. Youshould use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.

Appearance Care

NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t