1999 HONDA CIVIC COUPE engine oil

Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Your car's exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly. Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
The car is raised for an oil change.You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust. The car was in an accident that
may have damaged the underside.

High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car'sinterior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the climate control system asshown below.
If you must sit in your parked car, even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:
1. Select the Fresh Air mode. 2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Indicator Lights

Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not

being charged. For complete
information, see page 232.

Low Oil Pressure
Indicator

The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete

information, see page 232.

High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 61 for
information on the headlight

controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) are on (see page 61). Parking Brake
and Brake

System

Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release the parking brake while the engineis running, or comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete information, see page 234 .
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp

See page 233.
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)Indicator
Only on cars equipped with ABS (see
page 153)
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the car to your dealer to have it checked.
With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock.

Instruments and Controls

U.S.


Canada

BRAKE
ABS
U.S.


CanadaMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Before Driving

Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 124
Gasoline.......................................... 124
Service Station Procedures .......... 125 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 125Opening the Hood..................... 126 Oil Check................................127
Engine Coolant Check.......... 128
Fuel Economy................................ 129
Vehicle Condition...................... 129Driving Habits............................ 129
Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Carrying Cargo.............................. 132

Before DrivingMain Menu s t

Service Station Procedures

3. Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the hole on
the left side of the hood.
To close the hood, lower it to about a foot (30 cm) above the fender, thenpress down firmly with your hands.
After closing the hood, make sure it is securely latched.
After closing the hood, make sure it is securely latched. Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait a few minutes after turning the engine off
before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.

CONTINUED

Before Driving

SUPPORT ROD

CLIP
Oil Check

DIPSTICKMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Service Station Procedures

4. Remove the dipstick again andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Oil on page 171. Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 175 for information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner Maintenance
Checks on page 169 for information
on checking other items in your

Honda.

Before Driving

3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARKRESERVE
TANK

MAX
MINMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your car wellmaintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 263 for information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 158
Important Safety Precautions.. 159
Maintenance Schedule.................. 160
Maintenance Record..................... 167 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 169
Fluid Locations............................... 170

Engine Oil....................................... 171
Adding Oil................................... 171

Recommended Oil..................... 171Synthetic Oil............................... 172

Additives..................................... 172
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 173

Cooling System.............................. 175
Adding Engine Coolant............. 175Replacing Engine Coolant........ 177
Windshield Washers..................... 180

Transmission Fluid........................ 180
Automatic
Transmission.......................... 180

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 182

Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 182
Brake System............................. 183
Clutch System............................ 183

Power Steering............................... 184
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185 Hood Latch..................................... 186
Spark Plugs..................................... 187

Replacement............................... 187

Specifications............................. 188

Battery............................................ 189

Wiper Blades.................................. 191
Air Conditioning System............... 193 Drive Belts...................................... 194

Timing Belt..................................... 194

Tires................................................ 195 Inflation....................................... 195
Recommended Tire Pressures
for Normal Driving............ 196
Inspection................................... 197
Maintenance............................... 197
Tire Rotation.............................. 198
Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 199

Wheels and Tires....................... 200
Winter Driving........................... 200
Snow Tires.............................. 200

Tire Chains............................. 201
Lights.............................................. 202 Replacing Bulbs......................... 204

Storing Your Car............................ 212

MaintenanceMain Menu s t

Owner Maintenance Checks

You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See

page 111. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time

you fill the fuel tank. See page 127. Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 180. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
180.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 183.Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page 196. Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See

page 202.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Fluid Locations

Maintenance

COOLANT
RESERVOIR

AUTOMATIC

TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK(Yellow loop)

(Including CVT)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
CLUTCH FLUID (5-speed Manual
Transmission only) (Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop) ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
POWER STEERING FLUID (Red cap)Main Menu Table of Contents s t