1999 HONDA CIVIC COUPE engine oil

Engine Oil

Adding Oil

To add oil, unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine. Recommended Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter- gent oil.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification from the API Service label on the oilcontainer.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended for your Honda. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel. The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API Service SJ." This service rating mayinclude other classifications, such asCD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries the SJ classification.
API SERVICE LABEL
CONTINUED

Maintenance

ENGINE OIL
FILL CAPMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Engine Oil

The oil container may also display the API Certification seal. Make sureit says "For Gasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATION MARK The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.

An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is

preferred for improved fuel economy

and year-round protection in your

Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if

the temperature in your area never

goes below 20°F( — 7°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil;energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.
Additives Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the costof operating your car.

Maintenance
Ambient TemperatureMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Engine Oil

Changing the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled

mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oildrain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

WASHER
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Engine Oil

5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:

(U.S.: DX and Si, Canada: DX and
SIR)

33 Ibf.ft (44 N.m, 4.5 kgf.m)
(U.S.: HX, EX, Canada: Si)
29 Ibf.ft (39 N.m, 4.0 kgf.m)
6. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.

Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
(DX) 3.8 US qt (3.6 ,3.2 Imp qt)

(U.S.: HX, EX, Canada: Si)
3.5 US qt (3.3 ,2.9 Imp qt)

(U.S.: Si, Canada: SIR)
4.2 US qt (4.0 ,3.5 Imp qt) 7. Install the engine oil fill cap. Start
the engine. The oil pressureindicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin or dump it on the ground.

Maintenance
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Air Conditioning System
Standard on EX and Si models in U. S.,
SiR model in Canada

Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently. Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten minutes while you are driving at asteady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant.
If the air conditioning does not get as

cold as before, have your dealer

check the system. Recharge the

system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page 248.)

Whenever you have the air conditioning

system serviced, make sure the service

facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing

refrigerant into the atmosphere can

damage the environment.

Maintenance

NOTICE
NOTICE

AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSERMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Storing Your Car

If you need to park your car 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 car back on the road. If possible, store your car indoors.

Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 173).

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 car 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 car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms 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 car with a "breathable"
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 car for 12 months
or longer, have your Acura dealer
perform the inspections called for in the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule as soos as you take it out of storage (see
page 162). The replacements called
for in the maintenance schedule are not needed unless the car has
actually reached that time or mileage.

MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 220
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 221
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 226
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly............................. 226
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 227
Jump Starting................................. 227 If Your Engine Overheats............. 229
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 231Charging System Indicator........... 232
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 233
Brake System Indicator................ 234 Closing the Moonroof................... 235
Fuses............................................... 236 Checking and Replacing........... 237
Emergency Towing....................... 241

Taking Care of the UnexpectedMain Menu s t

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

This indicator should light when the ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is running. If it starts flashing, itindicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.

1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 111). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 171). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 241.)

Taking Care of the Unexpected

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

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