1999 HONDA CIVIC COUPE Owners Manual

Air Cleaner Element, Hood Latch
Replacement

On HX, EX and Si models in the U.S.,
and Si and SiR models in Canada

The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger'sside of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the two clips and remove the air cleaner housing cover. 2. Remove the old air cleaner

element.

Carefully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp

rag.

3. Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing.
4. Align the tabs and reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, snap the
two clips back into place. Hood Latch
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot. Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Honda dealer.

Maintenance
CLIPS

AIR CLEANER
ELEMENT
PIVOTSMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your car should be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Replacement

1. Clean up any dirt and oil around the spark plug caps.
2. Remove the spark plug cap by pulling it straight out.
3. Remove the spark plug with a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. 4. Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not crossthread it.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

SPARK PLUG CAPMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Spark Plugs

5. Torque the spark plug. (If you do not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque: 13 lbf.ft (18 N.m, 1.8 kgf.m) Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine. Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

6. Install the spark plug cap.

7. Repeat this procedure for the other three spark plugs.
Specifications:

(U.S.: HX)
NGK: ZFR4F-11DENSO: KJ14CR-L11
(U.S.: DX, EX, Canada: DX, Si) NGK: ZFR5F-11
DENSO: KJ16CR-L11

(U.S.: Si, Canada: SiR)
NGK: PFR6L-13
DENSO: PK20PR-L13

Spark Plug Gap:
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
Maintenance
NOTICEMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Battery

Check the condition of your car's
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window, and for corrosion on the terminals.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the test indicator's colors. Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

TEST INDICATOR WINDOWMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Battery
If the terminals are severely cor-roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the negative ( — ) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car's electrical system.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls Detach the
battery cables before connecting the battery to a charger
Maintenance
NOTICE

The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled mechanic do the battery
maintenance.Main Menu Table of Contents s t

Wiper Blades
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months. Look for signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you find
these signs, or they leave streaks and unwiped areas when used.
To replace the blade:1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield. 2. Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm by pushing inthe lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

WIPER ARMS
LOCKTABMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Wiper Blades
3. Remove the blade from its holder by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein- forcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinforcement
strips from the old wiper blade and install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade. 5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against the windshield.

Maintenance
BLADE
BLADE

REINFORCEMENTMain Menu Table of Contents s t

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