1999 HONDA CIVIC COUPE Owners Manual

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, Si, Canada: Si, SiR)
1. Remove the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens inthe middle with a fingernail file or
a small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housingaround 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.
Maintenance INTERIOR LIGHT
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Lights

(U.S.: EX and Si, Canada: SiR)
Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb

(U.S.: HX, EX and Si, Canada: DX,
EX, SiR models)

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. 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

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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

Appearance Care

Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Honda helps to keep it "new" looking. This section gives you hintson how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also included are several things you can
do to help prevent corrosion.
Exterior Care.................................. 214 Washing...................................... 214
Waxing........................................ 214
Aluminum Wheels..................... 215Paint Touch-up........................... 215
Interior Care................................... 216 Carpeting.................................... 216
Fabric.......................................... 216

Vinyl............................................ 216
Seat Belts.................................... 216
Windows..................................... 217
Air Fresheners........................... 217
Corrosion Protection..................... 217
Body Repairs..................................218
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Exterior Care

Washing Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the car 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 car.

Rinse the car 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 car washing.
Wash the car 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, tree
sap, 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 car does not need waxing.
When you have washed and rinsed the whole exterior, dry it with achamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
As you dry the car, 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 whole car before waxing it. You should wax
your car, 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

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Exterior CarePolishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can
restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You should use a polish on your Honda if
the finish does not have its original shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax. Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not

need waxing.
Aluminum Wheels

(U.S.: HX, Si models, Canada: SiR model)
Clean your Honda's aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the exterior. Wash them with the same
solution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear- coat that keeps the aluminum fromcorroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some commercial wheel cleaners, or stiff
brushes can damage this clear-coat. Only use a mild detergent and soft
brush or sponge to clean the wheels.
Paint Touch-up

Your dealer has touch-up paint to match your car's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on the
driver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get
the correct color.
Inspect your car frequently for chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosionof the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips and scratches. More extensive paint
damage should be repaired by a
professional.

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Interior Care

Carpeting

Vacuum the carpeting frequently to remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out faster.Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the foam-type carpet cleaners on themarket. Follow the instructions that
come with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or soft brush. Keep the carpeting as dry as possible by
not adding water to the foam.
Fabric
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soap
and lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric first, to make sure it does not bleachor stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions that come with the
cleaner.
Vinyl

Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a soft
cloth dampened in a solution of mildsoap and water. Use the samesolution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
foam-type vinyl cleaners.
Seat BeltsIf your seat belts get dirty, you can
use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean
them. Do not use bleach, dye, or cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air-
dry before you use the car. Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
Appearance Care
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Interior Care, Corrosion Protection

Windows
Clean the windows, inside and out,

with a commercially-available glass
cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear

plastic surfaces.

The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires. When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side. Air Fresheners
If you want to use an air freshener/deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi- cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack ordiscolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it does not spill as you drive.
Corrosion Protection

Two factors normally contribute to causing corrosion in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of thecar stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the car.
Many corrosion-preventive measures are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your car from corroding by performing some simple periodic
maintenance:

Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.

CONTINUED

Appearance Care

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