2000 HONDA CIVIC COUPE maintenance

2000 Civic Sedan
Online Reference Owner's Manual
Contents

Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... . 89
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................141
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .155
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................173
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
..................................................... .231
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................237
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .261
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................273
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................279
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
.............................................................................. I
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump. Service Information Summary Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.\
helminc.com. If you have a Civic refer to Civic Sedan GX Owner’s Manual Supplement
for additional information.
Owner's Identification Form

Introductio
n

Congratulation s ! You r selectio n o f a 200 0 Hond a Civi c wa s a wis e
investment . I t wil l giv e yo u year s o f drivin g pleasure .
On e o f th e bes t way s t o enhanc e th e enjoymen t o f you r ne w Hond a is t o
rea d thi s manual . I n it , yo u wil l lear n ho w to operat e it s drivin g control s an d
convenienc e items . Afterwards , kee p thi s owner' s manua l i n you r ca r s o yo u
ca n refe r t o i t a t an y time .
Severa l warrantie s protec t you r ne w Honda . Rea d th e warrant y bookle t
thoroughl y s o yo u understan d th e coverage s an d ar e awar e o f you r right s
an d responsibilities .
Maintainin g you r ca r accordin g t o th e schedule s give n i n thi s manua l help s
t o kee p you r drivin g trouble-fre e whil e i t preserve s you r investment . Whe n
you r ca r need s maintenance , kee p i n min d tha t you r Hond a dealer' s staf f i s
speciall y traine d in servicin g th e man y system s uniqu e t o you r Honda . You r
Hond a deale r i s dedicate d t o you r satisfactio n an d wil l b e please d t o answe r
an y question s an d concerns . A
s yo u rea d thi s manual , yo u wil l
fin d informatio n tha t i s precede d b y
symbol . Thi s

NOTIC
E
a

informatio n i s intende d t o hel p yo u
avoi d damag e t o you r Honda , othe r
property , o r th e environment .

Drive
r an d Passenge r Safet y

Thi s sectio n give s yo u importan t

informatio n abou t ho w to protec t

yoursel f an d you r passengers . I t

show s yo u ho w to us e sea t belt s

properly . I t explains your Supple -

menta l Restrain t System . An d it tell s

yo u ho w to properl y restrai n infant s
an d childre n in you r car .

Importan t Safet y Precautions......... . 6

You r Car' s Safet y Features............. . 7

Sea t Belts....................................... . 8
Airbags...........................................
. 9

Seat s & Seat-Backs..................... . 1 0

Hea d Restraints.......................... . 1 0

Doo r Locks.................................. . 1 1

Pre-Driv e Safet y Checklist........ . 1 1

Protectin g Adults............................ . 1 2

1 . Clos e an d Loc k th e Doors..... . 1 2

2 . Adjus t th e Fron t Seats........... . 1 2

3 . Adjus t th e Seat-Backs............ . 1 3

4 . Adjus t th e Hea d Restraints... . 1 4

5 . Faste n an d Positio n th e Sea t

Belts..................................... . 1 5

6 . Adjus t th e Steerin g Wheel.... . 1 8

7 . Maintai n a Prope r Sittin g

Position................................ . 1 8

Advic e fo r Pregnan t Women..... . 1 9

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 1 9

Protectin g Children........................ . 2 1

Al l Childre n Mus t B e

Restrained............................... . 2 1

Childre n Shoul d Si t i n th e Bac k

Seat........................................... . 2 2

Th e Passenger' s Airba g Pose s

Seriou s Risk s t o Children...... . 2 2

I f Yo u Mus t Driv e wit h Severa l

Children................................... . 2 4
I
f a Chil d Require s Clos e
Attention.................................. . 2 4
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 2 4
Genera l Guideline s fo r Usin g

Chil d Seats............................... . 2 5

Protectin g Infants....................... . 2 9
Protectin g Smal l Children......... . 3 3
Protectin g Large r Children....... . 3 7
Usin g Chil d Seat s wit h
Tethers..................................... . 4 0
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t You r

Sea t Belts................................. . 4 2

Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2
La p Belt........................................ . 4 3
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 4
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t You r

SRS........................................... . 4 5

SR S Components........................ . 4 5

Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t
Works....................................... . 4 7

SR S Service.................................. . 4 7

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8

Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard............. . 4 9

Safet y Labels................................... . 5 0

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Important
Safety Precautions
You'l l fin d man y safet y
recommendation s throughou t thi s
section , an d throughou t thi s manual .
Th e recommendation s o n thi s pag e
ar e th e one s w e conside r t o b e th e
mos t important .
Alway s Wea r You r Sea t Bel t
A sea t bel t i s you r bes t protectio n i n
al l type s o f collisions . Airbag s
supplemen t sea t belts , bu t airbag s
ar e designe d t o inflat e onl y i n a
moderat e to sever e fronta l collision .
S o eve n thoug h you r ca r i s equippe d
wit h airbags , mak e sur e yo u an d
you r passenger s alway s wea r you r
sea t belts , an d wea r the m properly .
(Se e pag e 15 .)
Restrai n Al l Childre n
Childre n ar e safes t whe n the y ar e
properl y restraine d i n th e bac k seat ,
no t th e fron t seat . A chil d wh o i s to o
smal l fo r a sea t bel t mus t b e properl y
restraine d in a chil d safet y seat . (Se e
pag e 21 .) B
e Awar e o f Airba g Hazard s
Whil e airbag s ca n sav e lives , the y
ca n caus e seriou s o r fata l injurie s t o
occupant s wh o si t to o clos e t o them ,
o r ar e no t properl y restrained .
Infants , youn g children , an d shor t
adult s ar e a t th e greates t risk . B e
sur e t o follo w al l instruction s an d
warning s i n thi s manual . (Se e pag e
9 .)

Don' t Drin k an d Driv e

Alcoho l an d drivin g don' t mix . Eve n
on e drin k ca n reduc e you r abilit y t o
respon d t o changin g conditions , an d
you r reactio n tim e get s wors e wit h
ever y additiona l drink . S o don' t drin k
an d drive , an d don' t le t you r friend s
drin k an d drive , either . Contro
l You r Spee d
Excessiv e spee d is a majo r facto r i n
cras h injurie s an d deaths . Generally ,
th e highe r th e spee d th e greate r th e
risk , bu t seriou s accident s ca n als o
occu r a t lowe r speeds . Neve r driv e
faste r tha n i s saf e fo r curren t
conditions , regardles s o f th e
maximu m spee d posted .
Kee p You r Ca r i n Saf e Conditio n
Havin g a tir e blowou t o r a
mechanica l failur e ca n b e extremel y
hazardous . T o reduc e th e possibilit y
o f suc h problems , chec k you r tir e
pressure s an d conditio n frequently ,
an d perfor m al l regularl y schedule d
maintenance . (Se e pag e 17 8 .)

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t You r SR S
Th e purpos e o f th e SR S
ligh t i s t o aler t yo u t o a
potentia l proble m wit h you r
Supplementa l Restrain t System .
Whe n yo u tur n th e ignitio n O N (II) ,
thi s indicato r wil l ligh t u p briefl y
the n g o out . Thi s tell s yo u tha t th e
syste m is workin g properly .
However , i f th e ligh t come s o n a t an y
othe r time , yo u shoul d hav e th e
syste m checke d b y you r dealer . Fo r

example :
I
f th e SR S indicato r ligh t doe s no t
com e o n afte r yo u tur n th e ignitio n

O N (II) . I
f th e ligh t stay s o n afte r th e

engin e starts . I
f th e ligh t come s o n o r flashe s o n
an d of f whil e yo u drive .
I f yo u se e an y o f thes e indications ,
you r airbag s ma y no t deplo y whe n
yo u nee d them . Se e you r Hond a
deale r a s soo n a s possible . SR
S Servic e
You r Supplementa l Restrain t Syste m
i s virtuall y maintenance-free , an d
ther e ar e n o part s yo u ca n safel y
service . However , yo u mus t hav e
you r ca r service d if :
Your airbags ever inflate. Th
e

airbag s an d th e contro l uni t mus t
b e replaced . D o no t tr y t o remov e
o r replac e th e airbag s yourself .
Thi s mus t b e don e b y a Hond a
deale r o r a knowledgeabl e bod y

shop .
The SRS indicator light alerts you

to a problem. Tak
e you r ca r t o a n
authorize d Hond a deale r a s soo n
a s possible . I f yo u ignor e thi s
indication , th e airbag s migh t no t
inflat e whe n yo u nee d them .

Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y

Ho
w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t

Work s

Ignoring th e SR S indicato r ligh t
ca n resul t i n seriou s injur y o r
deat h i f th e airbag s d o no t
inflat e whe n needed .
Hav e you r vehicl e checke d b y a
deale r a s soo n a s possibl e i f
th e SR S ligh t alert s yo u t o a
potentia l problem .
SRS

Gauge
s

Maintenanc e Require d Indicato r

U.S. Models

Thi s indicato r remind s yo u tha t i t i s
nearin g 7,50 0 mile s (12,00 0 km )
sinc e th e las t schedule d maintenance .
Refe r t o th e Maintenanc e Schedule s
fo r Norma l an d Sever e Drivin g

Condition s o n page s 17 8 — 18 2 .
Whe
n th e distanc e drive n sinc e th e
las t schedule d maintenanc e near s
7,50 0 mile s (12,00 0 km) , th e
indicato r wil l tur n yellow . I f yo u
excee d 7,50 0 mile s (12,00 0 km) , th e
indicato r wil l tur n red .
You r deale r wil l rese t th e indicato r
whe n h e perform s th e schedule d
maintenance . I f someon e els e
perform s th e maintenance , rese t th e
indicato r b y insertin g you r ke y i n th e
slo t besid e th e indicator .
Instruments an d Control s
SLO
T

INDICATOR

Maintenanc
e

Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r ca r wel l
maintaine d an d t o follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f
yourself .
I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 27 9 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a

dealer .
Maintenanc
e Safety...................... . 17 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 17 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 17 6

Maintenanc e Record.................... . 18 3

Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 18 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 18 6

Engin e Oil...................................... . 18 7

Addin g Oil.................................. . 18 7

Recommende d Oil.................... . 18 7
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 18 8

Additives.................................... . 18 8

Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 18 9

Coolin g System............................. . 19 1

Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 19 1
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 19 3
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 19 6

Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 19 7

Automati c

Transmission......................... . 19 7

5-spee d Manua l

Transmission......................... . 19 8

Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 19 8

Brak e System............................ . 19 9
Clutc h System........................... . 19 9

Powe r Steering.............................. . 20 0

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 20 1 Hoo
d Latch.................................... . 20 2
Spar k Plugs.................................... . 20 3

Replacement.............................. . 20 3

Specifications............................ . 20 4

Battery........................................... . 20 5

Wipe r Blades................................. . 20 7
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 20 9
Driv e Belts..................................... . 21 0

Timin g Belt.................................... . 21 0

Tires............................................... . 21 1
Inflation...................................... . 21 1

Recommende d Tir e Pressure s

fo r Norma l Driving........... . 21 2

Tir e Pressur e Adjustmen t fo r

Hig h Spee d Driving.......... . 21 2
Inspection.................................. . 21 3
Maintenance.............................. . 21 3
Tir e Rotation............................. . 21 4

Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 21 5

Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 21 6
Winte r Driving.......................... . 21 6

Sno w Tires............................. . 21 6

Tir e Chains............................ . 21 7
Lights............................................. . 21 8
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 22 0

Storin g You r Car........................... . 22 9

Maintenanc e

Maintenanc
e Safet y
Regularl y maintainin g you r ca r i s th e
bes t wa y t o protec t you r investment .
Prope r maintenanc e i s essentia l t o
you r safet y an d th e safet y o f you r
passengers . I t wil l als o rewar d yo u
wit h mor e economical , trouble-fre e
drivin g an d hel p reduc e ai r pollution .Thi
s sectio n include s instruction s fo r
simpl e maintenanc e tasks , suc h a s
checkin g an d addin g oil . An y servic e
item s no t detaile d i n thi s sectio n
shoul d b e performe d b y a Hond a
technicia n o r othe r qualifie d
mechanic . Som
e o f th e mos t importan t safet y
precaution s ar e give n here . However ,
w e canno t war n yo u o f ever y
conceivabl e hazar d tha t ca n aris e i n
performin g maintenance . Onl y yo u
ca n decid e whethe r o r no t yo u
shoul d perfor m a give n task .

Maintenanc e

Improperl
y maintainin g thi s ca r
o r failin g t o correc t a proble m
befor e drivin g ca n caus e a
cras h in whic h yo u ca n b e
seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e inspectio n
an d maintenanc e
recommendation s an d
schedule s i n thi s owner' s manual. Failur
e t o properl y follo w
maintenanc e instruction s an d
precaution s ca n caus e yo u t o
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e procedure s
an d precaution s i n thi s owner' s
manual .