2000 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN light

Accessorie
s an d Modification s

Modifyin g you r car , o r installin g
som e non-Hond a accessories , ca n
mak e you r ca r unsafe . Befor e yo u
mak e an y modification s o r ad d an y
accessories , b e sur e t o rea d th e
followin g information .

Accessorie s

You r deale r ha s Genuin e Hond a
accessorie s tha t allo w yo u t o
personaliz e you r car . Thes e
accessorie s hav e bee n designe d an d
approve d fo r you r car , an d ar e
covere d b y warranty .
Non-Hond a accessorie s ar e usuall y
designe d fo r universa l applications .
Althoug h aftermarke t accessorie s
ma y fi t o n you r car , the y ma y no t
mee t factor y specifications , an d
coul d adversel y affec t you r car' s
handlin g an d stability . (Se e
"Modifications " o n th e pag e 15 0 fo r
additiona l information. ) Whe
n properl y installed , cellula r
phones , alarms , two-wa y radios , an d
low-powere d audi o system s shoul d
no t interfer e wit h you r car' s
computer-controlle d systems , suc h
a s th e SR S an d anti-loc k brak e

system .

However , i f electroni c accessorie s
ar e improperl y installed , o r excee d
you r car' s electrica l syste m capacity ,
the y ca n interfer e wit h th e operatio no
f you r car , o r eve n caus e th e
airbag s t o deploy .
Befor e installin g an y accessory :
Mak e sur e th e accessor y doe s no t
obscure any lights , o r interfer e
wit h prope r ca r operatio n o r

performance .

B e sur e electroni c accessorie s d o
no t overloa d electrica l circuit s
(se e pag e 254 ). Hav
e th e installe r contac t you r
Hond a deale r fo r assistanc e befor e
installin g an y electroni c accessory .
I f possible , hav e you r deale r inspec t
th e fina l installation .

Befor e Drivin g

Imprope
r accessorie s o r
modification s ca n affec t you r
car' s handling , stabilit y an d
performance , an d caus e a

cras h i n whic h yo u ca n b e hur t

o r killed .
Follo w al l instruction s in thi s
owner' s manua l regardin g
accessorie s an d modifications .

Carryin
g Carg o

You r ca r ha s severa l convenien t
storag e area s s o yo u ca n sto w carg o

safely .

Th e glov e box , an d th e pocket s i n
th e fron t door s an d seat-back , ar e
designe d fo r small , lightweigh t items .
Th e trun k i s intende d fo r larger ,
heavie r items . I n addition , th e bac k
sea t ca n b e folde d dow n to allo w yo u
t o carr y mor e carg o o r longe r items .
However , carryin g to o muc h cargo ,
o r improperl y storin g it , ca n affec t
you r car' s handling , stabilit y an d
operatio n an d mak e it unsafe . Befor e
carryin g an y typ e o f cargo , b e sur e to
rea d th e followin g pages .

Befor e Drivin g

CONSOL
E COMPARTMENT *

FRONT DOO R POCKE T

TRUN K

SEAT-BACK POCKET *
GLOV
E BO X

* :
O n E X an d U.S . L X model s

Preparin
g to Driv e

Yo u shoul d d o th e followin g check s
an d adjustment s ever y da y befor e
yo u driv e you r car .
1 . Mak e sur e al l windows , mirrors ,
an d outsid e light s ar e clea n an d
unobstructed . Remov e frost , snow ,
o r ice .
2 . Chec k tha t th e hoo d an d trun k ar e
full y closed .
3 . Visuall y chec k th e tires . I f a tir e
look s low , us e a gaug e to chec k it s

pressure .
4
. Chec k tha t an y item s yo u ma y b e
carryin g wit h yo u insid e ar e store d
properl y o r fastene d dow n

securely .

5 . Chec k th e adjustmen t o f th e sea t
(se e pag e 7 7 ).
6 . Chec k th e adjustmen t o f th e
insid e an d outsid e mirror s (se e
pag e 8 3 ).
7 . Chec k th e adjustmen t o f th e
steerin g whee l (se e pag e 65 ).
8 . Mak e sur e th e door s ar e securel y

close d an d locked .
9
. Faste n you r sea t belt . Chec k tha t
you r passenger s hav e fastene d
thei r sea t belt s (se e pag e 1 5 ) .
10.Tur n th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) .
Chec k th e indicato r light s i n th e
instrumen t panel .
11.Star t th e engin e (se e pag e 157 ).
12 . Chec k th e gauge s an d indicato r
light s i n th e instrumen t pane l (se e
pag e 53 ).

Drivin g

Parkin
g

Alway s us e th e parkin g brak e whe n
yo u par k you r car . Th e indicato r o n
th e instrumen t pane l show s tha t th e
parkin g brak e is no t full y released ; i t
doe s no t indicat e tha t th e parkin g
brak e is firml y set . Mak e sur e th e
parkin g brak e is se t firml y o r you r
ca r ma y rol l i f i t i s parke d o n a n

incline .

I f you r ca r ha s a n automati c
transmission , se t th e parkin g brak e
befor e yo u pu t th e transmissio n in
Park . Thi s keep s th e ca r fro m
movin g an d puttin g pressur e o n th e
parkin g mechanis m in th e
transmissio n — makin g it easie r t o
mov e th e shif t leve r ou t o f Par k
whe n yo u wan t t o driv e away . I
f th e ca r i s facin g uphill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s awa y fro m th e curb . I f
yo u hav e a manua l transmission , pu t
i t i n firs t gear .
I f th e ca r i s facin g downhill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s towar d th e curb . I f yo u
hav e a manua l transmission , pu t i t i n
revers e gear .
Mak e sur e th e parkin g brak e i s full y
release d befor e drivin g away .
Drivin g wit h th e parkin g brak e
partiall y se t ca n overhea t o r damag e
th e rea r brakes . Parkin
g Tip s Mak
e sur e th e moonroo f an d th e
window s ar e closed .
Tur n of f th e lights .
Plac e an y packages , valuables , etc. ,
i n th e trun k o r tak e the m wit h you .
Loc k th e door s wit h th e ke y o r th e
remot e transmitter . Neve
r par k ove r dr y leaves , tal l
grass , o r othe r flammabl e
materials . Th e thre e wa y catalyti c
converte r get s ver y hot , an d coul d
caus e thes e material s t o catc h o n

fire .

Driving

Th
e Brakin g Syste m

Al l Civic s ar e equippe d wit h fron t
dis c brakes . Th e brake s o n th e rea r
wheel s ar e drum . A powe r assis t
help s reduc e th e effor t neede d o n
th e brak e pedal .
Pu t you r foo t o n th e brak e peda l onl y
whe n yo u inten d t o brake . Restin g
you r foo t o n th e peda l keep s th e
brake s applie d lightly , causin g the m
t o buil d u p heat . Hea t build-u p ca n
reduc e ho w wel l you r brake s work . I t
als o keep s you r brak e light s o n al l
th e time , confusin g driver s behin d

you .
Constan
t applicatio n o f th e brake s
whe n goin g dow n a lon g hil l build s
u p hea t an d reduce s thei r effective -
ness . Us e th e engin e to assis t th e
brake s b y downshiftin g to a lowe r
gea r an d takin g you r foo t of f th e
accelerato r pedal .
Chec k you r brake s afte r drivin g
throug h dee p water . Appl y th e
brake s moderatel y t o se e if the y fee l
normal . I f not , appl y the m gentl y an d
frequentl y unti l the y do . Sinc e a
longe r distanc e is neede d to sto p
wit h we t brakes , b e extr a cautiou s
an d aler t i n you r driving .
Brak
e Wea r Indicator s

Th e fron t dis c brake s o n al l model s
hav e audibl e brak e wea r indicators .
Whe n th e brak e pad s nee d replacing ,
yo u wil l hea r a distinctiv e metalli c
"screeching " soun d whe n yo u appl y
th e brakes . I f yo u d o no t hav e th e
brak e pad s replaced , the y wil l begi n
screechin g al l th e time .
You r brake s ma y sometime s squea l
o r squea k whe n yo u appl y the m
lightly . D o no t confus e thi s wit h th e
brak e wea r indicators . The y mak e a
ver y audibl e "screeching. "

Drivin g

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Rain , fog , an d sno w condition s re -
quir e a differen t drivin g techniqu e
becaus e o f reduce d tractio n an d
visibility . Kee p you r ca r well -
maintaine d an d exercis e greate r
cautio n whe n yo u nee d to driv e in
ba d weather . Th e cruis e contro l
shoul d no t b e use d in thes e condi -

tions .
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Alway s driv e
slowe r tha n yo u woul d in dr y
weather . I t take s you r ca r longe r t o
react , eve n in condition s tha t ma y
see m jus t barel y damp . Appl y
smooth , eve n pressur e to al l th e
controls . Abrup t steerin g whee l
movement s o r sudden , har d appli -
catio n o f th e brake s ca n caus e los s o f
contro l i n we t weather . B e extr a
cautiou s fo r th e firs t fe w mile s
(kilometers ) o f drivin g whil e yo u
adjus t t o th e chang e in drivin g
conditions . Thi s i s especiall y tru e in
snow . A perso n ca n forge t som e
snow-drivin g technique s durin g th e
summe r months . Practic e is neede d
t o relear n thos e skills .
Exercis e extr a cautio n whe n drivin g
i n rai n afte r a lon g dr y spell . Afte r
month s o f dr y weather , th e firs t
rain s brin g oi l t o th e surfac e o f th e
roadway , makin g it slippery . Visibilit
y — Bein g abl e to se e
clearl y in al l direction s an d bein g
visibl e to othe r driver s ar e importan t
i n al l weathe r conditions . Thi s is
mor e difficul t i n ba d weather . T o b e
see n mor e clearl y durin g dayligh t
hours , tur n o n you r headlights .
Inspec t you r windshiel d wiper s an d
washer s frequently . Kee p th e wind -
shiel d washe r reservoi r ful l o f th e
prope r fluid . Hav e th e windshiel d
wipe r blade s replace d if the y star t t o
strea k th e windshiel d o r leav e part s
unwiped . Us e th e defroster s an d ai r
conditionin g to kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e

pag e 9 5 ) .

Drivin g

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

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
Yo u shoul d chec k th e followin g
item s a t th e specifie d intervals . I f
yo u ar e unsur e o f ho w to perfor m
an y check , tur n t o th e pag e given . Engin
e oi l leve l — Chec k ever y
tim e yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e
pag e 146 .
Engin e coolan t leve l — Chec k th e
radiato r reserv e tan k ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e pag e 14 7 .
Windshiel d washe r flui d — Chec k
th e leve l i n th e reservoi r monthly .
I f weathe r condition s caus e yo u t o
us e th e washer s frequently , chec k
th e reservoi r eac h tim e yo u sto p
fo r fuel . Se e pag e 196 .
Automati c transmissio n — Chec k
th e flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e
197 .
Brake s — Chec k th e flui d leve l monthly
. Se e pag e 198 .
Tire
s — Chec k th e tir e pressur e
monthly . Examin e th e trea d fo r
wea r an d foreig n objects . Se e pag e

211 .
Light
s — Chec k th e operatio n o f
th e headlights , parkin g lights ,
taillights , high-moun t brak e light ,
tur n signals , brak e lights , an d
licens e plat e light s monthly . Se e

pag e 218 .

Maintenanc e