2000 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN manual transmission

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

Startin
g th e Engin e

1 . Appl y th e parkin g brake .

2 . I n col d weather , tur n of f al l

electrica l accessorie s t o reduc e

th e drai n o n th e battery .

3 . Manual Transmission:

Pus h th e clutc h peda l dow n al l th e
way . STAR T (III ) doe s no t
functio n unles s th e clutc h peda l i s

depressed .

Automatic Transmission:
Mak e sur e th e shif t leve r i s in
Park . Pres s o n th e brak e pedal .

4 . Withou t touchin g th e accelerato r

pedal , tur n th e ignitio n ke y to th e
STAR T (III ) position . I f th e engin e
doe s no t star t righ t away , d o no t
hol d th e ke y in STAR T (III ) fo r
mor e tha n 1 5 second s a t a time .
Paus e fo r a t leas t 1 0 second s

befor e tryin g again .
5
. I f th e engin e doe s no t star t withi n
1 5 seconds , o r start s bu t stall s
righ t away , repea t ste p 4 wit h th e
accelerato r peda l presse d half-wa y
down . I f th e engin e starts , releas e
pressur e o n th e accelerato r peda l
s o th e engin e doe s no t race .
6 . I f th e engin e stil l doe s no t start ,
pres s th e accelerato r peda l al l th e
wa y dow n an d hol d it ther e whil e
startin g in orde r t o clea r flooding .
A s before , kee p th e ignitio n ke y in
th e STAR T (III ) positio n fo r n o
mor e tha n 1 5 seconds . Retur n to
ste p 5 if th e engin e doe s no t start .
I f i t starts , lif t you r foo t of f th e
accelerato r peda l s o th e engin e
doe s no t race .

Startin g in Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/

2,40 0 meters )

A n
engin
e is harde r t o star t i n col d
weather . Th e thinne r ai r foun d a t
hig h altitud e abov e 8,00 0 fee t (2,40 0 meters
) add s t o th e problem .
Us e th e followin g procedure :
1 . Tur n of f al l electrica l accessorie s
t o reduc e th e drai n o n th e battery .
2 . Pus h th e accelerato r peda l half -
wa y t o th e floo r an d hol d it ther e
whil e startin g th e engine . D o no t
hol d th e ignitio n ke y in STAR T
(III ) fo r mor e tha n 1 5 seconds .
Whe n th e engin e starts , releas e
th e accelerato r peda l graduall y a s
th e engin e speed s u p an d smooth s
out .
3 . I f th e engin e fail s t o star t i n ste p 2 ,
pus h th e accelerato r peda l t o th e
floo r an d hol d it ther e whil e yo u
tr y t o star t th e engin e fo r n o mor e
tha n 1 5 seconds . I f th e engin e
doe s no t start , retur n to ste p 2 .

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

Coolin
g Syste m

4 . Remov e th e reserv e tan k fro m it s
holde r b y pullin g it straigh t up .
Drai n th e coolant , the n pu t th e
tan k bac k i n it s holder . 5
. Whe n th e coolan t stop s draining ,
tighte n th e drai n plu g a t th e
botto m o f th e radiator .
6 . Mi x th e recommende d antifreez e
wit h a n equa l amoun t o f purifie d
o r distille d wate r i n a clea n
container . Th e coolin g syste m
capacit y is :

With 5-speed manual transmission:
0.8
2 U S ga l (3. 1 , 0.6 8 Im p gal )

With automatic transmission:

(U.S. : DX , D X Valu e Package , LX ,
Canada : LX , SE , EX ) 0.7
9 U S ga l (3. 0 ,0.6 6 Im p gal )
(U.S. : EX ) 0.8
5 U S ga l (3. 2 ,0.7 0 Im p gal ) 7
. Pou r coolan t int o th e radiato r u p
t o th e bas e o f th e fille r neck . Star t
th e engin e an d le t i t ru n fo r abou t
3 0 seconds . The n tur n of f th e

engine .

Maintenanc e

RESERV
E

TAN K
RESERV
E

TAN K CA P

HOLDE R
FILLE
R NEC K
Fil l u p to her e

Emergenc
y Towin g

I f you r ca r need s t o b e towed , cal l a
professiona l towin g servic e or , i f yo u
belon g to one , a n organizatio n tha t
provide s roadside assistance . Neve r
to w you r ca r behin d anothe r vehicl e
wit h jus t a rop e o r chain . I t i s ver y

dangerous .

Ther e ar e thre e popula r type s o f
professiona l towin g equipment .

Flat-bed Equipment — Th e operato r

load s you r ca r o n th e bac k o f a truck .
Thi s i s th e bes t wa y t o transpor t
you r Honda .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — Th e to w
truc k use s tw o pivotin g arm s tha t g o
unde r th e tire s (fron t o r rear ) an d lif t
the m of f th e ground . Th e othe r tw o
tire s remai n o n th e ground . Thi s is
a n acceptabl e wa y t o to w you r
Honda .

Sling-type Equipment — Th e to w

truc k use s meta l cable s wit h hook s o
n th e ends . Thes e hook s g o aroun d
part s o f th e fram e o r suspensio n an d
th e cable s lif t tha t en d o f th e ca r of f
th e ground . You r car' s suspensio n
an d bod y ca n b e seriousl y damaged .
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
I f you r Hond a canno t b e transporte d
b y flat-bed , i t shoul d b e towe d b y
wheel-lif t equipmen t wit h th e fron t
wheel s of f th e ground . I f du e t o
damage , you r ca r mus t b e towe d
wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
d o th e following :

5-speed Manual Transmission
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Shif t th e transmissio n t o Neutral .

Automatic Transmission
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Star t th e engine .
Shif t t o D4 , the n t o N .
Tur n of f th e engine .
Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine (automatic transmission), your

car must be transported with the front

wheels off the ground.

Wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
i t i s bes t t o to w th e ca r n o farthe r
tha n 5 0 mile s (8 0 km) , an d kee p th e
spee d belo w 3 5 mp h (5 5 km/h) .
I f you r ca r i s equippe d wit h a fron t
spoiler , remov e it befor e towin g s o it
i s no t damaged .

CONTINUED

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Clutc h Fluid................................... . 19 9

C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 27 0

Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 15 7

Compac t Spare.............................. . 23 8

Consume r Information*............... . 27 4
Controls , Instrument s and............. .
51

Coolan t

Adding........................................ . 19 1

Checking.................................... .
14
7

Prope r Solution......................... . 19 1

Replacing................................... . 19 3

Temperatur e Gauge................... . 5 8

Corrosio n Protection.................... . 23 5

Crankcas e Emission s Contro l

System........................................ . 27 0

Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 6 6
Custome r Relation s Office.......... . 27 4
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . i i
Dashboard................................... . 2 , 5 2
Daytim e Runnin g Lights................ . 6 1
Dea d Battery , Wha t t o Do........... . 24 5
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 28 0
Defo g an d Defrost.......................... . 9 5 Defogger
, Rea r Window................ . 6 4
Defrostin g th e Windows................ . 9 5
DEXRON ® II I Automati c
Transmissio n Fluid................... . 19 7
Dimensions.................................... . 26 4
Dimmin g th e Headlights............... . 6 1
Dipstic k
Automati c Transmission.......... . 19 7

Engin e Oil.................................. . 14 6

Directiona l Signals.......................... . 6 2

Disabled , Towin g You r Ca r If..... . 25 9

Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 16 6
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 19 0
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 7 1
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 7 2
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 26 6
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 15 8
Driv e Belts..................................... . 21 0
Drive r an d Passenge r Safety........... . 5
Driving........................................... . 15 5
Economy.................................... . 14 8
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 17 0
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 26 9 Economy
, Fuel.............................. . 14 8
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 23 7
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 24 5
Brak e Syste m Indicator............ 252
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 23 9
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... . 25 0
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 25 5
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 24 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 25 1
Manuall y Closin g Moonroof... . 25 3
Overheate d Engine.................. . 24 7
Emergenc y Brake........................... . 8 5
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 6 4
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 25 9
Emission s Controls....................... . 27 0

Engin e

Coolan t Temperatur e Gaug e .... . 5 8
Driv e Belts................................. . 21 0
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp................................ .56, 25 1
Oi l Pressur e Indicator........ . 55 , 24 9
Oil , Wha t Kin d to Use.............. . 18 7

CONTINUED

Inde
x

Maintenance.................................. . 17 3

Owne r Maintenanc e Checks... . 18 5

Record................................. .183 -
184

Require d Indicator...................... .
5
9

Safety.......................................... . 17 4

Schedule............................. .178 -

182

Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp.
. 56 , 25 1

Manua l Transmission................... . 15 8

Manua l Transmissio n Flui d ........ . 19 8

Meters , Gauges............................... . 5 7

Methano l i n Gasoline................... . 26 8

Mirrors , Adjusting.......................... . 8 3

Moonroof......................................... . 8 3

Closin g Manually...................... . 25 3

Operation..................................... . 8 3

Neutra l Gea r Position................... . 16 2

Ne w Vehicl e Break-i n .................. . 14 2

Norma l Shif t Speeds..................... . 15 9

NOTICE , Explanatio n of................... .

i

Numbers, Identification............... .
26
2
Octan
e Requirement , Gasoline... . 14 2
Odometer......................................... . 5 7

Odometer , Trip............................... . 5 7

Oi l

Change , Ho w to ........................ . 18 9

Change , Whe n to...................... . 17 8

Checkin g Engine...................... . 14 6
Pressur e Indicator.............. . 55 , 24 9
Selectin g Prope r Viscosit y
Chart...................................... . 18 8
O N (Ignitio n Ke y Position)........... . 7 1
Onboar d Refuelin g Vapo r
Recovery.................................... . 27 0
Openin g th e Hood........................ . 14 4
Openin g th e Trunk......................... . 7 6
Operatio n in Foreig n Countries.. . 26 9
Outsid e Mirrors.............................. . 8 3
Overheating , Engine.................... . 24 7
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 18 5
Oxygenate d Fuels......................... . 26 8

Pain t Touch-up.............................. . 23 3
Pane
l Brightnes s Control.............. . 6 2

Par k Gea r Position........................ . 16 1

Parking........................................... . 16 5

Parkin g Brake................................. . 8 5

Parkin g Lights................................. . 6 1

Parkin g Ove r Thing s tha t Burn.. . 27 2

PGM-F I System............................. . 27 1

Polishin g an d Waxing.................. . 23 3

Powe r

Doo r Locks.................................. . 7 2

Mirrors......................................... . 8 4

Steering...................................... . 20 0

Windows...................................... . 8 1

Pre-Driv e Safet y Checklist............ . 1 1
Pregnancy , Usin g Sea t Belts......... . 1 9

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

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 1 9
Advic e fo r Pregnan t Women..... . 1 9

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

Protectin g Infants....................... . 2 9

Protectin g Large r Children....... . 3 7

Protectin g Smal l Children......... . 3 3

Usin g Chil d Seat s wit h

Tethers..................................... . 4 0

Inde
x

Radiato r Overheating................... . 24 7

Radio/CD/Cassett e

Soun d Syste m ............. .
98, 107, 121

Rea r En d
Towing..........................
. 25 9

Rea r Lights , Bul b

Replacement...................... . 223 , 22 4

Rea r Seat , Folding.......................... . 8 0

Rea r Vie w Mirror............................ . 8 3
Rea r Windo w Defogger................. . 6 4
Reclinin g th e Sea t Backs............... . 7 7
Recommende d Shif t Speed s ....... . 15 9
Reminde r Lights............................. . 5 3
Remot e Transmitter....................... . 7 3
Replacemen t Informatio n
Ai r Cleane r Element................. . 20 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 19 3
Engin e Oi l an d Filter................ . 18 9

Fuses.......................................... . 25 5

Ligh t Bulbs................................ . 22 0

Schedule.................................... . 17 8

Spar k Plugs................................ . 20 3

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

Tires........................................... . 21 5

Wipe r Blades............................. . 20 7
Replacin
g Sea t Belt s Afte r a

Crash............................................ . 4 4

Reserv e Tank , Engin e
Coolant............................... . 147, 19 1

Restraint , Child............................... . 2 1

Revers e Gea r Position.................. . 16 2

Rotation , Tire................................ . 21 4

Safet y Belts.................................. .8 , 4 2
Safet y Defects , Reporting * ......... . 27 8
Safet y Features................................. . 7
Airbags........................................... . 9
Doo r Locks.................................. . 1 1
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 1 0
Sea t Belts....................................... . 8
Seat s & Seat-Backs..................... . 1 0

Safet y Labels , Locatio n of............. . 5 0

Safet y Messages............................... . i i
Sea t Belt , Additiona l Information. . 4 2
La p Belt......................................... 43
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 4
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2
Sea
t Belts..................................... . 8 , 4 2

Cleaning..................................... . 23 4

Maintenance................................ . 4 4

Reminde r Ligh t an d Beeper...... . 5 4

Syste m Components................... . 4 2

Tethe r Anchorag e Points.......... . 4 0
Us e Durin g Pregnancy............... . 1 9
Wearin g a Lap/Shoulde r Belt... . 1 5
Wearin g th e La p Belt................. . 1 7

Seats , Adjustin g the........................ . 7 7

Seria l Number............................... . 26 2
Servic e Intervals........................... . 17 8

Servic e Manual * ........................... . 27 9

Servic e Statio n Procedures......... . 14 3
Settin g th e Clock.......... .

101, 112, 126

Shiftin g
Th e Automati c
Transmissio
n .. 16 0
Th e 5-spee d Manua l

Transmission......................... . 15 8

Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator..... . 16 0
Shif t Loc k Release........................ . 16 4
Sid e Marke r Lights , Bul b

Replacemen t in......................... . 22 1

Signalin g Turns............................... . 6 2

CONTINUED