2001 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN engine coolant

Gauges

Trip Meter

This meter shows the number of miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two different

distances.

To reset a trip meter, display it and then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to "0.0". Both trip meters will reset if
the vehicle's battery goes dead or isdisconnected. Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper grey zone. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of the road. Turn to page 239 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads.
4-cylinder models
The gauge stays at the same fuel level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new reading after you turn the ignitionswitch back ON (II).

6-cylinder models

The needle returns to the bottom after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the fuel level reading immediately after you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).

Instruments and Controls

Heating and Cooling

How to Use the System
This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting.
The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition

clears.
The outside air intakes for the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
Ventilation

The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it through vents near the rear window.
1. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the left.
Make sure the A/C is off. 2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.

Comfort and Convenience Features

FAN CONTROL DIAL

MODE BUTTONS
TEMPERATURE

CONTROL DIAL

RECIRCULATION BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON

CONTINUED

Heating and Cooling

To Cool with A/C

1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. The light above the buttonshould come on when a fan speed
is selected.
2. Make sure the temperature control dial is set to maximum cool. 3. Select
4. If the outside air is humid, select Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
5. Set the fan to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera-ture control dial is set to maximum

cool.

3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode. When the interior has cooled down
to a more comfortable temperature,close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal

cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 58) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turn
off the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.

Comfort and Convenience Features
FAN CONTROL DIAL

MODE BUTTONS
TEMPERATURE

CONTROL DIAL

AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON

RECIRCULATION BUTTON

Heating and Cooling

To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the car has been sitting out in
cold weather:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select
When you select the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
3. Switch the fan and temperature controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very colddays), first select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
fogging the windows. These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
underneath each vent. This will send more warm air to the windshielddefroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away. To Turn Everything Off
To shut off the system temporarily,turn the fan speed and temperaturecontrol dials all the way to the left.
You should shut the system completely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms upenough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
Comfort and Convenience Features

Before Driving
Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 178
Gasoline.......................................... 178
Service Station Procedures .......... 178 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 178Opening the Hood..................... 180 Oil Check................................ 182
Engine Coolant Check.......... 184
Fuel Economy................................ 185 Vehicle Condition...................... 185Driving Habits............................ 185
Accessories and Modifications.... 186 Carrying Cargo.............................. 188

Before Driving

Service Station Procedures

4. Remove the dipstick again and check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Oil on page 234 . Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 239 for
information on adding the proper

coolant.
Refer to Owner Maintenance
Checks on page 231 for information
on checking other items in your

Honda.

Before Driving
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
MAX

RESERVE TANK

MIN

4-cylinder models RESERVE TANK

6-cylinder models
MIN
MAX

Maintenance

This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 345 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda

dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 220

Important Safety Precautions ..221

Maintenance Schedule.................. 222

Maintenance Record..................... 229
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 231

Fluid Locations............................... 232

Engine Oil....................................... 234
Adding Oil................................... 234Recommended Oil..................... 235
Synthetic Oil............................... 235

Additives..................................... 235
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 236

Cooling System.............................. 239
Adding Engine Coolant............. 239Replacing Engine Coolant........ 241

Windshield Washers..................... 246

Transmission Fluid........................ 247
Automatic
Transmission.......................... 247

5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 249

Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 251
Brake System............................. 251
Clutch System............................ 252

Power Steering............................... 252

Air Cleaner Element...................... 253
Hood Latch..................................... 256

Spark Plugs..................................... 256

Replacement............................... 256

Specifications............................. 257

Battery............................................ 260

Wiper Blades.................................. 263
Air Conditioning System............... 265
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 266 Drive Belts...................................... 266
Timing Belt..................................... 267
Tires................................................ 267
Inflation...................................... 268

Inspection................................... 270
Maintenance............................... 270
Tire Rotation.............................. 271 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 271
Wheels and Tires....................... 272 Winter Driving........................... 273
Snow Tires.............................. 273

Tire Chains............................. 273
Lights.............................................. 274 Replacing Bulbs......................... 276
Storing Your Car............................ 285
Maintenance

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, C as required for each distance/time interval. Follow this
schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Canadian owners: Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.

Maintenance

# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 223.
* 1 : Balancer belt applies to 4-cylinder models only.

NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
page 271