2001 HONDA CIVIC COUPE Owners Manual

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
The brake f luid should be replaced
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely. 5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance222
F FI ILLL LEE R
R B
BOOL LTT
C
Co or
rrreec ctt L
Leevveell

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.The f luid should be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
f luid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same f luid specif ied f or the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Always use Honda DOT 3 brake
f luid. If it is not available, you should
useonlyDOT3orDOT4fluid,from
a sealed container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
DOT 3 brake f luid as soon as
possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Brake System
Clutch System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance223
M MA
AX
X
M
M I
INN M
M
I
INN
M
M
A
AX
X

A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir at least
once a year. Check the level when
the engine is cold. Look at the side
of the reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Power Steering
Maint enance224
U UP
PP
PE
ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
L
LO OW WE ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing in the engine
compartment.
To replace it:Loosen the seven bolts and
remove the air cleaner housing
cover.
Remove the old air cleaner
element. Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, tighten the seven bolts.
1.
3.
2. 4.
5.
Replacement
Maint enance
A ir Cleaner Element
225
A A
I
IRR C
CLLEE A
A N
NE ER
R E
EL
LEE M
M E
EN
NT T
B
BO
OL LTT S
S
B
BO OL LTT S
S

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot.
Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Honda dealer.
Maint enance
Hood L at ch
226
P PI
IVV O
OT TS
S

The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.Remove the cover by turning the
two clips one quarter turn
counterclockwise.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.Use a wrench to remove the nut
holding the ignition coil. Remove
the ignition coil by pulling it
straight out.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
1.
2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
Replacement
227
C CL
LIIPP S
S

Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
5.
6.7.
Spark Plugs
Maint enance228
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)

´
µSpark Plug Gap:
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the cover. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the nut.
NGK:
DENSO:
8.
11. 10. 9.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
Specif ications:
229
PZFR6F-11
PKJ20CR-M11
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.