2001 HONDA CIVIC check oil

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 262
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 263
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 268
Nothing Happens or the StarterMotor Operates Very .....................................
Slowly . 268
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally . 269
................................
Jump Starting . 270
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 272
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 275
..........
Charging System Indicator . 276
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 277
.......................
Readiness Codes . 278
...............
Brake System Indicator . 279
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 280
..............................................
Fuses . 281
..........
Checking and Replacing . 282
......................
Emergency Towing . 286
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 261

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1. 2. 3. 4.
164 205 286
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect edEmergency
Towing
275
LLOOWWOOIILLPPRREESSSSUURREEIINNDDIICCAATTOORRRunning the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 167
................................
Accessories . 167
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 168
............................
Modif ications . 168
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 83
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 102
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 206
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 10, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 221
..............
Air Conditioning System . 106
......................
Maintenance . 230, 231
.........................................
Usage . 106
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 234
..................
High Speed Driving . 235
.........................
Normal Driving . 235
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 296
......................................
Antif reeze . 209
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light . 62, 187
...................................
Operation . 185
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock . 82 ..........................
Appearance Care . 253
................
Audio System . 114, 126, 138
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 76
..............
Automatic Transmission . 178
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .292
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 216
.......................................
Shif ting . 179
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 178
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 179
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 182
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 62, 276
............................
Jump Starting . 270
..............................
Maintenance . 226
............................
Specif ications . 293
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 159
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,44
...........................
Beverage Holder . 101
.................................
Body Repairs . 260
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 185
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 160 ............
Bulb Replacement . 246, 247
...........................................
Fluid . 218
.........................................
Parking . 99
.................
System Indicator . 62, 279
........................
Wear Indicators . 184
.............................
Braking System . 184
........................
Break-in, New Car . 160
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights . 70
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 247
..............................
Brake Lights . 246
..............................
Ceiling Light . 250
................
Front Parking Lights . 244
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 244
.................................
Headlights . 243
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 247
.................
License Plate Lights . 248
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 246
............................
Specif ications . 293
...................................
Spotlights . 250
...............................
Trunk Light . 249
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 244
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 243
Index
A
B
I

Î
............................
Capacities Chart . 292
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 169
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 156
...................
Operation . 120, 132, 153
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 123, 135, 149
......................
CD Player . 123, 135, 147
..................................
Ceiling Light . 103
........................
Certif ication Label . 290
............................................
Chains . 240
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 263
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 211
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 207
......................................
When to . 194
...
Charging System Indicator . 62, 276
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 174
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 21
Child Seats
.......................
Lower Anchorage . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 88 ....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 221
Cleaning
......................................
Exterior . 254
.......................................
Interior . 256
...................................
Seat Belts . 257
...........................................
Vinyl . 257
....................................
Windows . 258
.........
Clock, Setting the . 119, 131, 143
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 219
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 298
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 175
..............................
Compact Spare . 262
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 304
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 209
....................................
Checking . 165
.........................
Proper Solution . 209
...................................
Replacing . 211
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
....................
Corrosion Protection . 259
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 298
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 76
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 304 ................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 71
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 308
........................
Def og and Def rost . 111
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 111
....................................
Dimensions . 292
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 71
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..................................
Engine Oil . 164
..........................
Directional Signals . 72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 184
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 208
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 83
......................
Power Door Locks . 84
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 294
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 176
.....................................
Drive Belts . 233
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
Index
C D
II

CONT INUED
...........................................
Driving . 173
....................................
Economy . 166
.........................
In Bad Weather . 188
................
In Foreign Countries . 297
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 257
...................................
Fan, Interior . 106
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience . 105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 161
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 221
.......................
Air Conditioning . 231
...............................................
Oil . 207 5-speed Manual Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 217
................................
Shif ting the . 176
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 263
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..........................................
Brake . 218
.........................................
Clutch . 219
..............
Manual Transmission . 217
..........................
Power Steering . 220
..................
Windshield Washer . 215
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 145
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 93
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 297
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 74
.................................................
Fuel . 160
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 161
...........................................
Gauge . 67
................
Octane Requirement . 160
...............................
Oxygenated . 296
........................
Reserve Indicator . 63
........................
Tank, Filling the . 161
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 282
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 166
............
Emergencies on the Road . 286
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 270
...........
Brake System Indicator . 279
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 263
.....
Charging System Indicator . 276
..................
Checking the Fuses . 282
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 275
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 277
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 279
..................
Overheated Engine . 272
...........................
Emergency Brake . 99
......................
Emergency Flashers . 74
......................
Emergency Towing . 286
.......................
Emissions Controls . 298
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 301Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts . 233 Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 63, 277
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 275
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 205
...............................
Overheating . 272
............................
Specif ications . 292
.......................................
Starting . 175
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 177, 181
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 296
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 298
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 254
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 290
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 72
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 44
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 243
.......................................
Indicator . 59
.........................................
Parking . 70
..................................
Turn Signal . 72
.....................................
Load Limit . 170
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 82
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 82
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 161
.................................
Power Door . 84
...........................................
Trunk . 88
........................
Low Coolant Level . 165
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 63
...........................
Lower Anchorage . 42
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 177
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 275
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 292
.........................................
Luggage . 169 ..................................
Maintenance . 191
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
.................................
Record . 201-202
......................
Required Indicator . 64
..........................................
Saf ety . 192
.............................
Schedule . 194-200
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 63, 277
...................
Manual Transmission . 176
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 219
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 66
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 296
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 98
.........................................
Moonroof . 97
......................
Closing Manually . 279
.....................................
Operation . 97
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 180
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 160
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 177
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 290 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 160
.........................................
Odometer . 66
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 67
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 207
......................
Change, When to . 194
......................
Checking Engine . 164
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62, 275
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 206
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 83
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 298
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 297
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 98
....................
Overheating, Engine . 272
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 296
Index
LM
N O
V

Î
..............................
Paint Touch-up . 255
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 71
........................
Park Gear Position . 179
...........................................
Parking . 183
.................................
Parking Brake . 99
.................................
Parking Lights . 70
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 300
.............................
PGM-FI System . 299
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 255
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults . 13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 19
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children . 21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 37
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 41
..........
Using Lower Anchorages . 42 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 272
Radio/CD/Cassette
...........
Sound System . 114, 126, 138
...................
Readiness Codes . 278, 301
Rear Lights, Bulb
......................
Replacement . 246, 247
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding . 93
............................
Rear View Mirror . 98
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 74
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 90
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 177
.............................
Reminder Lights . 59
.......................
Remote Transmitter . 85
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element . 221
..........................
Engine Coolant . 211
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 207
..........................................
Fuses . 282
................................
Light Bulbs . 243
....................................
Schedule . 194
................................
Spark Plugs . 223
................................
Timing Belt . 233
...........................................
Tires . 238
.............................
Wiper Blades . 228 Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a
............................................
Crash . 46
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant . 165, 209
...............................
Restraint, Child . 21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 180
................................
Rotation, Tire . 237
..................................
Saf ety Belts . 8, 44
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 308
.................................
Saf ety Features . 7
.........................................
Airbags . 10
..................................
Door Locks . 11
..........................
Head Restraints . 11
.......................................
Seat Belts . 8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs . 11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 55
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 44
...............
Additional Information . 44
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners . 45
.....................................
Cleaning . 257
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 44
Index
PR
S
VI

Î
.....................
Underside, Cleaning . 259
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the . 261
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 294
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 160
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning . 256
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 208
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 170 ......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 292
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 290
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 251
.....................................
Ventilation . 108
.................................................
VIN . 290
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning . 257
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 206
..........
Time, Setting the . 119, 131, 143
....................................
Timing Belt . 233
....................................
Tire Chains . 240
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 263
...............................................
Tires . 234
..............................
Air Pressure . 234
.........................
Checking Wear . 236
..........................
Compact Spare . 262
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 294
......................................
Inf lation . 234
..................................
Inspection . 236
..............................
Maintenance . 236
...................................
Replacing . 238
......................................
Rotating . 237
...........................................
Snow . 239
............................
Specif ications . 293
.......................
Traction Devices . 240
..................
Technical Inf ormation . 289
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 263
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 189
................
Emergency Wrecker . 286
...........................
Traction Devices . 240
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 216 Checking Fluid Level,
...................................
Manual . 217
..................
Fluid Selection . 216, 217
..............
Identif ication Number . 291
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 179
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 176
.....................................
Treadwear . 236
.......................................
Trip Meter . 67
................................................
Trunk . 88
........................................
Opening . 88
...................
Open Monitor Light . 63
....................................
Turn Signals . 72 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages . 307
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 215
.......................................
Indicator . 63
.....................................
Operation . 73
.........................................
Washing . 254
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 255
Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering . 75
............
Alignment and Balance . 236
..........................
Compact Spare . 262
......................................
Wrench . 263
Windows .....................................
Cleaning . 258
Index
U V W
VIII