2001 HONDA CIVIC cooling

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
This coolant should always be a
mixtureof 50percentantifreezeand
50 percent water. Never add straight
antif reeze or plain water.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
This coolant is pre-mixed with 50
percent antif reeze and 50 percent
water. It does not require any
additional mixing. If it is not available,
you may use another major-brand
non-silicate coolant as a temporary
replacement. Make sure it is a high-
quality coolant recommended f or
aluminum engines. However,
continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
Always use genuine Honda All
Season Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2.
1.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance209
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Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low. Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
210
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CONT INUED
Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn of f the
ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Remove the drain
bolt and washer f rom the engine
block.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
1.3.
2.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
211

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Disconnect the battery cables
f rom the terminals. Disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, then
the positive ( ) cable.
Remove the bolt and nut, then
remove the battery case. Remove the reserve tank
mounting bolt. Remove the
reserve tank and drain the coolant.
Put the tank back in place, making
sure its bottom tab is in the holder.
Reinstall the bolt.
Reinstall the battery and battery
case. Secure them with the bolt
and nut.Reconnect the battery cables to
the terminals. Connect the positive
( ) cable f irst, then the negative
()cable.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Remove the battery. If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘ ’’
in the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).
4. 6. 7.
5. 8.9.
157
On EX and Canadian LX models
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
212
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Tightening torque:
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainpluginthe
bottom of the radiator. Apply non-
hardening sealant to the drain bolt
threads, put a new washer on the
drain bolt, and reinstall the drain
bolt in the engine block. Tighten it
securely.
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.The cooling system capacity is:
10.
11.
CONT INUED
With 5-speed manual transmission:With automatic transmission:
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance 213
FFIILLLLEERRNNEECCKK
FFiilllluuppttoohheerree
58 lbf·ft (78 N·m , 8.0 kgf·m) 1.06 US gal (4.0
, 0.88 Imp gal)
1.03 US gal (3.9
, 0.86 Imp gal)

Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator fan comes on two
times. Then stop the engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Check the level in the radiator,
add coolant if needed.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
16. 17. 18.
19. 20.
12.
13.
14. 15.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
214

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
293Optional for Canadian DX, LX, models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance
230
AAIIRRCCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGGCCOONNDDEENNSSEERR Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

The air conditioning f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.To replace it:
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual.
The air conditioning f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by pulling
out on the tabs. Pivot the glove
box out of the way. Remove the air conditioning f ilter
cover by pushing in on the lock tab,
then pulling the cover toward you.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
On U.S. EX and LX models
Maint enance
Replacement
A ir Condit ioning Filt er
231
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