2001 HONDA CIVIC low oil pressure

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 111
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving Visibility
Driving T echnique
188

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 192
.
Important Safety Precautions . 193
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 194 ....................
Maintenance Record . 201
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 203
..............................
Fluid Locations . 204
......................................
Engine Oil . 205
..................................
Adding Oil . 205
....................
Recommended Oil . 205
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 205
....................................
Additives . 205
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 207
.............................
Cooling System . 209
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 209
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 211
....................
Windshield Washers . 215
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 216
Automatic .........................
Transmission . 216
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 217
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 218
............................
Brake System . 218
...........................
Clutch System . 219
..............................
Power Steering . 220
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 221
....................................
Hood Latch . 222
....................................
Spark Plugs . 223
..............................
Replacement . 223 ............................
Specif ications . 225
...........................................
Battery . 226
.................................
Wiper Blades . 228
..............
Air Conditioning System . 230
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 231
.....................................
Drive Belts . 233
....................................
Timing Belt . 233
...............................................
Tires . 234
......................................
Inf lation . 234
Recommended Tire Pressures ...........
f or Normal Driving . 235
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 235
..................................
Inspection . 236
..............................
Maintenance . 236
.............................
Tire Rotation . 237
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 238
......................
Wheels and Tires . 239
..........................
Winter Driving . 239
.............................
Snow Tires . 239
...................
Traction Devices . 240
.............................................
Lights . 241
.....................
Headlight Aiming . 243
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 243
...........................
Storing Your Car . 251
309
Maintenance
Maint enance
191

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Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 164
165
215
216 218 234
241
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance 203

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.

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
...........................................
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
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