2001 HONDA CIVIC radiator cap

These labels are in the locations
shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious
injury. Read these labels caref ully.
If a label comes of f or becomes hard
to read, contact your Honda dealer
f or a replacement.
CONT INUED
U.S. modelsCanadian models
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety 55
RADIATOR CAP SUN VISOR
DASHBOARD

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
RREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK
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
RRAADDIIAATTOORRCCAAPPRREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK

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

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.

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
8.
9.
10. 11. 12.
286
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
274 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.