2001 HONDA CIVIC wiper blades

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

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the driver’s side
headlight. Check the reservoir’s f luid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
).
215
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance 215
LLEEVVEELLGGAAUUGGEE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
228
WWIIPPEERRAARRMMSS
LLOOCCKKTTAABB

Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
229
BBLLAADDEE
BBLLAADDEE
RREEIINNFFOORRCCEEMMEENNTT

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..................
Operating the Power . 95
...........................
Rear, Def ogger . 74
Windshield
.......................................
Cleaning . 72
...................................
Def roster . 111
.......................................
Washers . 73
Wipers, Windshield
.......................
Changing Blades . 228
.....................................
Operation . 72
....................................
Worn Tires . 236
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 286
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
IX