2001 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN Owner's Manual (in English)

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 enance214

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 enance215
L LE E V
V E
EL
L G
GAAU
UG GEE
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.

Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Park the car on level ground. Shut
of f the engine. If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use genuine Honda
ATF-Z1 (Automatic Transmission
Fluid). If it is not available, you
may use a DEXRON
III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However,
continued use can af f ect shif t
quality. Have the transmission
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
ATF-Z1 as soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with genuine Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid),
then drive the vehicle a short
distance. Do this three times. Then
drain and ref ill the transmission a
final time.
3.
4. 5.
1.
2. Automatic Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance216
D D I
IPP S
ST TI
ICCK K U
UP
PP
PE
ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK
L
LO OW WE ER
R
M
M A
AR
RKK

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule. 6.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
5-speed Manual Transmission
217
F FI ILLL LEE R
R B
BOOL LTT
C
Co or
rrreec ctt L
Leevveell

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use genuine Honda DOT 3
brake f luid. If it is not available, you
should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4
f luid, f rom a sealed container, as a
temporary replacement. However,
theuseof anynon-Hondabrakefluid
can cause corrosion and decrease
the lif e of the system. Have the
brake system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda DOT 3 brake f luid as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake f luid should be replaced
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
Brake System
218
M M A
AX
X
M
M I
INN

The f luid should be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
f luid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same f luid specif ied f or the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
Clutch System
219
M MA
AX
X
M
M I
INN

A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
f luid as an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir at least
once a year. Check the level when
the engine is cold. Look at the side
of the reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Power Steering
Maint enance220
U UP
PP
PE
ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
L
LO OW WE ER
R L
LEE V
V E
EL
L
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing in the engine
compartment.
To replace it:Loosen the seven bolts and
remove the air cleaner housing
cover.
Remove the old air cleaner
element. Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, tighten the seven bolts.
1.
3.
2. 4.
5.
Replacement
Maint enance
A ir Cleaner Element
221
A A
I
IRR C
CLLEE A
A N
NE ER
R E
EL
LEE M
M E
EN
NT T
B
BO
OL LTT S
S
B
BO OL LTT S
S