2002 HONDA ACCORD COUPE 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.
U.S. models onlyU.S. models
Canadian models
On cars without Side AirbagsOn cars with Side Airbags
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety53
RADIATOR CAP HOOD
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.Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. 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 incorrosion, 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.
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.
1.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
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REES
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REES
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RV V E
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NK KRemoving 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.

Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
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.
3. 2. 4.
5.6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance254
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CONT INUED
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.Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial to maximum heat (climate
control to 90°F/32°C). Turn of f
the ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Remove the radiator cap.
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.
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.
1.
2.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
Replacing Engine Coolant
255
R RE ES
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4-cylinder models6-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
With automatic transmission:
With 5-speed manual transmission:
4-cylinder models
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt in the
engine block. Tighten it securely.
Tightening torque:
Tighten the drain bolt at the rear
of the engine cylinder block
securely.
Tightening torque: When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of
the engine.
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.The cooling system capacity is:
Tighten the bleeder bolt when
coolant comes out in a steady
stream with no bubbles.
Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the f iller neck.
7.
6. 5.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance258
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BOOL LTT
61 lbf·ft (83 N·m , 8.5 kgf·m)
7 lbf·ft (10 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m) 1.43 US gal (5.4
, 1.19 Imp gal)
1.45 US gal (5.5
, 1.21 Imp gal)
1.48 US gal (5.6, 1.23 Imp gal)

Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.
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 f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
9.
10. 11. 12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
8.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance259
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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.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
pages and .)
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.
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. 344 346
Maint enance
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
279
A A
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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 you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. 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.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7. 8.
338
198
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed325
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.