Page 118 of 321

You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
The audio system display usually
shows the time when the ignition
switch is in ACCESSORY (I) or ON
(II). It shows the operation mode of
the radio, optional cassette player, or
optional CD player/changer when
you operate them, then goes back to
the time display af ter f ive seconds.
To set the hours, press the H (Preset
4) button while pressing the CLOCK
button. Press and hold the H button
until the hour advances to the
desired time.
To set the minutes, press the M
(Preset 5) button while pressing theCLOCK button. Press and hold the
M button until the minutes numbers
advance to the desired time.
You can quickly set the time to the
nearest hour. If the displayed time is
bef ore the half hour, the clock is set
back to the previous hour by
pressing and holding the CLOCK
button, then pressing the RESET
(Preset 6) button. If the displayed
time is af ter the half hour, the clock
is set forward to the beginning of thenext hour.
1:06 would RESET to 1:00.
1:52 would RESET to 2:00.
For example:
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the time setting will be
lost. To set the time again, f ollow the
setting procedure.
71
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
A udio System L ighting
Digital Clock
119
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Page 130 of 321

CONT INUED
You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
The audio system display usually
shows the time when the ignition
switch is in ACCESSORY (I) or ON
(II). It shows the operation mode of
the radio, cassette player, or optional
CD player/changer when you
operate them, then goes back to the
time display af ter f ive seconds.
If an error occurs while operating
the optional CD player or changer,
the display will keep showing the
error code and will not switch to the
time display until the error is
corrected (see pages and ).You can set the time only when the
clock is displayed.
To set the hours, press the H (Preset
4) button while pressing the CLOCK
(SCAN/RPT) button. Press and hold
the H button until the hour advances
to the desired time.
To set the minutes, press the M
(Preset 5) button while pressing the
CLOCK (SCAN/RPT) button. Press
andholdtheMbuttonuntilthe
minutes numbers advance to the
desired time.
71
152
151
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
A udio System L ighting
Digital Clock
131
CCLLOOCCKKBBUUTTTTOONN
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Page 142 of 321

The display of your audio system
usually shows the time when the
ignition switch is in ACCESSORY (I)
or ON (II). It shows the operation
mode of the radio, CD player, or
optional CD changer/cassette player
when you operate them, and goes
back to the time display after five
seconds.
You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
If an error occurs while operating
the CD player or optional CD
changer, the display will show the
error code and will not switch to the
time display until the error is
corrected (see pages and ).
You can set the time only when the
clock is displayed.
To set the hours, press the H (Preset
4) button while pressing the CLOCK
(SCAN/RPT) button. Press and hold
the H button until the hour advances
to the desired time.
To set the minutes, press the M
(Preset 5) button while pressing the
CLOCK (SCAN/RPT) button. Press
andholdtheMbuttonuntilthe
minutes numbers advance to the
desired time.
152
151
71
CONT INUED
A udio System L ighting
Digital Clock
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures143
CCLLOOCCKKBBUUTTTTOONN
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Page 170 of 321

Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation.Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ).
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper car operation or
perf ormance.
Bef ore installing any accessory:
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operation
of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your car.
These accessories have been
designed and approved f or your car,
and are covered by warranty.
Non-Honda accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.) 285
172
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving171
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car’s handling, stability and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
Page 177 of 321

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car. 1. 2. 3. 4.
9.
10.
8.
7.
6.
5.
11.
12. 16
59
88
96 76 179
Preparing to Drive
Driving178
Page 186 of 321

µMake sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park.Thiskeepsthecarfrom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb. If you
have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.
Parking
Parking T ips
Driving187
Page 187 of 321

Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brakewearindicators.Theymakea
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’
The f ront disc brakes on all models
have audible brake wear indicators.
All Civics are equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABS(oncars
equipped with ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving188
Page 191 of 321

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 dif f icult 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
192