2002 HONDA CIVIC power steering

Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:Two f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’
If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the sensors
will detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the
control unit will instantly inf late the
f ront airbags.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is ON (II).
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision.
Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ).
An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page ).
Emergency backup power in case
your car’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.51
46
SRS Components
How Your Front A irbags Work
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety48

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations . 58
...............................
Indicator Lights . 59
.............................................
Gauges . 66
...............................
Speedometer . 66
.................................
Tachometer . 66
...............
Odometer/Trip Meter . 66
..................................
Fuel Gauge . 67
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel . 69
...................................
Headlights . 70
............
Daytime Running Lights . 71
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 71
................................
Turn Signals . 72
.....................
Windshield Wipers . 72
..................
Windshield Washers . 74
..........................
Hazard Warning . 74
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 75
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 76
...............................
Keys and Locks . 77
..............................................
Keys . 77
....................
Immobilizer System . 78
............................
Ignition Switch . 80
..................................
Door Locks . 81
......................
Power Door Locks . 82
...................
Remote Transmitter . 83 ..............
Childproof Door Locks . 86
...........................................
Trunk . 86
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 87
............................
Seat Adjustments . 88
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 88
Driver’s Seat Height
..............................
Adjustment . 89
................
Driver’s Seat Armrest . 89
..........................
Head Restraints . 90
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 91
..............................
Power Windows . 93
.........................................
Moonroof . 95
.............................................
Mirrors . 96
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 96
.................................
Parking Brake . 97
........................................
Glove Box . 98
.............................
Beverage Holder . 99
.................
Console Compartment . 100
........................................
Coin Box . 101
...............................
Center Pocket . 101
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 101
...............................
Interior Lights . 102
..............................
Ceiling Light . 102
...................................
Spotlights . 103
..........................
Courtesy Light . 103
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols57

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

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 . 196
.
Important Safety Precautions . 197
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 198 ...
Required Maintenance Record . 205
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 207
..............................
Fluid Locations . 208
......................................
Engine Oil . 209
..................................
Adding Oil . 209
....................
Recommended Oil . 209
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 210
....................................
Additives . 210
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 211
.............................
Cooling System . 213
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 213
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 215
....................
Windshield Washers . 219
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 220
Automatic .........................
Transmission . 220
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission . 221
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 222
............................
Brake System . 222
...........................
Clutch System . 223
..............................
Power Steering . 224
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 225
....................................
Hood Latch . 226
....................................
Spark Plugs . 227
..............................
Replacement . 227 ............................
Specif ications . 229
...........................................
Battery . 230
.................................
Wiper Blades . 232
..............
Air Conditioning System . 234
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 235
.....................................
Drive Belts . 237
....................................
Timing Belt . 237
...............................................
Tires . 238
......................................
Inf lation . 238
Recommended Tire Pressures ...........
f or Normal Driving . 239
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 239
..................................
Inspection . 240
..............................
Maintenance . 240
.............................
Tire Rotation . 241
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 242
......................
Wheels and Tires . 243
..........................
Winter Driving . 243
.............................
Snow Tires . 243
............................
Tire Chains . 244
.............................................
Lights . 245
.....................
Headlight Aiming . 247
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 247
...........................
Storing Your Car . 256
311
Maintenance
Maint enance195

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 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.
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 enance224
UUPPPPEERRLLEEVVEELL
LLOOWWEERRLLEEVVEELL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

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µµ
µµ
The belts should have the f ollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection. The timing belt should normally be
replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions:
Power steering belt:
Alternator belt:
Check the condition of the two drive
belts. Examine the edges of each
belt f or cracks or f raying. If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushingonitwithyourthumb
midway between the pulleys.
Drive Belts
T iming Belt
Drive Belts, T iming Belt
Maint enance237
AALLTTEERRNNAATTOORRBBEELLTT
PPOOWWEERRSSTTEEEERRIINNGGBBEELLTT
0.51 0.65 in (13.0 16.5 mm)
0.33 0.43 in (8.5 11.0 mm)

Open the hood.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the power steering
reservoir tank by pulling it out of
its holder.
Your car has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Honda technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
1.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance247
HHOOLLDDEERRHalogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed291
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.