2003 Accord Coupe Online Reference Owner's Manual Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety ........................................................................\
......................................... ii
Your Car at a Glance ........................................................................\
................................................... 2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
...................................... 5
Proper use and care of your car's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint\
System.
Instruments and Controls ........................................................................\
......................................... 59
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how t o use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
...................... 121
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
.......................................................... 223
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new car, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
...................................................................... 239
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance ........................................................................\
............................................................. 271
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your car to the\
dealer.
Appearance Care ........................................................................\
...................................................... 355
Tips on cleaning and protecting your car. Things to look for if your car e\
ver needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected ........................................................................\
.............................. 363
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and\
how to handle them.
Technical Information ........................................................................\
............................................. 393
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada) ................................................................409
A summary of the warranties covering your new Honda, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only) ........................................................................\
.............................. 413
How to order manuals and other tech nical literature.
Index ........................................................................\
........................................................................\
..... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. If you drive with the low engine
speed (below than about 1,000 rpm),
you may f eel the engine knocking. In
this case, you can use premium
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 91 or higher to
prevent the engine f rom knocking.
On EX-V6 with manual transmission
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
224
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 the importance
of keeping your car well maintained
andwhyyoushouldfollowbasic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .272
.
Important Safety Precautions . 273
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 274
Maintenance Schedule ..................
(4-cylinder Models) . 276 ...
Required Maintenance Record . 281
Maintenance Schedule ..................
(6-cylinder Models) . 284
...
Required Maintenance Record . 289
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 291
..............................
Fluid Locations .292
......................................
Engine Oil .294
..................................
Adding Oil .294
....................
Recommended Oil .294
..............................
Synthetic Oil .295
....................................
Additives .296
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 296
.............................
Cooling System .299
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 299
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 301
....................
Windshield Washers .306
.......................
Transmission Fluid .307
..........
Automatic Transmission . 307
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .310
6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .311
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 313
............................
Brake System .313
...........................
Clutch System .314
..............................
Power Steering .315 .....................
Air Cleaner Element .316
....................................
Hood Latch .318
Spark Plugs ..................
(4-cylinder Models) . 318
Spark Plugs ..................
(6-cylinder Models) . 321
...........................................
Battery .324
.................................
Wiper Blades .327
..............
Air Conditioning System . 329
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 330
.......................................
Drive Belt .332
....................................
Timing Belt .332
...............................................
Tires .333
......................................
Inf lation .333
..................................
Inspection .335
..............................
Maintenance .335
.............................
Tire Rotation .336
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 336
......................
Wheels and Tires .337
..........................
Winter Driving .338
.............................
Snow Tires .338
............................
Tire Chains .338
.............................................
Lights .340
.....................
Headlight Aiming .342
........................
Replacing Bulbs .342
...........................
Storing Your Car .354
413
Maintenance
Maint enance271
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by a Honda
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving, and help reduce air pollution.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance272
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
µ
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your car
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving, such as a taxi
or a commercial delivery vehicle. Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
224
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners
274
Ì
µ U.S. Cars:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, Honda
recommends that all maintenance
services be perf ormed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your car best and can provide
competent, ef f icient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
f ill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet f or
more inf ormation.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
deiced roads.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions. NOTE: If you only
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Normal Conditions.
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability.
OCCASIONALLY
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Canadian Owners
275
µ
Ì
Î
Ì
ÌÎ
Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
276
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated distance
or time whichever comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years. See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Inspect every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year
Inspect every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect drive belt
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at
least once per month)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections 10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
M/T
A/T
:
: 12
2436486072
275
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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Ø Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
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Ø
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Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
277
Canadian Owners U.S. Owners
A, B, C, D
AB
C
D
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
10,000 mi/16,000 km
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mi/48,000 km
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
50,000 mi/80,000 km
3yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
6yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
9yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, D. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
Replace transmission fluid (A/T), then
replace every 90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Replace engine coolant, then
replace every 60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs.
Do items in A, B. Inspect idle speed. Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page
336 ).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Replace air cleaner element (independent of time).
Inspect drive belt.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Inspect valve clearance (independent of time).
Replace spark plugs (independent of time).
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
NOTE:
:
274
275
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)