2003 HONDA ACCORD COUPE towing

Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
9.
11.
12.
10.
391
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
378

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
228 294 391
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
379
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

Î
ÎIf it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If the ABS indicator comes on with
this indicator, have the car inspected
by your Honda dealer immediately.
313
391Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed383
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

µµ µ
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment. The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing:
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
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.
Manual Transmission: Automatic Transmission:
CONT INUED
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
This is the best way to transport
your Honda.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed391
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.

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.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed392
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.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.

CONT INUED
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .239
....................................
Economy .231
.........................
In Bad Weather .261
................
In Foreign Countries . 404
..
Dual Temperature Control . 137,145
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 330
..............................
Economy, Fuel .231
............
Emergencies on the Road . 363
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 373
...........
Brake System Indicator . 383
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 365
.....
Charging System Indicator . 380
..................
Checking the Fuses . 386
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 379
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 381
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 384
..................
Overheated Engine . 376
.........................
Emergency Brake .110
......................
Emergency Flashers .79
......................
Emergency Towing .391
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 92
.......................
Emissions Controls .405 .............
Emissions Testing, State . 408
Engine .............................................
Belt .332
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 70
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 381
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,379
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 294
...............................
Overheating .376
....................
Specif ications .397, 399
............
Speed Limiter . 244,246,251
.......................................
Starting .241
..
Engine Speed Limiter . 244,246,251
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .403
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 405
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .56
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 356
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .359
..................
Fan, Interior . 122,133,143
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .121 ....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 225
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .316
.........................
Dust and Pollen .330
...............................................
Oil .296
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 310
5-speed Manual Transmission ................................
Shif ting the .243
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 79
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 365
Fluids .
Automatic Transmission . 307,308
..........................................
Brake .313
.........................................
Clutch .314
......
Manual Transmission . 310,311
..........................
Power Steering .315
..................
Windshield Washer . 306
.........................
Folding Rear Seat .100
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 404
..........................
Four-way Flashers .79
..............................
Front Airbags .9 ,49
Index
E
F
III

Supplemental Restraint System......................................
Servicing .55
.........................
SRS Indicator .52 ,63
...................
System Components . 49
..................................
Synthetic Oil .295
.....................................
Tachometer .68
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 348
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 363
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 400
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 405
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .403
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .407
.......................
Temperature Gauge .70
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 407
..........
Time, Setting the . 153,171,193
....................................
Timing Belt .332
....................................
Tire Chains .338
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 365
...........................
Tire Inf ormation .402 ...............................................
Tires .333
..............................
Air Pressure .333
.........................
Checking Wear .335
..........................
Compact Spare .364
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 400
......................................
Inf lation .333
..................................
Inspection .335
...................................
Replacing .336
......................................
Rotating .336
...........................................
Snow .338
....................
Specif ications .397, 399
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 365
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .263
................
Emergency Wrecker . 391
..
Traction Control System (TCS) . 258
...
TCS Activation Indicator . 64,259
......................
TCS Indicator .64, 258
...............
TCS ON/OFF Switch . 259
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ......................
Automatic .307, 308
Checking Fluid Level, ...........................
Manual .310, 311
..........
Fluid Selection . 307,310,312
..............
Identif ication Number . 395 .............
Shif ting the Automatic . 248
..........
Shif ting the Manual . 243,245
.....................................
Treadwear .400
.......................................
Trip Meter .70
................................................
Trunk .91
....................
Emergency Opener .92
.........................................
Hooks .237
.................................
Opening the .91
...................
Open Monitor Light . 65
....................................
Turn Signals .77
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .361
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .363
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 400
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .224
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .358
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 298
Index
U
T
VIII

ÎÎ
................................
Vanity Mirror .115
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 235
.............
Vehicle Dimensions . 396,398
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 394
.............................
Vehicle Storage .354
.................................................
VIN .394
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .359
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .295
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 57
..................
Warranty Coverages .413
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 306
.....................................
Operation .79
.........................................
Washing .356
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 357
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 80
............
Alignment and Balance . 335
..........................
Compact Spare .364
......................................
Wrench .366 Windows
.............................
Auto Reverse .104
.....................................
Cleaning .360
................
Operating the Power . 103
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .79
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .77
.......................................
Washers .79
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .327
.....................................
Operation .77
....................................
Worn Tires .335
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 391
:U.S.only
Index
W V
IX