2003 HONDA ACCORD COUPE checking oil

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.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you inf ormation about how to saf ely
evaluate the problem and what to do
to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .364
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .365
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 371
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .371
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .372
................................
Jump Starting .373
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 376
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 379
..........
Charging System Indicator . 380
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 381
.......................
Readiness Codes .382
...............
Brake System Indicator . 383
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 384
..............................................
Fuses .386
..........
Checking and Replacing . 386
......................
Emergency Towing .391
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed363

CONT INUED
Battery......
Charging System Light . 62,380
............................
Jump Starting .373
..............................
Maintenance .324
....................
Specif ications .397, 399
..............................
Bef ore Driving .223
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,46
.........................
Beverage Holders .112
...................................
Body Repair .362
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 256
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 224....................
Bulb Replacement .348
...........................................
Fluid .313
.......................................
Parking .110
.................
System Indicator . 63,383
........................
Wear Indicators .254
.............................
Braking System .254
........................
Break-in, New Car .224
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 76
........................
Brights, Headlights .74
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .348
..............................
Brake Lights .348
..............................
Ceiling Light .351
................
Door Courtesy Light . 351
................
Front Parking Lights . 346
.................................
Headlights .342
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 350
.................
License Plate Lights . 349
....................
Specif ications .397, 399
...................................
Spotlights .351
...............................
Trunk Light .353
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 346
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 351
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .342
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 232
................................
Accessories .232
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 233
............................
Modif ications .233
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .85
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 116
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 296
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 49
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .316
...........
Air Conditioning . 122,131,138
..............................
Maintenance .329
.........................
Usage .122, 131,138
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .333
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .403
........................
Aluminum Wheels .357
......................................
Antif reeze .299
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .64, 256
...................................
Operation .255
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 212
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 84
..........................
Appearance Care .355
..........................................
Armrest .111 ................
Audio System . 148,163,187
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 75
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 47
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 214
..............
Automatic Transmission . 248
..................
Capacity, Fluid . 396,398
.......
Checking Fluid Level . 307,308
.......................................
Shif ting .248
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 248
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 248
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 251
Index
A
B
I

Î
...................
Capacities Chart . 396,398
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 56
......................................
Cargo Net .237
.............................
Carrying Cargo .234
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 156,173,196
.......................................
CD Player .154
........................
CD Pocket, Center .113
........................
Certif ication Label .394
............................................
Chains .338
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .365
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 301
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .296
.............................
When to .276, 284
...
Charging System Indicator . 62,380
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 240
.......................................
Child Seats .26
.........................................
LATCH .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
...................................
Cleaner, Air .316
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .357
...................................
Carpeting .358 ......................................
Exterior .356
.........................................
Fabric .359
.......................................
Interior .358
.......................................
Leather .359
...................................
Seat Belts .359
...........................................
Vinyl .359
......................................
Window .360
...............
Climate Control System . 129
.........
Clock, Setting the . 153,171,193
...................................
Clutch Fluid .314
........................
CO in the Exhaust .406
...................................
Coin Pocket .113
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 242
..............................
Compact Spare .364
.................
Console Compartment . 111
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 412
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 59
Coolant ........................................
Adding .299
....................................
Checking .230
.........................
Proper Solution .299
...................
Temperature Gauge . 70
....................
Corrosion Protection .361
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .405
............
Cruise Control Operation . 214..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 412
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 60
................
Daytime Running Lights . 76
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 414
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 79
Defrosting the ....................
Windows .127, 136,144
............................
Dimensions .396, 398
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 74
Dipstick .
Automatic Transmission . 307,308
..................................
Engine Oil .228
..........................
Directional Signals .77
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 254
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .298
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 86
......................
Power Door Locks .86
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 400
Downshif ting, Manual .....................
Transmission .243, 245
.......................................
Drive Belt .332
Index
C
D
II

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

Î
...................
Radiator Overheating . 376
Radio/CD Sound .......................
System .148, 163,187
...........................
Readiness Codes .382
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 348
............................
Rear Seat Access .98
........................
Rear Seat, Folding .100
..........................
Rear View Mirror .108
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 79
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 94,97 Recommended Shif t
................................
Speeds .244, 246
.............................
Reminder Lights .61
.......................
Remote Transmitter .87
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 316
..........................
Engine Coolant .301
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 330
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 296
..........................................
Fuses .386
................................
Light Bulbs .342
............................
Schedule .276, 284
.......................
Spark Plugs .318, 321
...........................................
Tires .336
.............................
Wiper Blades .327
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .48
.................
Reserve Tank, Coolant . 230
...............................
Restraint, Child .21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 249
................................
Rotation, Tire .336
Oil
........................
Change, How to .296
..............
Change, When to . 276,284
......................
Checking Engine .228
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62,379
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .295
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 85
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 404
............................
Outside Mirrors .108
.....................
Outside Temperature .69
....................
Overheating, Engine .376
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 291
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel .403
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 76
........................
Park Gear Position .249
...........................................
Parking .253
...............................
Parking Brake .110
.................................
Parking Lights .74
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 253
.............................
PGM-FI System .406
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 357
...................................
Pollen Filter .330 ............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children .21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.........
Protecting Small Children . 34
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .43
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 46
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 414
Index
R
S
P
VI

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