2003 HONDA ACCORD COUPE oil additives

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

Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
1.
Changing the Oil and Filter
A dditives
Engine Oil
Maint enance296

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall thef iller bolt and tighten it securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
On 4-cylinder models
5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance310
FILLER BOLT
Correct level

Pour the f luid to the f iller hole slowly
and caref ully so you do not spill.
Clean up any spills immediately.
Spilled f luid could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your Honda dealer.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance312

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