2003 HONDA ACCORD COUPE open hood

Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
Once the security system is set,
opening either door (without using
the key or the remote transmitter),
the hood, or the trunk will cause it to
sound. It also sounds if the radio is
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut. With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the remote
transmitter without triggering the
alarm. The alarm will sound if the
trunk lock is f orced, or the trunk is
opened with the trunk release handle
or the emergency trunk opener.
The security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or either door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Trunk Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and trunk are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
The security system helps to protect
your car and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
carorremovetheradio.Thisalarm
continues f or two minutes, then the
system resets. To reset an alarming
system bef ore the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock the driver’s door
with the key or the remote
transmitter.
The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and trunk. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors f rom the outside with the key,
lock tab, door lock switch, or remote
transmitter. The security system
indicator on the instrument panel
starts blinking immediately to show
you the system is setting itself .
65
On all models except f or 4-cylinder LX
model
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures213
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .224
.........................................
Gasoline .224
.........
Service Station Procedures . 225
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 225
....................
Opening the Hood .226
...............................
Oil Check .228
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 230
...............................
Fuel Economy .231
............................
Car Condition .231
...........................
Driving Habits .231
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 232
.............................
Carrying Cargo .234
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving223

Standing in f ront of the vehicle,
reach in between the hood and the
f ront grille with your f inger. The
hood latch handle is above and to
the lef t of the ‘‘H’’ logo. Push this
handle up until it releases the
hood. Lif t the hood.
Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
1. 2.
5.
381
6.
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Opening the Hood
226
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE LATCH

CONT INUED
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
fender,thenletitdrop.
After closing the hood, make sure it
is securely latched.Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
To close the hood, lower it to about a
f oot (30 cm) above the f ender, then
press down f irmly with your hands.
After closing the hood, make sure it
is securely latched.
If you can open the hood without
lifting the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).
Pull the support rod out of its clip
by holding the grip and insert the
end into the hole on the f ront of
the hood around the center.
3. 318
6-cylinder models
4-cylinder models
Bef ore Driving
Service Station Procedures
227
GRIP
CLIP
4-cylinder models 6-cylinder models

Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of a new oil f ilter.
4.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Engine Oil
Maint enance297
4-cylinder models OIL DRAIN BOLT OIL DRAIN BOLT
WASHER
OIL FILTER
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models WASHER

Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents. Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial all the
way clockwise. Turn off the
ignition and remove the key. 1.
CONT INUED
On cars with Manual A/C
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance301
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models RESERVE TANK

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Raise the driver’s side f irst, then
the passenger’s side. 2.
1.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance327
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage the
hood and the arms.

Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Your car has two bulbs on each side,
four in total. Make sure you are
replacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your car uses halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Open the hood. If you need to
change a bulb on the passenger’s
side, undo the two f asteners and
remove the air intake cover.
1.
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
High Beam Headlight
342
4-cylinder models FASTENERSAIR INTAKE
COVER
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.