2003 HONDA ACCORD coolant level

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See pages
and . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
208
210
279
280 284 303
310
281
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance265
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Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
9.
8.
7.
6. (4-cylinder models)
(6-cylinder models) A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Oil, Cooling Syst em
Maint enance272
OIL FILTER
6-cylinder models
4-cylinder modelsRESERVE TANK
4.4 US qt (4.2)
4.5 US qt (4.3
) Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing. If it is not available, you may
use another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result incorrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
1. 2. 3.
CONT INUED
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance273
6-cylinder models RESERVE TANK RADIATOR CAP
4-cylinder modelsRemoving the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pour the coolant slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled coolant
could damage components in the
engine compartment. Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
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.
4. 5. 6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance274
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK
RESERVE TANK 6-cylinder models
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The cooling system capacity is: Start the engine and let it run forabout 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark.Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
8. 9.
10. 16.
15.
14.
11. 12. 13.
With 5-speed manual transmission: With automatic transmission:6-cylinder models
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance278
1.35 US gal (5.1)
1.32 US gal (5.0
)
1.77 US gal (6.7
)
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If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open thehood.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointerreaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
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.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL 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.
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.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ). 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 .)
4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9.
11.12.10.
210 358
358
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
346
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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CONT INUED
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 300
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 211
............
Emergencies on the Road . 333
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 342
...........
Brake System Indicator . 351
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 335
.....
Charging System Indicator . 348
..................
Checking the Fuses . 354
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 347
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 349
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 352
..................
Overheated Engine . 345
.........................
Emergency Brake . 102
......................
Emergency Flashers . 72
......................
Emergency Towing . 358
.......................
Emissions Controls . 371 Engine
............................................
Belts . 302
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 64
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 58, 349
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 58, 347
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 268 ...............................
Overheating . 345
............................
Specif ications . 365
....................
Speed Limiter . 222, 226
.......................................
Starting . 219
..........
Engine Speed Limiter . 222, 226
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 369
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 371
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 326
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 329
...................................
Fan, Interior . 112
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience . 111
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 204
Filter
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 300
...............................................
Oil . 270
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 283
5-speed Manual Transmission ................................
Shif ting the . 221 .............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 72
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 335
Fluids
.
Automatic Transmission . 280, 281
..........................................
Brake . 284
.........................................
Clutch . 285
..............
Manual Transmission . 283
..........................
Power Steering . 285
..................
Windshield Washer . 279
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 92
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 370
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 72
.................................................
Fuel . 204
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 205
...........................................
Gauge . 65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
...............................
Oxygenated . 369
........................
Tank, Filling the . 204
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 354
Index
E
F
III
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CONT INUED
..................................
Maintenance . 245
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
........................................
Record . 260
......................
Required Indicator . 65
..........................................
Saf ety . 246
.............................
Schedule . 250-259
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 58, 349
...................
Manual Transmission . 221
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 283
...............................
Meters, Gauges . 63
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 369
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting . 101
.......................................
Moonroof . 100
......................
Closing Manually . 352
...................................
Operation . 100
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 224
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 204
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 222
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 362 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 204
.........................................
Odometer . 63
Odometer/Outside Temperature
......................................
Indicator . 63
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 64
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 270
......................
Change, When to . 250
......................
Checking Engine . 208
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58, 347
Selecting Proper Viscosity
......................................
Chart . 269
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 370
............................
Outside Mirrors . 101
.....................
Outside Temperature . 64
....................
Overheating, Engine . 345
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel . 369
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 362
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 70
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 42
.........................
Leather, Cleaning . 329
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 312
.......................................
Indicator . 57
.........................................
Parking . 58
..................................
Turn Signal . 60
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 77
Locks
.......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 77
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 205
....................................
Glove Box . 86
...........................................
Trunk . 84
........................
Low Coolant Level . 210
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 221
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 58, 347
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 364
.........................................
Luggage . 214
Index
LM
N O
V
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