2003 HONDA ACCORD fuel

A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. 265 Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Car Condition
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving211
——yy
(y
y

Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you the best
f uel economy and ef f ective emis-
sions control. The f ollowing shif t
points are recommended:If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th Normal acceleration
15 mph (25 km/h)
25 mph (40 km/h)
40 mph (65 km/h)
50 mph (80 km/h) Your Honda’s transmission has f ive
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
5-speed Manual T ransmission, A ut omat ic T ransmission
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Recommended Shif t Points Engine Speed L imiter
222
——yy
(yy

µ
Ì ÎÌ
Ì Î
Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
250
Visually inspect the following items:Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Service at the indicated distance
or time whichever comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect drive belt
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at
least once per month) At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
1016
20323048 406450806096 70
112 80
128 90
144 100160110176 120192130208140224 150240160256 170272180288
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year
Inspect every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Rotate tires every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)Every 3 years (independent of mileage) 72
60 84 96 108
12 24 36 48
M/T
A/T
249
::
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
——yy
(yy

µ
µ
Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø ØØØØØØØØØØ Ø ØØØØØØØ
ÌÌ

CONT INUED
Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
251
Canadian Owners
U.S. Owners A, B, C, D, E
AB C
D E
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
10,000 mi/16,000 km
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mi/48,000 km
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
50,000 mi/80,000 km
3yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
6yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs,
then replace every 60,000mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs
Every 120,000 mi/192,000 km/6yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
then replace every 90,000mi/
144,000 km/5 yrs
130,000 mi/208,000 km
140,000 mi/224,000 km/7 yrs
150,000 mi/240,000 km
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs
170,000 mi/272,000 km
9yrs
180,000 mi/288,000 km, then
replace every 60,000 mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs
180,000 mi/288,000 km/9 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, D. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace engine coolant.
Replace manual transmission fluid.
Replace automatic transmission fluid.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
DoitemsinA,B,E.
Do items in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Replace engine coolant.
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 306).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Inspect drive belt.
Replace air cleaner element.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Inspect valve clearance.
Replace spark plugs.
Inspect idle speed.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE:
248
:249
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)
——yy
(yy

µ
Ì ÎÌ
ÌÎ
Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
252
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated distance
or time whichever comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, vehicle underbody Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions)
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
1016
20323048 40645080 70
112 80
128 100160110176 130208140224 160256170272
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year
Inspect every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Inspect every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year
Lubricate every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year Rotate tires every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Inspect every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 1 year
6096
90
144 120192 150240180288
At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect drive belt
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at
least once per month) 72
60 84 96 108
12 24 36 48
M/T
A/T
249
:
: 300
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
——y

y
(yy

µ
µ
Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø ØØØØØØØØØØØØØØØØØØØØ
ÌÌ
Î
Î
Ì
Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
253
Canadian Owners
U.S. Owners A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H
AB C
D
EF
G
H
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
5,000 mi/8,000 km
10,000 mi/16,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
25,000 mi/40,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km
35,000 mi/56,000 km
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km
50,000 mi/80,000 km
55,000 mi/88,000 km
3yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs,
then replace every 30,000mi/
48,000 km/2yrs
65,000 mi/104,000 km
70,000 mi/112,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
85,000 mi/136,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km, then
replace every 30,000 mi/
48,000 km/2 yrs
95,000 mi/152,000 km
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km
110,000 mi/176,000 km
115,000 mi/184,000 km
6yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs Do item in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,E.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,E,F. Replace automatic transmission fluid.
Do item in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,E. Replace automatic transmission fluid.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do items in A, C.
DoitemsinA,B,G.
Do item in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,E,F. Replace engine oil.
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 306).
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect drive shaft boots.
Replace air cleaner element.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect drive belt.
Replace dust and pollen filter .
Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
Inspect valve clearance.
Replace spark plugs.
Inspect idle speed.
248
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
:
:
249
300
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)
——yy
(yy

Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø
Maint enance
4-cylinder Models
254
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE:120,000 mi/192,000 km, then
replace every 30,000 mi/
48,000 km/2 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs,
then replace every 60,000mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs
125,000 mi/200,000 km
130,000 mi/208,000 km
135,000 mi/216,000 km
140,000 mi/224,000 km/7 yrs
145,000 mi/232,000 km
150,000 mi/240,000 km
150,000 mi/240,000 km, then
replace 30,000 mi/48,000 km/
2yrs
155,000 mi/248,000 km
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs
165,000 mi/264,000 km
170,000 mi/272,000 km
175,000 mi/280,000 km
9yrs
180,000 mi/288,000 km/9 yrs
180,000 mi/288,000 km, then
replace every 30,000 mi/
48,000 km/2 yrs
180,000 mi/288,000 km, then
replace every 60,000 mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs Replace automatic transmission fluid.
Replace engine coolant.
Do item in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, C.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do item in A.
Do item in A, B, C, E. Replace automatic transmission fluid.
Do item in A.
DoitemsinA,B,D,H.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,E,F.
Replace automatic transmission fluid.
Replace engine coolant.
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)
——yy
(yy

µ
ÌÌ
Ì
CONT INUED
6-cylinder Models
Maint enance255
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated distance
or time whichever comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Inspect every 105,000 miles (168,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
152412
304824
457236 60964875
120
60 90
144 72 105168
84 120192
96
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect drive belt
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at
least once per month)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years
: A/T
249
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
——yy
(yy