2003 HONDA ACCORD radiator

Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will drain through the
splash guard. Drain the coolant
into an appropriate container.Remove the reserve tank
mounting bolt with a wrench.
3.
4.
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
276
4-cylinder modelsDRAIN
PLUG DRAIN PLUG
6-cylinder models MOUNTINGBOLT
RESERVE TANK
4-cylinder models RESERVE
TANK CAP
HOLDERS
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Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder. Install the
mounting bolt.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
5. 6. 7.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
277
4-cylinder models
RESERVE
TANK CAP
RESERVE
TANK
6-cylinder models HOLDERS MOUNTINGBOLT
FILLER NECK
Fill up to hereFILLER NECK
6-cylinder models Fill up to here
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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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Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 364
Optional f or U.S. DX models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance299
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
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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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Î
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 69
........................
Park Gear Position . 224
...........................................
Parking . 228
...............................
Parking Brake . 102
.................................
Parking Lights . 58
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 373
.............................
PGM-FI System . 372
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 327
...................................
Pollen Filter . 300
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 19
............................
Protecting Adults . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 19
........................
Protecting Children . 21
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 30
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 36
.........
Protecting Small Children . 33
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39
.................................
Using LATCH . 40 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 345
Radio/CD Sound
.......................
System . 134, 150, 169
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 318
..........................
Rear Seat Armrest . 93
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding . 92
..........................
Rear View Mirror . 101
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 72
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 87, 90
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 222
.............................
Reminder Lights . 57
.......................
Remote Transmitter . 80
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element . 286
.......................................
Coolant . 275
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 270
..........................................
Fuses . 354
................................
Light Bulbs . 312
....................................
Schedule . 250
.......................
Spark Plugs . 289, 292
...........................................
Tires . 306
.............................
Wiper Blades . 297
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash . 44 .................
Reserve Tank, Coolant . 210
...............................
Restraint, Child . 21
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 224
................................
Rotation, Tire . 306
........................................
Saf ety Belts . 8
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 380
.................................
Saf ety Features . 7
...........................................
Airbags . 9
..................................
Door Locks . 11
..........................
Head Restraints . 11
.......................................
Seat Belts . 8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 53
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
...........................................
Seat Belts . 8
...............
Additional Information . 42
Automatic Seat Belt
...............................
Tensioners . 43
.....................................
Cleaning . 329
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 42
................................
Maintenance . 44
Reminder Light and
................................
Beeper . 42, 58
Index
R
S
P
VI
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