2003 HONDA ACCORD cooling

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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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. Use of any non-
Honda coolant or plain water can
result in corrosion and deposits in
the cooling system.
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.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.Turn the ignition ON (II). Make
sure the DUAL indicator is off.
Turn the temperature control dial
to 90°F (32°C). Turn of f the
ignition and remove the key.
Remove the radiator cap.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
On cars with Manual A/COn car with AUTO A/C
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance275
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models
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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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The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual.
Open the glove box.
To replace it: Push the stop on the right side of
the glove box to detach it from the
glove box.
Pivot the glove box out of the way.
1. 3.
2.
Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance300
STOP
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