2003 HONDA ACCORD economy

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
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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
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Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
thesametimeyoucheckallthe
other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car
has been parked f or at least three
hours. If you have to drive the car
bef ore checking the tire pressure,
the tires can still be considered
‘‘cold’’ if you drive less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e, and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely af f ect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to
damage f rom road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
To saf ely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,
and correctly inf lated. The f ollowing
pages give more detailed inf ormation
on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
CONT INUED
Inf lation
Tires
Maint enance303
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, it indicates one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your car’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
your car to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage. If you have recently ref ueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips.
Malf unct ion Indicat or L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed349
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car’s emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car’s warranties.
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Î
............................
Capacities Chart . 364
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 214
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 142, 157, 177
.......................................
CD Player . 140
........................
CD Pocket, Center . 105
........................
Certif ication Label . 362
............................................
Chains . 308
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 335
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 275
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 270
......................................
When to . 250
...
Charging System Indicator . 58, 348
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 218
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 84
.......................................
Child Seats . 26
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................................
Cleaner, Air . 286
Cleaning
....................
Aluminum Wheels . 327
...................................
Carpeting . 328
......................................
Exterior . 326 .........................................
Fabric . 329
.......................................
Interior . 328
.......................................
Leather . 329
...................................
Seat Belts . 329
...........................................
Vinyl . 329
......................................
Window . 330
...............
Climate Control System . 119
.........
Clock, Setting the . 139, 156, 174
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 285
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 372
...................................
Coin Pocket . 105
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 220
..............................
Compact Spare . 334
.................
Console Compartment . 103
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 378
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 272
....................................
Checking . 210
.........................
Proper Solution . 267
...................
Temperature Gauge . 64
....................
Corrosion Protection . 331
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 371
............
Cruise Control Operation . 195
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 378 ................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard . 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 69
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 380
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 72
....................................
Dimensions . 364
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 68
Dipstick
.
Automatic Transmission . 280, 281
..................................
Engine Oil . 208
..........................
Directional Signals . 70
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 229
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 272
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 78
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 367
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 221
.....................................
Drive Belts . 302
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 217
....................................
Economy . 211
.........................
In Bad Weather . 235
................
In Foreign Countries . 370
Index
C D
II
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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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