2003 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN check oil

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page .
This light has two f unctions:
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
1.
2.
347
348
349
351
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Belt Reminder L ightL ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
LampParking Brake and Brake
System Indicator
58
U.S. Canada

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .204
.........................................
Gasoline .204
.........
Service Station Procedures . 204
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 204
....................
Opening the Hood .206
...............................
Oil Check .208
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 210
...............................
Fuel Economy .211
............................
Car Condition .211
...........................
Driving Habits .211
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 212
.............................
Carrying Cargo .214
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving203

Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
1. 2.
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
208
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models
DIPSTICK
(Orange Handle)
DIPSTICK
(Orange Loop)

CONT INUED
Insert it all the way back in its tube.Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
3.
4.
268
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
209
6-cylinder models UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
4-cylinder models 4-cylinder models

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .246
.
Important Safety Precautions . 247
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 248
...
Required Maintenance Record . 260
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
..............................
Fluid Locations .266
......................................
Engine Oil .268
..................................
Adding Oil .268
....................
Recommended Oil .268
..............................
Synthetic Oil .269
....................................
Additives .270
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 270
.............................
Cooling System .272
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 272
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 275
....................
Windshield Washers .279
.......................
Transmission Fluid .280
Automatic .........................
Transmission .280
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .283
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 284
............................
Brake System .284
...........................
Clutch System .285
..............................
Power Steering .285
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .286 ....................................
Hood Latch .289
....................................
Spark Plugs .289
..............................
Replacement .289
............................
Specif ications .291
...........................................
Battery .294
.................................
Wiper Blades .297
..............
Air Conditioning System . 299
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 300
.......................................
Drive Belt .302
....................................
Timing Belt .302
...............................................
Tires .303
......................................
Inf lation .303
..................................
Inspection .305
..............................
Maintenance .305
.............................
Tire Rotation .306
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 306
......................
Wheels and Tires .307
..........................
Winter Driving .308
.............................
Snow Tires .308
............................
Tire Chains .308
.............................................
Lights .310
........................
Replacing Bulbs .312
...........................
Storing Your Car .323
381
Maintenance
Maint enance245

This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by a Honda
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your saf ety and the saf ety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-f ree
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance246
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

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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
10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192130
208140
224150
240160
256170
272180
288
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

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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/6
yrs
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)