2003 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN cooling

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.

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

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action. 1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed345
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

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 the
hood.
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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Circuits Protected
Amps.
Amps. No.
No. Circuits ProtectedCircuits Protected
Amps.
No.
: 6-cylinder models
Left Headlight Low
(Rear Defroster Coil)
Lef t Headlight Hi
Small Light
Right Headlight Hi 10 A
7.5 A 15 A
20 A
10 A
(30A) 10 A
15 A
10 A 6
7
8
9
10
1
2
3
4
5 Right Headlight Low
Back Up
FI ECU
Condenser f an
Not UsedCooling Fan
Cooling Fan
MG. Clutch
Horn, Stop
Rear Defroster
Back Up, ACC
Hazard
ABS Motor
TCS Motor
ABS F/S
TCS
Heated Seats
Condenser Fan
Heater Motor
Battery
Not Used
BIG1Main
Power Window Main
20 A
30 A
7.5 A 20 A
40 A
40 A
15 A
30 A
30 A
20 A
40 A
40 A
(40 A) 40 A
100 A
50 A
50 A
11
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
17
18
18
19
20
21
22
23
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed356
UNDER-HOOD FUSE/RELAY BOX

..................................................
Keys .74
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 211
..........................................
Gasohol .369
.........................................
Gasoline .204
...........................................
Gauge .65
................
Octane Requirement . 204
........................
Tank, Filling the .204
................
Gas Station Procedures . 204
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 64
...............................................
Fuel .65
...............................
Speedometer .63
.................................
Tachometer .63
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 222
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .221
..............................
Glass Cleaning .330
........................................
Glove Box .86
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 312
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 72........................................
Headlights .68
........................................
Aiming .312
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 69
............
Daytime Running Lights . 69
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 68
.........................
Reminder Chime .68
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 312
...................................
Turning on .68
..............................
Head Restraints .91
.....................
Heating and Cooling .112
...............................
Heated Mirror .102
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 220
HomeLink Wireless Control ........................................
System .198
.......................
Hood, Opening the .206
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .285
.................................
Hydroplaning .236 ........................
Jacking up the Car .337
.......................................
Jack, Tire .336
................................
Jump Starting .342
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 362
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .74
...........................................
Switch .77
............
Timing Control System . 372
........................
Immobilizer System .76 .........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 57
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .30
......................................
Inf ant Seats .30
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 303
.................................
Inside Mirror .101
.............................
Inspection, Tire .305
............................
Instrument Panel .57
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 69
...........................
Interior Cleaning .328
...............................
Interior Lights .108
........................................
Introduction .i
Index
G
H IJ
K
IV