2003 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN engine coolant

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.

µµ
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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation364
Capacities
Weights
Air Conditioning
Capacities Dimensions 1.35 US gal (5.1
)
1.32 US gal (5.0)
1.90 US gal (7.2
)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
4.2 US qt (4.0
)
5.6 US qt (5.3
)
2.0 US qt (1.9
)
2.2 US qt (2.1)
2.6 US qt (2.5
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine. Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Engine
coolant
Engine oil
Manual trans-
mission oil
Automatic
transmission
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
1.77 US gal (6.7
)
1.88 US gal (7.1
)
2.22 US gal (8.4)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
5.3 US qt (5.0
)
3.0 US qt (2.8
)
3.1 US qt (2.9)
6.9 US qt (6.5)
7.6 US qt (7.2)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
189.5 in (4,813 mm)
71.7 in (1,820 mm)
57.2 in (1,453 mm)
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached to the driver’s doorjamb.
HFC-134a (R-134a)
25 27 oz (700 750 g)
16 18 oz (450 500 g) ND-OIL8
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Fuel tank
17.09 US gal (64.7
)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
107.9 in (2,740 mm)
61.1 in (1,553 mm)
61.2 in (1,554 mm)
Approx.
Front
Rear
1 : 6-cylinder models Change
Manual
Automatic
Total Manual
Automatic
Change Including
filter
Without
filter
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
2:
3:
2
3 1
1
1
1
1
1
1

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

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

..................................................
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

CONT INUED
..................................
Maintenance .245
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
........................................
Record .260
......................
Required Indicator .65
..........................................
Saf ety .246
.............................
Schedule .250-259
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 58,349
...................
Manual Transmission . 221
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 283
...............................
Meters, Gauges .63
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 369
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .101
.......................................
Moonroof .100
......................
Closing Manually .352
...................................
Operation .100
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 224
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 204
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .222
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 362 ...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 204
.........................................
Odometer .63
Odometer/Outside Temperature ......................................
Indicator .63
...............................
Odometer, Trip .64
Oil ........................
Change, How to .270
......................
Change, When to .250
......................
Checking Engine .208
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58,347
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .269
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 78
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 370
............................
Outside Mirrors .101
.....................
Outside Temperature .64
....................
Overheating, Engine .345
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 265
..........................
Oxygenated Fuel .369
.......................
Label, Certif ication .362
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 70
........................
Lap/Shoulder Belts .42
.........................
Leather, Cleaning .329
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .312
.......................................
Indicator .57
.........................................
Parking .58
..................................
Turn Signal .60
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 77
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 77
............................
Fuel Fill Door .205
....................................
Glove Box .86
...........................................
Trunk .84
........................
Low Coolant Level .210
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 221
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 58,347
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 364
.........................................
Luggage .214
Index
LM
NO
V

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