2003 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN oil additives

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Open the f uel f ill door by pushing
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service. Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
1.
2.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period GasolineFilling the Fuel Tank
Break-in Period, Gasoline, Service Station Procedures
204
Push

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

Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
1.
Changing the Oil and Filter
A dditives
Engine Oil
Maint enance270

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Honda dealer.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
6.
5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance283
FILLER BOLT
Correct level

CONT INUED
Battery......
Charging System Light . 58,348
............................
Jump Starting .342
..............................
Maintenance .294
............................
Specif ications .365
..............................
Bef ore Driving .203
..........................................
Belts, Seat .8
.........................
Beverage Holders .104
...................................
Body Repair .332
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 230
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 204
....................
Bulb Replacement .317
...........................................
Fluid .284
.......................................
Parking .102 .........................
System Indicator .58
........................
Wear Indicators .229
.............................
Braking System .229
........................
Break-in, New Car .204
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 69
........................
Brights, Headlights .68
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .318
..............................
Brake Lights .317
..............................
Ceiling Light .320
................
Door Courtesy Light . 321
................
Front Parking Lights . 315
.................................
Headlights .312
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 319
...................
License Plate Light . 319
............................
Specif ications .365
...................................
Spotlights .321
...............................
Trunk Light .322
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 315
................
Vanity Mirror Lights . 321
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .312
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 212
................................
Accessories .212
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 213
............................
Modif ications .213
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .78
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 107
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 270
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) .9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .286
............................
Air Conditioning .112
..............................
Maintenance .299
.........................................
Usage .112
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .304
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .369
......................................
Antif reeze .273
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ................................
Description .230
...............................
Indicator .57, 231
...................................
Operation .230
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 77
..........................
Appearance Care .325
..........................................
Armrest .103
................
Audio System . 134,150,169 .............
Automatic Speed Control . 195
..............
Automatic Transmission . 222
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .364
.......
Checking Fluid Level . 280,281
.......................................
Shif ting .223
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 223
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 223
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 226
Index
A
B
I