2003 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN recommended oil

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

To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Pour the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your car f or as
long as you own it.
A dding Oil
Recommended Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance268
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPENGINE OIL FILL CAP
6-cylinder models
4-cylinder models

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

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
5-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid:
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) preferred, or
aDEXRON
III ATF as a
temporary replacement (see
pages and ). Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
4.5 US qt (4.3
) 2.0 US qt (1.9
)
Capacity:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
29 psi (200 kPa , 2.0 kgf/cm
)
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
17.09 US gal (64.7
)
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models LX
Front:
Rear:
All other models Front:
Rear:
268
280 281 285
284
283