2003 HONDA CIVIC COUPE Owners Manual

Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
224
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
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If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘ ’’ in
the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).149
Standard f or HX, LX and EX models in
the U.S., and LX and Si models inCanada
Battery
Maint enance225
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance. Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.
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Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance226
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
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Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance227
BLADE
REINFORCEMENTBLADE
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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.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
.)
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.
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.
289Standard f or LX and EX models in the
U.S.,andLXandSimodelsinCanadaOptional f or other models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance228
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.
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To replace it:
The air conditioning f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by pulling
out on the tabs. Pivot the glove
box out of the way. Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing in on the lock tab,
then pulling the cover toward you.
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.
1.2.
CONT INUED
Standard f or LX and EX models in the
U.S.,and LXandSimodelsinCanadaOptional f or other models
Maint enance
Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filter
229
HOOKS COVER
TAB
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Remove the f irst f ilter by pulling it
straight out of the air conditioning
unit. Remove the second f ilter by
sliding it to the lef t, then pulling it
out.Install the new f ilters. Reinstall the
cover.
Pivot the glove box up into
position. Reinstall the hooks into
thesidepanelof theglovebox.
Close the glove box.
If you are not sure how to replace
the dust and pollen f ilters, have
them replaced by your Honda
dealer.
3. 4. 5.
Maint enance
Dust and Pollen Filter
230
DUST AND POLLEN FILTERS
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The belts should have the f ollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection. The timing belt should normally be
replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you
regularly drive your car in one or
more of these conditions:
Check the condition of the two drive
belts. Examine the edges of each
belt f or cracks or f raying. Power steering belt:
Alternator belt
(On cars without A/C):
Compressor belt
(On cars with A/C):
If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushingonitwithyourthumb
midway between the pulleys.
Drive Belts
T iming Belt
Drive Belts, T iming Belt
Maint enance231
POWER STEERING BELT
ALTERNATOR BELT
0.51 0.65 in (13.0 16.5 mm)
0.33 0.43 in (8.5 11.0 mm)
0.33 0.43 in (8.5 11.0 mm)
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