2003 HONDA CIVIC COUPE engine coolant

Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator fan comes on two
times. Then stop the engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Check the level in the radiator,
add coolant if needed.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
16. 17. 18.
19. 20.
12.
13.
14. 15.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance212
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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.
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.
Start your car. If the starter motor
still operates slowly, check the
jumper cable connections to make
sure they have good metal-to-
metal contact.
Once your car is running, discon-
nectthenegativecablefromyour
car, then from the booster battery.
Disconnect the positive cable f rom
your car, then the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the car until all are disconnected.
Otherwise, you may cause an
electrical short.
7.
6.
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Overheats
Jump Starting, If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed269
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.
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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.
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, f or
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.
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 thehood.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 ).
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.
1. 2.
3. 4. 5.6. 7.
161 283
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed270
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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 pointer
reaches 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.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. 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.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 .)
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.
8.
9.
10. 11. 12.
283
Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed271
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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ÎÎÎ Î ÎÎÎÎ
Î Î
Î Î
Î Î ÎÎ
Î
ÎÎ
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation288
Dimensions
Weights
Engine Capacities
174.7 in (4,438 mm)
66.7 in (1,695 mm)
55.1 in (1,399 mm)
103.1 in (2,620 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
2.95 x 3.72 in (75.0 x 94.4 mm) 13.2 US gal (50
)
102 cu-in (1,668 cm
)
9.5 9.9
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs Water cooled 4-stroke
SOHC , SOHC VTEC
4-cylinder gasoline engine
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.108 US gal (0.41
)
4.8 US qt (4.5
)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
6.0 US qt (5.7)
6.3 US qt (6.0)
3.4 US qt (3.2)
2.9 US qt (2.7)
1.7 US qt (1.6)
1.6 US qt (1.5)
4.4 US qt (4.2)
3.5 US qt (3.3)
3.2 US qt (3.0)
3.7 US qt (3.5)
3.4 US qt (3.2)
Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil Automatic
transmission
fluid 1.03 US gal (3.9
)
1.00 US gal (3.8)
1.00 US gal (3.8)
1.32 US gal (5.0
)
1.29 US gal (4.9)
1.29 US gal (4.9)
See spark plug maintenance
section page 221 .
FrontRear
Approx.
U.S.: HX, EX
Canada: Si HX
DX, LX
EX, HX
3: 4: 5:6:
7:
DX, LX
1:2: Change
ManualAutomaticCVT
Total ManualAutomaticCVT
Change Including
filter
Without filter
Total
ChangeTotal
Change Total
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
12
12 5656
7 7
3 4
Manual trans-
mission fluid
Windshield
washer reservoir
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Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 60
................
Daytime Running Lights . 74
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 302
........................
Def og and Def rost . 115
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 78
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 115
....................................
Dimensions . 288
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 73
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 214
..................................
Engine Oil . 160
..........................
Directional Signals . 75
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 183
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 206
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 84
......................
Power Door Locks . 84
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 172
.....................................
Drive Belts . 231
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
............................
Capacities Chart . 288
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 55
.................................
Cargo Hooks . 168
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 165
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 148
...........................
Operation . 124, 145
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..........................
CD Changer . 127, 141
..............................
CD Player . 127, 139
..................................
Ceiling Light . 105
........................
Certif ication Label . 286
............................................
Chains . 238
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 209
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 205
......................................
When to . 192
...
Charging System Indicator . 64, 273
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 170
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 21
Child Seats
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41 ....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 219
Cleaning
......................................
Exterior . 250
.......................................
Interior . 252
...................................
Seat Belts . 253
...........................................
Vinyl . 253
....................................
Windows . 254
.................
Clock, Setting the . 123, 135
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 217
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 294
......................................
Coat Hook . 105
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 171
..............................
Compact Spare . 258
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 300
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 59
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 207
....................................
Checking . 161
.........................
Proper Solution . 207
...................................
Replacing . 209
...................
Temperature Gauge . 71
....................
Corrosion Protection . 255
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 294
............
Cruise Control Operation . 151
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 300
Index
C D
II
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CONT INUED
...........................................
Driving . 169
....................................
Economy . 162
.........................
In Bad Weather . 187
................
In Foreign Countries . 293
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 253
...................................
Fan, Interior . 110
Features, Comfort and
..............................
Convenience . 109
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 157
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 219
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 229
...............................................
Oil . 205 5-speed Manual Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 216
................................
Shif ting the . 172
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 78
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 259
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 214
..........................................
Brake . 217
.........................................
Clutch . 217
..............
Manual Transmission . 216
..........................
Power Steering . 218
..................
Windshield Washer . 213
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 137
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 94
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 293
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 78
.................................................
Fuel . 156
....................................
Economy . 162
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 157
...........................................
Gauge . 70
................
Octane Requirement . 156
...............................
Oxygenated . 292
........................
Reserve Indicator . 66
........................
Tank, Filling the . 157
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 162
............
Emergencies on the Road . 283
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 267
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 259
.....
Charging System Indicator . 273
..................
Checking the Fuses . 279
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 272
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 274
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 277
..................
Overheated Engine . 269
.........................
Emergency Brake . 100
......................
Emergency Flashers . 78
......................
Emergency Towing . 283
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 89
.......................
Emissions Controls . 294Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
.................................
Drive Belts . 231 Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 66, 274
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 64, 272
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 203
...............................
Overheating . 269
............................
Specif ications . 288
.......................................
Starting . 171
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 173, 177
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 55
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 19
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 250
Index
E
F
III
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.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 279
........................
Jacking up the Car . 259
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 259
................................
Jump Starting . 267
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 162
..........................................
Gasohol . 292
.........................................
Gasoline . 156
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 66
...........................................
Gauge . 70
................
Octane Requirement . 156
........................
Tank, Filling the . 157
................
Gas Station Procedures . 157
Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 71
...............................................
Fuel . 70
...............................
Speedometer . 69
.................................
Tachometer . 69
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 174
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 172
..............................
Glass Cleaning . 254
......................................
Glove Box . 101 .............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 241
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 78
Headlights
............
Daytime Running Lights . 74
..................
High Beam Indicator . 66
........................
Reminder Beeper . 73
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 241
...................................
Turning on . 73
..............................
Head Restraints . 92
.....................
Heating and Cooling . 110
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 171
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 73
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 245
....................................
Hood Latch . 220
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 158
..................................................
Horn . 72
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch . 217
.................................
Hydroplaning . 188
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 286
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 80 ...........................................
Switch . 82
............
Timing Control System . 295
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators, Instrument
.............................................
Panel . 61
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 30
Inf ant Seats
...........................
Lower Anchors . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 232
.........................
Normal Driving . 233
...................................
Inside Mirror . 99
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 234
........................
Instrument Panel . 2, 58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 74
...........................
Interior Cleaning . 252
...............................
Interior Lights . 105
........................................
Introduction . i
Index
G H I J
IV
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