2003 HONDA CIVIC COUPE steering wheel

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 115
CONT INUED
Visibility
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving187
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A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
You should check the f luid level in
the power steering reservoir at least
once a year. Check the level when
the engine is cold. Look at the side
of the reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Power Steering
Maint enance218
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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The tires that came with your car
were selected to match the perform-
ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comf ort, and long lif e.
Youshouldreplacethemwithradial
tires of the same size, load range,
speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy. It is best to replace all f our tires atthesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your car’s handling.TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the car. Tire size and
construction can af f ect wheel speed
and may cause the system to work
inconsistently.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your car. Replacement
wheels are available at your Honda
dealer.
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance236
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Reinstall the power steering
reservoir.
(Driver’s side)
Push the electrical connector onto
the tabs of the new bulb. Make
sure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
1.
2. Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ightBulb
Lights
Maint enance242
WEATHER SEAL BULB
CONNECTOR HOLD-DOWN WIRE
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If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed284
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
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CONT INUED
................................
Maintenance . 47
......
Reminder Light and Beeper . 64
...................
System Components . 45
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 19
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 16
........................
Seats, Adjusting the . 90
...............................
Serial Number . 286
...........................
Service Intervals . 192
...........................
Service Manual . 309
.........
Service Station Procedures . 157
..................
Setting the Clock . 123, 135
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 174
........................
Shif t Lock Release . 178
..............................
Side Airbags . 10, 51
....................
Cutof f Indicator . 53, 64
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .................
Replacement in . 242, 244
...............................
Signaling Turns . 75
.....................................
Snow Tires . 237
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 250
........................
Sound System . 118, 130
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating . 258
............................
Specif ications . 289
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 221
....................
Specif ications Charts . 288 ................................
Speed Control . 151
...................................
Speedometer . 69
.......................................
Spotlights . 106
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 49
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 54
.............................
Airbag Service . 54
How the Passenger Airbag
CutoffIndicator Light ...................................
Works . 53
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works . 52
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work . 49
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 51
........................
SRS Components . 49
.............................
SRS Indicator . 52, 64
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 83
........
Testing of Readiness Codes . 297
.......................
Starting the Engine . 171
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 171
................
With a Dead Battery . 267
..............
State Emissions Testing . 297
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 269
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 79 .............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 82
...........
Stereo Sound System . 118, 130
...........................
Storing Your Car . 248
Supplemental Restraint
................................
System . 10, 49
......................................
Servicing . 54
.........................
SRS Indicator . 52, 64
...................
System Components . 49
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 204
.....................................
Tachometer . 69
Taillights, Changing
......................................
Bulbs in . 242
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 257
...........................
Tape Player . 124, 145
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 294
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 292
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 296
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 71
Index
T
VII
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.....................
Underside, Cleaning . 255
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the . 257
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 290
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 156
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning . 252
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 206 ................................
Vanity Mirror . 104
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 166
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 288
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 286
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 248
.....................................
Ventilation . 112
.................................................
VIN . 286
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning . 253
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 204
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 56
..................
Warranty Coverages . 301
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 213
.......................................
Indicator . 66
.....................................
Operation . 77
.........................................
Washing . 250
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 251
Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering . 79
............
Alignment and Balance . 234
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
............................
Thef t Protection . 149
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 296
..................
Time, Setting the . 123, 135
....................................
Timing Belt . 231
....................................
Tire Chains . 238
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 259
...............................................
Tires . 232
..............................
Air Pressure . 232
.........................
Checking Wear . 234
..........................
Compact Spare . 258
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
......................................
Inf lation . 232
..................................
Inspection . 234
..............................
Maintenance . 234
...................................
Replacing . 236
......................................
Rotating . 235
...........................................
Snow . 237
............................
Specif ications . 289
.......................
Traction Devices . 238
..................
Technical Inf ormation . 285
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 259
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 188
................
Emergency Wrecker . 283
...........................
Traction Devices . 238 Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 214
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 216
..................
Fluid Selection . 214, 216
..............
Identif ication Number . 286
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 175
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 172
.....................................
Treadwear . 290
.......................................
Trip Meter . 70
................................................
Trunk . 88
........................................
Opening . 88
...................
Open Monitor Light . 66
....................................
Turn Signals . 75
Index
U V W
VIII
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