2003 HONDA CIVIC COUPE service indicator

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). 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.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
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.
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).
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.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline
156
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Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Standing in f ront of the car, put
your f ingers under the f ront edge
of the hood to the right of center.
Slide your hand to the lef t until
you f eel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lif t the hood.
Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
1. 2.
5. 6.
274
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Opening the Hood
158
HOOD
RELEASE
HANDLE
LATCH
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This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
def ogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly.
Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed273
DX models
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S.: HX, LX, EX Canada : LX, Si
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Î
ÎSlow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See on page .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer. 217
283Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed276
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
DX models U.S. indicator shown
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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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