2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK cooling

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The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the hatch.Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or
dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears.
This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
1. 2. 3.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent ilat ion
How to Use the System
99
MODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
FAN CONTROL DIAL RECIRCULATION BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTON

When the interior has cooled down
to a more comf ortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described f or normal
cooling.Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn
of f the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.
If the interior is very warm f rom
beingparkedinthesun,youcancool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way: Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Start the engine.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is turned all the
way to the left.
Set the f an to maximum speed.
Open the windows partially. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
1.2. 3. 4.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
64
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
100 AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTON
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
MODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL FAN CONTROL DIAL

To warm the interior:Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
Start the engine.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial. Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the mixture of heated and
cooled air f eels comf ortable.Set the f an to the desired speed.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the air flow from the
def roster vents f eels warm.
Turn on the rear window def ogger
to help clear the rear window.
1.2.3.4.
1.2.3.4.1.2. 3. 4.
CONT INUED
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Heat T o Heat and Dehumidif y wit h A ir
Condit ioningT o Def og and Def rost
101

Start the engine.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior f rost or
ice f rom the windshield (on very cold
days), f irst select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
f ogging the windows.
To remove exterior f rost or ice f rom
the windshield and side windows
after the car has been sitting out in
cold weather: 1. 2. 3.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
102 MODE CONTROL DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
FAN CONTROL DIAL AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) BUTTON
RECIRCULATION BUTTON

These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
To shut of f the system temporarily,
turn the fan speed and temperature
control dials all the way to the lef t.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
To Turn Everything Of f
103

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 . 154
.
Important Safety Precautions . 155
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 156
...
Required Maintenance Record . 163
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
..............................
Fluid Locations . 166
......................................
Engine Oil . 167
..................................
Adding Oil . 167
....................
Recommended Oil . 167
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 168
....................................
Additives . 168
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 169
.............................
Cooling System . 171
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 171
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 173
....................
Windshield Washers . 176
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 177
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 177
............................
Brake System . 178
...........................
Clutch System . 178
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 179
....................................
Hood Latch . 181
....................................
Spark Plugs . 181
..............................
Replacement . 181
............................
Specif ications . 183
...........................................
Battery . 184 .................................
Wiper Blades . 186
..............
Air Conditioning System . 189
..................
DustandPollenFilter .190
.....................................
Drive Belts . 192
...............................................
Tires . 193
......................................
Inf lation . 193
Recommended TirePressures f or Normal ...........................
Driving . 194
Tire Pressure Adjustment ....
f or High Speed Driving . 194
..................................
Inspection . 195
..............................
Maintenance . 195
.............................
Tire Rotation . 196
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 197
......................
Wheels and Tires . 198
..........................
Winter Driving . 198
.............................
Snow Tires . 199
............................
Tire Chains . 199
.............................................
Lights . 200
.....................
Headlight Aiming . 202
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 202
...........................
Storing Your Car . 212
265
Maintenance
Maint enance
153

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing.
If it is not available, you may use
another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
171
RESERVE TANK
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.

Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car’s cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spills immediately. Spilled
coolant could damage components
in the engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully.
2. 3. 4. 5.6.
1. Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
172RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK