2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK tow

Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb and
put the transmission in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb and put
the transmission in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
146

µCheck your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control.Your car is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Traction
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Driving in Bad Weather, Towing a Trailer
152

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.
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Maint enance
184 TEST INDICATOR WINDOW

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.
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.
To replace a f ront wiper blad:Raise the driver’s side f irst, then
the passenger’s side. 2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
186 WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB

Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned out bulb f rom
thesocketbypushingitinand
turning the bulb counterclockwise
until it unlocks.Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
placebypushingonthecenter.
Front bumper: Push the f ront
edge of the side marker lens
toward the rear of the vehicle. The
f ront edge will pop out of the
bumper.
Rear bumper: Push the rear edge
of thesidemarkerlenstowardthe
f ront of the vehicle. The rear edge
will pop out of the bumper.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
1.
Replacing a Side Marker Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
204 SOCKET
BULB BULB
SOCKET

Open the hatch.Put your fingers between the
interior trim and the hatch glass
on either side of the high-mount
brake light. Caref ully pull down on
the trim to unsnap the clips f rom
the hatch. Work your way toward
each end of the trim. Remove the
trim.Remove the bulb holder f rom the
light assembly by pushing the tabs
on both sides and pulling the bulb
holder down.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
bulb holder. Push the new bulb in
until it bottoms in the bulb holder.
1.
3.
2.
4.
CONT INUED
Replacing the High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance207
BULB HOLDER

Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Put the socket back into its hole in
the lens and turn it clockwise until
it locks.
Put the side turn signal assembly
back into the body, rear first. Push
on the f ront edge until it snaps into
place.
Push the bulb holder into the light
assembly until it locks in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Line up the clips on the interior
trim with the corresponding holes
in the hatch.Push on the trim to
snap it back in place.
Pushthefrontof thesideturn
signal assembly toward the rear of
the vehicle until it pops out of the
body.
Turn the socket one-quarter turn
counterclockwise to remove it
from the lens.
1.
2. 3. 5. 6.
4.
6.7.
5.
Replacing a Side T urn Signal Bulb
Maint enance
Lights
208 BULB
SOCKET

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals. If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse. 158
169
St oring Your Car
Maint enance
212