2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK Owners Manual

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Clutch System
Brake System
Maint enance
Brake and Clutch Fluid
178 MAX
MIN
MAX
MIN

The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.To replace it:
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing in the engine
compartment.
Loosen the five bolts with a
Phillips-head screwdriver or
wrench and lift up the air cleaner
housing cover. Move the air cleaner housing
cover sideways. Next, remove the
breather tube f rom the air cleanerhousing.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Replacement
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance
179
BREATHER
TUBE
BOLTS
BOLTS

Move the air cleaner housing
cover up and to the right to lift it
away from the base.Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover and the duct. Tighten the
five bolts.
Move the air cleaner housing
cover to the lef t, and then lif t up
the right side.
Remove the old air cleaner
element.
3.
4. 5.
8.
6.7.
Maint enance
A ir Cleaner Element
180 AIR CLEANER ELEMENT

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer.The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Remove the f our nuts with a
wrench, then remove the coil
cover.
Clean off any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
ReplacementHood L atch Spark Plugs
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
Maint enance
181
LATCH ASSEMBLY
NUTS NUTS

Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Remove the spark plug with a 16
mm (f ive-eighths inch) spark plug
socket.
Remove the ignition coil.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
holding the ignition coil. Pull the
ignition coil up slightly.
8.
7.
6.
3. 4. 5.
Spark Plugs
Maint enance
182 BOLT CONNECTOR
IGNITION COIL LOCK TAB
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)

Install the ignition coil into the
hole.
Connect the wire connector to the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.Push the ignition coil down all the
way. Install the bolt.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Reinstall the coil cover, and
tighten the f our nuts.
Tightening torque:
NGK:
DENSO:
9.
10. 13.
12.
11.
Specif ications:
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
183
7 lbf·ft (9.8 N·m , 1.0 kgf·m)
IZFR6K-11SKJ20DR-M11
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

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

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘ ’’ in
the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).123
Battery
Maint enance185
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.