2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK Owners Manual

The ceiling lights and spotlights
come apart the same way, but they
do not use the same type of bulbs.Center ceiling light:Pry on the side edge of the lens in
the middle.
Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the edge of the lens with
a f ingernail f ile or a small f lat-tip
screwdriver. Do not pry on the
edge of the housing around the
lens.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Front ceiling light/spotlights:
Pry on the f ront edge of the lens in
the middle.
1.
2. 3.
Replacing Ceiling and Spotlight Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance
210 FRONT CEILING LIGHT/SPOTLIGHTS CENTER CEILING LIGHT
SOCKET
BULB
BULB

Put the light assembly back into
the hole, rear side f irst. Push on
the f ront side until it snaps into
place.
Pull the bulb straight out of the
holder. Push the new bulb straight
into the holder until it bottoms.
Open the hatch.
Remove the cargo area light
assembly by using a small f lat-
tipped screwdriver wrapped with a
cloth to pry caref ully on the f ront
edge of the assembly.
1.
2. 3.
Replacing the Cargo Area LightBulb
Maint enance
Lights
211
BULB

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

Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Honda helps to keep it ‘‘new’’
looking. This section gives you hints
on how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also
included are several things you can
do to help prevent corrosion..................................
Exterior Care . 214
.....................................
Washing . 214
............................
Roof Antenna . 215
.......................................
Waxing . 215
....................
Aluminum Wheels . 216
..........................
Paint Touch-up . 216
..................................
Interior Care . 216
...................................
Carpeting . 216
.................................
Floor Mats . 217
.........................................
Fabric . 217
...........................................
Vinyl . 217
...................................
Seat Belts . 218
....................................
Windows . 218
..........................
Air Fresheners . 219
....................
Corrosion Protection . 219
.................................
Body Repairs . 220
Appearance Care
Appearance Care
213

Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially f or car washing.When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or sof t towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommendedinthisOwner’s
Manual.
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car’s beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the f inish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down bef ore you
start.
Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt.
As you dry the car, inspect it f or
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page ).
Wash the car using the water and
detergent solution and a sof t-
bristle brush, sponge, or sof t cloth.
Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse f requently.
Check the body f or road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
of f immediately so it does not
harm the f inish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of
the car does not need waxing. 216
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Washing 214
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.

µ
µ Polishes Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the f inish. You
should use a polish on your Honda if
the f inish does not have its original
shine af ter using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Your car is equipped with an antenna
mounted on the roof . Bef ore using a
‘‘drive-through’’ car wash, make sure
you remove the antenna by
unscrewing it by hand. This prevents
the antenna f rom being damaged by
the car wash brushes.
Afterward, reinstall the antenna and
tighten it securely by hand. Always wash and dry the whole car
bef ore waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surf ace
in large patches. It should f orm into
beads or droplets af ter waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes A wax coats the finish and
protects it f rom damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Roof A ntenna Waxing
215

Clean your Honda’s aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the
exterior.Washthemwiththesame
solution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear-
coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some
commercial wheel cleaners, or stif f
brushes can damage this clear-coat.
Only use a mild detergent and sof t
brush or sponge to clean the wheels.Your dealer has touch-up paint to
match your car’s color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on the
driver’s doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get
the correct color.
Inspect your car f requently f or chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion
of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips
and scratches. More extensive paint
damage should be repaired by a
prof essional.Vacuum the carpeting f requently to
remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out f aster.
Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the
market. Follow the instructions that
come with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or sof t brush. Keep
thecarpetingasdryaspossibleby
not adding water to the f oam.
A luminum Wheels Paint T ouch-up Carpeting
Appearance Care
Exterior Care, Interior Care
216

If you remove the f loor mat, make
sure to re-anchor it when you put it
back in your car.
If you replace it, use a genuine
Honda f loor mat that is designed to
be used with the f loor mat anchors in
your car.
If you use a non-Honda f loor mat in
the driver’s f ootwell, make sure it
f its properly and that it can be used
with the floor mat anchor.
Do not put additional f loor mats on
top of the anchored mat, otherwise
the additional mats may slide
f orward and interf ere with the pedals.Vacuum dirt and dust out of the
material f requently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soap
and lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean of f stubborn spots, use a
commercially-available f abric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the f abric
first, to make sure it does not bleach
or stain the f abric. Follow the
instructions that come with the
cleaner.
Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a sof t
cloth dampened in a solution of mild
soap and water. Use the same
solution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
f oam-type vinyl cleaners.
The Honda driver’s f loor mat that
came with your car was designed to
be hooked over the f loor mat anchor.
This keeps the f loor mat f rom sliding
f orward and possibly interf ering with
the pedals.
it equipped
Interior Care
Appearance Care
Floor Mats
Fabric
Vinyl
217