2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK lights

Proper use of the Heating and
Cooling system can make the
interior dry and comf ortable, and
keep the windows clear f or the best
visibility.This button controls the source of
the air going into the system. When
the indicator in this button is lit, air
from the car’s interior is sent
through the system again (Recircula-
tion mode). When the indicator is off,
air is brought in f rom outside the car
(Fresh Air mode).
This button turns the air condi-
tioning ON and OFF. The indicator
in the button lights when the A/C ison.
This button turns the rear window
def ogger on and of f (see page ).
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the f an’s speed, which increases air
flow.
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the temperature of the air flow.
70
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
Recirculation Button
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Rear Window Def ogger Button
What Each Control Does
Fan Control Dial
T emperature Control Dial 96 RECIRCULATION BUTTON
MODE CONTROL
DIAL TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
FAN CONTROL DIAL
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTON

You can use the instrument panel
brightness control dial to adjust the il-
lumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is turned of f .
The display of your audio system
usually shows the time when the
ignition switch is in ACCESSORY (I)
or ON (II). It shows the operation
mode of the radio, CD player, or
optional CD changer/cassette player
when you operate them, and goes
back to the time display after five
seconds.You can set the time only when the
clock is displayed.
If an error occurs while operating
the CD player or optional CD
changer, the display will show the
error code and will not switch to the
time display until the error is
corrected (see pages and ). Adjust the hours by pressing and
holding the CLOCK (SCAN/RPT)
button, then pressing the H (Preset
4) button.
Adjust the minutes by pressing and
holding the CLOCK (SCAN/RPT)
button, then pressing the M (Preset
5) button.
117 118
67
CONT INUED
A udio System L ighting
Digital Clock
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
109
H BUTTON
M BUTTON R BUTTON
CLOCK (SCAN/RPT) BUTTON

Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has genuine Honda
accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These
accessories have been designed and
approved f or your car, and are
covered by warranty.If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation.Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ).
Bef ore installing any accessory:
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operation
of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Non-Honda accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.) When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system. Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
136 240
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
135
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.9.
10. 11. 12.
15
81
88 71 57 143
Preparing to Drive
Driving
142

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

Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving
147

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions re-
quire a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 101
CONT INUED
Visibility
Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving 151

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