2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK maintenance

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Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 132
133
176 177 193
200
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance 165

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your car according
to this chart.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less f uel. A dditives
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance
168 Ambient Temperature

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Tightening torque:
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. 2.
4.
3.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance
169
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
OIL FILTER
9 lbf·ft (12 N·m , 1.2 kgf·m)

Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn of f the
ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Bef ore draining the coolant,
remove the cover under the
radiator.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two bolts, and remove
the nine holding clips f rom the
cover (5 clips on the bottom and 4
clips on the side) with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Then pull the cover
away.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. 1.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance 173

Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:Brake f luid reservoir
Clutch f luid reservoir
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
177
Correct level
FILLER BOLT

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

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

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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.