2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK service

The tires on your car meet all U.S.
Federal Saf ety Requirements. All
tires are also graded f or treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform-
ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The f ollowing explains these
gradings.The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger vehicle tires must
conf orm to Federal Saf ety
Requirements in addition to these
grades.
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T readwear T raction
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
T echnical Inf ormation
252

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthepump.If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’
The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your car was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties.
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation MT BE
ET HA NOL
MET HA NOL
254

Honda dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Of f ice.U.S. Owners:
Canadian Owners:
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
car to you 248
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
262 CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÉLE
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776 Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-0816
(787) 250-4318
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009

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Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners shouldcontact their authorized Honda dealer.
The f ollowing publications covering the operation and
servicingof yourcarcanbeobtainedfromHelm
Incorporated, either by f illing out the attached f orm or,
f or credit card holders, calling the toll-f ree phone number
on the f orm. For manuals prior to the year shown below,
contact Helm Incorporated, P.O. Box 07280, Detroit,
Michigan 48207, or call 1-800-782-4356.
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
265
ORDER TOLL FREE: 1-800-782-4356
OR
(NOTE: For Credit Card Holder Orders Only)
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD PURCHASE $10.00
Publication
Form Number 61S5T01
61S5T01EL 61S5T30
31S5T610
31S5TQ00 HON-R Price
Each
$70.00 $50.00$44.00$34.00$10.00
FREE
Form Description
2002-03 Honda Civic 3 Door Service Manual
2002-03 Honda Civic 3 Door
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2002-03 Honda Civic 3 Door Body Repair Manual
2003 Honda Civic 3 Door Owner’s Manual
2003 Honda Civic 3 Door
Quick Start Guide
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired PUBLICATION NUMBER
VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
Price
GRAND TOTAL
HANDLING CHARGE
Mich. Purchases
Add 6% Sales Tax
TOTAL MATERIAL
$6.00
Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M. 6:00 P.M. EST
By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
Helm Incorporated at the address shown on the back of the order form.
Prices are subject to change without
notice and without incurring obligation.
Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation.

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%."#)
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts.
This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your car.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
266 NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name
Attention
Apartment Number
State & Zip Code
City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
Do not send cash
Master
Card VISA Check here if your billing address is different
from the shipping address shown above.
Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
CUSTOMER SIGNATURE DATE
Street Address No P.O. Box Number
()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

ÎÎ
CONT INUED
..................................
Saf ety Belts . 8, 43
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 264
.................................
Saf ety Features . 7
...........................................
Airbags . 9
..................................
Door Locks . 11
..........................
Head Restraints . 10
.......................................
Seat Belts . 8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 53
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
Seat Belts, Additional
..............................
Inf ormation . 43
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 43
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 45
..
Seat Belt System Components . 43
.....................................
Seat Belts . 8, 43
.....................................
Cleaning . 218
................................
Maintenance . 45
...................
System Components . 43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
........................
Seats, Adjusting the . 81
...............................
Serial Number . 248 ...........................
Service Intervals . 158
...........................
Service Manual . 265
.........
Service Station Procedures . 129
..........................
Setting the Clock . 109
Shif ting
The 5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 144
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in . 204
...............................
Signaling Turns . 68
.....................................
Snow Tires . 199
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 214
................................
Sound System . 104
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating . 222
............................
Specif ications . 251
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 181
....................
Specif ications Charts . 250
...................................
Speedometer . 63
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 51
....................
Airbag Components . 46
.............................
Airbag Service . 50
How the Passenger Airbag
Cutoff Indicator Light
...................................
Works . 49 How the SRS Indicator
.......................................
Works . 48
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work . 46
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 48
.............................
SRS Indicator . 48, 58
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 73
.......................
Starting the Engine . 143
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 143
................
With a Dead Battery . 230
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 232
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 71
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 73
...................
Stereo Sound System . 104
...........................
Storing Your Car . 212
Supplemental Restraint
..................................
System .9,46
......................................
Servicing . 50
.........................
SRS Indicator . 48, 58
...................
System Components . 46
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 168
Index
S
VII

Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
5-speed Manual Transmission Fluid:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Brake Fluid:Front:
Rear:
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 86 or higher.
13.2 US gal (50
)
Oil change capacity (including
filter): 4.4 US qt (4.2
) 33 psi (230 kPa , 2.3 kgf/cm
)
API Certified ‘‘For Gasoline
Engines’’ Oil, SAE 5W-20 viscosity
(see page ). Spare Tire:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an SAE 10W-30
or 10W-40 motor oil as a
temporary replacement (see page
).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). 1.6 US qt (1.5
)
Oil change capacity (including
differential): 144
167
177