2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK brake

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

When installing chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the
body or chassis, stop and investigate.
Make sure the chains are installed
tightly, and that they are not
contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove the chains as
soon as you begin driving on cleared
roads.
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
areclear.Checkwiththetiredealer
f or maximum speed recommenda-
tions.
Mount snow chains on your car
when warranted by driving condi-
tions or required by local laws. Make
sure the chains are the correct size
f or your tires. Install them only on
the front tires. If metal chains are
used, they must be SAE class ‘‘S.’’
Cable type traction devices can also
be used.
Snow T ires T ire Chains
Tires
Maint enance
199
Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car’s brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the
chains hitting any part of the car.

Check the f ollowing:
If youfindanybulbsareburnedout,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determinewhattypeof replacement
bulb is needed.Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate lights
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian model)
251
Lights
Maint enance201
TURN SIGNAL
LIGHT
BACK-UP
LIGHT
SIDE MARKER
LIGHT
STOP/TAILLIGHT LICENSE PLATE
LIGHTS
HIGH-MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT

Open the hatch.Put your fingers between the
interior trim and the hatch glass
on either side of the high-mount
brake light. Caref ully pull down on
the trim to unsnap the clips f rom
the hatch. Work your way toward
each end of the trim. Remove the
trim.Remove the bulb holder f rom the
light assembly by pushing the tabs
on both sides and pulling the bulb
holder down.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
bulb holder. Push the new bulb in
until it bottoms in the bulb holder.
1.
3.
2.
4.
CONT INUED
Replacing the High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance207
BULB HOLDER

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

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 222
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 223
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 228
Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly . 228
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally . 229
................................
Jump Starting . 230
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 232
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 234
..........
Charging System Indicator . 235
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 236
.......................
Readiness Codes . 237
...............
Brake System Indicator . 238
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 239
..............................................
Fuses . 240
..........
Checking and Replacing . 241
......................
Emergency Towing . 245
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 221

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the hatch. Raise the cargo
area floor by lifting up on the back
edge.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Take the tool bag out of the spare
tire. Take the jack out of the tool
bag.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traf f ic. Put the transmission in
Reverse. Apply the parking brake.
2. 3.
1.
4. 5.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed223
SPARE TIRE CARGO AREA FLOOR
TOOL BAG
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
Use the jack that came with your car. If
you try to raise another car with this
jack or use another jack to raise your
car, the car or jack can be damaged.

CONT INUED
Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the f lat tire. Temporarily
place the f lat tire on the ground
with the outside surface of the
wheel f acing up. You could scratch
the wheel if you put it f ace down.Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully,itmaybehotfrom
driving.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.
9.
10.
11.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed225
BRAKE HUB