2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK COOLING ENGINE

Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.
Your car’s exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The car is raised f or an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
Thecarwasinanaccidentthat
may have damaged the underside. With the hatch open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
hatch open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
1.2.3.4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
52 Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even killyou.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.

The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the ignition switch back ON (II).
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom mark to about the
middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper blue zone. If it reaches the red
(Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the vehicle
is on level ground. It may show
slightly more or less than the actual
amount when you are driving on
curvy or hilly roads.
232
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rolsT achometer
Fuel Gauge Temperature Gauge
64 MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
TACHOMETER SPEEDOMETER
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
ODO/TRIPMETER
U.S model shown SELECT/RESET BUTTONFUEL GAUGE
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

CONT INUED
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the hatch.Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or
dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears.
This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
1. 2. 3.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent ilat ion
How to Use the System
99
MODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
FAN CONTROL DIAL RECIRCULATION BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTON

When the interior has cooled down
to a more comf ortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described f or normal
cooling.Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn
of f the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.
If the interior is very warm f rom
beingparkedinthesun,youcancool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way: Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Start the engine.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is turned all the
way to the left.
Set the f an to maximum speed.
Open the windows partially. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
1.2. 3. 4.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
64
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
100 AIR CONDITIONING
(A/C) BUTTON
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
MODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL FAN CONTROL DIAL

To warm the interior:Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
Start the engine.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial. Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the mixture of heated and
cooled air f eels comf ortable.Set the f an to the desired speed.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the air flow from the
def roster vents f eels warm.
Turn on the rear window def ogger
to help clear the rear window.
1.2.3.4.
1.2.3.4.1.2. 3. 4.
CONT INUED
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Heat T o Heat and Dehumidif y wit h A ir
Condit ioningT o Def og and Def rost
101

Start the engine.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior f rost or
ice f rom the windshield (on very cold
days), f irst select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
f ogging the windows.
To remove exterior f rost or ice f rom
the windshield and side windows
after the car has been sitting out in
cold weather: 1. 2. 3.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
102 MODE CONTROL DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
FAN CONTROL DIAL AIR CONDITIONING (A/C) BUTTON
RECIRCULATION BUTTON

These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
To shut of f the system temporarily,
turn the fan speed and temperature
control dials all the way to the lef t.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
To Turn Everything Of f
103

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