2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline 128

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

µ
ÌÌ Ì
Maint enance
158 Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x
1,000
km x 1,000
months Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . 1016
2032304840645080 609670
112 80
128 90
144 100160110176120192
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years24 48 72
12 36 60
: 157
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

µ
Î ÌÌÌ
Î
Maint enance
160 Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x
1,000
km x 1,000
months
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in dusty conditions, otherwise use normal schedule
Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 10 16
203230484064 5080609670
112 80
128 90
144 100160110176120192
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years 24 48 72
12 36 60
:: 157
190
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Pour the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your car. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your car f or
optimum engine protection.
CONT INUED
Recommended Oil
A dding Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance 167
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API SERVICE LABEL

...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 128
.........................................
Odometer . 63
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 63
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 169
......................
Change, When to . 158
......................
Checking Engine . 132
..............
Pressure Indicator . 58, 234
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 73
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 256
.........................
Opening the Hatch . 80
........................
Opening the Hood . 130
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 255
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 88
....................
Overheating, Engine . 232
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 165
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels . 254
..............................
Paint Touch-up . 216
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 67
...........................................
Parking . 146 .................................
Parking Brake . 89
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 59, 238
.................................
Parking Lights . 66
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 258
.............................
PGM-FI System . 257
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 215
..............................
Power Windows . 85
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 11
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 18
............................
Protecting Adults . 12
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 18
........................
Protecting Children . 20
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 29
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 35
.........
Protecting Small Children . 32
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39
...................
Radiator Overheating . 232
...
Radio/Cassette Sound System . 104
..........................
Rear End Towing . 245
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 206 ............................
Rear Seat Access . 82
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding . 83
............................
Rear View Mirror . 88
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
....................
Rear Window Washer . 69
.......................
Rear Window Wiper . 69
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 81
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 145
.............................
Reminder Lights . 57
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element . 179
..........................
Engine Coolant . 173
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 169
..........................................
Fuses . 241
................................
Light Bulbs . 202
....................................
Schedule . 156
................................
Spark Plugs . 181
...........................................
Tires . 197
.............................
Wiper Blades . 186
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash . 45
Reserve Tank, Engine
...............................
Coolant . 133, 171
...............................
Restraint, Child . 20
................................
Rotation, Tire . 196
Index
P R
O
VI

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