2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK check engine

If the light comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you
should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
If the light stays on after the
engine starts.
If the light comes on or f lashes on
andoff whileyoudrive. If you see any of these indications,
your f ront or side airbags may not
deploy, your passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system may not
work properly, or your seat belt
tensioners may not work when you
need them. See your Honda dealer
as soon as possible.
This light alerts you that
the passenger’s side airbag
has been automatically shut off.
It does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags. It means that
thesideairbagcutoff systemhas
activated to prevent the side airbag
f rom deploying.
To reduce the risk of injury f rom an
inf lating side airbag, your car has an
automatic cutoff system for the
passenger’s side airbag.
Although Honda does not encourage
children to ride in the f ront, this
system is designed to shut of f the
side airbag if a child leans sideways
and the child’s head is in the side
airbag deployment path.
Only when equipped with side airbags
CONT INUED
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
How the Passenger Airbag Cutof f
Indicator L ight Works
49
Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags, cutoff
system, or tensioners do not
work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a
potential problem.

This light has two f unctions:This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page . See page .
The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
This light comes on if the hatch is
not closed tightly. This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page f or
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the vehicle should f lash.
On Canadian model, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ).
1. 2.
6766
238 236
200
Canadian model only
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Hatch-open Indicator ‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
59
U.S. Canada

This light normally comes on when
you turn the ignition ON (II) and
goes of f af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the Electric Power
Steering system. If this happens,
stop the car in a safe place and turn
of f the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. The indicator
will not turn of f immediately. If it
does not go of f af ter driving a short
distance, or comes back on again
while driving, take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. With the
light on, the EPS may be turned of f ,
making the car harder to steer.This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your car in for
scheduled maintenance.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedules
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages and .
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
after the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
Between 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km) this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you f irst turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
ten seconds.
If the power steering system
overheats while driving, the assisting
power is reduced and steering may
f eel slightly harder. 74
160
158
CONT INUED
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
IndicatorMaintenance Required
Indicator
61

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.

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period . 128
.........................................
Gasoline . 128
.........
Service Station Procedures . 129
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 129
....................
Opening the Hood . 130
...............................
Oil Check . 132
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 133
...............................
Fuel Economy . 134
.....................
Vehicle Condition . 134
...........................
Driving Habits . 134
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 135
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 137
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving 127

Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
After closing the hood, make sure
it is securely latched.
2.
1.
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
132 DIPSTICK

Refer toon page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
informationonaddingtheproper
coolant.
Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4.
3.
167171
165
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
Owner Maintenance
Checks A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil
Engine Coolant Check
133
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
RESERVE
TANK
MIN

You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. 165
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
134