2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK drain bolt

Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Tightening torque:
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. 2.
4.
3.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance
169
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
OIL FILTER
9 lbf·ft (12 N·m , 1.2 kgf·m)

Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work. 9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
170 33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn of f the
ignition. Open the hood. Make
sure the engine and radiator are
cool to the touch.
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Bef ore draining the coolant,
remove the cover under the
radiator.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two bolts, and remove
the nine holding clips f rom the
cover (5 clips on the bottom and 4
clips on the side) with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Then pull the cover
away.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. 1.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance 173

Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. Drain the
coolant into an appropriate
container.Disengage the holding clip at the
bottom of the reserve tank.
Remove the drain cap and install a
rubber hose. Drain the coolant
into an appropriate container.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Remove the rubber hose and
reinstall the drain cap securely.Tighten the drain cap with the
holding clip securely.
Put the cover back in place and
tighten the bolts securely.
Reinstall the nine holding-clips and
lock each clip in place by pushing
on its center.
6. 7.
4.
5.8.
9.
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
174 DRAIN PLUG
DRAIN CAP
HOLDING CLIP

Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:Brake f luid reservoir
Clutch f luid reservoir
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
CONT INUED
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
177
Correct level
FILLER BOLT