2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK parking brake

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations . 56
...............................
Indicator Lights . 57
.............................................
Gauges . 63
...............................
Speedometer . 63
.....................................
Odometer . 63
...................................
Trip Meter . 63
..................................
Fuel Gauge . 64
.................................
Tachometer . 64
...................
Temperature Gauge . 64
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel . 65
...................................
Headlights . 66
............
Daytime Running Lights . 67
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 67
................................
Turn Signals . 68
.....................
Windshield Wipers . 68
..................
Windshield Washers . 69
Rear Window Wiper and
.....................................
Washer . 69
..........................
Hazard Warning . 70
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 70
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 71
...............................
Keys and Locks . 72
..............................................
Keys . 72
............................
Ignition Switch . 72
....................
Immobilizer System . 74 ......................
Power Door Locks . 75
...................
Remote Transmitter . 76
............................................
Hatch . 80
............................
Seat Adjustments . 81
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 81
..........................
Head Restraints . 82
........................
Rear Seat Access . 82
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 83
...........................
Cargo Area Cover . 84
..............................
Power Windows . 85
.........................................
Moonroof . 87
.............................................
Mirrors . 88
.................................
Parking Brake . 89
........................................
Glove Box . 90
...........................
Beverage Holders . 90
...................
Console Compartment . 92
........................................
Coat Hook . 92
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 92
..................................
Vanity Mirror . 93
.................................
Interior Lights . 93
..............................
Ceiling Lights . 93
.....................................
Spotlights . 94
........................
Cargo Area Light . 94
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols 55

The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian model are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 59)
HATCH-OPEN INDICATOR
(P. 59)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 58)
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR
(P. 58)
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
(P. 59)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 61) SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT
(P. 58) CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
(P. 60)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 59)
(P. 61) ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 60)
ELECTRIC POWER
STEERING INDICATOR
(P. 61)
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
(P. 60)
(P. 58)
(P. 58)
SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
PASSENGER AIRBAG
CUTOFF INDICATOR

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

To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up f ully. To release it, pull up
slightly, push the button, and lower
the lever. The parking brake light on
the instrument panel should go out
when the parking brake is f ully
released (see page ).
The outside mirrors are heated to re-
move fog and frost. With the ignition
switchON(II),turnontheheaters
by pressing the button. The light in
the button comes on as a reminder.
Press the button again to turn the
heaters of f .
59
On Canadian model
Mirrors, Parking Brake
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Parking Brake
89
HEATED MIRROR BUTTON
PARKING BRAKE LEVER Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles.

Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board ref ueling
vapor recovery system to help
keep f uel vapors f rom going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel nozzle
keeps clicking of f even though the
tank is not f ull, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.
Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Put the attachment on the fuel fill
cap into the slit on the f uel f ill door.
1.
5. 6.
4.
236
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving Opening the Hood
130 ATTACHMENT
SLIT FUEL FILL CAP HOOD RELEASE HANDLE

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your car, and the braking
system.........................
Preparing to Drive . 142
.......................
Starting the Engine . 143
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude . 143
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 144
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 145
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 145
...........................................
Parking . 146
..............................
Parking Tips . 146
.....................
The Braking System . 147
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 147
...............
Brake System Design . 148
........................
Anti-lock brakes . 148
Important Saf ety .......................
Remainders . 149
........................
ABS Indicator . 150
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 151
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 152
Driving
Driving 141

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.Use the f ollowing procedure:
Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
f unction unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) f or
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race.
If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear f looding.
As bef ore, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position f or no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lif t your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to the problem.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6.
1. 2. 3.
Starting the Engine
Driving
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
143

Always use the parking brake when
you park your car. The indicator on
the instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not f ully released; it
does not indicate that the parking
brakeisfirmlyset.Makesurethe
parking brake is set f irmly or your
car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
If the car is f acing uphill, turn the
f ront wheels away f rom the curb and
put the transmission in f irst gear.
If the car is f acing downhill, turn the
f ront wheels toward the curb and put
the transmission in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
146