2003 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK power steering

Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:Two f ront airbags. The driver’s
airbag is stored in the center of
the steering wheel; the f ront
passenger’sairbagisstoredinthe
dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS
AIRBAG.’’ A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors and
records inf ormation about the
sensors, the control unit, the
airbag activators, and driver and
passenger seat belt use when the
ignition is ON (II).
An indicator light on the
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page ).
Emergency backup power in case
your car’s electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
Automatic seat belt tensioners
(see page ).
If you ever have a moderate to
severe f rontal collision, the sensors
will detect the vehicle’s rapid
deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the
control unit will instantly inf late the
f ront airbags.
Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision.
48
44 How Your Front Airbags Work
Airbag Components
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
46

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 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

µ
µ
µµ Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
The engine will not start if the
Immobilizer System does not
recognize the key’s coding (see page ).
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To switch f rom ACCESSORY to
LOCK, you must push the key in
slightly as you turn it. The anti-thef t
lock will lock the steering column
when you remove the key.
If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may sometimes make
it difficult to turn the key from
LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn
the steering wheel to the lef t or to
the right as you turn the key.
This is the normal key
position when driving. All f eatures
and accessories on the vehicle are
usable. Several of the lights on the
instrument panel come on as a test
when you turn the ignition switch
f rom ACCESSORY to ON. In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power socket. 74
ST A RT (III)
LOCK (0)
ON (II)
A CCESSORY (I)
Keys and Locks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only whenparked.

Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. All f our brakes have audible brake
wear indicators.
Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving
147

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
246 Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 58, 235
............................
Jump Starting . 230
..............................
Maintenance . 184
............................
Specif ications . 251
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 127
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,43
...........................
Beverage Holders . 90
.................................
Body Repairs . 220
Brakes
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 128
...........................................
Fluid . 177
.....................
Light, Burned-out . 207
.........................................
Parking . 89
.................
System Indicator . 59, 238
........................
Wear Indicators . 147
.............................
Braking System . 147
........................
Break-in, New Car . 128
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 67
........................
Brights, Headlights . 66
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 135
................................
Accessories . 135
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 136
............................
Modif ications . 136
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 73
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 92
Adding
................................
Brake Fluid . 178
...............................
Clutch Fluid . 178
..........................
Engine Coolant . 171
..................................
Engine Oil . 167
....
Manual Transmission Fluid . 177
........
Windshield Washer Fluid . 176
Additional Inf ormation About .......................
Your Seat Belts . 43
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 43
...............
Seat Belt Maintenance . 45
..
Seat Belt System Components . 43
Additional Inf ormation About ...........................
Your Airbags . 46
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 51
How the Passenger Airbag
..........
Cutoff Indicator Works . 49 How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 46
....................
Airbag Components . 46
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 168
Adjustments
..........................
Head Restraints . 82
.........................................
Mirrors . 88
.............................................
Seats . 81
...........................
Steering Wheel . 71
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 46
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 179
................
Air Conditioning System . 96
..............................
Maintenance . 189
............................................
Usage . 96
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 98
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 193
..................
High Speed Driving . 194
.........................
Normal Driving . 194
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 254
......................................
Antif reeze . 171
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 73
..........................
Appearance Care . 213
................................
Audio System . 104
Index
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