2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

Check the f luid level with the engine
and transmission at normal operating
temperature.Park the car on level ground. Shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait at least 60 seconds,
andnomorethan90seconds,
af ter shutting of f the engine to
check the f luid level. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
1.
2.
Maint enance
Continuously Variable
T ransmission (CVT )
Windshield Washers, T ransmission Fluid
206
DIPSTICK
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.

If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks within the HOT range. Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the transmission a final time.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled f luid
could damage components in the
engine compartment. The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
5.
6.
3.
4.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance207
HOT
Range UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the under
cover to access the transmission
housing(seepage ).Removethe
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 Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts torun 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
andcontinuedusecancausestiffer
shif ting. 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.
197
5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance208
Correct Level
FILLER BOLT

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
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 (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled f luid could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.Brake System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance209
MAX
MIN

The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Clutch System
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance210
MAX
MIN

Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing in the engine
compartment.
To replace it:
The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the distance
recommendation in the maintenance
schedule.
Unsnap the four clips and remove
the air cleaner housing cover.
Remove the old air cleaner
element.Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover and snap the four clips back
into place.
1.
3.
2. 4.
5.
Replacement
Maint enance
A ir Cleaner Element
211
CLIPS
CLIPS AIR CLEANER ELEMENT

Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer.
Maint enance
Hood L at ch
212
PIVOTS
LATCH
ASSEMBLY

CONT INUED
The spark plugs in your car are a
special iridium-tipped design f or
longer lif e. The spark plugs should
be replaced according to the
distance recommendation in the
maintenance schedule.Loosen the two holding bolts with
a wrench and remove the
resonator chamber.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
To replace the ignition coils,
remove the engine cover by
pulling it straight up.
1.
2.
3.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
Replacement
213
ENGINE
COVERBOLTS
RESONATOR
CHAMBER