2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID check oil

Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
289
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance221
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your car towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .256
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .257
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 263
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates Very .....................................
Slowly .263
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .264
................................
Jump Starting .265
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 268
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
..........
Charging System Indicator . 272
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
.......................
Readiness Codes .274
...............
Brake System Indicator . 275
..............................................
Fuses .276
..........
Checking and Replacing . 277
......................
Emergency Towing .282
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed255

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
The engine running generates the oil
pressure. When the Auto Idle Stop is
activated, the engine is stopped, the
oil pressure is dropped, and the low
oil pressure indicator does not light.
1.
2.
3. 4.
148 195 282
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
271
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped.

CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 152
................................
Accessories .152
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 153
............................
Modif ications .153
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .87
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 103
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 196
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .211
..............
Air Conditioning System . 108
..............................
Maintenance .221
.........................................
Usage .110
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .225
..................
High Speed Driving . 226
.........................
Normal Driving .226
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .292
......................................
Antif reeze .199
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .62, 177
...................................
Operation .175
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 137Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .86
..........................
Appearance Care .245
................................
Audio System .118
........................
Auto Idle Stop .163, 171
.............................
Indicator .164, 172
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 46
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 139
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) . 166
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .288
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 206
.......................................
Shif ting .167
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 166
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 167
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 170
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62, 272
............................
Jump Starting .265
.................................
Level Gauge .72
..............................
Maintenance .216
............................
Specif ications .289
..............................
Bef ore Driving .143 ....................................
Belts,Seat .8,45
...........................
Beverage Holder .102
.................................
Body Repairs .253
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 175
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 144
....................
Bulb Replacement .237
...........................................
Fluid .209
.......................................
Parking .100
.................
System Indicator . 62,275
........................
Wear Indicators .174
.............................
Braking System .174
........................
Break-in, New Car .144
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 77
........................
Brights, Headlights .75
Index
A
B
I

Î
Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .238
..............................
Brake Lights .237
..............................
Ceiling Light .241
................
Front Parking Lights . 235
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 235
.................................
Headlights .234
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 238
.................
License Plate Lights . 239
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 237
............................
Specif ications .289
...................................
Spotlights .242
...............................
Trunk Light .240
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 235
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .234
............................
Capacities Chart .288
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
.............................
Carrying Cargo .154
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .136
...................................
Operation .133
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer .129 .......................................
CD Player .127
..................................
Ceiling Light .104
........................
Certif ication Label .286
............................................
Chains .231
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .257
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 201
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .197
......................................
When to .186
....................
Charge/Assist Gauge .73
...
Charging System Indicator . 62,272
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 160
.....................................
Child Saf ety .22
Child Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 43
...........................
Lower Anchors .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 92
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 211
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .248
......................................
Exterior .246
.......................................
Interior .249
...................................
Seat Belts .250
...........................................
Vinyl .250
....................................
Windows .251 .........................
Clock, Setting the .123
...................................
Clutch Fluid .210
........................
CO in the Exhaust .294
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 161
..............................
Compact Spare .256
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 300
Continuously Variable ................
Transmission (CVT) . 166
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant ........................................
Adding .199
....................................
Checking .149
.........................
Proper Solution .199
...................................
Replacing .201
...................
Temperature Gauge . 72
....................
Corrosion Protection .252
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .294
............
Cruise Control Operation . 139
.....................
Current Fuel Mileage .70
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 300
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 58
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
................
Daytime Running Lights . 76
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 302
........................
Def og and Def rost .116
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 81
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 116
....................................
Dimensions .288
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 75
Dipstick Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .206
..................................
Engine Oil .148
..........................
Directional Signals .78
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 174
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .198
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 87
......................
Power Door Locks .87
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .162
.......................................
Drive Belt .224
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .159
....................................
Economy .150
.........................
In Bad Weather .178
................
In Foreign Countries . 293..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 222
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .250
...................................
Fan, Interior .113
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .107
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 145
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .211
.........................
Dust and Pollen .222
...............................................
Oil .197
..............................
Economy, Fuel .150
............
Emergencies on the Road . 255
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 265
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 257
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 277
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
..................
Overheated Engine . 268
.........................
Emergency Brake .100
......................
Emergency Flashers .80
......................
Emergency Towing .282
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 93
.......................
Emissions Controls .294
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 297
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
...................................
Drive Belt .224
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 165,169
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 273 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,271
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 195
...............................
Overheating .268
............................
Specif ications .288
.......................................
Starting .161
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .20
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 246
Index
E
F
III

CONT INUED
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators, Instrument .............................................
Panel .59
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .31
Inf ant Seats ......
LATCH Anchorage System . 43
...........................
Lower Anchors .43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 225
..................
High Speed Driving . 226
.........................
Normal Driving .226
...................................
Inside Mirror .99
.............................
Inspection, Tire .227
........................
Instrument Panel .2 ,58
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
...........................
Interior Cleaning .249
...............................
Interior Lights .104
........................................
Introduction .i
........................
Jacking up the Car .259
.......................................
Jack, Tire .258
................................
Jump Starting .265 ..................................................
Keys .83
.......................
Label, Certif ication .286
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 78
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 16,45
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 43
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .234
.......................................
Indicator .59
.........................................
Parking .75
..................................
Turn Signal .78
.....................................
Load Limit .155
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 86
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 86
............................
Fuel Fill Door .145
.................................
Power Door .87
...........................................
Trunk .92
........................
Low Coolant Level .149
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
................................
Lower Anchors .43
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 165 ...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,271
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 288
.........................................
Luggage .154
..................................
Maintenance .181
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 193
.................................
Record .191-192
......................
Required Indicator .66
..........................................
Saf ety .182
.............................
Schedule .184-190
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 62,273
...................
Manual Transmission . 162
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 208
...............................
Meters, Gauges .67
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 292
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .99
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 168
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 144
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 286
Index
LM
J K
N
V

..............................
Paint Touch-up .248
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 77
........................
Park Gear Position .167 ...........................................
Parking .173
...............................
Parking Brake .100
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .62, 275
.................................
Parking Lights .75
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 296
.............................
PGM-FI System .295
..................
Polishing and Waxing . 247
............
Pre-Drive Saf ety Checklist . 12
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 20
............................
Protecting Adults .13
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 20
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 20
........................
Protecting Children .22
.......................
Protecting Inf ants .31
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
Using Child Seats with .....................................
Tethers .42
.............................
Using LATCH .43
...................
Radiator Overheating . 268
Radio/CD/Cassette ............................
Sound System .118 ...................
Readiness Codes . 274,297
Rear Lights, Bulb ......................
Replacement .237, 238
............................
Rear View Mirror .99
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 94
.............................
Reminder Lights .59
.......................
Remote Transmitter .89
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 211
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 222
..........................
Engine Coolant .201
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 197
..........................................
Fuses .277
................................
Light Bulbs .234
....................................
Schedule .184
................................
Spark Plugs .213
...........................................
Tires .229
.............................
Wiper Blades .219
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .47
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .149, 199
...............................
Restraint, Child .22
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 168
................................
Roof Antenna .247
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 144
.........................................
Odometer .69
...............................
Odometer, Trip .69
Oil ........................
Change, How to .197
......................
Change, When to .186
......................
Checking Engine .148
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62,271
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .196
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 87
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .294
..
Operation in Foreign Countries . 293
..............................
Outside Mirrors .99
....................
Overheating, Engine .268
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 193
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .292
Index
PR O
VI