2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

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Wheels: Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or
‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable f or most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed f or
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
perf ormance in winter driving.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
areclear.Checkwiththetiredealer
f or maximum speed recommenda-
tions.
Tires:
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.
290
Snow T iresWheels and Tires
Winter Driving
Tires
Maint enance230
14x51/2JJ
P185/70R14 87S

Because your Honda has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices on the
front tires. Use traction devices only
when required by driving conditions
or local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires.
Metal link-type ‘‘chains’’ should not
be used. No matter how tight they
seem to be installed, they can come
into contact with the body and
suspension, causing serious damage.When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with them installed. If
youhearthemcomingincontact
with the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Make sure the cables are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
T ire Chains
Tires
Maint enance231
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.

Check the operation of your car’s
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsaf e condition by reducing your
car’s visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Lights
Maint enance232
TURN SIGNAL/SIDE MARKERHEADLIGHT
PARKING LIGHT

Check the f ollowing:
If you f ind any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate lights
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)
289
Lights
Maint enance233
STOP/TAILLIGHT/
REAR SIDE MARKER LIGHT TAILLIGHT
HIGH-MOUNT
BRAKE LIGHT
TURN SIGNAL LIGHT BACK-UP LIGHTLICENSE
PLATE LIGHTS

Open the hood.
Your car has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Honda technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the holding clip f rom the
stay with a flat-tipped screwdriver,
then remove the upper part of the
washer f luid reservoir tank by
pulling it out.
1.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance234
HOLDING CLIP
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
(Driver’s side) Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb. Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb. Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Reinstall the upper part of the
windshield washer reservoir.
Install the holding clip on the stay
and lock it by pushing on the
center of clip.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ight
Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance235
BULB WEATHER SEAL
HOLD-DOWN WIRE CONNECTOR

Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover back.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center.
3. 2. 4.
5.6.
7.
8.
Lights
Maint enance236
HOLDING CLIP

Open the trunk.Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker light or turn signal light.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
Remove the screws in the center
of each of the two f asteners on the
side of the trunk lining. Pull the
lining back. Put the f asteners into the holes on
the side of the trunk lining.
Reinstall the screws.
1.
2.
3.4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Fenders)
Lights
Maint enance237
FASTENERS