2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID engine overheat

Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause f or
a f ew seconds bef ore shif ting into
Reverse, or shif t into one of the
f orward gears f or a moment. This
stops the gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a detent so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster. When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the vehicle speed is low
enough that you will not activate the
engine speed limiter in the lower
gear. Make sure the engine speed
will not go into the tachometer’s red
zone in the lower gear bef ore
downshif ting.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving162
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.

´
µSpark Plug Gap:
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the nut.
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other seven spark plugs.
Reinstall the resonator chamber.
Tighten the two bolts securely on
it, then install the engine cover.
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque: NGK:
DENSO:
9.
10.
11.
12.
8.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
Specif ications:
215
IFR5G-11K
SK16PR-L11
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

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

The reading on your car’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
1.
2.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
268
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

CONT INUED
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge, or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.
3.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
282
149
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
269
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
9.
10. 11.
12.
282
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
270

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

..............................
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