2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID wiper blades

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 116
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Visibility
Driving T echnique
178

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .182
.
Important Safety Precautions . 183
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 184
...
Required Maintenance Record . 191
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 193
..............................
Fluid Locations .194
......................................
Engine Oil .195
..................................
Adding Oil .195
....................
Recommended Oil .195
..............................
Synthetic Oil .196
....................................
Additives .196
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 197
.............................
Cooling System .199
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 199
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 201
....................
Windshield Washers .205
.......................
Transmission Fluid .206
Continuously Variable ............
Transmission (CVT) . 206
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .208
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 209
............................
Brake System .209
...........................
Clutch System .210
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .211
....................................
Hood Latch .212 ....................................
Spark Plugs .213
..............................
Replacement .213
............................
Specif ications .215
...........................................
Battery .216
.................................
Wiper Blades .219
..............
Air Conditioning System . 221
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 222
.......................................
Drive Belt .224
...............................................
Tires .225
......................................
Inf lation .225
Recommended Tire Pressures ...........
f or Normal Driving . 226
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 226
..................................
Inspection .227
..............................
Maintenance .227
.............................
Tire Rotation .228
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 229
......................
Wheels and Tires .230
..........................
Winter Driving .230
.............................
Snow Tires .230
............................
Tire Chains .231
.............................................
Lights .232
.....................
Headlight Aiming .234
........................
Replacing Bulbs .234
...........................
Storing Your Car .243
303
Maintenance
Maint enance181

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.

Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
2.
1.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance219
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB

Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
3. 4. 5.
6.
7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance220
BLADE
REINFORCEMENTBLADE

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

ÎÎ
.............................
Vehicle Storage .243
.....................................
Ventilation .109
.................................................
VIN .286
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .250
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .196
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages .301
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 205
.......................................
Indicator .65
.....................................
Operation .80
.........................................
Washing .246
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 247
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 82
............
Alignment and Balance . 227
....................
Aluminum Wheels .248
..........................
Compact Spare .256
......................................
Wrench .258
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .251
..................
Operating the Power . 97...........................
Rear, Def ogger .81
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .78
...................................
Def roster .116
.......................................
Washers .80
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .219
.....................................
Operation .78
....................................
Worn Tires .227
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 282
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
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IX