2004 HONDA CIVIC COUPE emergency towing

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 vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 182
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 183
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If the Engine Won’t Start . 189
................................
Jump Starting . 191
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 192
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 195
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Charging System Indicator . 195
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 196
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Brake System Indicator . 197
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Closing the Moonroof . 198
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Fuses . 199
..........................
Fuse Locations . 201
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Emergency Towing . 203
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed181
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In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
127 199 203
70
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
T he Starter Operates Normally Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
190
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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,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.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. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all the accessories, and
turn on the hazard indicator.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
1. 2.
3. 4.5. 6.
203
CONT INUED
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
193
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If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or large heavy cloth,
turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise without pushing
down to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.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.
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.
7.
8. 9.10. 11.
203
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
194
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.
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However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch ON (II)
and as a reminder to check the
parking brake. It will stay lit if you do
not f ully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to the dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 203
163
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
197
Canada
U.S.
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There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment. The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the vehicle
of f the ground. Your vehicle’s sus-
pension and body can be seriously
damaged. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If , due to
damage, your vehicle must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing: Release the parking brake.
5-speed Manual Transmission and
Continuously Variable Transmission(CVT)
Automatic Transmission:
CONT INUED
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
This is the best way to trans-
port your Honda.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda. T his method of towing
is unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed203
NOTICE: Improper towing preparation
will damage the transmission. Follow
the above procedure exactly. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine (automatic transmission),
your vehicle must be transported with
the f ront wheels of f the ground.
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With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency T owing
204
NOTICE:
NOTICE: Trying to lif t or tow your
vehicle by the bumpers will cause
serious damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
T he steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in Accessory
(I), and make sure the steering wheel
turns f reely bef ore you begin towing.
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CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 119
Emergencies
............................
Jump Starting . 119
.......................................
Towing . 203
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Hazard Warning Flashes . 67
............
Emergencies on the Road . 182
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 191
...........
Brake System Indicator . 197
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 183
.....
Charging System Indicator . 195
..................
Checking the Fuses . 199
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 195
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 196
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 198
..................
Overheated Engine . 192
...........................
Emergency Brake . 84
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Emergency Flashers . 67
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Emergency Towing . 203
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Emergency Trunk Opener . 73
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Emissions Controls . 212Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 61
...........................
If it won’t start . 189 Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 58, 196
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Oil Pressure Indicator . 56, 195
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Oil, What Kind to Use . 152
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Overheating . 192
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Specif ications . 208
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Starting . 127
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Ethanol in Gasoline . 212
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 212
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 17
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Fan, Interior . 91
Features, Comfort and
................................
Convenience . 89
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 115
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 169
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Oil . 154
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 162
................................
Shif ting the . 128
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Flashers, Hazard Warning . 67 ...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 183
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 160
..........................................
Brake . 163
.........................................
Clutch . 163
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Manual Transmission . 162
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Power Steering . 159
..................
Windshield Washer . 156
FM Stereo Radio .....................................
Reception . 97
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 67
Front Seat
......................................
Adjusting . 11
.........................................
Airbags . 22
.................................................
Fuel . 114
....................................
Economy . 119
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Fill Door and Cap . 115
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Gauge . 60
................
Octane Requirement . 114
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Oxygenated . 114
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Reserve Indicator . 58
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Tank, Filling the . 115
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Fuses, Checking the . 199
Index
E
F
III
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