2004 HONDA CIVIC HATCHBACK engine overheat

This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition to ON (II)
and goes off after the engine starts.
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the Electric
Power Steering system. If this
happens, stop the vehicle in a saf e
place and turn of f the engine. Reset
the system by restarting the engine.
The indicator will not turn of f
immediately. If it does not go of f
after driving a short distance, or
comes back on again while driving,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With the indicator
on, the EPS may be turned of f ,
making the vehicle harder to steer.
If the power steering system
overheats while driving, the assisting
power is reduced and steering may
f eel slightly harder.This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It will go of f if you
have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
65
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
55
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The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout 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.Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the vehicle 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.’’
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
Driving
124 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.
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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 . 166
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 167
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 171
................................
Jump Starting . 173
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 174
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 177
..........
Charging System Indicator . 177
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 178
...............
Brake System Indicator . 179
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 180
..............................................
Fuses . 181
..............................
Fuse Locations . 183
......................
Emergency Towing . 185
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 165
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Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once the vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
the vehicle, then f rom the booster
battery. Disconnect the positive
cable f rom the vehicle, and then
from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short. The pointer of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. 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.
7.
6.
If the Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats
174 NOTICE: 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 pointer at the red
mark can cause serious damage to
your engine.
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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.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,
and set the parking brake. Turn
off all the accessories, and turn on
the hazard indicator.
1. 2. 3. 4.5. 6.
185
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 175
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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 f irst stop. Af ter 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.
8. 9.
10. 11.
7.
185Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
176 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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CONT INUED
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 50
................
Daytime Running Lights . 61
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator . 53
...........
Dead Battery, What to Do . 173
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 202
..........................
Def og and Def rost . 89
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 62
................
Def rosting the Windows . 89
....................................
Dimensions . 190
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 61
Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil . 113
..........................
Directional Signals . 61
Disabled, Towing Your Vehicle
..................................................
If . 185
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 127
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 140
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 67
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 192
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 124 ...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 121
....................................
Economy . 114
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 114
............
Emergencies on the Road . 165
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 173
...........
Brake System Indicator . 179
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 167
.....
Charging System Indicator . 177
..................
Checking the Fuses . 181
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 177
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 178
..................
Overheated Engine . 174
...........................
Emergency Brake . 80
......................
Emergency Flashers . 62
......................
Emergency Towing . 185
.......................
Emissions Controls . 194Engine
Coolant Temperature .......................................
Gauge . 58
.............................. 171
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 53, 178 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 52, 177
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 138
...............................
Overheating . 174
............................
Specif ications . 190
...................
Engine Speed Limiter . 125
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 194
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 17
.....................................
Fan, Interior . 86
Features, Comfort and
................................
Convenience . 85
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 111
Filter
...............................................
Oil . 139
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 143
................................
Shif ting the . 124
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 62
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 167
If it won’t start
Index
E
F
D
III
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New Vehicle Break-in . 110
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds . 125
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 188
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 110
.........................................
Odometer . 57
...............................
Odometer, Trip . 57
Oil
........................
Change, How to . 139
......................
Change, When to . 133
......................
Checking Engine . 113
..............
Pressure Indicator . 52, 177
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 66
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
....................................
Recovery . 194
.........................
Opening the Hatch . 68
........................
Opening the Hood . 112
..............................
Outside Mirrors . 79
....................
Overheating, Engine . 174
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 132 ..............
Panel Brightness Control . 62
...........................................
Parking . 126
.................................
Parking Brake . 80
Parking Brake and Brake
.................
System Indicator . 53, 179
.................................
Parking Lights . 61
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 196
.............................
PGM-FI System . 195
..........................
Power Door Locks . 67
.................
Power Socket Locations . 83
..............................
Power Windows . 76
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 17
............................
Protecting Adults . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 18
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
........................
Protecting Children . 29
.......................
Protecting Inf ants . 34
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 43
.........
Protecting Small Children . 35
Using Child Seats with
.....................................
Tethers . 39 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 174
......
Radio/Cassette Sound System . 90
..........................
Rear End Towing . 185
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 149
............................
Rear Seat Access . 72
..........................
Rear Seat, Folding . 73
............................
Rear View Mirror . 79
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 62
....................
Rear Window Washer . 60
.......................
Rear Window Wiper . 60
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 71
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 125
.............................
Reminder Lights . 51
Replacement Inf ormation
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 139
..........................................
Fuses . 181
................................
Light Bulbs . 145
....................................
Schedule . 131
...........................................
Tires . 160
.............................
Wiper Blades . 154
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash . 21
Reserve Tank, Engine
...............................
Coolant . 114, 141
Index
PR
O
N
VI
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