2004 HONDA CIVIC check engine light

Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
5 seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
The engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9.
3. 4. (U.S.: EX, Canada: Si)
(U.S.: EX, Canada: Si)
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: DX, LX)
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: DX, LX)
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance146
NOTICE:
OIL FILTER
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
3.4 US qt (3.2
)
3.7 US qt (3.5
) Improper disposal of engine
oil can be harmf ul to the environment.
If you change your own oil, please
dispose of the used oil properly. Put it
in a sealed container and take it to a
recycling center. Do not discard it in a
trash bin or dump it on the ground.
——y

y
(y
y

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator will light when the
level is low.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
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 them.
2. 3. 4. 5.
1.
On Canadian models:
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Windshield Washers
148
NOTICE:
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
——y

y
(y

y

Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page . Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
the f uses are OK, there is
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ).
Check these things:
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page).
178 167
190
178
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
176
——y
y
(y
y

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 a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly(seepage ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning light 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 .
125 68 186 190
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed177
——y
y
(y
y

´´ µ
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or like ice, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc. Put the transmission in
Neutral or Park, and set the
parking brake.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
178
NOTICE:
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyonenearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme
cold, the electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
——y
y
(y

y

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 accessories, and turn
on the hazard light.
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.
1. 2.
3. 4.5. 6.
190
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
180
——y
y
(y
y

This light should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing
or stays on, the oil pressure has
dropped very low or lost pressure.
Serious engine damage is possible
and you should take immediate
action. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within ten seconds, turn of f
the engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving.
(See on page
). If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running,
the battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1. 2. 3. 4.
115
190 144
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
182
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.
——y
y
(y
y

CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories . 117
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) . 69
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 85
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 145
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 10, 22
...
Airbags, Additional Information . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service . 28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
......................
Indicator Works . 27
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work . 22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components . 22
................
Air Conditioning System . 89
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 162
..................
High Speed Driving . 162
.........................
Normal Driving . 162
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 200
......................................
Antif reeze . 147
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 55, 133 ...................................
Operation . 133
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 105
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 69
..................................
Audio System . 92
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 20
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 107
..............
Automatic Transmission . 128
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 196
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 149
.......................................
Shif ting . 128
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 128
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 128
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 130
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 55, 182
............................
Jump Starting . 178
..............................
Maintenance . 167
............................
Specif ications . 197
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 111
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,19
.............................
Beverage Holder . 85 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 133
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 112
....................
Bulb Replacement . 153
...........................................
Fluid . 151
.......................................
Parking . 131
.................
System Indicator . 55, 184
........................
Wear Indicators . 132
.............................
Braking System . 132
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 112
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 64
........................
Brights, Headlights . 63
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 157
..............................
Brake Lights . 156
................
Front Parking Lights . 155
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 155
.................................
Headlights . 153
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 158
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 156
............................
Specif ications . 197
Bulb Replacement ....................
Turn Signal Lights . 155
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 153
Index
A
B
I
——y
y
(y
y