2012 HONDA ACCORD engine coolant

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom mark to about the
middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper zone. If it reaches the red
(hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine cooling system.This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.
If your f uel f ill cap is loose or
missing, a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message appears on the inf ormation
display af ter you start the engine.
For more inf ormation, see page .
The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation. 291
335 395
Gauges
Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
Check Fuel Cap Message
Maintenance Minder
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Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
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CONT INUED
The ventilation system draws in
outside air, circulates it through the
interior, then releases it through
vents near the rear window.
The direction of airf low f rom the
vents in the center and each side of
the dashboard, and on the back of
the center console is adjustable.The heater uses engine coolant to
warm the air. If the engine is cold, it
will be several minutes bef ore you
f eel warm air coming f rom the
system.
Select .
When you select , the system
automatically switches to f resh air
mode. If you switch the mode
f rom or , the system
also automatically turns on the
A/C. This helps prevent the
windows f rom f ogging up
unintendedly. The A/C indicator
willnotcomeonifitwasoffto
start with (see the f irst column on
this page).
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
Set the temperature to the lower
limit.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and fresh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature is set
to maximum cool.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
air conditioning, and setting the f an
to maximum speed in f resh air mode.
1. 2. 3.4.
1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.68
If the interior is very warm,
Vents, Heating, and A/C
Ventilation Using the Heater Using the A /C
Features
127
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Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period . 288
.................
Fuel Recommendation . 288
.........
Service Station Procedures . 290
....................................
Ref ueling . 290
........
Check Fuel Cap Message . 291
Opening and Closing
................................
the Hood . 293
...................................
Oil Check . 295
.............
Engine Coolant Check . 296
...............................
Fuel Economy . 297
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 300
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 302
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
287
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Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
348 340
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
296
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MIN
MAX MAX
MIN
V6 models
V6 models RESERVE TANK
4-cylinder models
RESERVE TANK
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 334
.................
Maintenance Minder . 335
..............................
Fluid Locations . 342
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 344
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter . 346
..............................
Engine Coolant . 348
....................
Windshield Washers . 350
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 351
..........
Automatic Transmission . 351
..............
Manual Transmission . 353
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 354
................................
Brake Fluid . 354
...............................
Clutch Fluid . 355
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 355
....................................
Timing Belt . 356
.............................................
Lights . 357
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 367
.....................................
Floor Mats . 367
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 368
.................................
Wiper Blades . 369
...............................................
Tires . 372
...................
Checking the Battery . 380
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 381
..................................
Interior Care . 382
431
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
333
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U.S. Vehicles:
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability. According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
all the lights monthly. See page .
295 296351
354
372 357
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
340
TM
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Maintenance Minder
341
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
(V6 engine only)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A B
Symbol
12 3 4 5
Symbol1 1
:
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the center
column on page .
Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
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If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110

Fluid Locations
4-cylinder models
342
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
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