2013 HONDA ACCORD engine coolant

20Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P 485)
Under the Hood
(P 497)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid and clutch* fluid.
● Check the battery regularly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P 513)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P 523)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P 525)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.

84
uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
*
Instrument Panel
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
*
The following messages appear only on the multi-information display. Press the (information) button to see the message again
with the system message indicator on.
Message
Condition
Explanation
●Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not
installed.
2 Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message P. 561
●Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due
soon.
u Consequently, Maintenance Due Now and
Maintenance Past Due follow.
2Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 494
●Appears when the engine coolant temperature gets
abnormally high.
2Overheating P. 558
●Appears if there is a problem with the automatic
lighting control system.
●Comes on while driving - Manually turn the lights on,
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●Appears if there is a problem with the low beam
headlights.
●Comes on while driving - Turn the lights on manually
and have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
* Not available on all models

89Instrument Panel
Gauges and DisplaysGaugesGauges include the speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, and related indicators.
They are displayed when the ignition switch is in ON
(w*1.
Displays your driving speed in mph (U.S.) or km/h (Canada).
Shows the number of engine revolutions per minute.
Displays the amount of fuel left in the fuel tank.
Displays the temperature of the engine coolant.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.■Speedometer■Tachometer■Fuel Gauge■Temperature Gauge
1 Fuel GaugeNOTICEYou should refuel when the reading approaches .
Running out of fuel can cause the engine to misfire,
damaging the catalytic converter.
The actual amount of remaining fuel may differ from
the fuel gauge reading.
E
1Temperature GaugeNOTICEDriving with the temperature gauge pointer in the
upper zone can cause serious engine damage. Pull
safely to the side of the road and allow engine
temperature to return to normal.
2 Overheating P. 558

Continued
167
uuHeating and Cooling
*uUsing Vents, Heating and A/C
Controls
The heater uses engine coolant to warm the
air.
1. Adjust the fan speed using the fan control
dial.
2. Select .
3. Adjust the temperature using the
temperature control dial.
■To rapidly warm up the interior
1. Set the fan to the maximum speed.
2. Select .
3. Set the temperature to maximum warm.
4. Press the button (the indicator on).■To dehumidify the interior
When used in combination with the heater, the air conditioning system makes the
interior warm and dry and can prevent the windows from fogging up.
1. Turn the fan on.
2. Press the A/C button to turn on the air conditioning.■Heating
1Heating
When you select , the mode automatically
switches to fresh air.1To rapidly warm up the interior
Change to fresh air mode as soon as the interior gets
warm enough. The windows may fog up if kept in
recirculation mode.

427
Continued
Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in
(P.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models without smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, heating and
cooling system
*/climate control system
*, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22
°F (-30
°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be charged to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake Pedal
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models
* Not available on all models

429
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Continued
Driving
Starting the Engine
1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in
(P.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N. Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left
foot.
u The clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
Models with smart entry system
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly coded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled.
2 Immobilizer System P. 124
Brake Pedal
Automatic transmission/CVT models
Brake Pedal
Clutch Pedal
Manual transmission models

485
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 486Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 487Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 488
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 489
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 497Opening the Hood ........................... 499
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 501
Oil Check ......................................... 502
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 504Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 505
Engine Coolant ................................ 507
Transmission Fluid ............................ 509
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 511
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 512
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 513Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 523Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 525Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 526Tire Labeling .................................... 526DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 528Wear Indicators................................ 530 Tire Service Life ................................ 530
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 531
Tire Rotation .................................... 532
Winter Tires ..................................... 533
Battery ............................................... 534
Remote Transmitter Care Replacing the Button Battery ........... 535
Heating and Cooling System
*/Climate
Control System
* Maintenance ....... 537
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 538
Exterior Care.................................... 540
* Not available on all models

491
uu Maintenance Minder
TMuTo Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items
1Maintenance Service Items•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.•Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000
km).•Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if
they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder
Message
Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items
Main Item
*1: If a 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.CODE
Maintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil
*1
B
●Replace engine oil
*1 and oil filter
●Inspect front and rear brakes/service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and lines (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system
#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections
#
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*4: Automatic transmission (CVT) models
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher transmission temperatures. This requires transmission fluid changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have the transmission
fluid changed every 25,000 miles (40,000 km).
*6: 6-cylinder models
*7: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110 °F, 43 °C), in very low temperatures (under - 20 °F, -29 °C), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.CODE
Maintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2
●Replace air cleaner element
*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter
*3
●Inspect drive belt
3●Replace transmission fluid
*4,*5
4
●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
*6,*7
●Inspect valve clearance
5●Replace engine coolant