1995 Honda Civic DEL SOL Owners Manual

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DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH To open the passenger's window or rear window from the master control panel, push down on the appropriate switch and hold it down until the window reaches the desired position. To close the window, push up on the window switch. Release the switch when the window gets to the position you want. CONTINUED Instruments and Controls The MAIN switch controls power to the passenger's and rear windows. With this switch off, the passenger's and rear windows cannot be raised or lowered. The MAIN switch does not affect the driver's window. Keep the MAIN switch off when you have children in the car so they do not injure themselves by operating the windows unintentionally. Closing a power window on a child's hands or fingers can cause serious injury. Make sure your children are away from the windows before closing them. Power Windows The master control panel also con- tains these extra features: AUTO — To open the driver's window fully, push the window switch firmly down and release it. The window automatically goes all the way down. To stop the window from going all the way down, push the window switch up briefly. To open the driver's window only partially, push the window switch down lightly and hold it. The window will stop as soon as you release the switch. The AUTO function only works to lower the driver's window. To raise the window, you must push the window switch up and hold it until the window reaches the desired position. Instruments and Controls Your Honda's roof panel has a single release handle on each side, making it easy to remove and install. When not in use, the roof can be stored in a special holder in the trunk. Always clean and dry the roof panel before you remove it so dirt and water do not fall in the interior and trunk. Make sure any items you store in the trunk will not tumble around and damage the roof panel. One person should be able to remove and install the roof panel. Although the panel is not very heavy, you may find it awkward to handle because of its size. If so, get someone to assist you so you do not damage the panel. Removable Roof Panel Instruments and Controls Removable Roof Panel Removing and Storing ROOF LOCKS 1. Open both windows. 2. Turn off the engine and set the parking brake. 3. Open the trunk. Push on the roof holder to make sure it is locked in place. Unlock the roof locks by pivoting them forward. Instruments and Controls LOCK TAB RELEASE LEVER 4. Release each side of the roof by pushing the lock tab sideways and pulling down the release lever. Carefully lift the roof straight up. 5. Place the roof in the roof holder with the front facing forward. Removable Roof Panel Installing 1. Open both windows. 2. Turn off the engine and set the parking brake. 3. Open the trunk. LOCK LEVER 6. Lock the roof in the holder by pivoting the lock levers toward the back of the car. TAB 4. Release the roof from the holder by pushing the tabs and pivoting the lock levers forward. CONTINUED Instruments and Controls Removable Roof Panel 5. Lift the roof out of the holder. Make sure the release levers are in the unlocked (down) position. 6. Set the roof in place on the car. Make sure all four corners are sitting flush with the car body. 7. Secure the roof by turning each release lever until the lock tab clicks forward. Pull on the levers to make sure they are locked. Instruments and Controls Roof Holder Removable Roof Panel Roof Unlatched Indicator ROOF UNLATCHED INDICATOR To reach items in the trunk when the roof is stored, pull the roof holder lock lever and lift the holder. To secure the roof holder, push down on it until it locks. Make sure it is locked so it will not rattle or damage the trunk lid. This indicator lights when you turn the ignition ON (II) if the roof panel is not fastened securely. Check both release levers to make sure they are locked. Instruments and Controls Mirrors Adjusting the Power Mirrors SELECTOR SWITCH TAB Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and adjusted for best visibility. Be sure to adjust the mirrors before you start driving. The inside mirror has day and night positions. The night position reduces glare from headlights behind you. Flip the tab on the bottom edge of the mirror to select the day or night position. ADJUSTMENT SWITCH Available only on Si and VTEC models Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment switch on the driver's door: 1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). 2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's side). 3. Push the appropriate edge of the adjustment switch to move the mirror right, left, up or down. 4. When you finish, move the selector switch to the center (off) position. This turns off the adjustment switch so you can't move a mirror out of position by accidentally bumping it. Instruments and Controls Mirrors, Parking Brake Parking Brake NOTICE Driving the car with the parking brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles. The outside mirror on the passenger's side has curved glass. Objects look farther away than they are. Use this mirror to get a "wide view". Don't use it to judge the distance of things behind you. PARKING BRAKE LEVER To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up fully. To release it, pull up slightly, push the button, and lower the lever. The parking brake light on the instrument panel should go out when the parking brake is fully released (see page 32). If you try to drive the car without releasing the parking brake, the ABS cannot work properly. Instruments and Controls Glove Box, Digital Clock Glove Box Digital Clock GLOVE BOX Open the glove box by pushing the knob. Close it with a firm push. An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passenger in a crash, even if the passenger is wearing the seat belt. Always keep the glove box closed while driving. Instruments and Controls The digital clock displays the time with the ignition switch ON (II). To set the clock: 1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II) to display the time. 2. Press and hold the H button until the hour advances to the desired time. 3. Press and hold the M button until the numbers advance to the desired time. You can use the R button to quickly set the time to the nearest hour. If the displayed time is before the half hour, pressing the R button sets the clock back to the previous hour. If the displayed time is after the half hour, pressing the R button sets the clock forward to the beginning of the next hour. For example: 1:06 would RESET backward to 1:00. 1:52 would RESET forward to 2:00. Console Compartment, Beverage Holder Console Compartment Beverage Holder LOCKING TAB CONSOLE COMPART- MENT To open the console compartment, pull up the edge of the driver's side. To close, lower the lid and push it down until it latches. The beverage holder is located inside the center console compart- ment lid. To use the beverage holder, open the center console compartment. Pull the beverage holder out while pushing the locking tab. Use the beverage holder only when the car is parked. If you place cups in the holder while driving, the liquid may spill when you go over bumps or around corners. Be careful when you are using the beverage holder. Spilled liquids can damage the upholstery, carpeting, and electrical components in the interior. If the liquid is very hot, it can scald you or your passenger. Instruments and Controls Sun Visor, Cigarette Lighter, Ashtrays Sun Visor Cigarette Lighter Ashtrays CIGARETTE LIGHTER The cigarette lighter is next to the ashtray under the ashtray lid. The ignition switch must be in ACCES- SORY (I) or ON (II) for the cigarette lighter to work. To heat up the lighter, push it in. It will pop out when it is ready for use. Do not hold the lighter in while it is heating up, you could cause it to overheat. ASHTRAY Open the ashtray by lifting the lid up. To remove it for emptying, open the lid then pull it straight out of the holder. To reinstall the ashtray, put it back in the holder with the lid open and push it straight down. Use of the sun visors will help cut off annoying glare while driving. To use the sun visor, pull it down. Do not use the sun visor frame as a hand hold or to support yourself when you are getting into or out of the car with the roof removed. Too much force may cause it to come loose or break. Instruments and Controls Ashtrays, Interior Light NOTICE Use the ashtray only for cigarettes, cigars and other smoking materials. To prevent a possible fire and damage to your car, don't put paper or other things that can burn in the ashtray. Interior Light DOOR ACTIVATED OFF ON The interior light has a three- position switch. In the OFF position, the light does not come on. In the center position, the interior light comes on when you open either door. In the ON position, the interior light stays on continuously. Instruments and Controls Comfort and Convenience Features The heating/ventilation system in your car, when combined with the optional air conditioning, provides a comfortable driving environment in all weather conditions. (Si and VTEC models) The standard audio system is very versatile. To get the most from this system, take the time to learn what the controls do. To discourage theft, a code number is required to enable the system. (S model) Refer to the operating instructions that came with the optional audio system you selected. Heating and Cooling........................ 68 What Each Control Does............ 70 How to Use the System............... 71 Controlling Air Flow Direction............................... 71 Ventilation................................ 71 To Cool with A/C .................... 72 To Heat..................................... 73 To Heat and Dehumidify with Air Conditioning.......... 73 To Defog and Defrost............. 74 To Turn Everything Off ............. 74 Audio System................................... 75 AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Audio System........................... 75 Operating the Radio.................... 76 Presetting..................................... 78 Adjusting the Sound.................... 79 Radio Frequencies....................... 80 Operating the Cassette Player... 81 Cassette Search Functions......... 82 Caring for Cassettes.................... 83 Operating the CD Player............ 84 CD Error Indications................... 86 Caring for the Cassette Player....... 87 Theft Protection............................... 88 Comfort and Convenience Features Heating and Cooling This system has full heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (optional) capabilities. You can adjust the system controls to mix these in various combinations. The air flows into the interior at three possible levels, which you can select. If you purchased your car without air conditioning, it can be installed at any time. A Genuine Honda air conditioning system is available from your dealer. It meets Honda's high quality standards and is designed to fit your car. Please contact your dealer for more information. Comfort and Convenience Features CENTER VENT CORNER VENT The direction of air flow from the vents in the center of the dashboard and corner vents is adjustable. Move the tab in the center of each vent up- and-down and side-to-side. The corner vents can be closed by turning the vent approximately 45° to the right. The center console vent on the driver's side can also be closed by turning the vent. The heating and cooling system draws air through the exterior vents at the bottom of the windshield. Keep these vents clear of leaves and other debris. Heating and Cooling Comfort and Convenience Features Heating and Cooling What Each Control Does Fan Control Dial Turning this dial clockwise increases the fan speed, which increases air flow. Temperature Control Lever Sliding this lever to the right increases the temperature of air flowing from the system. Mode Buttons These buttons control the direction of air flow. The indicator light shows which button is controlling air flow. Air Conditioning (A/C) Switch This switch turns the air condi- tioning ON and OFF. The indicator in the switch lights when the A/C is ON. Comfort and Convenience Features MODE BUTTONS RECIRCULATION BUTTON FAN CONTROL DIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH between recirculated and fresh air. Recirculation Button This button controls the source of air going into the system. When the indicator in this button is lit, the system is recirculating the interior air (Recirculation mode). When the indicator is off, fresh air is brought in from outside the car (Fresh Air mode). Push the button to change How to Use the System This section covers the best way to use the system for ventilation, cooling, dehumidifying, defrosting and heating. In most cases, the mode and air source selections are only recommendations. You may prefer different settings. Use Recirculation mode to heat or cool the interior more quickly, or to keep out smoke and dust. Leaving the system in the recirculation mode with the A/C off can cause the windows to fog up. Switch to Fresh Air mode as soon as the interior reaches a comfortable temperature or the outside smoky, dusty condition clears. Heating and Cooling The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to pro- vide hot and cold air. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it will be several minutes before you feel warm air circulating. The air conditioning system does not depend on engine temperature. It can produce cold air almost immedi- ately. Ventilation Your car has a flow-through ventilation system. Air enters the car through vents in front of the windshield. It circulates through the interior then exits through the rear panel. This system provides fresh air even when the car is standing still. To bring in outside air, select the Fresh Air mode. Set the fan at a comfortable speed. Controlling Air Flow Direction Air flows into the interior at three levels: Toward the floor through the dash vents toward the windshield and side windows flow level or combination of levels with the five mode buttons. You select the air and CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Heating and Cooling To Cool with A/C (Optional) To operate the air conditioning system, press the air conditioning switch. Set the fan to the desired speed. You can also use the mode button to direct air out of the dash and heater vents. To cool the interior down rapidly after the car has been sitting in the sun: MODE BUTTONS 1. Start the engine. 2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the switch. 3. Set the fan to maximum speed. 4. Open the windows partially. Select the Recirculation mode and When the interior reaches a com- fortable temperature, close the windows and set the system for cooling as described above. Comfort and Convenience Features FAN CONTROL DIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH Air conditioning places an extra load on the engine. Watch the engine coolant temperature gauge (see page 37) when using the A/C in heavy traffic or driving up long hills. If it moves near the red zone, turn off the air conditioning until the gauge reads normally. To Heat To warm the interior: 1. Start the engine. 2. Select the Fresh Air mode and Heating and Cooling MODE BUTTONS 3. Switch the fan to the desired speed. 4. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control lever. To Heat and Dehumidify with Air Conditioning Air conditioning removes moisture from the air as it operates. When used in combination with the heater, it makes the interior warm and dry. FAN CONTROL DIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH 1. Switch the fan on. 2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select the Fresh Air mode and press any desired mode button. 4. Adjust the temperature control lever so the mixture of heated and cooled air feels comfortable. This setting is suitable for all driving conditions whenever the outside temperature is above 32°F (0°C). CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features Heating and Cooling To Defog and Defrost To remove fog from the inside of the windows: 1. Switch the fan on. 2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select the Fresh Air mode and 4. Adjust the temperature control lever so the air flow from the defroster vents feels warm. 5. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window. To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windows after the car has been sitting out in cold weather: 1. Start the engine. 2. Select the Fresh Air mode and 3. Switch the fan and temperature controls to maximum. Comfort and Convenience Features To Turn Everything Off To shut off the system temporarily, turn off the fan and slide the temperature control lever all the way to the left. You should shut the system com- pletely off only for the first few minutes of driving in cold weather, until the engine coolant warms up enough to operate the heater. Keep the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior. To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very cold days), first select the Recirculation mode. Once the windshield is clear, select the Fresh Air mode to avoid fogging the windows. These settings direct all the air flow to the defroster vents at the base of the windshield and the side window defroster vents. The air flow will get warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can close the corner vents by turning them 45° clockwise. This will send more warm air to the windshield de- froster vents. For safety, make sure you have a clear view through all the windows before driving away. Audio System ON/VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT AM BUTTON AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Audio System For Si and VTEC models Your Honda audio system is easy to use, and will give clear A M / FM reception. The preset buttons allow you to select six stations on AM and twelve stations on FM. The cassette system uses Dolby B®* noise reduction to give excellent sound reproduction. The system also senses when a metal or chromium-dioxide (CrO being played and adjusts accordingly. ) tape is TUNE/SEEK BAR PRESET BUTTONS FM BUTTON The cassette player features auto- reverse for continuous play. The Anti-theft feature disables the system if it is disconnected from the car's battery. To get the system working again, you must enter a code number. * Dolby noise reduction manufac- tured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. "DOLBY" and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Operating the Radio The ignition switch must be in AC- CESSORY (I) or ON (II) to operate the audio system. Turn the system on by turning the ON/VOL knob clockwise. The radio comes on and displays the frequency of the station it was last tuned to. Adjust the volume by turning the ON/VOL knob. Comfort and Convenience Features ON/VOL KNOB AM BUTTON STEREO INDICATOR FM BUTTON Select the band you want to listen to by pressing the AM or FM button. You will see the selected band and the frequency in the display. ST will be displayed next to the fre- quency if the station is broadcasting in FM stereo. The AM stereo feature is not available. You can use any of three methods to find radio stations on the selected band: TUNE, SEEK, or the Preset buttons. Audio System The TUNE function lets you find a desired frequency. Use the TUNE/SEEK bar to change the frequency in small increments. Press the right side higher frequency, and the left side to tune to a lower frequency. to tune to a Press and release to change the frequency to the next number. Press the TUNE/SEEK bar and hold it to change to a frequency that is far away. The frequency display will begin to count rapidly. It will stop counting when you release the bar. TUNE/SEEK BAR PRESET BUTTONS stops. The SEEK function searches the band for stations with a strong signal. Depending on which side you press on the TUNE/SEEK bar, the system searches up or down from the current frequency. Press the bar until you hear a beep, then release it. The system searches until it finds a station with a strong signal, then Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Presetting The preset buttons allow you to store radio frequencies for later selection. Each button will store one frequency on the AM band, and two on the FM band. To store a frequency: 1. Select the desired band, AM or FM. FM1 and FM2 let you store two frequencies with each Preset button. 2. Use the TUNE or SEEK function to tune the radio to a desired station. 3. Pick the Preset button you want for that station. Press the button and hold it until you hear a beep. 4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total of six stations on AM and twelve on FM. Comfort and Convenience Features AM BUTTON TUNE/SEEK BAR PRESET BUTTONS FM BUTTON Once that station's frequency is stored, simply press and release the proper preset button to tune to it. If you want to change any preset button's selection, store another fre- quency as described. The frequen- cies you preset will be lost if your car's battery goes dead or is discon- nected. Adjusting the Sound Use the Balance and Fader controls to adjust the sound "direction". The Balance control moves it left-to-right. The Fader control moves it front-to- back. To use either control, push on the knob to get it to pop out. Adjust the front-to-back sound to your liking with the outside ring. Adjust side-to-side sound balance with the knob. Push the knob back in when you are done. Audio System BASS CONTROL TREBLE CONTROL FADER CONTROL BALANCE CONTROL The illumination for the radio con- trols comes on with the instrument panel lights, even if the radio is off. You can use the Balance control to turn off the radio panel illumination even with the radio on. Push the control knob so it pops out, then pull it out slightly further. Check this control if the control panel lights do not come on with the instrument panel lights. Use the Bass and Treble controls to adjust the tone quality to your liking. Push on the knob to get the controls to pop out. Adjust the bass level with the outer ring and the treble level with the knob. When finished, push the knobs back in so there is less chance of accidentally changing your settings. Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Radio Frequencies Your Honda's radio can tune in all frequencies in both the AM and FM bands. Those bands cover these frequen- cies: AM band: 530 kilohertz to 1,710 kilohertz FM band: 87.7 megahertz to 107.9 mega- hertz Radio stations on the AM band are assigned frequencies at least 10 kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550). Those on the FM band are assigned frequencies at least 0.2 megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1,88.3). Comfort and Convenience Features AM BUTTON FM BUTTON Stations must use these exact frequencies. It is fairly common for stations to round-off the frequency in their advertising, so your radio will show a frequency of 100.9 even though the announcer may call the station "FM101." Operating the Cassette Player Turn the system ON. Insert the cassette into the slot with the tape opening to the right. Push the cassette in most of the way. The drive will pull it in the rest of the way and begin to play. or will light to show you The which side of the cassette is playing. indicates the side you The inserted facing upward is now playing. To play the other side of the tape, press the PROG button. The system also has an Auto-reverse feature. It will automatically reverse direction when it reaches the end of the cassette. Audio System EJECT BUTTON TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR PROG BUTTON DOLBY BUTTON If the tape was recorded with Dolby "B" noise reduction, turn it on by pressing the button. To remove the cassette from the drive, press the EJECT button. The system automatically ejects the cassette whenever you turn off the system or the ignition switch. Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Cassette Search Functions Once a cassette is playing, you can use the FF, REW or TMS function to look for desired songs or passages. Press the REW button to rewind the cassette. Press the FF button to fast forward. The cassette slops playing and the light in the button comes on. To stop rewind or fast forward, press the PLAY button. If the system reaches the end of the cassette while in fast forward or rewind, it automatically stops that function, reverses direction, and begins to play. Comfort and Convenience Features REW BUTTON PLAY BUTTON FF BUTTON TMS BUTTON The TMS function lets you skip to the beginning of a song or other passage. played. When the system senses a silent period on the tape, it goes back to PLAY mode. Press the TMS button and then the FF button or REW button. The tape will automatically advance to the beginning of the next song, or return to the beginning of the song just Audio System The TMS function uses silent periods on the tape to find the end of a selection. This feature may not work satisfactorily on tapes that have almost no gap between songs, a high noise level between songs, or silent periods in the middle of songs. TMS BUTTON Caring for Cassettes Damaged cassettes can jam inside the drive or cause other problems. See page 87 for information on cassette care and protection. Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System Operating the CD Player (Optional) A Compact Disc changer is available for your car. It holds up to six discs, providing several hours of continu- ous programming. You operate the CD changer with the same controls used for the radio and cassette player. Load the desired CD's in the magazine and load the magazine in the changer according to the instructions that came with the unit. To operate the CD changer, the ignition key must be in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II). If you are listening to a cassette tape, eject it before playing a CD. Comfort and Convenience Features ON/VOL KNOB CD BUTTON Press the CD button until "CD" appears on the display. Once in the CD mode, the system will start to play the first track of the first disc in the magazine. When that disc ends, the next disc in the magazine is loaded and played. After disc 6 has completed, the system will return to disc 1. To make your own disc selection, push one of the six preset buttons. Your selection will appear in the display and start playing. You can use the TUNE/SEEK bar while a disc is playing to select passages and change tracks. To move rapidly forward within a track, press and hold the the TUNE/SEEK bar. Press and hold the ward within a track. Keep pressing the bar until you think the track has advanced or returned to the desired position. The disc will start playing when you release the bar. side of side to move rapidly back- side and release it, If you press the the system will skip forward to the beginning of the next track on that CD. It will skip backward to the begin- ning of the current track if you press the side and release it. If you change modes to radio or tape while a CD is playing, then change back to CD mode, the same disc and track will play. Audio System ON/VOL KNOB CD BUTTON TUNE/SEEK BAR If you turn off the system while a CD is playing, either with the ON/ VOL knob or by turning off the ignition, the system will begin at the same disc and track when you turn it back on. If you try to select an empty slot in the magazine, the system will select and play the first track of the next disc in the magazine. To return to the radio function, press the AM/FM button. Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System CD Error Indications If you see an error indication on the display, find the cause in the chart to the right. If you cannot clear the error indication, take the car to your Honda dealer. Comfort and Convenience Features CLEAN INDICATOR C L E AN RESET BUTTON The cassette drive picks up dirt and oxides whenever you play a tape. This builds up over time and causes the sound quality to degrade. To prevent this, you should clean the cassette drive after every 30 hours of use. Your dealer has a cleaning kit available for this purpose. After 30 hours of tape use, you will see CLEAN flashing for 5 seconds in the display when you insert a tape into the tape slot. If you are already Caring for the Cassette Player regularly cleaning the tape drive at least every 30 hours, reset the indicator by pressing the Reset button while the system is in the tape operation mode. Hold the button until the CLEAN indicator goes out. If you do not clean the cassette drive regularly, it may eventually become impossible to remove the deposits with a normal cleaning kit. The cassette player automatically ejects cassettes that do not play normally. If it ejects a cassette before it begins to play, it is probably defective and should not be inserted again. You may have a cassette suddenly stop playing, reverse directions once or twice and then eject. This is normally an indication the tape is wound unevenly. It should play normally after being manually rewound. Use 100-minute or shorter cassettes. Cassettes longer than 100 minutes use thinner tape that may break or jam the drive. Look at a cassette before you insert it. If the tape is loose, tighten it by turning one of the hubs with a pencil or your finger. If the label is peeling off, do not put it in the player. It may cause the cassette to jam in the drive mecha- nism when you try to eject it. Do not leave cassettes sitting where they are exposed to high heat or humidity, such as on top of the dashboard or in the player. If a cassette is exposed to extreme heat or cold, let it reach a moderate temperature before putting it in the player. Comfort and Convenience Features You will have to store your favorite stations in the Preset buttons after the system begins working. Your original settings were lost when power was disconnected. If your car's battery is disconnected or goes dead, the audio system will disable itself. If this happens, you will see "Code" in the frequency display the next time you turn on the system. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit code. If it is entered correctly, the radio will start playing. If you make a mistake entering the code, do not start over or try to correct your mistake. Complete the five-digit sequence, then enter the correct code. You have three tries to enter the correct code. If you are unsuccessful in three attempts, you must then leave the system on for one hour before trying again. Theft Protection On Si and VTEC models Your car's audio system will disable itself if it is disconnected from electrical power for any reason. To make it work again, the user must enter a specific five-digit code in the Preset buttons. Because there are hundreds of number combinations possible from five digits, making the system work without knowing the exact code is nearly impossible. You should have received one copy of a card that lists your audio system's code number and serial number. It is best to store one of these cards in a safe place at home, and to keep the other in your wallet or purse. In addition, you should write the audio system's serial number in this Owner's Manual. If you should happen to lose both cards, you must obtain the code number from your Honda dealer. To do this, you will need the system's serial number. Comfort and Convenience Features Before you begin driving your Honda, you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of important fluids. You also need to know how to properly stow luggage or packages. This section will help you. If you plan to add any accesso- ries to your car, please read the information in this section first. Before Driving Break-in Period................................ 90 Gasoline............................................ 90 Oxygenated Fuels........................ 90 Driving in Foreign Countries..... 91 Service Station Procedures ............ 92 Filling the Fuel Tank................... 92 Opening the Hood....................... 93 Fuel Economy.................................. 96 Vehicle Condition........................ 96 Driving Habits.............................. 96 Accessories....................................... 97 Loading Cargo.................................. 98 Before Driving Break-in Period, Gasoline Break-in Period Help assure your car's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 1,000 km (600 miles). During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration. If you need to add oil, use the engine oil recommended in this owner's manual. Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate use for the first 300 km (200 miles). You should follow these same re- commendations with an overhauled or exchanged engine, or when the brakes are relined. Before Driving Gasoline Your Honda is designed to operate most effectively on unleaded gasoline. (S and Si models) Use an unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage. We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and engine deposits. Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car's emission controls. This contributes to air pollution and can void certain parts of your warranty. (VTEC model) Use a premium unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 91 or higher. If you are unable to find premium unleaded, you may substitute an unleaded regular gasoline. The engine will compensate for the lower octane, but you may notice a slight decrease in power as a result. Oxygenated Fuels Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions. If you use an oxygenated fuel, be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement. Gasoline Before using an oxygenated fuel, try to confirm the fuel's contents. Some states/provinces require this information to be posted on the pump. The following are the EPA-approved percentages of oxygenates: ETHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol) You may use gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol by volume. Gasoline containing ethanol may be marketed under the name "Gasohol." MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) You may use gasoline containing up to 15% MTBE by volume. METHANOL (methyl or wood alcohol) You may use gasoline containing up to 5% methanol by volume as lonTg as it also contains cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors to protect the fuel system. Gasoline containing more than 5% methanol by volume may cause starting and/or perform- ance problems. It may also damage metal, rubber and plastic parts of your fuel system. Driving in Foreign Countries Using any type of leaded gasoline in your Honda will affect performance and damage its emission controls. Unleaded gasoline may not be available in other countries. If you are planning to take your car outside the U.S. or Canada, write to Honda at the address shown for information about any modifications your car may need. Be sure to include the year and model of your car. If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms, try another service station or switch to another brand of gasoline. Fuel system damage or performance problems resulting from the use of an oxygenated fuel containing more than the percentages of oxygenates given above are not covered under warranty. U.S. Owners: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Consumer Affairs 1919 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90501-2746 Canadian Owners: Honda Canada Inc. 715 Milner Ave. Scarborough, Ontario M1B 2K8 Before Driving Service Station Procedures Filling the Fuel Tank Pull 1. The fuel fill is on the driver's side of the car. Park with that side closest to the service station pumps. 2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the driver's seat. Before Driving Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel. Stop the engine and keep heat, sparks, and flame away. Handle fuel only outdoors. Wipe up spills immediately. 3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. You may hear a hissing sound as pressure inside the tank escapes. 4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel pump automatically clicks off. Do not try to "top off" the tank, leave some room for the fuel to expand with temperature changes. 5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks more than twice. 6. Push the fuel fill door until it latches. FUEL FILL CAP Service Station Procedures Opening the Hood LATCH HOOD RELEASE HANDLE Canadian S model The fuel fill opener handle is lockable with the master key. Turn the key counterclockwise to lock and clockwise to unlock. 1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set the parking brake. Pull the hood release handle, located under the left lower corner of the dashboard. The hood will pop up slightly. 2. Standing in front of the car, put your fingers under the front edge of the hood to the left of center. Slide your hand to the right until you feel the hood latch handle. Push this handle to the right until it releases the hood. Lift the hood. CONTINUED Before Driving Service Station Procedures Oil Check 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel. SUPPORT ROD DIPSTICK 3. Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the hole on the driver's side of the hood. To close the hood, lift it up slightly to remove the support rod from the hole. Put the support rod back into its holding clip. Lower the hood to about a foot above the fender, then let it drop. Check the engine oil level every time you fill the car with fuel. Wait at least two minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil. 1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). Before Driving Service Station Procedures Engine Coolant Check RESERVE TANK UPPER MARK LOWER MARK MAX MIN 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4. Remove it again and check the level. It should be between the upper and lower marks. If it is near or below the lower mark, see page 127 for information on the proper oil and how to add it. 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, see Adding Engine Coolant on page 131 for information on adding the proper coolant. Refer to Periodic Checks on page 124 for information on checking other items in your Honda. Before Driving Driving Habits You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler- ation, abrupt cornering, and hard braking use more fuel. Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler- ate smoothly. Depending on traffic conditions, try to maintain a constant speed. Every time you slow down and speed up, your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter how cold it is outside. The engine will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one. The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to cut down on air conditioning use. Use the flow-through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate. Fuel Economy The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most important things that affect the fuel mileage you get. Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This will keep it in top operating condition. An important part of that mainte- nance is the Periodic Checks (see page 124 ). For example an under- inflated tire causes more "rolling resistance," which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly. In winter, the build-up of snow on your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Before Driving Your Honda dealer has many acces- sories available to personalize your car. Some of these are audio systems, alloy wheels, air conditioning, and color-coordinated carpet floor mats. All Genuine Honda Accessories have been approved by our engineers for installation and use on your car, and are covered by warranty. Accessories Some non-Honda accessories you can buy in the "aftermarket" are designed for universal applications. Although they may fit your Honda, they may not be within factory specifications. For example, after- market wheels may not meet Honda's specifications for width and offset. They could cause suspension problems which would not be covered by your warranty. Im- properly-designed accessories can adversely affect your car's handling and stability. Electronic communications equip- ment, such as cellular telephones and two-way radios are regulated by the FCC (DOC in Canada) and should not interfere with your car's systems. Improper installation, or using electrical equipment not in- tended for mobile use may interfere with your car's operation. If you want to install a cellular telephone, other mobile communications equipment or even add-on stereo amplifiers, please discuss it first with your Honda dealer. Your car has several computer- controlled systems, including the SRS system, the engine's fuel injection, and the Anti-lock brake system. Strong electronic inter- ference can affect their operation. In many cases, improper installation is the real cause of problems with aftermarket accessories. Have these accessories installed by qualified technicians who are familiar with your Honda. If possible, have your Honda dealer inspect the final installation. Before Driving If you must carry large objects that prevent you from closing the trunk lid, be aware that exhaust gas can enter the interior. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 26. Loading Cargo The maximum load you can carry in your Honda is 185 kg (400 Ibs). It includes the total weight of all passengers and their belongings, and any accessories. This 185 kg (400 Ibs) figure is shown as the Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire infor- mation label attached to the inside of the glove box. To figure out how much cargo you can carry: Figure the total "occupant weight" you will be transporting. To do this, multiply yourself and your passenger by 70 kg (150 Ibs). Subtract this number from the Vehicle Capacity Weight (185 k g/ 400 Ibs). This final number is the total weight of cargo you can load in or on the car. With two occupants (a driver and a passenger), the maximum recommended weight for cargo is 45 kg (100 Ibs). Where you store this cargo, and how well you secure it, are just as important as how much it weighs. Make sure you load cargo so it will not shift while driving. When storing items in the trunk, place them as far forward as possible. Never place items on top of the rear locking compartments behind the seats. Those items can fly forward and injure you or your passenger if you brake hard or are involved in a collision. Before Driving This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various conditions, and how to operate the manual and automatic transmissions. It also includes important information on your car's braking system. Driving Preparing to Drive......................... 100 Starting the Engine........................ 101 5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 101 Automatic Transmission.......................... 101 Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude ..................... 102 5-speed Manual Transmission..... 103 Recommended Shift Points...... 104 Maximum Speeds...................... 104 Automatic Transmission............... 105 Shift Lever Positions................. 105 Maximum Speeds...................... 108 Shift Lock Release..................... 108 The Braking System...................... 109 Brake Wear Indicators.............. 110 Brake System Design................ 110 Anti-lock Brakes........................ 111 Driving in Bad Weather................ 112 Towing a Trailer............................ 114 Driving 10. Turn the ignition ON (II). Check the indicator lights in the instru- ment panel. 11. Start the engine (see page 101 ). 12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see page 31 ). Preparing to Drive You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before you drive your car. 1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice. 2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed, and the roof panel is secured. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat (see page 52 ). 6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see page 60 ). 7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 43 ). 8. Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked. 3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its pressure. 9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passenger has fastened his seat belt (see page 7 ). 4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored properly or fastened down securely. Driving Starting the Engine 5-speed Manual Transmission 1. Apply the parking brake. 2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery. 3. Push the clutch pedal down all the way. START (III) does not function unless the clutch pedal is depressed. 4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the START (III) position. If the engine does not start right away, do not hold the key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds at a time. Pause for at least 10 seconds before trying again. 5. If the engine does not start within 15 seconds, or starts but stalls right away, repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half-way down. If the engine starts, release pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race. 6. If the engine still does not start, press the accelerator pedal all the way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding. As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for no more than 15 seconds. Return to step 5 if the engine does not start. If it starts, lift your foot off the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race. Automatic Transmission 1. Apply the parking brake. 2. In cold weather, turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery. 3. Make sure the shift lever is in Park. Press on the brake pedal. 4. Without touching the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to the START (III) position. If the engine does not start right away, do not hold the key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds at a time. Pause for at least 10 seconds before trying again. CONTINUED Driving 3. If the engine fails to start in step 2, push the accelerator pedal to the floor and hold it there while you try to start the engine for no more than 15 seconds. If the engine does not start, return to step 2. Starting the Engine 5. If the engine does not start within 15 seconds, or starts but stalls right away, repeat step 4 with the accelerator pedal pressed half-way down. If the engine starts, release pressure on the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race. 6. If the engine still does not start, press the accelerator pedal all the way down and hold it there while starting in order to clear flooding. As before, keep the ignition key in the START (III) position for no more than 15 seconds. Return to step 5 if the engine does not start. If it starts, lift your foot off the accelerator pedal so the engine does not race. Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude (Above 2,400 meters/ 8,000 feet) An engine is harder to start in cold weather. The thinner air found at high altitude above 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) adds to the problem. Use the following procedure: 1. Turn off all electrical accessories to reduce the drain on the battery. 2. Push the accelerator pedal half- way to the floor and hold it there while starting the engine. Do not hold the ignition key in START (III) for more than 15 seconds. When the engine starts, release the accelerator pedal gradually as the engine speeds up and smooths out. Driving 5-speed Manual Transmission 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. Come to a full stop before you shift into reverse. You can damage the transmission by trying to shift into reverse with the car moving. Depress the clutch pedal and pause for a few seconds before putting it in reverse, or shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they won't "grind". You can get extra braking from the engine when slowing down by shifting to a lower gear. This extra braking can help you maintain a safe speed and prevent your brakes from overheating while going down a steep hill. Before downshifting, make sure engine speed will not go into the tachometer's red zone in the lower gear. Refer to the Maximum Speeds chart. Driving The manual transmission is syn- chronized in all forward gears for smooth operation. It has a lockout so you cannot shift directly from Fifth to Reverse. When shifting up or down, make sure you push the clutch pedal down all the way, shift to the next gear, and let the pedal up gradually. When you are not shifting, do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your clutch to wear out faster. 5-speed Manual Transmission Recommended Shift Points Drive in the highest gear that lets the engine run and accelerate smoothly. This will give you the best fuel economy and effective emis- sions control. The following shift points are recommended: (VTEC) (S, Si) Driving Maximum Speeds The speeds in this table are the maximums for the given gears. If you exceed these speeds, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's red zone. If this occurs, you may feel the engine cut in and out. This is caused by a limiter in the engine's computer controls. The engine will run normally when you reduce the RPM below the red zone. (S, Si) 5-speed Manual Transmission, Automatic Transmission (VTEC) Automatic Transmission Your Honda's transmission has four forward speeds. It has a "lock-up" torque converter for better fuel economy. You may feel what seems like another shift when the converter locks. Shift Lever Positions SHIFT LEVER The shift lever has seven positions. It must be in Park or Neutral to start the engine. When you are stopped in D4, D3, 2, 1, N or R, press firmly on the brake pedal and keep your foot off the accelerator pedal. CONTINUED Driving This display is on the instrument panel. It shows you the position of the shift lever. If you have done all of the above and still cannot move the lever out of Park, see Shift Lock Release on page 108. You must also press the release button to shift into Park. To avoid transmission damage, come to a complete stop before shifting into Park. The shift lever must be in Park before you can remove the key from the ignition switch. Automatic Transmission Park (P) — This position mechani- cally locks the transmission. Use Park whenever you are turning off or starting the engine. To shift out of Park, you must press on the brake pedal and have your foot off the accelerator pedal. Press the release button on the side of the shift lever to move it. Driving Reverse (R) — To shift to Reverse from Park, see the explanation under Park. To shift to Reverse from Neutral, come to a complete stop and then shift. Press the release button before shifting into Reverse from Neutral. Neutral (N) — Use Neutral if you need to restart a stalled engine, or if it is necessary to stop briefly with the engine idling. Shift to Park posi- tion if you need to leave the car for any reason. Press on the brake pedal when you are moving the shift lever from Neutral to another gear. Drive (D4) — Use this position for your normal driving. The transmis- sion automatically selects a suitable gear for your speed and acceleration. Drive (D3) —This position is similar to D4, except only the first three gears are selected. Use D3 to provide engine braking when going down a steep hill. D3 can also keep the transmission from cycling between third and fourth gears in stop-and-go driving. For faster acceleration when in D3 or D4, you can get the transmission to automatically downshift by pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor. The transmission will shift down one or two gears, depending on your speed. Second (2) — To shift to Second, press the release button on the side of the shift lever. This position locks the transmission in second gear. It does not downshift to first gear when you come to a stop. Second gives you more power when climbing, and increased engine braking when going down steep hills. Use second Automatic Transmission gear when starting out on a slippery surface or in deep snow. It will help reduce wheelspin. Whenever you move the shift lever to a lower gear, the transmission downshifts only if the engine's redline will not be exceeded in the lower gear. First (1) — To shift from Second to First, press the release button on the side of the shift lever. With the lever in this position, the transmission locks in First gear. By upshifting and downshifting through 1, 2, D3 and D4, you can operate this transmission much like a manual transmission without a clutch pedal. Driving Automatic Transmission (Si) Maximum Speeds The speeds in this table are the maximums for the given position. If you exceed these speeds, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's red zone. If this occurs, you will feel the engine cut in and out. This is caused by a limiter in the engine's computer controls. The engine will run normally when you reduce the RPM below the red zone. (S) Driving Shift Lock Release This allows you to move the shift lever out of Park if the normal method of pushing on the brake pedal and pressing the release button does not work. 1. Set the Parking brake. 2. Remove the key from the ignition switch. 3. Insert the key in the Shift Lock Release slot next to the shift lever. 4. Push down on the key while you press the release button and move the shift lever out of Park to Neutral. Automatic Transmission, The Braking System Check your brakes after driving through deep water. Apply the brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and frequently until they do. Since a longer distance is needed to stop with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving. RELEASE BUTTON SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT 5. Remove the key from the Shift Lock Release slot. Depress the brake pedal and restart the engine. If you need to use the Shift Lock Release, it could mean your car is developing a problem. Have the car checked by your Honda dealer. The Braking System Your Honda is equipped with front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear wheels may be disc or drum, depending on model. The braking system is power-assisted to reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. Put your foot on the brake pedal only when you intend to brake. Resting your foot on the pedal keeps the brakes applied lightly, causing them to build up heat. Heat build-up can reduce how well your brakes work. It also keeps your brake lights on all the time, confusing drivers behind you.

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1995 Honda Civic DEL SOL Owners Manual