Air Conditioning System - Honda 1997 Civic Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual

Air Conditioning System

Optional for U.S. DX, and Canadian LX,
EX models
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified technician. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently.
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
Maintenance
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling
efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
NOTICE
The condenser and radiator/ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant.
If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page
203.)
NOTICE
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.