2004 Honda Civic Owner's Manual - Page 195

Jump Starting, If the Engine Overheats 6. Start your vehicle. If the starter motor still operates slowly, check the jumper cable connections to make sure they have good metalto-metal contact. 7. Once your vehicle is running, disconnect the negative cable from your vehicle, then from the booster battery. Disconnect the positive cable from your vehicle, then from the booster battery. Keep the ends of the jumper cables away from each other and any metal on the vehicle until all are disconnected. Otherwise, you may cause an electrical short. If the Engine Overheats The pointer of your vehicle's temperature gauge should stay in the midrange. If it climbs to the red mark, you should determine the reason (hot day, driving up a steep hill, etc.). If your vehicle overheats, you should take immediate action. The only indication may be the temperature gauge climbing to or above the red mark. Or you may see steam or spray coming from under the hood. NOTICE: Driving with the temperature gauge pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine. Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you. Do not open the hood if steam is coming out. 192 Taking Care of the Unexpected