How do I really identify the yr of my car? The manufacturing date on my seatbelt is 'July 2003' but the dealler says it's 2004. which one do i take?

The most definitive way to check the model year is to check the 10th character in the VIN. For 2001-present, that digit is the same as the last digit of the model year. eg: 2001 = '1', 2004 = '4', etc.

How do I really identify the yr of my car? The manufacturing date on my seatbelt is 'July 2003' but the dealler says it's 2004. which one do i take?

The manufacture dates of the various components of your car do not reflect the manufacture date of your car. Think about it, they have to make all of the components of the car before they can put them all together. I would imagine that some components could be manufactured a couple of years before being used in the car.

I would imagine that some components could be manufactured a couple of years before being used in the car.

Very true!

On 1996-2000 Civics the ceiling light appeared to be no different than the one on a 2nd and 3rd gen Accord.:dunno:

My hazard switch says it was mfg. 1993, and the car was assembled in 1995.

Check to see if there's a sticker on the side of the driver door or along the B pillar. It should say what the manufacture date is.

For example, mine says "MFD. BY HONDA OF AMERICA MFG., INC. 04/06"

04/06 (April 2006) is my car's manufacture date.

another easy way is to read what year the emissions sticker says... it will say "this car meets or exceeds the emissions requirements for 2004" or whatever