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Operation In Foreign Countries
In order to comply with U.S. Federal Emissions Regulations, you
must use unleaded fuels of the recommended octane rating. These
fuels may not be available in other countries. If you intend taking
your car outside the U.S. or Canada, write to American Honda Consumer Affairs (stating the year and model of your car) at the
address below for information regarding modifications you may need to have done.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Consumer Affairs
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2722
Fuel Filler Door and Cap
Gasoline is extremely flammable and is explosive under certain
conditions. Perform this operation in a wel-ventilated area with
the engine stopped. Do not smoke or allow open flames or sparks in the area or where gasoline is stored.
The fuel filler door is opened by pulling up on the lever at the left
side of the driver's seat.
The door will lock automatically when closed; push it until it clicks.
CAUTION:
You may hear a hiss when you open the filler cap. This sound is residual pressure escaping from the fuel tank. Open the cap slowly
and remove the cap after the hissing stops. Fuel spray may cause
injury. Do not overfill the tank; fill only until the gas pump clicks off
automatically and never top off.
(cont'd)
Pull up
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Gasoline (cont'd)
Fuel vapor is extremely hazardous under certain conditions.
Always stop the engine before refueling, and never refuel near
sparks or open flames. CAUTION:
When reinstalling the fuel cap, be sure both tabs on the cap are
engaged in the slots of the filler neck and turn the cap until it stops. If you replace the cap, use only a genuine Honda replacement part
or its equivalent. Failure to use the proper part could cause serious
fuel system problems.
How to Improve Your Gas Mileage: Drive at a smooth, steady pace to avoid unnecessary decele-
rations and stops — accelerating back to speed uses more fuel.Plan trips to avoid rush hour traffic if possible. Make sure the parking brake is completely released.
Consolidate trips whenever possible.
Keep vehicle weight to a minimum by removing unnecessary
items from the luggage area.
Whenever possible, use fresh air from the dash vents to keep
cool when driving; open windows, or use of the optional air
conditioning both affect fuel economy.
Keep the tires adjusted to the recommended pressure.
Tire Pressure (measured cold): STD Hatchback front 240 kPa (35 psi)
rear 220 kPa (32 psi)
DX Hatchback front 220 kPa (32 psi)
rear 220 kPa (32 psi)
Si Hatchback front 195 kPa (28 psi)
rear 195 kPa (28 psi)
DX Sedan front 220 kPa (32 psi)
rear 220 kPa (32 psi)
LX Sedan front 180 kPa (26 psi)
rear 180 kPa (26 psi)
EX Sedan front 180 kPa (26 psi)
rear 180 kPa (26 psi)
Condition of Your Car You can only get maximum fuel economy if your car is in toprunning condition. Have all required maintenance done at the proper
intervals. Check tire pressures and tire wear frequently. If tire wear is uneven, have the alignment checked by your Honda dealer.
Proper alignment saves gasoline and prolongs tire life.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 61 of 136

Engine Exhaust Gas Warning
A properly maintained car is your best protection against exhaust
gas entering the passenger compartment.
The exhaust system should be thoroughly inspected by a compe-
tent mechanic whenever:
The car is raised for oil change.You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust. The exhaust system or the rear or underside of the car is
damaged.
Avoid breathing exhaust gases. They contain carbon monoxide,
which is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause loss of con-
sciousness and eventual death. If you suspect that exhaust gas is entering the passenger compartment, have the cause deter-mined and corrected as soon as possible. If you must driveunder these conditions, drive only with all windows fully open. Do not drive with the hatch/trunk lid open. An open hatch/trunk
may draw exhaust gases into the passenger compartment. If
you must drive with the hatch/trunk open, drive only with all the
windows wide open. Do not run the engine in confined areas, such as garages, any
longer than necessary to move the car in or out.
If you must sit in a parked car with the engine running for more
than a short time, adjust the heating/ventilation system as
follows:
1.Set the function lever to the position.
2.Set the temperature control dial for best comfort. 3.Set the recirculation lever to the position.
4.Turn the fan to the highest speed.
NOTE:
To insure proper operation of the car's ventilation system, keep the
front air inlet clear of snow, mud, leaves or other obstructions.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 68 of 136

Your Honda automobile must be properly maintained to ensure that
it is in peak operating condition and the emission levels are within
the standards set by the Federal Clean Air Act. The following instructions and maintenance procedures are basedon the assumption that your car will be used exclusively for thepurpose for which it was designed:
1.To carry passengers and cargo within the load limits shown on the label in the glove box.
2. To be driven on reasonable road surfaces within legal limits.
3. To generally be driven daily over a distance of several miles.
4. Use gasoline from pumps labeled unleaded, with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. The pump octane number is an average of
the Research (R) octane and Motor (M) octane numbers.
NOTE: Failures which occur due to a lack of maintenance will not be
covered under warranty.
The Required Maintenance Schedule* specifies all maintenance
required to keep your car in peak operating condition. Work should
be done by a Honda dealer but may be done by any qualified service
facility or individual who is competent in this type of work.
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emission control devices
and systems may be done by any automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are "certified" to EPA standards.
After the maintenance has been done, be sure to complete theMaintenance Records on pages 71 — 73. All required maintenance is
considered normal owner operating cost and you will be charged for it by your dealer.
* For vehicles sold in California, maintenance operations indicated by *3 on page 70 are recommended by the manufacturer. Othermaintenance operations are required by California regulations and
condition the emission warranty.
Maintenance Schedule and RecordsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 72 of 136
Maintenance Schedule and Records (cont'd)
Severe Driving Conditions
CAUTION:
The following items must be serviced more frequently on cars
normally used under severe driving conditions. Refer to the chart below for the appropriate maintenance intervals.
Severe driving conditions include:
A: Repeated short distance driving B: Driving in dusty conditions
C: Driving in severe cold weather
D: Driving in areas using road salt or other corrosive materials
E: Driving on rough and/or muddy roads
R- Replace
I - Inspect After inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary.
Non-Scheduled Maintenance Record Record additional maintenance for severe driving conditions or non-
scheduled maintenance on this page. (See page 70)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 86 of 136
Air and Fuel Filters
Air Filter Replace the air filter every 24 months or 30,000 miles (48,000 km),
whichever comes first (more often in extremely dusty conditions).
Replacement
Remove the four screws holding the air filter cover halves together.
Remove the top half of the air fitter cover. Replace the filter. Reinstall the cover and screws securely.
SCREWS
FILTER
Fuel Filters
The fuel filter is located in the engine compartment, on the right center of the lower dashboard. It should be replaced at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months whichever comes first, or any time you
suspect contaminated gas may have clogged it.
CAUTION:
Because the fuel system is under pressure, the filter should be
replaced only by a qualified Honda technician.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 98 of 136
Air Conditioner Care
Condenser and Radiator
Check the engine radiator and the air conditioner condenser (in front
of the radiator) for accumulated dirt, insects or leaves. Carefully brush or hose them off to assure maximum cooling performance.
CAUTION:
Radiator and condenser fins are very thin and easily damaged; do
not bend them with the high water pressure or brush.
Compressor Drive Belt
Check the compressor belt tension monthly, during periods when
you use the air conditioner a lot.
If the engine has been running, some engine components may be
hot enough to burn you.
When pushed with 98 N (22 Ib) of force midway between thecompressor drive pulley and the engine crankshaft pulley, the belt
should deflect about:
9.0 — 11.0 mm (0.35 — 0.43 in)
CRANKSHAFTPULLEY
COMPRESSOR DRIVE PULLEYProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Page 99 of 136
System Maintenance
Run your air conditioner at least once a week for about ten minutes,
even during the off season, to lubricate the seals and the inside of
the compressor and, to verify that the system is functional.
If the air conditioner is not cooling properly, it may indicate an
undercharged system. Have your dealer check the system for leaks,
then evacuate and charge the system with refrigerant 12. Charging quantity:
850 — 950 g (30.1 — 33.6 oz)
CAUTION:
Prolonged use of an undercharged system may damage the
compressor.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t