Page 134 of 225
Engine Oil
Recommended Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter-
gent oil. You can determine an oil's
SAE viscosity and Service Classifi-
cation from the API Service label
on the oil container. It should look
like this: The numbers in the middle tell you
the oil's SAE viscosity or weight. Select the oil for your car accord-
ing to this chart:
Ambient Temperature
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is preferred for improved fuel econo-
my and year-round protection in
your Honda. You may use a 10W-30
oil if the temperature in your area never goes below 20°F (—7°C). A fuel-efficient oil is recommended
for your Honda. This is shown on
the API Service label by the words "Energy Conserving II." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use less fuel.
The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that says "API
Service SG." This service rating
may also include other designations,
such as CD. These additional
classifications are not a problem, as long as the label also carries the SG
classification. An oil that is only
classified SF is not recommended.
Additives
Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
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Cooling System
6. Mix the recommended antifreeze with an equal amount of purifiedor distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:
With 5-speed transmission:
(US: S, Canada: S)
3.5
(0.92 US gal, 0.77 Imp gal)
(US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS)
3.8
(1.00 US gal, 0.84 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
(US: S, Canada: S)
3.4
(0.90 US gal, 0.75 Imp gal)
(US: Si, Si 4WS, Canada: SR, SR 4WS)
3.7
(0.98 US gal, 0.81 Imp gal)
7. Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.
8. Loosen the bleeder bolt on top ofthe engine. Tighten it again
when coolant comes out in asteady stream with no bubbles.
9. Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck. Put the cap on the
radiator, only tighten it to the
first stop. Start the engine and
let it run until it warms up (the
radiator cooling fan comes on at
least twice).
Maintenance
FILLER NECK
Fill up to here
BLEEDER
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Transmission Oil
Automatic Transmission
Check the fluid level with the
engine at normal operating tempe-
rature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and
wipe it with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick into the
transmission.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Use
Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid or an equivalent DEXRON ®
II
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) only.
6. Insert the dipstick back in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid every 24
months or 48,000 km (30,000 miles),
whichever comes first.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
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Transmission Oil
5-Speed Transmission
Check the oil level a couple of mi-
nutes after shutting off the engine.
Make sure the car is on level
ground. Remove the transmission
filler bolt. The oil level should be
up to the edge of the bolt hole. Feel
inside the bolt hole with your finger.
If you do not feel any oil, slowly
add oil until it starts to run out of
the hole. Reinstall the filler bolt
and tighten it securely. Only use an SF or SG grade motor
oil with a weight of 10W-30 or
10W-40.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new oil every 24
months or 48,000 km (30,000 miles),
whichever comes first.
Maintenance
Correct
level
FILLER
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Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to
three reservoirs, depending on
model. They are:
Brake fluid reservoir (all models) Clutch fluid reservoir
(5-speed transmission only)
ABS reservoir
(Si and Si 4WS models in U.S.
and SR and SR 4WS models in
Canada)
The brake fluid in the brake and
Anti-lock brake systems should be
replaced every 2 years or 48,000 km
(30,000 miles).
Brake System
The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, it is an indication that your brake system
needs attention. Have the brake
system inspected for leaks or worn
brake pads. If you add brake fluid to bring it up
to the MAX mark, use Genuine
Honda Brake Fluid or an equiva-
lent that is marked DOT3 or DOT4
only. Brake fluid marked DOT5 is
not compatible with your car's
braking system.
Maintenance
MAX
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Power Steering
You should check the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir
monthly. Check the level when the
engine is cold. Look at the side of
the reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power
steering fluid to the UPPER
LEVEL.
Using automatic transmission fluid
or another brand of power steering
fluid will damage the system. Use
only genuine Honda power steering
fluid.
A low power steering fluid levelcan indicate a leak in the system.
Check the fluid level frequently
and have the system inspected as
soon as possible.
Maintenance
UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
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Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things
you should do to prepare it for
storage. Proper preparation helps
prevent deterioration and makes it
easier to get your car back on the
road. It is best to store your car indoors if at all possible. Fill the gas tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 137).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-
speed) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly
(if the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Cover the car with a "breathable" car cover, one made
from a porous material such as
cotton. Nonporous materials,
such as plastic sheeting, trap
moisture which can damage the
paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month). If you store your car for 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for
in the 24 months/48,000 km (30,000
miles) maintenance schedule as
soon as you take it out of storage
(see page 133). The replacements
called for in the maintenance
schedule are not needed unless the
car has actually reached that time or mileage.
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Changing a Flat Tire
If you
have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoul-
der of a busy road is dangerous.
Drive slowly along the shoulder
until you get to an exit or an area to stop that is far away from the traf-
fic lanes.
1. Park the car on firm, level ground away from traffic. Turnon the hazard warning lights and
turn the ignition to LOCK (0). 2. Put the transmission in Park
(automatic) or Reverse (5-speed).
Set the parking brake.
3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk floor by lifting up on the back
edge.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk. 5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of the trunk.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
CONTINUED
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for chang-
ing a tire exactly, and never
get under the car when it is
supported only by the jack.
TRUNK FLOOR
JACK
SPARE TIRE
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