Maintenance
Regularly maintaining your Honda
is the best way to protect your investment. You will be rewarded
with safer, more economical,
trouble-free driving. This section
lists items that need to be checked
regularly and explains how to check them. It also details some
simple maintenance tasks you can
do yourself. The maintenance
schedules for normal and severe
driving conditions show you when
these things need to be done.
If you are interested in how to per-
form more complex maintenance
on your Honda, you can purchase
the Service Manual. See page 221 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Schedule................ 128
Maintenance Record................ 131
Periodic Checks............................ 133
Fluid Locations............................. 134
Engine Oil...................................... 135
Checking Engine Oil................ 135
Adding........................................ 135
Recommended Oil.................... 136
Additives.................................... 136 Oil and Filter Changes ............ 137
Cooling System............................. 139 Checking the Coolant Level... 139
Adding Radiator Coolant........ 139
Replacing Coolant.................... 140
Windshield Washers.................... 143
Transmission Oil.......................... 144
Automatic Transmission........ 144
5-speed Transmission.............. 145
Brake and Clutch Fluid............... 146
Brake System............................ 146
Anti-lock Brake System ......... 147 Clutch System........................... 147
Power Steering............................. 148
Air Filter....................................... 149
Fuel Filter..................................... 150
Spark Plugs.................................. .
150
Replacement.............................. 150
Specification.............................. 152
Battery............................................ 152
Windshield Wipers....................... 155
Air Conditioner............................. 157 Engine Belts.................................. 158
Tires................................................ 158 Inflation...................................... 158
Inspection................................... 159
Maintenance.............................. 160
Tire Rotation............................ 160
Replacing Tires ........................ 161
Wheels and Tires...................... 161
DOT Tire Quality Grading..... 161 Treadwear............................. 161
Traction................................. 162
Temperature......................... 162
Winter Driving.......................... 163 Snow Tires............................ 163
Tire Chains............................ 163
Lights.............................................. 164
Replacing Bulbs........................ 164
Storing Your Car.......................... 173
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Fuel Filter, Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
The fuel filter should be replaced
every 4 years or 96,000 km (60,000
miles), whichever comes first.
Have a qualified technician change
the fuel filter. Since the fuel system is under pressure, gasoline can
spray out and create a hazard if all
fuel line connections are not han- dled correctly.
The filter may require replacement sooner if you happen to buy one ormore tankfuls of contaminated
gasoline. Have the filter tested or
replaced if you suspect it has been
clogged by contaminants.
Spark Plugs
The original spark plugs in your
car need to be replaced every 2
years or 48,000 km (30,000 miles),
whichever comes first.
Replacement
1. Clean up any dirt and oil that have collected around the spark
plug caps.
2. Remove the spark plug cap by pulling it straight out.
3. Remove the spark plug, using a 16 mm (5/8 inch) spark plug
socket.
Maintenance
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Index
DANGER, Explanation of.............. ii
Dashboard........................................ 30
Daytime Running Lights.............. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do........... 191
Defects, Reporting Safety ............ 26
Defogger, Rear Window ............... 56
Defrosting the Windows............... 74
DEXRON ®
II Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................. 144
Dimensions.................................... 206
Dimming the Headlight
s .............. 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........
144
Engine Oil................................. .
135
Directional Signals........................
.
41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ... 202
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
116
Disposal o f
Used Oil.....................
138
Doors
Locking an
d Unlocking ............ 48
Power Door Locks ..................... 48
DOT Tire Quality Grading......... 161
Downshifting,
5-speed Transmission.............. 111
Driving .......................................... .
107
Economy.................................... 104
In Bad Weather......................... 119
In Foreign Countries................. 99
Economy, Fuel.............................. 104
Emergencies on the Road........... 183 Battery, Jump Starting............ 191
Changing a Flat Tire............... 185
Charging System Light........... 196
Check Engine Light................. 197
Checking the Fuses.................
200
Low Oi l
Pressure Light........... 195
Manually Closing Sunroof...... 198
Overheated Engine.................. 193
Emergency Brake ......................... 61
Emergency Flashers...................... 56
Emission Controls......................... 211
Engine Check Light....................... 34, 197
Coolant Temperature Gauge... 38
Oil Pressure Light............. 33, 195
Oil, What Kind to Use .............
135
Overheating............................... 193
Specifications........................... 206
Ethano l
in Gasoline........................ 98
Evaporative Emission Controls......................................
211
Exhaust Fumes.............................. .
25
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.................................. 8
Exterior, Cleaning the.................
176
Fabric, Cleaning........................... 179
Fan, Interior.................................... 68
Fan, Radiator.................................. 27
Features, Comfort
and Convenience........................ 67
Filling the Gas Tank.................... 100
Filters
Air
............................................... 149
Fuel............................................. 150
Oil ............................................... 137
First Gear, Shifting...................... 111
5-Speed Transmissio n
Checkin
g Fluid Level..............
145
CONTINUED
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
5-Speed Transmission,
Shifting the ............................... 111
Flashers, Hazard
Warning ........... 56
Flat Tire, Changing a..................
185
Fluids Automatic Transmission.......
. 144
Brake.......................................... 146
Clutch......................................... 147
Manual Transmission.............. 145
Power Steering......................... 148
Windshield Washer..................
155
FM Stereo
Radio
Reception.............................. 75, 84
Folding Rear Seat.......................... 55
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 99
Four-way Flashers......................... 56
Four Wheel Steering (4WS)
Description................................ 210
Indicator Light........................... 35
Operation...................................
118
Front End ,
Towing by Emergency
Wrecker..................................... 202
Fuel................................................... 9
8
Fille
r Door and Cap..................
100
Filter........................................... 150
Gauge............................................ 3
8
Octan
e Requirement................. 98
Oxygenated................................. 98
Tank, Filling the ...................... 100
Fuses, Checking the .................... 200
Gas Mileage, Improving.............. 104
Gasohol............................................ 98
Gasoline............................................ 98
Filter...........................................
150
Gauge............................................ 3 8
Octan
e Requirement................. 98
Tank, Filling the ......................
100
Gas Statio n
Procedures...............
100
Gauges
Engine Coolan
t Temperature.. 38
Fuel............................................... 38
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........
112
5-speed Transmission............. .
111
Glass Cleaning.............................
.
180
Glove Box........................................
.
62
Halogen Headlight Bulbs............ 164
Hazard Warning Flashers ............ 56
Headlights
Daytime Running Lights.......... 40
High Beam Indicator................. 35
High Beams, Turning on.......... 40
Low Beams, Turning on........... 40
Reminder Chime........................ 40
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ....... 164
Turning on.................................. 40
Heating and Cooling...................... 68
High Altitude, Starting at...........
110
High-Low Bea m
Switch ............... 40
Hood, Opening the........................
101
Horn.................................................. 4 7
Ho
t Coolant, Warning about......
139
Hydraulic Clutch.........................
.
147
Hydroplaning................................. 119
Identification Number
,
Vehicle......................................
.
204
If You
r
Car Has to be Towed ....
202
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 98
Odometer......................................... 37
Odometer, Trip............................... 37
Oil Change, How to........................ 137
Change, When
to ......................
129
Checking Engine......................
135
Pressure Light............................
33
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart.......................................
136
ON (Ignitio n
Key Position)........... 47
Opening the Hood.........................
101
Opening th e
Trunk ........................ 50
Operation in Foreign Countries... 99
Outside Mirrors.............................. 60
Overheating, Engine....................
193
Panel Brightnes s
Control.............. 41
Park Gear Position.......................
113
Parking Brake................................ .
61
Parking Lights................................ 40
Parking Over Things that
Burn............................................ 213
PGM-FI System............................ 212
Polishing and Waxing..................
177
Power
Door Locks.................................
. 48
Mirrors......................................... 60
Steering...................................... 148
Windows.......................................
57
Pregnancy, Usin g
Seat Belts......... 8
Proper Seat Belt Usage................... 6
Radiator Overheating..................
193
Radio/Cassette Sound System
..... 75
Rear En d
Towing.........................
202
Rear Lights, Bulb
Replacement.............................. 169
Rear Seat, Folding ......................... 55
Rear Vie w
Mirror .......................... 59
Rear Window Defogger ................ 56
Reclining the Seat Backs.............. 52
Recommended Shift Speeds....... 111
Reminder Lights............................
.
31
Replacement Information
Air Filter...................................
.
149
Coolant....................................... 140
Engine Oil and Filter............... 137 Fuel Filter..................................
150
Fuses...........................................
200
Ligh
t Bulbs................................ 164
Schedule..................................... 129
Spark Plugs............................... 150
Tires............................................ 161
Wiper Blades............................. 155
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash................................. 9
Reserve Tank, Coolant...............
139
Restraint, Child.............................. .
18
Reverse Gear Position..................
114
Rotation, Tire............................... ..
160
Safety Belts......................................
.
5
Safety Defects, Reporting............ 26
Safety Labels, Location of............ 27
Safety Messages............................... ii
Seat Belts........................................... 5
Advice for Pregnant Women..... 8Child Seat Anchor Plate ........... 21
Cleaning.....................................
179
Frayed o r
Torn............................. 9
Maintenance.................................. 9ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t