Page 40 of 240

Gauges
Temperature Gauge This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper white mark. If it reaches the
red "H" (Hot) mark, pull safely to
the side of the road. Turn to page
202 for instructions and precautions on checking the engine's cooling
system.
 Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads.
The gauge stays at the same fuel level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignition
back ON (II). Maintenance Required Indicator
The indicator reminds you when it is time for scheduled maintenance.
When it nears 12,000 km (7,500 miles) since the last maintenance,
the indicator will turn yellow. If you exceed 12,000 km (7,500 miles), the
indicator will turn red. Your dealer
will reset the indicator when he performs the scheduled maintenance.If someone else performs the
maintenance, reset the indicator by
inserting your key in the slot beside
the indicator.
Instruments and Controls
 INDICATOR
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        Page 79 of 240

Heating and Cooling
How to Use the System
This section covers the best way to use the system for ventilation,cooling, dehumidifying, defrosting
and heating. In most cases, the mode
and air source selections are only
recommendations. You may prefer different settings. Use mode to heat or cool the
interior more quickly, or to keep out
smoke and dust. Leaving the system
in the recirculation mode with the
A/C off can cause the windows to fog up. Switch to
 mode as
soon as the interior reaches a
comfortable temperature or the
outside smoky, dusty condition
clears.
 The engine must be running for the
heater and air conditioning to pro-
vide hot and cold air. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
circulating.
The air conditioning system does not depend on engine temperature. It
can produce cold air almost immedi-
ately.
Controlling Air Flow Direction
 Air flows into the interior at three
 levels: Toward the floor
through the dash vents and
toward the windshield and side
windows You select the air
flow level or combination of levels
with the five mode buttons.
 Ventilation
Your car has a flow-through venti- lation system. Air enters the car
through vents in front of the wind-shield. It circulates through the
interior then exits through the rear side panels. This system provides
fresh air even when the car is standing still. To bring in outside air, press the button. Set the fan
at a comfortable speed.
CONTINUED
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        Page 80 of 240

Heating and Cooling
To Cool with A/C
To operate the air conditioning system, press the air conditioning
switch. Set the fan to the desired
speed. You can also use the mode button to direct air out
of the dash and heater vents.
To cool the interior down rapidly after the car has been sitting in the
sun:
1. Start the engine. 2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
 switch.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select
 and
When the interior reaches a com-
 fortable temperature, close the
windows and set the system for
cooling as described above.
 Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 40) when using the A/C in heavy
traffic or driving up long hills. If it
moves near the red zone, turn off the
air conditioning until the gauge reads normally.
 To Heat
To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and
3. Switch the fan to the desired
 speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control lever.
Comfort and Convenience Features MODE BUTTONS
AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH
FAN CONTROL LEVER
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        Page 82 of 240

Heating and Cooling
To Defog and Defrost
To remove fog from the inside of the windows:
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select and
4. Adjust the temperature control lever so the airflow from the
defroster vents feels warm.
5. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window.
To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windowsafter the car has been sitting out in
cold weather:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and
3. Switch the fan and temperature
controls to maximum. To rapidly remove exterior frost or
ice from the windshield (on very cold days), first select Once the
windshield is clear, select to
avoid fogging the windows.
These settings direct all the air flow to the defroster vents at the base ofthe windshield and the side windowdefroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send more warm air to the windshielddefroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
 To Turn Everything Off
To shut off the system temporarily, slide the fan speed and temperature
control levers all the way to the left.
You should shut the system com- pletely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior.
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        Page 113 of 240
Service Station Procedures
4. Remove it again and check the level. It should be between the
upper and lower marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see page 146 for information on the
proper oil and how to add it. Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 151 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.Refer to Periodic Checks on page
144 for information on checking
other items in your Honda.
Before Driving
UPPER MARK
Engine Coolant Check
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
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        Page 134 of 240

Maintenance
This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools
required to perform more complex
maintenance tasks on your Honda,
you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See page 233 for
information on how to obtain a copy, or see your Honda dealer.
 Maintenance Safety....................... 136
Maintenance Schedule.................. 138
Maintenance Record..................... 142
Periodic Checks............................. 144
 Fluid Locations............................... 145
Engine Oil....................................... 146
Checking Engine Oil................. 146
Adding......................................... 146
Recommended Oil..................... 147
Additives..................................... 148
Oil and Filter Changes.............. 148
Cooling System.............................. 150
Checking the Engine Coolant
Level........................................ 150
Adding Engine Coolant............. 151
 Replacing Engine Coolant........ 152
Windshield Washers..................... 154
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 155
 Brake Fluid..................................... 156
Brake System............................. 156
Anti-lock Brake System............ 157
Power Steering............................... 157
Air Cleaner..................................... 158
Spark Plugs..................................... 160
 Replacement............................... 160
Specification............................... 161
 Battery............................................ 162
Windshield Wipers........................ 165
Air Conditioning............................. 168 Drive Belts...................................... 169
Tires................................................ 169 Inflation....................................... 170
Inspection................................... 171
Maintenance............................... 171
Tire Rotation.............................. 172 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 172
Wheels and Tires....................... 173
Winter Driving........................... 173 Snow Tires.............................. 174
Tire Chains............................. 174
Lights.............................................. 175 Headlight Aiming...................... 175
Replacing Bulbs......................... 177
Storing Your Car............................ 182
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        Page 143 of 240

Periodic Checks
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 112.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 113.
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 154. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
 155.
 Brakes and power steering —
Check the fluid level monthly. See
page 156.
 Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
 169.
 Battery — Check its condition and
the terminals for corrosion monthly. See page 162. Air conditioning — Check its
operation weekly. See page 168. Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 175.
Maintenance
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        Page 144 of 240
Fluid Locations
BRAKE FLUID
 (Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
 FILL CAP
COOLANT
 RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
 FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
 ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
 RESERVOIR
(Gray cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
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