Driving in Bad Weather
Visibility — Being able to see clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 82). Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and properpressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when theoutside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid. Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The
spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
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
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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)
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Cooling System, Windshield Washers
10.Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, add coolant if needed. Install the radiator cap,
tighten it fully.
11.Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Windshield Washers
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often, check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
The windshield washer reservoir is located behind the left headlight.Check the reservoir's fluid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
LEVEL GAUGE
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint, while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.
Maintenance
RESERVE TANK
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Index
Accessories
Installation.................................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)....................................... 52
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Brake Fluid................................. 156
Engine Coolant........................... 150
Engine Oil................................... 146
Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 154
Additional Safety Information........ 18 Door Locks................................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 148
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 67
Head Restraints........................... 58
Seats.............................................. 56
Steering Wheel............................ 46
Airbag (SRS) .................................... 12
Air Cleaner..................................... 157
Air Conditioning............................... 76
Maintenance............................... 168
Usage............................................. 78
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 170
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 109
Antifreeze....................................... 150
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 220
Indicator Light..................... 37, 125
Operation.................................... 125
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock .. 52
Appearance Care........................... 183
Ashtray.............................................. 72
Audio System................................... 84
Automatic Speed Control................ 48
Automatic Transmission............... 120
Capacity, Fluid........................... 218
Checking Fluid Level................ 155
Shifting........................................ 120
Shift Lever Positions................. 120
Shift Lock Release..................... 123
Battery
Charging System Light............... 36
Jump Starting............................. 200 Maintenance............................... 162
Specifications............................. 219
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 69
Body Repair.................................... 190
Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 125Break-in, New Linings .............. 108
Fluid............................................ 156
Light, Burned-out...................... 179
Parking.......................................... 68
System Indicator.......................... 36
Wear Indicators......................... 124
Brakes, ABS Description................................. 220
Operation.................................... 125
System Indicator................. 37, 125
Braking System.............................. 124
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Main Menu s t
Index
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 45
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 193
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 155
Brake........................................... 156
Power Steering........................... 157
Windshield Washer................... 154
FM Stereo Radio Reception...................................... 87
Folding the Second Seats ............... 60
Folding the Third Seats.................. 62
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 109
Four-way Flashers........................... 45
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker................. 213
Fuel.................................................. 108
Fill Door and Cap....................... 110
Gauge............................................ 40Octane Requirement................. 108
Oxygenated................................ 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 110
Fuses, Checking the...................... 209 Gas Mileage, Improving................ 114
Gasohol........................................... 108
Gasoline.......................................... 108
Gauge............................................ 40
Octane Requirement................. 108
Tank, Filling the......................... 110
Gas Station Procedures................. 110
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 40
Fuel................................................ 40
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 120
Glass Cleaning............................... 188
Glove Box......................................... 55
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 177
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 45
Headlights......................................... 42 Aiming......................................... 175
Daytime Running Lights............. 42
High Beam Indicator................... 38
High Beams, Turning on............ 42
Low Beams, Turning on ............. 42
Reminder Chime.......................... 42
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 177
Turning on.................................... 42
Head Restraints............................... 58
Heating and Cooling........................ 76
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 119
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 42
Hood, Opening the ........................ 111
Horn.................................................. 51
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 151
Hydroplaning.................................. 127
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 216
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 213
Ignition
Keys............................................... 51
Switch............................................ 52
Timing Control System............. 225
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel.............................................. 35
Infant Restraint................................ 22
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 170
Inside Mirror.................................... 66
Inspection, Tire.............................. 171ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Main Menu s t
Index
Tires Inspection................................... 171
Replacing.................................... 172
Rotating....................................... 172
Snow............................................ 174
Specifications............................. 219
Tools, Tire Changing.................... 193
Torn Seat Belts................................ 11
Towing
ATrailer......................................128
Emergency Wrecker.................
213
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 155
Fluid Selection............................ 155
Identification Number............... 216
Shifting the Automatic.............. 120
Treadwear...................................... 222
Trip Meter........................................ 39
Turn Signals..................................... 43
Underside, Cleaning...................... 189
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 191
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 222
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 108
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 187
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 150
Vanity Mirror................................... 71
Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 116
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 218
Vehicle Identification Number..... 216
Vehicle Storage.............................. 182
Ventilation......................................... 79
VIN.................................................. 216 Vinyl Cleaning................................ 187
Viscosity, Oil................................... 148
Warning Beepers Key in Ignition.............................. 52
Seat Belts...................................... 36
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 31
Warranty Coverages..................... 228 Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 154 Operation...................................... 44
Washing.......................................... 184
Waxing and Polishing ................... 185
Wheels Adjusting the Steering................ 46
Alignment and Balance............. 171
Compact Spare........................... 192
Wrench....................................... 195
Windows Cleaning...................................... 188
Operating the Power................... 64
Rear, Defogger............................ 45
Windshield Cleaning........................................ 44
Defroster...................................... 82
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 165
Operation...................................... 44
Rear Windshield Wiper and Washer...................................... 45
Worn Tires..................................... 171
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 213ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t