Engine Oil
2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt from the bottom of the
engine. Drain the oil into an
appropriate container.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to instructions that come with it.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:43 N.m (4.4 kgf.m , 32 Ibf.ft) 6. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
3.8 (4.0 US qt, 3.3 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain boltand oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTER
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Engine Oil, Cooling System
If you change your own oil, pleasedispose of the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed container and take it to arecycling center. Do not discard it in a
trash bin or dump it on the ground.
Checking the Engine Coolant
Level
Check the level of the engine coolant
by looking at the radiator reserve tank next to the battery. If the coolant level in the reserve tank is ator below the MIN line, add coolant to
bring it up to the MAX line. Inspect the cooling system for leaks. Thiscoolant should always be a mixtureof 50% antifreeze and 50% water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water. Always use Genuine Honda Anti-
freeze/Coolant. The cooling systemcontains many aluminum compo-nents that can corrode if an improper
antifreeze is used. Some antifreeze,even though labeled as safe for
aluminum parts, may not provideadequate protection.
Maintenance
RESERVE TANK
MIN
MAX
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Air Conditioning
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified technician. There are a couple of things you can do to makesure the air conditioning works
efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, anddirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
Run the air conditioning at least once a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least tenminutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge thesystem with Refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a). (See Specifications on page 218.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenance
NOTICE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what to do
to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your car towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 192
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 193
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 199
Nothing Happens....................... 199
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 200
Jump Starting................................. 200
If Your Engine Overheats............. 202
Low Oil Pressure........................... 204
Charging System Indication......... 205
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 206
Closing the Sunroof....................... 207
Fuses............................................... 208
Checking and Replacing........... 209
Towing............................................ 213
Taking Care of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Low Oil Pressure
This indicator should light when the ignition is ON (II), and go out after
the engine starts. It should nevercome on when the engine is running.
If it starts flashing, it indicates that
the oil pressure dropped very low for a moment, then recovered. If the
indicator stays on with the engine
running, it shows that the engine has
lost oil pressure and serious engine damage is possible. In either case,
you should take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn offthe engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 146). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 146). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure light. If the light does nogo out within ten seconds, turn of
the engine. There is a mechanical problem that needs to be repaired
before you can continue driving.
(See Towing on page 213 .)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Index
Accessories
Installation.................................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 50
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Brake Fluid................................. 156
Engine Coolant........................... 151
Engine Oil................................... 146
Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 154
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Door Locks................................... 19Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 148
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64
Head Restraints........................... 56
Seats.............................................. 54
Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12
Air Cleaner..................................... 158
Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 168
Usage............................................. 74
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 170
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 150
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 220
Indicator Light..................... 35, 125
Operation.................................... 125
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 49
Appearance Care........................... 183
Ashtray.............................................. 69
Audio System................................... 83
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............... 34
Jump Starting............................. 200 Maintenance............................... 162
Specifications............................. 219
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66
Body Repair.................................... 189
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 125Break-in, New Linings .............. 108
Fluid............................................ 156
Light, Burned-out...................... 179
Parking.......................................... 65
System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 124
Brakes, ABS Description................................. 220Operation.................................... 125
System Indicator.................. 35, 125
Braking System.............................. 124
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Break-in, New Car......................... 108
Brightness Control, Instruments... 41
Brights, Headlights......................... 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 179
Brake Lights............................... 179
Ceiling Light............................... 181
Front Parking Lights................. 178
Front Side Marker Lights......... 178
Headlights.................................. 177
License Plate Lights.................. 180 Specifications............................. 219
Turn Signal Lights..................... 178
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 177
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 200
Capacities Chart............................. 218
Carbon Monoxide Hazard............ 29
Cargo, Loading............................... 116
Cassette Player Care............................................. 101
Operation.............................. 87, 99
CAUTION, Explanation of............. ii
CD Player................................. 90, 102 Center Pocket.................................. 68
Certification Label......................... 216
Chains............................................. 174
Change Oil How to......................................... 148
When to....................................... 140
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 193
Changing Engine Coolant............. 152 Charging System Indicator.... 34, 205
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 155
Battery Condition...................... 162
Brake Fluid................................. 156
Drive Belts.................................. 169
Engine Coolant........................... 150
Engine Oil................................... 146
Fuses........................................... 209
Power Steering Fluid................. 157
Checklist, Before Driving............. 118
Child Safety...................................... 20 Childproof Door Locks................... 52
Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Cleaner, Air.................................... 158
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 185
Carpeting................................... 186
Exterior...................................... 184
Fabric......................................... 186
Interior....................................... 186
Seat Belts................................... 187
Vinyl........................................... 186
Window...................................... 187
CLEAN Light................................ 101
Clock, Setting the .........................
66
CO in the Exhaust........................
224
Cold Weather, Starting in............ 119
Compact Spare............................... 192
Consumer Information*................ 227
Controls, Instruments and.............. 33
Coolant
Adding........................................
151
Checking................................ 150
Proper Solution......................
150
Temperature Gauge.................. 38
Corrosion Protection.................... 188
Crankcase Emission Control
System........................................ 224
Cruise Control Operation............. 46
Customer Relations Office.......... 229ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 32 Dashboard Compartment............... 68
Daytime Running Lights................. 40Dead Battery, What to Do............ 200
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 232
Defogger, Rear Window................. 43 Defrosting the Windows................. 79
DEXRON® II Automatic Transmission Fluid.................... 155
Dimensions.................................... 218
Dimming the Headlights................ 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 155
Engine Oil................................... 146
Directional Signals.......................... 43
Disabled, Towing Your Car If..... 213
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 124
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 150Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 50
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 222
Drive Belts...................................... 169
Driving............................................ 117
Economy..................................... 114
In Bad Weather.......................... 126
In Foreign Countries................. 109
Economy, Fuel............................... 114
Emergencies on the Road............. 191
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 200
Changing a Flat Tire................. 193
Charging System Indicator...... 205
Checking the Fuses................... 209
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 204
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 206
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 207
Overheated Engine................... 202
Emergency Brake............................ 65
Emergency Flashers....................... 43
Emission Controls......................... 224
Engine
Belts............................................. 169
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................ 34,
206
Oil Pressur e
Indicator......... 34, 204Oil, What Kind to Use............... 147
Overheating................................ 202
Specifications............................. 219
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 224
Exhaust Fumes................................ 29Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 10
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 184
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 186
Fan, Interior...................................... 74
Features, Comfort and
Convenience............................... 73
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter
Air................................................ 158
Oil................................................ 148
First Gear Position......................... 122
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 43
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 193
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t