Page 166 of 240
Windshield Wipers
4. Slide the blade out of the holder.
5. Slide the new blade into the holder.
Make sure it is engaged in the slot
along its full length. 6. Insert both ends of the blade into
the holder slots. Make sure they
are secure.
7. Slide the wiper blade assembly onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
8. Lower the wiper arm.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 167 of 240

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
Page 176 of 240

Lights
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your car has halogen headlight bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass fromcontact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratchon the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1. Open the hood.
If you need to change a bulb on
the passenger's side, remove the
air intake cover (see page 158).
2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by squeezing the
connector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.
3. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire from its slot. Pivot it out ofthe way and remove the bulb.
5. Insert the new bulb into the hole, making sure the tabs are in theirslots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the back of the headlight assembly.Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked "TOP".
7. Push the electrical connector onto the tabs of the new bulb. Makesure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
8. (Passenger's side) Reinstall the air intake cover.
Maintenance
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 177 of 240
Lights
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking Light
Bulb
SCREW
1. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the screw from the top of
the fender.
2. Move the side marker light assembly forward until it slides out
of the body. 3. Turn the socket one-quarter turn
counterclockwise to remove it
from the lens.
4. Remove the bulb by pushing it in slightly and turning it counter-
clockwise.
5. Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place
6. Insert the socket back into the lens. Turn it clockwise to lock it in
place.
7. Put the side marker assembly back into the body. Align the four
tabs and push on the front edgeuntil it snaps into place.
Install the mounting screw and
tighten it securely.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 178 of 240
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
1. Open the tailgate. Swing the taillight cover open and remove it.
To replace a bulb on the right side, remove the spare tire (see page
194
).
2. Determine which of the three bulbs is burned out: tail/stoplight,
back-up light or turn signal.
3. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pulling it straight outof its socket.
5. Install the new bulb in the socket. 6. Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly.
7. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
8. Reinstall the taillight assembly cover.
9. (Right side) Reinstall the spare tire.
Maintenance
COVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 181 of 240

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 fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 148). 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 Park. 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.Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield. Apply a silicone spray lubricant to
all door and tailgate seals. Also,
apply wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and
tailgate seals. 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 (Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 140 )
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 191 of 240

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 shoulder 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 traffic lanes. TOOL KIT
JACK
1. Park the car on firm, level ground away from traffic. Turn on the
hazard warning lights and turn the
ignition to LOCK (0).
2. Put the transmission in Park. Set the parking brake. Have your
passengers get out of the vehicle. LID
TRAY
3. Open the tailgate. Fold down the third seat's seat-back (see page60).
4. The tool kit and jack are stored
under the third seat armrest on
the driver's side. Remove thearmrest pad by pulling it straight
up.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
SPARE TIRE
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents
Page 192 of 240
Changing a Flat Tire
5. Remove the tools from the tray. Remove the tray by pulling itstraight up.
6. Loosen the jack from its holder by turning the end counterclockwise.Remove the jack from the
compartment. 7. Unzip the spare tire cover.
STORAGE BIN
8. Unscrew the wing bolt. Remove the storage bin and spare tire.
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