
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 normaldriving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 235 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 138
Important Safety Precautions.. 139
Maintenance Schedule.................. 140
Maintenance Record..................... 144
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 146
Fluid Locations............................... 147
Engine Oil....................................... 148
Adding Oil................................... 148Recommended Oil..................... 148
Synthetic Oil............................... 149
Additives..................................... 150
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 150
Cooling System.............................. 152
Adding Engine Coolant............. 152Replacing Engine Coolant........ 154
Windshield Washers..................... 156
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 157
Brake Fluid..................................... 158
Brake System............................. 158
Anti-lock Brake System............ 159
Power Steering............................... 159
Air Cleaner Element...................... 160
Spark Plugs..................................... 162
Replacement............................... 162
Specifications............................. 163
Battery............................................ 164
Windshield Wipers........................ 166
Air Conditioning System............... 169
Drive Belts...................................... 170
Timing Belt..................................... 170
Tires................................................ 171 Inflation....................................... 171
Inspection................................... 173
Maintenance............................... 173
Tire Rotation.............................. 174 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 174
Wheels and Tires....................... 175
Winter Driving........................... 175 Snow Tires.............................. 176
Tire Chains............................. 176
Lights.............................................. 177
Headlight Aiming...................... 177
Replacing Bulbs......................... 179
Storing Your Car............................ 184
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Owner Maintenance 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 156.
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
157.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 158. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
171.
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 177.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Fluid Locations
Maintenance
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)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Engine Oil
Additives Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car. Changing the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requiresspecial tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. 2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oildrain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Maintenance
WASHER
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Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
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. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.Change the engine oil and filter (see page 150).
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.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a car
body wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and trunk
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/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 142). The
replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
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Index
Accessories
Installation.................................. 115
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 50
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 152
Brake Fluid................................. 158
Engine Coolant........................... 152
Engine Oil................................... 148 Power Steering Fluid................. 159
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 156
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..................... 150
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 64
Head Restraints........................... 56
Seats.............................................. 54
Steering Wheel............................ 44
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12
Air Cleaner Element...................... 160
Air Conditioning............................... 74
Maintenance............................... 169
Usage............................................. 74
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 76
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 171
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 28
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 108
Antifreeze....................................... 152 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 35, 127
Operation.................................... 126
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock .. 50
Appearance Care........................... 185
Ashtray.............................................. 69
Audio System................................... 83
Automatic Speed Control................ 46
Automatic Transmission............... 120 Capacity, Fluid........................... 218
Checking Fluid Level................ 157
Shifting........................................ 120
Shift Lever Positions................. 120
Shift Position Indicator............. 120
Shift Lock Release..................... 123
Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 34, 207
Jump Starting............................. 202
Maintenance............................... 164
Specifications............................. 221
Before Driving............................... 107
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 66 Body Repair.................................... 191
Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 126
Break-in, New Linings .............. 108
Fluid............................................ 158
Light, Burned-out...................... 181
Parking.......................................... 65
System Indicator.......................... 34
Wear Indicators......................... 125
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 126
System Indicator.................. 35, 127
Braking System.............................. 125
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Index
Break-in, New Car......................... 108
Brightness Control, Instruments... 41
Brights, Headlights......................... 40
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 181
Brake Lights............................... 181
Ceiling Light............................... 183
Front Parking Lights................. 180
Front Side Marker Lights......... 180
Headlights.................................. 179
License Plate Lights.................. 182
Specifications............................. 221
Turn Signal Lights..................... 180
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 179
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 203
Capacities Chart............................. 220
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......................... 218
Chains............................................. 176
Change Oil
How to......................................... 150
When to....................................... 142
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 195
Changing Engine Coolant............. 154
Charging System Indicator.... 34, 207
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 157
Battery Condition...................... 164
Brake Fluid................................. 158
Drive Belts.................................. 170
Engine Coolant........................... 113
Engine Oil................................... 112
Fuses........................................... 211
Power Steering Fluid................. 159
Checklist, Before Driving............. 118
Child Safety...................................... 20
Childproof Door Locks................... 52
Cigarette Lighter............................. 69
Cleaner, Air.................................... 160
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 187 Carpeting.................................... 188
Exterior....................................... 186
Fabric.......................................... 188
Interior........................................ 188
Seat Belts.................................... 189
Vinyl............................................ 188
Window....................................... 189
CLEAN Light................................. 101
Clock, Setting the ............................ 66
CO in the Exhaust......................... 225
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 119
Compact Spare............................... 194
Consumer Information*................ 230
Controls, Instruments and.............. 33
Coolant
Adding.........................................152
Checking..................................... 113
Proper Solution.......................... 152
Temperature Gauge.................... 38
Corrosion Protection..................... 190
Crankcase Emission Control
System......................................... 225
Cruise Control Operation............... 46
Customer Relations Office........... 231ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 32
Dashboard Compartment............... 68
Daytime Running Lights................. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 202
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 234
Defogger, Rear Window................. 43
Defrosting the Windows................. 79 DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 157
Dimensions..................................... 220
Dimming the Headlights................ 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 157
Engine Oil................................... 112
Directional Signals........................... 41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 215
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 125
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 151 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 50
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 223
Drive Belts...................................... 170
Driving............................................ 117
Economy..................................... 114
In Bad Weather.......................... 126
In Foreign Countries................. 109
Economy, Fuel............................... 114
Emergencies on the Road............. 193
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 202
Changing a Flat Tire................. 195
Charging System Indicator ...... 207
Checking the Fuses................... 211
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 206
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 208
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 209
Overheated Engine................... 204
Emergency Brake............................ 65
Emergency Flashers....................... 43
Emission Controls......................... 225
Engine
Belts............................................. 170
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 34, 208
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 34, 206 Oil, What Kind to Use............... 148
Overheating................................ 204
Specifications............................. 221
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 109
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 225
Exhaust Fumes................................ 29
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 10
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 186
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 188
Fan, Interior...................................... 74
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 73
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 110
Filter
Air................................................ 160
Oil................................................ 150
First Gear Position......................... 122 Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 43
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 195
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