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Maintenance
This section explains why it is important to keep your vehicle 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 to obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 160
Important Safety Precautions.. 161
Maintenance Schedule.................. 162
Required Maintenance Record.... 169 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Fluid Locations............................... 172
Engine Oil....................................... 173 Adding Oil................................... 173Recommended Oil..................... 173
Synthetic Oil............................... 174
Additives..................................... 175
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 175
Cooling System.............................. 177
Adding Engine Coolant............. 177Replacing Engine Coolant........ 179
Windshield Washers..................... 181
Automatic Transmission Fluid..... 182
Brake Fluid..................................... 183
Brake System............................. 183
Power Steering............................... 184
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185 Spark Plugs..................................... 187
Replacement............................... 187
Specifications............................. 188
Battery............................................ 189
Wiper Blades.................................. 191 Air Conditioning System............... 194
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Timing Belt..................................... 195
Tires................................................ 196 Inflation....................................... 196
Inspection................................... 198
Maintenance............................... 198
Tire Rotation.............................. 199
Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 199
Wheels and Tires....................... 200
Winter Driving........................... 200
Snow Tires.............................. 201
Tire Chains............................. 201
Lights.............................................. 202 Headlight Aiming...................... 204
Replacing Bulbs......................... 206
Storing Your Vehicle..................... 211
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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 131.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 132.
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 181.
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
182.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 183. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page 196. 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 202.
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Lights
Check the operation of your vehicle's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an unsafe condition by reducing your
vehicle's visibility and the ability to signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Maintenance
HEADLIGHT
TURN SIGNAL/
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Page 202 of 272
Lights
Check the following:
Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights Brake lights
High-mount brake light Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights (Canadian models)
If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page 249 to determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.
Maintenance
STOP/TAILLIGHTS/
BACK-UP/TURN SIGNAL/
SIDE MARKER LIGHTS
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Page 203 of 272

Lights
Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed when your vehicle was new. You should check their aim if you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer. Each headlight assembly has horizontal and vertical
adjustment indicators. These are set
to their "0" positions after the
headlights are aimed at the factory. To check these settings:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is full. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who weighs the same should be sittingin the driver's seat for all checksand adjustments.Load your vehicle with the items
you normally carry.
HORIZONTAL ANGLE GAUGE
If you usually pull a trailer, load it as
you would normally and attach it to the vehicle. Push down on the front
and rear bumpers several times to
make sure the vehicle is sittingnormally.
3. Open the hood.
4. Check the horizontal angle gauge. The line on the adjustment screw
indicator should line up with the
"0" mark on the gauge.
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Lights
VERTICAL ANGLE GAUGE
5. Check the vertical angle gauge. The bubble should be centered
underneath the longest scribe
mark on the gauge. HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT
6. If either indicator is not aligned with its "0" mark as described, an
adjustment can be made using a
Phillips-head screwdriver to
realign it with the "0" mark. Please
refer to the illustrations. VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT
7. If you cannot get an indicator to align, have your Honda dealer
inspect the vehicle for body damage or suspension problems.
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Lights
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from contact 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 scratch
on 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 185 ).
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 of
the 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
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Lights
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking Light Bulb
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 fourtabs and push on the front edge
until it snaps into place.
Install the mounting screw and
tighten it securely.
Maintenance
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