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
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
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.
MaintenanceProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Fluid Locations
Maintenance
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature. 1. Park the vehicle on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should bebetween the upper and lower
marks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). If it is not available, you
may use a DEXRON ®
III
automatic transmission fluid as a
temporary replacement. However, continued use can affect shiftquality. Have the transmission
drained and refilled with Honda
ATF as soon as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back in the transmission.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARKProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Index
Accessories and Modifications.... 134 Accessories................................. 134
Additional Safety Precaution.... 135Modifications............................. 135
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 70
Adding Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 177
Brake Fluid................................. 183
Engine Coolant........................... 177
Engine Oil................................... 173
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 41
Lap Belt......................................... 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 41
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 41
Additional Information About
Your SRS.................................. 42
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46 How Your Airbags Work............ 44
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 46
SRS Components......................... 44
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175
Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 84
Head Restraints........................... 76
Seats.............................................. 74
Steering Wheel............................ 62
Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 7
Air Cleaner Element...................... 185
Air Conditioning............................... 94
Maintenance............................... 194
Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 128
Antifreeze....................................... 177
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 53, 149Operation.................................... 148
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 70
Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtray.............................................. 89
Audio System................................. 103
Automatic Speed Control................ 64
Automatic Transmission............... 142
Capacity, Fluid........................... 248
Checking Fluid Level................ 182
Shifting........................................ 142
Shift Lever Positions................. 142
Shift Position Indicator............. 142
Shift Lock Release..................... 145
Battery
Charging System
Indicator............................ 52, 235
Jump Starting............................. 230
Maintenance............................... 189
Specifications............................. 249
Before Driving............................... 127
Belts, Seat........................................... 6
Beverage Holder.............................. 86
Body Repair.................................... 219
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 148
Break-in, New Linings .............. 128
Fluid............................................ 183
Light, Burned-out...................... 196
Parking.......................................... 85
System Indicator.......................... 52
Wear Indicators......................... 147
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 148
System Indicator.................. 53, 149
Braking System.............................. 147
Break-in, New Car......................... 128
Brightness Control, Instruments... 59
Brights, Headlights......................... 58
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 208
Brake Lights............................... 208
Ceiling Light............................... 210
Front Parking Lights................. 207
Front Side Marker Lights......... 207
Headlights.................................. 206
License Plate Lights.................. 209
Specifications............................. 249
Turn Signal Lights..................... 207
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 206 Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 231
Capacities Chart............................. 248
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 47
Carrying Cargo.............................. 137
Cassette Player Care............................................. 121
Operation............................ 107, 119
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Player ............................... 110, 122
Center Pocket.................................. 88
Certification Label......................... 246
Chains............................................. 201
Change Oil
How to......................................... 175
When to....................................... 164
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 223
Changing Engine Coolant............. 179
Charging System Indicator.... 52, 235
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 182
Battery Condition...................... 189
Brake Fluid................................. 183
Drive Belts.................................. 195
Engine Coolant........................... 132
Engine Oil................................... 131
Fuses........................................... 240
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Checklist, Before Driving............. 140
Childproof Door Locks................... 72
Cigarette Lighter............................. 89
Cleaner, Air.................................... 185
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 215
Carpeting.................................... 216
Exterior....................................... 214
Fabric.......................................... 216
Interior........................................ 216
Seat Belts.................................... 217
Vinyl............................................ 216
Window....................................... 217
CLEAN Light................................. 121
Clock, Setting the ............................ 86
CO in the Exhaust......................... 255
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 141
Compact Spare............................... 222
Consumer Information*................ 260
Controls, Instruments and.............. 49ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Coolant
Adding......................................... 177
Checking..................................... 132
Proper Solution.......................... 177
Temperature Gauge.................... 55
Corrosion Protection..................... 218
Crankcase Emission Control
System......................................... 255
Cruise Control Operation............... 64
Customer Relations Office........... 251
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 50 Dashboard Compartment............... 88
Daytime Running Lights................. 58
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 230 Defects, Reporting Safety............. 264
Defogger, Rear Window................. 61
Defrosting the Windows................. 99
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 182
Dimensions..................................... 248
Dimming the Headlights................ 58 Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 182
Engine Oil................................... 131
Directional Signals........................... 59
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 244
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 147
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 176
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 70
Power Door Locks....................... 70
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 251
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 3
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Driving............................................ 139 Economy..................................... 133
In Bad Weather.......................... 148
In Foreign Countries................. 254
Economy, Fuel............................... 133
Emergencies on the Road............. 221
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 230
Brake System Indicator............ 237
Changing a Flat Tire................. 223
Chargilng System Indicator ...... 235 Checking the Fuses................... 240
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 236
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 238
Overheated Engine................... 232
Emergency Brake............................ 85
Emergency Flashers....................... 61
Emission Controls......................... 255
Engine Belts............................................. 195
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 56
Malfunction IndicatorLamp................................. 32, 236
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 32, 234
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173 Overheating................................ 232
Specifications............................. 249
Ethanolin Gasoline....................... 254 Evaporative Emission Controls.... 255
Exhaust Fumes................................ 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 214
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 216
Fan, Interior...................................... 94
Features, Comfort and Convenience................................. 93
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 129
Filter
Air................................................ 185
Oil................................................ 175
First Gear Position......................... 144
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 61
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 223
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 182
Brake........................................... 183
Power Steering........................... 184
Windshield Washer................... 181
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 117
Folding the Second Seats ............... 78
Folding the Third Seats.................. 80
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 254
Four-way Flashers........................... 61
Front End, Towing by Emergency
Wrecker...................................... 244
Fuel.................................................. 128
Fill Door and Cap....................... 129
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 128
Oxygenated................................ 128
Tank, Filling the......................... 129
Fuses, Checking the...................... 240
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 133
Gasohol........................................... 128
Gasoline.......................................... 128
Gauge............................................ 56
Octane Requirement................. 128
Tank, Filling the......................... 129
Gas Station Procedures................. 129
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 56
Fuel................................................ 56
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 142
Glass Cleaning............................... 217
Glove Box......................................... 73 Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 206
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 61
Headlights......................................... 58
Aiming......................................... 202Daytime Running Lights............. 58
High Beam Indicator................... 54
High Beams, Turning on............ 58
Low Beams, Turning on............. 58
Reminder Chime.......................... 58
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 206
Turning on.................................... 58
Head Restraints............................... 76 Heating and Cooling........................ 94
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 141 High-Low Beam Switch .................. 58
Hood, Opening the ........................ 130 Horn................................................... 57
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 177 Hydroplaning.................................. 151
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 246
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 244ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t