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Engine Oil
The oil container may also display the API Certification seal. Make sureit says "For Gasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATION MARK The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
preferred for improved fuel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F( — 7°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil;energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.
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 costof operating your car.
Maintenance
Ambient TemperatureMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Engine Oil
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 requires
special 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. 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.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
WASHER
OIL DRAIN BOLT OIL FILTERMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Cooling System
Replacing Engine Coolant
The cooling system should be completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the timeand distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use Genuine Honda Antifreeze/Coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance done by a skilled mechanic. 1. Turn the ignition ON (II). Turnthe temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Turn off the
ignition and remove the key. Open
the hood. Make sure the engineand radiator are cool to the touch.
2. Remove the radiator cap. 3. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will come out through the
hole in the splash cover.
(U.S.: Si model, Canada: SiR model)
Remove the drain bolt and washer
from the engine block.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
DRAIN PLUGMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Transmission Fluid
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 securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the filler hole
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.
HX model (CVT) only:
Use Genuine Honda CVT fluid
only. Using other fluids can affect
transmission operation and may
reduce transmission life. 6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
HX model (CVT) only:
If you drive at high speeds in high
(90° F/32°C and above)
temperatures, the transmission fluid should be changed every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK LOWER
MARKMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
5-speed Manual Transmission
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is notavailable. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffer shifting. Replace as soon asconvenient.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule. Brake and Clutch Fluid
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake fluid reservoir (all models) Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte- nance schedule.
MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Air Cleaner Element
The air cleaner element should be replaced according to the time anddistance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule. Replacement
CLIPS
On DX model
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing in the enginecompartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the four clips and remove the air cleaner housing cover.
2. Remove the old air cleaner element. AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
3. Carefully clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
4. Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing.
5. Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, snap the four clips back into
place.
MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Air Cleaner Element, Hood Latch
Replacement
On HX, EX and Si models in the U.S.,
and Si and SiR models in Canada
The air cleaner element is inside the air cleaner housing on the passenger'sside of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the two clips and remove the air cleaner housing cover. 2. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Carefully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
3. Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing.
4. Align the tabs and reinstall the air cleaner housing cover, snap the
two clips back into place. Hood Latch
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts, including the pivot. Follow the time and distance
recommendations in the
Maintenance Schedule. If you are
not sure how to clean and grease the
latch, contact your Honda dealer.
Maintenance
CLIPS
AIR CLEANER
ELEMENT
PIVOTSMain Menu Table of Contents s t
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Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your car should be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Replacement
1. Clean up any dirt and oil around the spark plug caps.
2. Remove the spark plug cap by pulling it straight out.
3. Remove the spark plug with a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket. 4. Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not crossthread it.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
SPARK PLUG CAPMain Menu Table of Contents s t