Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Instruments and Controls
U.S.: EX Instrument Panel
CHARGING SYSTEMINDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR HIGH BEAM
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR'
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian model
are noted in the text. PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
TRUNK-OPENINDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATORMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Indicator Lights
* Differences in the indicators for Canadian models are noted in the text. Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in thesupplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 47.
Instruments and Controls
U.S.: DX, Canada: LX
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR'
TRUNK-OPENINDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
(Canadian LX model)
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SRSMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Service Station Procedures
Filling the Fuel Tank
1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of thedriver's seat.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. You may hear a hissing sound aspressure inside the tank escapes. 4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel
pump automatically clicks off. Donot try to "top off" the tank, leave
some room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
Your car has an on-board refueling
vapor recovery system to help keep fuel vapors from going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel pumpkeeps clicking off even though the
tank is not full, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks at least
three times. If you do not properlytighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page 233).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches.
Before Driving
FUEL FILL CAP
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors. Wipe up spills immediately.
PullMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner MaintenanceChecks (see page 169). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion.
Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up.
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try tocombine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is moderate.
Before DrivingMain Menu Table of Contents 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 111. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 127. 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 180. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
180.
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.
MaintenanceMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Tires
To safely operate your car, your tires must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and correctly inflated. The following
pages give more detailed information on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Inflation
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life and riding comfort. Underinflated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more
likely to fail from being overheated. Overinflated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to damage from road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
We recommend that you visually check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it immediately with a tire gauge. Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf/cm2) per month. Remember to check the spare tire at
the same time you check all the other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car has been parked for at least three
hours. If you have to drive the car
before checking the tire pressure, the tires can still be considered
"cold" if you drive less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.Main Menu Table of Contents s t
Technical Information
The diagrams in this section give you the dimensions and capacities of
your Honda, and the locations of the identification numbers. The expla-
nations of several electronic and
mechanical systems on your Honda
are for the more technically-oriented
owner. Identification Numbers................. 244
Specifications................................. 246
Tire Information............................ 249 Tire Size Designation................ 249
Wheel Size Designation............ 249
Tire Speed Ratings.................... 249
Tire Pressure Adjustment For High Speed Driving............... 250
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 250
Treadwear.............................. 250
Traction.................................. 251Temperature.......................... 251
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 252
Driving in Foreign Countries....... 253 Emissions Controls........................ 254
The Clean Air Act...................... 254Crankcase Emissions Control System..................................... 254
Evaporative Emissions Control System..................................... 254
Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery................................. 254
Exhaust Emissions Controls.... 255 PGM-FI System..................... 255
Ignition Timing ControlSystem................................. 255
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System.................... 255
Three Way Catalytic Converter............................ 255
Replacement Parts..................... 255
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 256
Technical InformationMain Menu s t
Index
Consumer Information*................ 258
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51
Coolant
Adding.........................................171
Checking..................................... 128
Proper Solution.......................... 175
Replacing.................................... 177
Temperature Gauge.................... 58
Corrosion Protection..................... 217
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 254
Cruise Control Operation............... 66
Customer Relations Office........... 258
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 61
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 227
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 262 Defog and Defrost........................... 93
Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Defrosting the Windows................. 93
DEXRON® III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 181
Dimensions..................................... 246
Dimming the Headlights................ 61
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 181
Engine Oil................................... 128
Directional Signals........................... 62
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 241
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 150
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 174
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 70Power Door Locks....................... 71
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 250
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Drive Belts...................................... 194
Driving............................................ 135
Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 154
In Foreign Countries................. 253
Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 219
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 227
Brake System Indicator............ 234 Changing a Flat Tire................. 221
Charging System Indicator...... 232
Checking the Fuses................... 237
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 231 Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 233
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 235
Overheated Engine................... 229
Emergency Brake............................ 82 Emergency Flashers....................... 64
Emergency Towing ........................ 241
Emissions Controls........................ 254Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 58
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 233
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 231
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 171
Overheating................................ 229
Specifications............................. 246
Engine Speed Limiter............139, 144
CONTINUEDMain Menu s t