
Servic
e Statio n Procedure s
6-cylinder models
Lif t th e hoo d u p mos t o f th e way .
Th e hydrauli c support s wil l lif t i t
u p th e res t o f th e wa y an d hol d it
up .
T o clos e th e hood , lowe r i t t o abou t a
foo t (3 0 cm ) abov e th e fender , the n
pres s dow n firml y wit h you r hands .
Afte r closin g th e hood , mak e sur e it
i s securel y latched .
Oil Check
DIPSTICK
Chec k th e engin e oi l leve l ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e ca r wit h fuel . Wai t a fe w
minute s afte r turnin g th e engin e of f
befor e yo u chec k th e oil .
1 . Remov e th e dipstic k (orang e
handle) .
DIPSTIC
K
6-cylinde r model s
Befor e Drivin g 4-cylinde
r model s
6-cylinde
r model s

Maintenanc
e
Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r ca r wel l
maintaine d an d to follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f
yourself .
I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 32 3 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc e Safety...................... . 19 8
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 19 9
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 20 0
Maintenanc e Record.................... . 20 7
Owne
r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 20 9
Flui d Locations.............................. . 21 0
Engin e Oil...................................... . 21 2
Addin g Oil.................................. . 21 2
Recommende d Oil.................... . 21 2
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 21 4
Additives.................................... . 21 4
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 21 4
Coolin g System............................. . 21 7
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 21 7
Replacin g Engin e Coolant........ 219
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 22 4
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 22 5
Automati c
Transmission......................... . 22 5
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 22 7
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 22 8
Brak e System............................ . 22 8
Clutc h System........................... . 22 9
Powe r Steering.............................. . 23 0
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 23 1
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 23 3
Spar k Plug s
(4-cylinde r Models).............. . 23 3
Replacement.............................. . 23 3
Specifications............................
. 23 4
Spar k Plug s
(6-cylinde r Models).............. . 23 5
Replacement.............................. . 23 5
Specifications............................ . 23 7
Battery........................................... . 23 8
Wipe r Blades................................. . 24 1
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 24 3
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 24 4
Driv e Belts..................................... . 24 4
Timin g Belt.................................... . 24 5
Tires............................................... . 24 6
Inflation...................................... . 24 6
Inspection.................................. . 24 7
Maintenance.............................. . 24 8
Tir e Rotation............................. . 24 9
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 24 9
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 25 0
Winte r Driving.......................... . 25 0
Sno w Tires............................. . 25 1
Tir e Chains............................ . 25 1
Lights............................................. . 25 2
Headligh t Aiming..................... . 25 4
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 25 5
Storin g You r Car........................... . 26 6
Maintenanc e

Maintenanc
e Safet y
Regularl y maintainin g you r ca r i s th e
bes t wa y t o protec t you r investment .
Prope r maintenanc e i s essentia l t o
you r safet y an d th e safet y o f you r
passengers . I t wil l als o rewar d yo u
wit h mor e economical , trouble-fre e
drivin g an d hel p reduc e ai r pollution .Thi
s sectio n include s instruction s fo r
simpl e maintenanc e tasks , suc h a s
checkin g an d addin g oil . An y servic e
item s no t detaile d i n thi s sectio n
shoul d b e performe d b y a Hond a
technicia n o r othe r qualifie d
mechanic . Som
e o f th e mos t importan t safet y
precaution s ar e give n here . However ,
w e canno t war n yo u o f ever y
conceivabl e hazar d tha t ca n aris e i n
performin g maintenance . Onl y yo u
ca n decid e whethe r o r no t yo u
shoul d perfor m a give n task .
Maintenanc e
Improperl
y maintainin g thi s ca r
o r failin g t o correc t a proble m
befor e drivin g ca n caus e a
cras h i n whic h yo u ca n b e
seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e inspectio n
an d maintenanc e
recommendation s an d
schedule s i n thi s owner' s
manual . Failur
e t o properl y follo w
maintenanc e instruction s an d
precaution s ca n caus e yo u t o
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e procedure s
an d precaution s i n thi s owner' s
manual .

Inde
x
Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 16 8
Accessories................................ . 16 8
Additiona l Safet y Precaution... . 16 9
Modifications............................ . 16 9
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... 76
Accessor y Powe r Socket............. . 10 5
Addin g
Automati c Transmissio n
Fluid....................................... . 22 5
Brak e Fluid................................ . 22 8
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 22 9
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 21 7
Engin e Oil.................................. . 21 2
Manua l Transmissio n Flui d .... . 22 7
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 23 0
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 22 4
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Airbags........................... . 4 8
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8
Airba g Service............................. . 4 8
Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t
You r Fron t Airbags................ . 4 3
Ho w You r Fron t Airbag s
Work......................................... 43
Ho w You r SR S Indicato r Ligh t
Works....................................... . 4 5
SR S Components........................ . 4 3
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 4 0
Lap/Shoulde r Belts.................... . 4 0
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 2
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 0
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sid e Airbags................... . 4 6
Ho w th e Sid e Airba g Indicato r
Ligh t Works............................ . 4 7
Ho w You r Sid e Airbag s Work... . 4 6
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 21 4
Adjustment s
Headlights................................. . 25 4
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 9 2
Mirrors......................................... .
99
Seats............................................. . 8 7
Steerin g
Wheel...........................
. 6 8
Airba g (SRS)............................... 9, 43
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 23 1 Ai
r Conditionin g Filter................. . 24 4
Ai r Conditionin g System...... .110 , 11 7
Maintenance.............................. . 24 3
Usage................................. 113, 11 9
Ai r Outlet s (Vents)............... 112, 11 7
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 24 6
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 31 2
Antifreeze...................................... 217
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light.................... 55, 18 7
Operation................................... . 18 6
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n Loc k . . 7 5
Appearanc e Care.......................... . 26 7
Audi o System........................ 125, 13 7
Automati c Lightin g Of f Feature... . 6 3
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 6 9
Automati c Transmission.............. . 17 8
Capacity , Fluid.................. 306, 30 8
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 22 5
Shifting....................................... . 17 9
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 17 9
Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 17 9
Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 18 2
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... . 54 , 29 2
Jum p Starting............................ . 28 5
Maintenance.............................. . 23 8
Specifications.................... . 307 , 30 9
Befor e Driving.............................. . 15 9
Belts , Seat.................................... . 8 , 4 0
Beverag e Holder........................... . 10 2
Bod y Repair................................... . 27 3
Brake s
Anti-loc k Syste m (ABS)........... . 18 6
Break-in , Ne w Lining s ............. . 16 0
Fluid........................................... 228
Light , Burned-out............. . 259 , 26 0
Parking....................................... . 10 0
Syste m Indicator................. . 54 , 29 4
Wea r Indicators........................ . 18 5
Brakes , AB S
Operation................................... . 18 6
Syste m Indicator................. . 55 , 18 7
Brakin g System............................. . 18 5
Break-in , Ne w Vehicl e ................. . 16 0
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 6 4 Brights
, Headlights........................ . 6 2
Bul b Replacemen t
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 26 0
Brak e Light s ..................... . 259 , 26 0
Ceilin g Light.............................. . 26 4
Courtes y Light.......................... . 26 4
Fron t Parkin g Lights................ . 25 8
Fron t Sid e Marke r Lights........ . 25 7
Headlights................................. . 25 5
High-moun t Brak e Light......... . 26 2
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 26 3
Rea r Sid e Marke r Lights......... . 26 1
Specifications.................... . 307 , 30 9
Spotlight..................................... . 26 4
Trun k Light............................... . 26 5
Tur n Signa l Lights.................... . 25 7
Bulbs , Halogen.............................. . 25 5
Cables , Jum p Startin g With......... . 28 5
Capacitie s Chart................... . 306 , 30 8
Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard.............. 49
Carryin g Cargo............................. . 17 0
Cassett e Playe r
Care............................................ . 15 4
Operation...........................
.130 , 15 1
CAUTION , Explanatio n of.............. ii
C D Changer.......................... 133, 14 7
C D Player.............................. .133 , 14 5
Ceilin g Light.................................. . 10 6
Cente r Pocket............................... . 10 5
Certificatio n Label........................ 30 4
Chains............................................ . 25 1
Chang e Oi l
Ho w to........................................ 214
Whe n to...................................... . 20 2
Changin g a Fla t Tire.................... . 27 7
Changin g Engin e Coolant............ . 21 9
Chargin g Syste m Indicator... . 54 , 29 2
Checkin g
Automati c Transmissio n
Fluid....................................... 225
Batter y Condition..................... . 23 8
Brak e Fluid................................ . 22 8
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 22 9
Driv e Belts................................. . 24 4
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 16 6
Engin e Oil.................................. . 16 4
Fuses.......................................... . 29 7
Manua l Transmissio n Flui d .... . 22 7
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 23 0

Inde
x
Checklist , Befor e Driving............ . 17 4
Chil d Safety..................................... . 2 0
Cleane r Element , Air.................... . 23 1
Cleanin g
Aluminu m Wheels.................... . 26 9
Carpeting................................... . 27 0
Exterior...................................... . 26 2
Fabric......................................... . 27 0
Interior....................................... . 27 0
Leather....................................... . 27 0
Sea t Belts................................... . 27 1
Vinyl.......................................... . 27 0
Windows.................................... . 27 1
Climat e Contro l System............... . 11 7
Clock , Settin g the......................... . 10 1
Clutc h Fluid................................... . 22 9
Coi n Box........................................ . 10 5
C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 31 4
Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 17 6
Compac t Spare.............................. . 27 6
Consol e Compartment................ . 10 3
Consume r Information*........ . 31 8
Controls , Instrument s and........
51
Coolan t
Adding....................... .. 217
Checking....................... . 166
Prope
r Solution......................... . 21 7
Replacing................................... . 21 9
Temperatur e
Gauge.............
. 5 9
Corrosio n Protection................... . 27 2
Courtes y Lights............................ . 10 7
Crankcas e Emission s Contro l
System.................... . 314
Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 6 9
Custome r Relation s Office..... . 31 9
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . ii
Dashboard................................... 2 , 5 2
Daytim e Runnin g Lights............ . 6 3
Dea d Battery , Wha t t o Do........... . 28 5
Defects , Reportin g Safety...... . 32 2
Defogger , Rea r Window.......... . 6 7
Defrostin g th e Windows... .115, 12 3
DEXRON ® II I Automati c
Transmissio n Fluid................... . 22 6
Dimensions............. . 306, 30 8
Dimmin g th e Headlights............... . 6 2
Dipstic k
Automati c Transmission........ . 22 5
Engin e Oil.................................. . 16 4
Directiona
l Signals............. 64
Disabled , Towin g You r
Ca r If.......................................... . 30 1
Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators... . 18 5
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 21 6
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking......... . 7 6
Monito r Light.................... . 56
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 7 6
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading....... . 31 0
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission................ . 176
Driv e Belts.................................... . 24 4
Drive r an d Passenge r Safety.... 5
Driving........................................... . 17 3
Economy.................. . 167
I n Ba d Weather............. . 188
I n Foreig n Countries........ . 313
Economy , Fuel............... . 167
Emergencie s o n th e Road........ . 27 5
Battery , Jum p Starting...... . 285
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Emergencie s o n th e Roa d
Brak e Syste m Indicator............ 294
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 27 7
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... . 29 2
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 29 6
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 29 1
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 29 3
Manuall y Closin g Moonroof... . 29 5
Overheate d Engine.................. . 28 8
Emergenc y Brake......................... . 10 0
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 6 6
Emission s Controls....................... . 31 4
Engin e
Coolan t Temperatur e Gaug e .... . 5 9
Driv e Belts................................. . 24 4
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp................................ . 55 , 29 3
Oi l Pressur e Indicator........ . 54 , 29 1
Oil , Wha t Kin d t o Use.............. . 21 2
Overheating............................... . 28 8
Specifications.................... . 307 , 30 9
Ethano l i n Gasoline...................... . 31 2
Evaporativ e Emission s Controls. . 31 4
Exhaus t Fumes............................... . 4 9
Expectan t Mothers , Us e o f Sea t
Belt s by........................................ . 1 8 Exterior
, Cleanin g the.................. . 26 8
Fabric , Cleaning............................ . 27 0
Fan , Interior.......................... .110 , 12 1
Features , Comfor t an d
Convenience.............................. . 10 9
Fillin g th e Fue l Tank.................... . 16 1
Filter s
Ai r Cleaner................................ . 23 1
Ai r Conditioning....................... . 24 4
Oil............................................... . 21 4
Firs t Gear , Shifting....................... . 18 2
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 22 7
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Shiftin g the................................ . 17 7
Flashers , Hazar d Warning............. . 6 6
Fla t Tire , Changin g a................... . 27 7
Fluid s
Automati c Transmission.......... . 22 5
Brake.......................................... . 22 8
Clutch......................................... . 22 9
Manua l Transmission.............. . 22 7
Powe r Steering.......................... . 23 0 Windshiel
d Washer.................. . 22 4
F M Stere o Radi o
Reception........................... .126 , 13 8
Foldin g Rea r Seat........................... . 9 3
Foreig n Countries , Drivin g in..... . 31 3
Four-wa y Flashers.......................... . 6 6
Fron t End , Towin g b y
Emergenc y Wrecker................ . 30 1
Fuel................................................. . 16 0
Fil l Doo r an d Cap...................... . 16 1
Gauge........................................... . 5 9
Octan e Requirement................ . 16 0
Oxygenated............................... . 31 2
Reserv e Indicator........................ . 5 7
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 16 1
Fuses , Checkin g the..................... . 29 6
Ga s Mileage , Improving............... . 16 7
Gasohol.......................................... . 31 2
Gasoline......................................... . 16 0
Fue l Reserv e Indicator............... . 5 7
Gauge........................................... . 5 9
Octan e Requirement................ . 16 0
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 16 1

Inde
x
Thef t Protection............................ . 15 6
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c Converter.. . 31 6
Time , Settin g the.......................... . 10 1
Timin g Belt.................................... . 24 5
Tir e Chains.................................... . 25 1
Tire , Ho w to Chang e a Flat......... . 27 7
Tires............................................... . 24 6
Ai r Pressure.............................. . 24 6
Checkin g Wear......................... . 24 7
Compac t Spare.......................... . 27 6
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading...... . 31 0
Inflation...................................... . 24 6
Inspection.................................. . 24 7
Maintenance.............................. . 24 8
Replacing................................... . 24 9
Rotating...................................... . 24 9
Snow........................................... . 25 1
Specifications.................... . 307 , 30 9
Tir e Chains................................ . 25 1
Technica l Information............. . 31 0
Winte r Driving.......................... . 25 0
Tools , Tir e Changing................... . 27 7
Towin g
A Trailer..................................... . 19 0
Emergenc y Wrecker................ . 30 1
Transmissio
n
Checkin g Flui d Level ,
Automatic.............................. . 22 5
Checkin g Flui d Level ,
Manual................................... . 22 7
Flui d Selectio n .................. . 226 , 22 7
Identificatio n Number.............. . 30 5
Shiftin g th e Automatic............. . 17 9
Shiftin g the Manual.................. . 17 7
Treadwear..................................... . 31 0
Tri p Meter....................................... . 5 9
Trunk................................................ . 8 1
Openin g the................................. . 8 1
Ope n Monito r Light................... . 5 6
Tur n Signals.................................... . 6 4
Underside , Cleaning..................... . 27 2
Unexpected , Takin g Car e
o f the.......................................... . 27 5
Unifor m Tir e Qualit y Grading.... . 31 0
Unleade d Gasoline........................ . 16 0
Upholster y Cleaning..................... . 27 0
Use d Oil , Ho w to Dispos e of....... . 21 6 Vanit
y Mirror................................ . 10 4
Vehicl e Capacit y Loa d ................. . 17 1
Vehicl e Dimension s ............. . 306 , 30 8
Vehicl e Identificatio n Number.... . 30 4
Vehicl e Storage............................. . 26 6
Ventilation............................. .113 , 11 7
VIN................................................. . 30 4
Viny l Cleaning............................... . 27 0
Viscosity , Oil.................................. . 21 3
Warnin g Beeper s
Headlight s on.............................. . 6 2
Ke y i n Ignition............................. . 7 6
Sea t Belts............................... . 40 , 5 2
WARNING , Explanatio n of............. . i i
Warnin g Labels , Locatio n of......... . 5 0
Warrant y Coverages*.................. . 32 1
Washer , Windshiel d
Checkin g th e Flui d Level........ . 22 4
Indicator....................................... . 5 7
CONTINUED