2000 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN wheel

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r

Visibilit y — Bein g abl e to se e
clearl y in al l direction s an d bein g
visibl e to othe r driver s ar e importan t
i n al l weathe r conditions . Thi s is
mor e difficul t i n ba d weather . T o b e
see n mor e clearl y durin g dayligh t
hours , tur n o n you r headlights .
Inspec t you r windshiel d wiper s an d
washer s frequently . Kee p th e wind -
shiel d washe r reservoi r ful l o f th e
prope r fluid . Hav e th e windshiel d
wipe r blade s replace d if the y star t t o
strea k th e windshiel d o r leav e part s
unwiped . Us e th e defroster s an d ai r
conditionin g to kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e
pag e 111 ). Tractio
n — Chec k you r tire s
frequentl y fo r wea r an d prope r
pressure . Bot h ar e importan t i n
preventin g "hydroplaning " (los s o f
tractio n o n a we t surface) . I n th e
winter , moun t sno w tire s o n al l fou r
wheel s fo r th e bes t handling .
Watc h roa d condition s carefully ,
the y ca n chang e fro m momen t t o
moment . We t leave s ca n b e a s slip -
per y a s ice . "Clear " road s ca n hav e
patche s o f ice . Drivin g condition s
ca n b e ver y hazardou s whe n th e
outsid e temperatur e is nea r freezing .
Th e roa d surfac e ca n becom e
covere d wit h area s o f wate r puddle s
mixe d wit h area s o f ice , s o you r
tractio n ca n chang e withou t warning .
B e carefu l whe n downshifting . I f
tractio n is low , yo u ca n loc k u p th e
driv e wheel s fo r a momen t an d caus e
a skid . B
e ver y cautiou s whe n passing , o r
bein g passe d b y othe r vehicles . Th e
spra y fro m larg e vehicle s reduce s
you r visibility , an d th e win d buffetin g
ca n caus e yo u to los e control .
Drivin g

Towin
g a Traile r

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Crosswind s an d ai r turbulenc e
cause d b y passin g truck s ca n disrup t

you r steerin g an d caus e traile r

swaying . Whe n bein g passe d b y a

larg e vehicle , kee p a constan t spee d

an d stee r straigh t ahead . D o no t tr y
t o mak e quic k steerin g o r brakin g

corrections .

Backing Up
Alway s driv e slowl y an d hav e
someon e guid e yo u whe n backin g up .
Gri p th e bottom of th e steerin g
wheel ; the n tur n th e whee l t o th e lef t
t o ge t th e traile r t o mov e to th e left ,
an d tur n th e whee l righ t t o mov e th e
traile r t o th e right .
Parking

Follo w al l norma l precaution s whe n
parking , includin g firml y settin g th e
parkin g brak e an d puttin g th e
transmissio n in Par k (automatic ) o r
i n 1 st o r Revers e (manual) . Also ,
plac e whee l chock s a t eac h o f th e
trailer' s tires .
Drivin g

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 t o 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 to tak e car e of

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 31 5 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 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 19 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 19 6
Maintenanc e Record.................... . 20 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 20 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 20 6

Engin e Oil...................................... . 20 8
Addin g Oil.................................. . 20 8

Recommende d Oil.................... . 20 8

Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 21 0

Additives.................................... . 21 0
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 21 0
Coolin g System............................. . 21 3
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 21 3
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 21 5
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 22 0
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 22 1
Automati c
Transmission......................... . 22 1
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 22 3
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 22 4
Brak e System............................ . 22 4
Clutc h System........................... . 22 5
Powe r Steering.............................. . 22 5
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 22 6 Hoo
d Latch.................................... . 22 9
Spar k Plugs.................................... . 22 9
Replacement.............................. . 22 9
Specifications............................ . 23 0
Battery........................................... . 23 3
Wipe r Blades................................. . 23 6
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 23 8
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 23 9
Driv e Belts..................................... . 23 9
Timin g Belt.................................... . 24 0
Tires............................................... . 24 0
Inflation...................................... . 24 1
Inspection.................................. . 24 3
Maintenance.............................. . 24 3
Tir e Rotation............................. . 24 4
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 24 4
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 24 5
Winte r Driving.......................... . 24 6

Sno w Tires............................. . 24 6

Tir e Chains............................ . 24 6
Lights............................................. . 24 7
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 25 1
Storin g You r Car........................... . 26 0

Maintenanc e

Powe
r Steering , Ai r Cleane r Elemen t
Alway s us e Genuin e Hond a Powe r
Steerin g Fluid . I f i t i s no t available ,
yo u ma y us e anothe r powe r steerin g
flui d a s a n emergenc y replacement .
However , continue d us e ca n caus e
increase d wea r an d poo r steerin g in
col d weather . Hav e th e powe r
steerin g syste m flushe d an d refille d
wit h Hond a PS F a s soo n a s possible .
A lo w powe r steerin g flui d leve l ca n
indicat e a lea k i n th e system . Chec k
th e flui d leve l frequentl y an d hav e
th e syste m inspecte d a s soo n a s
possible .

Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Ai
r Cleane r Elemen t
Th e ai r cleane r elemen t shoul d b e
cleane d o r replace d accordin g to th e
tim e an d distanc e recommendation s
i n th e maintenanc e schedule .
Cleanin g (Sever e Conditions )
Clea n th e ai r cleane r elemen t b y
blowin g compresse d ai r throug h i t i n
th e opposit e directio n t o norma l ai r
flow . I f yo u d o no t hav e acces s t o
compresse d ai r (suc h a s a servic e
station) , as k you r Hond a deale r t o d o
thi s service .
Follo w th e replacemen t procedur e
fo r remova l an d reinstallation .

Maintenanc e
UPPE
R LEVE L

6-cylinde r model s

LOWE R LEVE L

NOTICE

Tire
s

Mak e sur e th e installe r balance s th e
wheel s whe n yo u hav e ne w tire s
installed . Thi s increase s ridin g
comfor t an d tir e life . You r car' s
origina l tire s wer e dynami c o r "spin "
balance d a t th e factory . Fo r bes t
results , hav e th e installe r perfor m a
dynami c balance .
(SE , EX , EX-V6 )

Improper wheel weights can damage
your car's aluminum wheels. Use only
Genuine Honda wheel weights for
balancing.
Tir
e Rotatio n
T o hel p increas e tir e lif e an d
distribut e wea r mor e evenly , yo u
shoul d hav e th e tire s rotate d ever y
7,50 0 mile s (12,00 0 km) . Mov e th e
tire s t o th e position s show n in th e
char t eac h tim e the y ar e rotated .
Whe n shoppin g fo r replacemen t
tires , yo u ma y fin d tha t som e tire s
ar e "directional. " Thi s mean s the y
ar e designe d to rotat e onl y in on e
direction . I f yo u us e directiona l tires ,the
y shoul d b e rotate d onl y front-to -
back .
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s
Th e tire s tha t cam e wit h you r ca r
wer e selecte d t o matc h th e perform -
anc e capabilitie s o f th e ca r whil e
providin g th e bes t combinatio n o f
handling , rid e comfort , an d lon g life .
Yo u shoul d replac e the m wit h radia l
tire s o f th e sam e size , loa d range ,
spee d rating , an d maximu m col d tir e
pressur e ratin g (a s show n o n th e
tire' s sidewall) . Mixin g radia l an d
bias-pl y tire s o n you r ca r ca n reduc e
it s brakin g ability , traction , an d
steerin g accuracy .

Maintenanc e
Fron
t Front
(Fo r Non-directiona l

Tire s an d Wheels )(Fo
r Directiona l
Tire s an d Wheels )

NOTIC
E

Tire
s

I t i s bes t t o replac e al l fou r tire s a t
th e sam e time . I f tha t i s no t possibl e
o r necessary , the n replac e th e tw o
fron t tire s o r th e tw o rea r tire s a s a
pair . Replacin g jus t on e tir e ca n
seriousl y affec t you r car' s handling .Th
e AB S work s b y comparin g th e
spee d o f th e wheels . Whe n replacin g
tires , us e th e sam e siz e originall y
supplie d wit h th e car . Tir e siz e an d
constructio n ca n affec t whee l spee d
an d ma y caus e th e syste m to wor k in -
consistently .
I f yo u eve r nee d to replac e a wheel ,
mak e sur e th e wheel' s specification s
matc h thos e o f th e origina l whee l
tha t cam e o n you r car . Replacemen t
wheel s ar e availabl e a t you r Hond a

dealer .
Wheel
s an d Tire s
Wheel :
(DX )14 x 5 1/2 JJ
(LX, SE ,
EX
)

15 x 6 JJ

(LX-V6 , EX-V6 )

15 x 6 1/2 JJ

Tire :

(DX )

P195/70R14 90S

(LX, SE ,
EX
)

P195/65R15 89H

(LX-V6, EX-V6 )

P205/65R15 92V

See pag e 30 1
fo
r informatio n abou t

DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading .

Maintenanc e

Installin
g imprope r tire s o n you r
ca r ca n affec t handlin g an d
stability . Thi s 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 us e th e siz e an d typ e o f

tire s recommende d in thi s
owner' s manual .

Tire
s

Winte r Drivin g

Tire s tha t ar e marke d " M + S " o r
"Al l Season " o n th e sidewal l hav e a n
all-weathe r trea d design . The y
shoul d b e suitabl e fo r mos t winte r
drivin g conditions . Tire s withou t
thes e marking s ar e designe d fo r
optimu m tractio n i n dr y conditions .
The y ma y no t provid e adequat e
performanc e i n winte r driving .
Fo r th e bes t performanc e i n snow y
o r ic y conditions , yo u shoul d instal l
sno w tire s o r tir e chains . The y ma y
be require d by loca l law s unde r
certai n conditions .

Snow Tires

I f yo u moun t sno w tire s o n you r
Honda , mak e sur e the y ar e radia l
tire s o f th e sam e siz e an d loa d rang e
a s th e origina l tires . Moun t sno w
tire s o n al l fou r wheel s t o balanc e
you r car' s handlin g in al l weathe r
conditions . Kee p in min d th e tractio n
provide d b y sno w tire s o n dr y road s
ma y no t b e a s hig h a s you r car' s origina
l equipmen t tires . Yo u shoul d
driv e cautiousl y eve n whe n th e road s
ar e clear . Chec k wit h th e tir e deale r
fo r maximu m spee d recommenda -
tions .

Tire Chains

Moun t tractio n device s (link-typ e
o r cable-type ) onl y whe n require d
b y drivin g condition s o r loca l laws .
Mak e sur e the y ar e th e correc t siz e
fo r you r tires . Instal l the m onl y o n
th e fron t tires .

4-cylinder models

I f link-typ e tractio n device s ar e used ,
the y mus t b e SA E Clas s "S. " Cable -
typ e tractio n device s ca n als o b e

used .

6-cylinder models

Becaus e you r Hond a ha s limite d tir e
clearance , moun t onl y SA E Clas s
"S " cable-typ e tractio n devices . Link-typ
e "chains " shoul d no t b e
used . N o matte r ho w tigh t the y see m
t o b e installed , the y ca n com e int o
contac t wit h th e bod y an d
suspension , causin g seriou s damage .
All models
Whe n installin g tractio n devices ,
follo w th e manufacturer' s
instruction s an d moun t the m a s
tightl y a s yo u can . Driv e slowl y wit h
the m installed . I f yo u hea r the m
comin g i n contac t wit h th e bod y o r
chassis , sto p an d investigate . Mak e
sur e th e tractio n device s ar e installe d
tightly , an d tha t the y ar e no t
contactin g th e brake s o r suspension .
Remov e the m as soo n a s yo u star t
drivin g o n cleare d roads .

Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your car's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the car.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E

Storin
g You r Ca r

I f yo u nee d t o par k you r ca r fo r a n
extende d perio d (mor e tha n on e
month) , ther e ar e severa l thing s yo u
shoul d d o t o prepar e i t fo r storage .
Prope r preparatio n help s preven t
deterioratio n an d make s i t easie r t o
ge t you r ca r bac k o n th e road . I f
possible , stor e you r ca r indoors .
Fil l th e fue l tank .
Chang e th e engin e oi l an d filte r
(se e pag e 210 ).
Was h an d dr y th e exterio r
completely .
Clea n th e interior . Mak e sur e th e
carpeting , floo r mats , etc . ar e
completel y dry .
Leav e th e parkin g brak e off . Pu t
th e transmissio n in Revers e (5 -
spee d manual ) o r Par k
(automatic) . Bloc
k th e rea r wheels .
I f th e ca r i s t o b e store d fo r a
longe r period , i t shoul d b e
supporte d o n jackstand s s o th e
tire s ar e of f th e ground .
Leav e on e windo w ope n slightl y (i f
th e ca r i s bein g store d indoors) .
Disconnec t th e battery .
Suppor t th e fron t wipe r blad e
arm s wit h a folde d towe l o r ra g s o
the y d o no t touc h th e windshield .
T o minimiz e sticking , appl y a
silicon e spra y lubrican t t o al l doo r
an d trun k seals . Also , appl y a
vehicl e bod y wa x t o th e painte d
surface s tha t mat e wit h th e doo r
an d trun k seals . Cove
r th e ca r wit h a "breathable "
cover , on e mad e fro m a porou s
materia l suc h a s cotton .
Nonporou s materials , suc h a s
plasti c sheeting , tra p moisture ,
whic h ca n damag e th e paint .
I f possible , ru n th e engin e fo r a
whil e periodicall y (preferabl y onc e
a month) .
I f yo u stor e you r ca r fo r 1 2 month s
o r longer , hav e you r Hond a deale r
perfor m th e inspection s calle d fo r i n
th e 2 4 months/30,00 0 mile s (48,00 0
km ) maintenanc e schedul e a s soo n
a s yo u tak e it ou t o f storag e (se e
pag e 198 ). Th e replacement s calle d
fo r i n th e maintenanc e schedul e ar e
no t neede d unles s th e ca r ha s
actuall y reache d tha t tim e o r mileage .

Maintenanc e