
Engin
e Oi l
Addin g Oi l
T o ad d oil , unscre w an d remov e th e
engin e oi l fil l ca p o n to p o f th e valv e
cover . Pou r i n  th e oil , an d instal l th e
engin e oi l fil l cap . Tighte n it securely .
Wai t a  fe w minute s an d rechec k th e
oi l level . D o no t fil l abov e th e uppe r
mark ; yo u coul d damag e th e engine .Recommende
d Oi l
Oi l i s a  majo r contributo r t o  you r
engine' s performanc e an d longevity .
Alway s us e a  premium-grad e deter -
gen t oil . I t i s highl y recommende d
tha t yo u us e Genuin e Hond a Moto r
Oi l i n  you r vehicl e fo r a s lon g a s yo u
ow n it .
Yo u ca n determin e a n oil' s SA E
viscosit y an d Servic e Classificatio n
fro m th e AP I Servic e labe l o n th e oi l
container .
A  fuel-efficien t oi l i s recommende d
fo r you r Honda . Thi s is  show n o n th e
AP I Servic e labe l b y th e word s
"Energ y Conserving. " Thi s oi l i s
formulate d t o hel p you r engin e us e
les s fuel . Th
e AP I Servic e labe l als o tell s yo u
th e servic e classificatio n o f th e oil .
Alway s us e a n oi l tha t i s  labele d "AP I
Servic e SJ. " Thi s servic e ratin g ma y
includ e othe r classifications , suc h a s
CD . Thes e additiona l classification s
ar e no t a  problem , a s lon g a s th e
labe l als o carrie s th e S J classification .
AP I SERVIC E LABE L
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
ENGIN
E OI L
FIL L CA P 

Engin
e Oi l
Th e oi l containe r ma y als o displa y
th e AP I Certificatio n seal . Mak e sur e
i t  say s "Fo r Gasolin e Engines. "
AP I CERTIFICATIO N SEA L
 Th
e SA E number s tel l yo u th e  oil' s
viscosit y o r weight .  Selec t th e oi l fo r
you r car  accordin g t o thi s chart .
A n oi l wit h a  viscosit y o f 5W-3 0 is
preferre d fo r improve d fue l econom y
an d year-roun d protectio n in  you r
Honda . Yo u ma y us e a   10W-3 0 oi l i f
th e temperatur e in  you r are a neve r
goe s belo w 20°F( — 7°C) .
 Syntheti
c  Oi l
Yo u ma y us e a  syntheti c moto r oi l i f
i t  meet s th e  sam e requirement s
give n fo r conventiona l moto r oil :
energ y conserving , a  servic e
classificatio n o f SJ , an d th e prope r
weigh t a s show n o n th e chart . Whe n
usin g syntheti c oil , yo u mus t follo w
th e oi l an d filte r chang e interval s
give n in  th e maintenanc e  schedule .
Additive s
You r Hond a doe s no t nee d an y oi l
additives . Purchasin g additive s fo r
th e engin e o r transmissio n wil l no t
increas e you r car' s performanc e o r
longevity .  I t onl y increase s th e  cos t
o f operatin g you r car .
Maintenanc e Ambien
t  Temperatur e 

Engin
e Oi l
5 . Pu t a  ne w washe r o n th e drai n bolt ,
the n reinstal l th e drai n bolt .
Tighte n it to :
(U.S. : DX , D X Valu e Package , LX ,
Canada : LX , SE , EX )
3 3   lbf·f t  (4 4 N·m ,  4. 5  kgf·m )
(U.S. :  EX )
2 9  Ibf·f t  (3 9  N· m , 4. 0 kgf·m )
6 . Refil l th e engin e wit h th e recom -
mende d oil .
Engin e oi l chang e capacit y
(includin g filter) :
(U.S. : DX , D X Valu e Package , LX ,
Canada : LX , SE , EX )
 3.
8  U S q t  (3. 6  ,   3.2 Im p qt )
(U.S. : EX )
 3.
5 U S q t (3. 3  ,   2.9 Im p qt )
 7
. Replac e th e engin e oi l fil l cap .
Star t th e engine . Th e oi l pressur e
indicato r ligh t shoul d g o ou t withi n
fiv e seconds . I f i t doe s not , tur n of f
th e engin e an d reinspec t you r
work .
8 . Le t th e engin e ru n fo r severa l
minute s an d chec k th e drai n bol t
an d oi l filte r fo r leaks .
9 . Tur n of f th e engine , le t i t si t fo r
severa l minutes , the n chec k th e oi l
level . I f necessary , ad d oi l t o  brin g
th e leve l t o  th e uppe r mar k o n th e
dipstick .
 Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose ofthe used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Maintenanc e
 NOTIC
E 

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
LO W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R
Thi s indicato r shoul d ligh t whe n th e
ignitio n switc h is  O N (II) , an d g o ou t
afte r th e engin e starts . I t shoul d
neve r com e o n whe n th e engin e is
running . I f i t start s flashing , i t
indicate s tha t th e oi l pressur e
droppe d ver y lo w fo r a  moment , the n
recovered . I f th e indicato r stay s o n
wit h th e engin e running , i t show s
tha t th e engin e ha s los t oi l pressur e
an d seriou s engin e damag e is
possible . I n eithe r case , yo u shoul d
tak e immediat e action .
 Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
 damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1 . Safel y pul l of f th e roa d an d shu t
of f th e engine . Tur n o n th e hazar d
warnin g indicators .
2 . Le t th e ca r si t fo r a  minute .  Ope n
th e hoo d an d chec k th e oi l leve l
(se e pag e 146 ). Althoug h oi l leve l
an d oi l pressur e ar e no t directl y
connected , a n engin e tha t i s  ver y
lo w o n oi l ca n los e pressur e durin g
cornerin g an d othe r drivin g
maneuvers .
3 . I f necessary , ad d oi l t o  brin g th e
leve l bac k t o th e ful l mar k o n th e
dipstic k  (se e pag e 187 ). 4
. Star t th e engin e an d watc h th e oi l
pressur e indicator .  I f th e ligh t
doe s no t g o ou t withi n te n seconds ,
tur n of f th e engine . Ther e is a
mechanica l proble m tha t need s t o
b e repaire d befor e yo u ca n
continu e driving .  (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 25 9 .)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E 

Emergenc
y Towin g
I f you r ca r need s t o  b e towed , cal l a
professiona l towin g servic e or , i f yo u
belon g to  one , a n organizatio n tha t
provide s roadside  assistance . Neve r
to w you r ca r behin d anothe r vehicl e
wit h jus t a  rop e o r chain . I t i s ver y
dangerous .
Ther e ar e thre e popula r type s o f
professiona l towin g equipment .
Flat-bed Equipment — Th e operato r
load s you r ca r o n th e bac k o f a  truck .
Thi s i s th e bes t wa y t o transpor t
you r  Honda .
Wheel-Lift Equipment — Th e to w
truc k  use s tw o pivotin g arm s tha t g o
unde r th e tire s  (fron t o r rear )  an d lif t
the m of f th e ground . Th e othe r tw o
tire s remai n o n th e ground . Thi s is
a n   acceptabl e wa y t o  to w you r
Honda .
Sling-type Equipment — Th e to w
truc k use s meta l cable s wit h hook s o
n th e ends . Thes e hook s g o aroun d
part s o f th e fram e o r suspensio n an d
th e cable s lif t tha t en d o f th e ca r of f
th e ground . You r car' s suspensio n
an d bod y ca n b e seriousl y damaged .
Thi s metho d o f towin g is
unacceptable .
I f you r  Hond a  canno t  b e  transporte d
b y flat-bed ,  i t shoul d b e towe d b y
wheel-lif t  equipmen t wit h  th e  fron t
wheel s of f th e ground .  I f  du e t o
damage , you r  ca r mus t b e towe d
wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
d o th e following :
5-speed Manual Transmission
 Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Shif t th e transmissio n t o Neutral .
Automatic Transmission
 Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Star t th e engine .
Shif t t o   D4 , the n t o N .
Tur n of f th e  engine .
 Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the front
wheels off the ground.
Wit h th e fron t wheel s o n th e ground ,
i t  i s bes t t o to w th e ca r n o farthe r
tha n 5 0 mile s  (8 0 km) , an d kee p th e
spee d belo w 3 5 mp h  (5 5 km/h) .
I f you r ca r i s equippe d wit h a  fron t
spoiler ,  remov e it befor e towin g s o it
i s  no t damaged .
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e  Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E 

Inde
x
Clutc h Fluid................................... . 19 9
C O  in  th e Exhaust........................ . 27 0
Col d Weather , Startin g in............ .  15 7
Compac t Spare.............................. . 23 8
Consume r Information*............... . 27 4
Controls , Instrument s and............. .
 51
Coolan t
Adding........................................ . 19 1
Checking.................................... . 
 14
7
Prope r Solution......................... . 19 1
Replacing................................... . 19 3
Temperatur e Gauge................... . 5 8
Corrosio n Protection.................... . 23 5
Crankcas e Emission s Contro l
System........................................ . 27 0
Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 6 6
Custome r Relation s Office.......... . 27 4
DANGER ,  Explanatio n  of................ .  i i
Dashboard................................... . 2 , 5 2
Daytim e Runnin g Lights................ . 6 1
Dea d Battery , Wha t t o  Do........... . 24 5
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 28 0
Defo g an d Defrost.......................... . 9 5 Defogger
,  Rea r Window................ .  6 4
Defrostin g th e Windows................ . 9 5
DEXRON ® II I Automati c
Transmissio n Fluid................... .  19 7
Dimensions.................................... .  26 4
Dimmin g th e  Headlights............... .  6 1
Dipstic k
Automati c Transmission.......... .  19 7
Engin e Oil.................................. . 14 6
Directiona l Signals.......................... .  6 2
Disabled , Towin g You r Ca r If..... . 25 9
Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ .  16 6
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... .  19 0
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 7 1
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... .  7 2
DO T Tir e  Qualit y Grading.......... .  26 6
Downshifting ,  5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. .  15 8
Driv e Belts..................................... .  21 0
Drive r an d  Passenge r Safety........... .  5
Driving........................................... . 15 5
Economy.................................... .  14 8
I n   Ba d Weather......................... .  17 0
I n  Foreig n Countries................ .  26 9 Economy
, Fuel.............................. . 14 8
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 23 7
Battery , Jum p Starting............. .  24 5
Brak e Syste m Indicator............   252
Changin g a  Fla t Tire................ .  23 9
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... .  25 0
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. .  25 5
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... .  24 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... .  25 1
Manuall y  Closin g Moonroof... .  25 3
Overheate d Engine.................. .  24 7
Emergenc y Brake........................... .  8 5
Emergenc y Flashers...................... .  6 4
Emergenc y Towing...................... .  25 9
Emission s Controls....................... .  27 0
Engin e
Coolan t Temperatur e  Gaug e .... .  5 8
Driv e Belts................................. . 21 0
Malfunctio n  Indicato r
Lamp................................ .56, 25 1
Oi l Pressur e Indicator........ .  55 ,  24 9
Oil , Wha t Kin d to  Use.............. .  18 7
CONTINUED 

Inde
x
Sno w Tires..................................... . 21 6
Solvent-typ e Cleaners................... . 23 2
Soun d System.................. .
98, 107, 121
Spar e Tir e
Inflating...................................... . 
 23
8
Specifications............................ . 26 5
Spar k Plugs , Replacing................ . 20 3
Specification s Charts.................... . 26 4
Spee d Control.................................. . 6 6
Speedometer................................... . 5 7
Spotlights......................................... . 8 8
SRS , Additiona l Information.......... . 4 5
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8
Ho w th e  SR S Indicato r
Works....................................... . 4 7
Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5
SR S Components........................ . 4 5
SR S Service.................................. . 4 7
SR S Indicator............................. . 47 , 5 5
STAR T (Ignitio n Ke y Position).... . 7 1
Startin g th e Engine....................... .  15 7
I n  Col d Weathe r a t Hig h
Altitude.................................. .  15 7
Wit h a  Dea d Batter y ................ . 24 5
Stea m Comin g fro m Engine........ . 24 7
 Steerin
g Whee l
Adjustment.................................. .  6 5
Anti-thef t Colum n Lock............. .  7 0
Stere o Soun d System..... .
98, 107, 121
Storin g You r 
 Car...........................
.  22 9
Supplementa l  Restrain t
System.................................. . 9 , 4 5
Servicing...................................... . 4 7
SR S Indicator......................... . 47 , 5 5
Syste m Components................... . 4 5
Syntheti c Oil.................................. . 18 8
Tachometer..................................... . 5 7
Taillights , Changin g
Bulb s in.............................. . 223 , 22 4
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d .. 23 7
Tap e Player................... .
102, 113, 135
Technica l  Description s
DO T 
 Tir
e Qualit y Grading...... . 26 6
Drivin g in  Foreig n Countries.. . 26 9
Emission s Contro l Systems..... . 27 0
Oxygenate d Fuels..................... . 26 8
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c
Converter............................... . 27 2
 Temperatur
e Gauge....................... . 5 8
Tethe r Anchorag e Points.............. .  4 0
Thef t Protection............................ .  13 9
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c  Converter.. .  27 2
Time , Settin g the.......... .
101, 112, 126
Timin g Belt.................................... . 
 21
0
Tir e Chains.................................... .  21 7
Tire , Ho w to  Chang e a  Flat......... .  23 9
Tires................................................ 211
Ai r  Pressure.............................. .  21 1
Checkin g Wear......................... . 21 3
Compac t Spare.......................... . 23 8
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading...... .  26 6
Inflation...................................... . 21 1
Inspection.................................. . 21 3
Maintenance.............................. .  21 3
Replacing................................... . 21 5
Rotating...................................... . 21 4
Snow........................................... . 21 6
Specifications............................ .  26 5
Tir e Chains................................ .  21 7
Technica l Information.................. .  26 1
Tools , Tir e Changing................... .  23 9
Towin g
A  Trailer..................................... .  17 1
Emergenc y Wrecker................ .  25 9