
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 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 27 9 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...................... .  17 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. .  17 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 17 6
Maintenanc e Record.................... . 18 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... .  18 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 18 6
Engin e Oil...................................... . 18 7
Addin g Oil.................................. . 18 7
Recommende d Oil.................... .  18 7
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 18 8
Additives.................................... . 18 8
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... .  18 9
Coolin g System............................. . 19 1
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ .  19 1
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... .  19 3
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 19 6
Transmissio n Fluid....................... .  19 7
Automati c
Transmission......................... . 19 7
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 19 8
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 19 8
Brak e System............................ . 19 9
Clutc h System........................... . 19 9
Powe r Steering.............................. . 20 0
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... .  20 1 Hoo
d Latch.................................... .  20 2
Spar k  Plugs.................................... .  20 3
Replacement.............................. . 20 3
Specifications............................ .  20 4
Battery........................................... . 20 5
Wipe r  Blades................................. .  20 7
Ai r  Conditionin g  System.............. .  20 9
Driv e  Belts..................................... .  21 0
Timin g Belt.................................... . 21 0
Tires............................................... .  21 1
Inflation...................................... .  21 1
Recommende d Tir e Pressure s
fo r Norma l Driving........... .  21 2
Tir e Pressur e Adjustmen t fo r
Hig h Spee d Driving.......... .  21 2
Inspection.................................. .  21 3
Maintenance.............................. .  21 3
Tir e  Rotation............................. .  21 4
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 21 5
Wheel s  an d Tires...................... .  21 6
Winte r Driving.......................... .  21 6
Sno w Tires............................. . 21 6
Tir e  Chains............................ .  21 7
Lights............................................. .  21 8
Replacin g Bulbs........................ .  22 0
Storin g You r Car........................... . 22 9
Maintenanc 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
Accessorie s an d Modifications... .  14 9
Accessories................................ . 14 9
Additiona l Safet y Precaution... .  15 0
Modifications............................ .  15 0
ACCESSOR Y  (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 7 1
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... .  8 7
Addin g
Automati c Transmissio n
Fluid....................................... .  19 7
Brak e Fluid................................ . 19 8
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 19 9
Engin e Coolant.......................... .  19 1
Engin e Oil.................................. . 18 7
Manua l Transmissio n Fluid.... .  19 8
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 20 0
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ .  19 6
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 4 2
La p Belt........................................ . 4 3
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 4
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2
 Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t
You r SRS................................... 45
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8
Ho w the  SRS Indicato r
Works....................................... . 4 7
Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5
SR S Components........................ . 4 5
Additives ,  Engin e  Oil.................... .  18 8
Adjustment s
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 7 9
Mirrors......................................... . 8 3
Seats............................................. . 7 7
Steerin g Wheel........................... . 6 5
Airba g (SRS)............................... . 9 , 4 5
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 20 1
Ai r Conditionin g System................ . 9 0
Maintenance.............................. . 20 9
Usage............................................ . 9 0
Ai r Outlet s (Vents)......................... . 9 2
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 21 1
Hig h Spee d Driving.................. . 21 2
Norma l Driving......................... . 21 2
Alcoho l i n  Gasoline....................... .  26 8
Antifreeze...................................... . 19 1
Anti-loc k Brake s  (ABS )
Indicato r Light.................... .55, 16 9 Operation...................................
.  16 7
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n
Lock.............................................. . 7 0
Appearanc e  Care.......................... .  23 1
Ashtray s  (Optional)........................ .  8 7
Audi o  System.................. .  98 ,  107 ,  12 1
Automati c  Spee d  Control............... .  6 6
Automati c  Transmission.............. .  16 0
Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 26 4
Checkin g  Flui d  Level............... .  19 7
Shifting....................................... .  16 1
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. .  16 0
Shif t Leve r Positions................ .  16 1
Shif t Loc k Release.................... .  16 4
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... . 55 , 25 0
Jum p Starting............................ . 24 5
Maintenance.............................. . 20 5
Specifications............................ . 26 5
Befor e Driving.............................. . 14 1
CONTINUED 

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
Engin e
Overheating............................... . 24 7
Specifications............................ . 26 4
Engin e Spee d Limiter...... . 159, 16 3
Ethano l i n  Gasolin e ...................... . 26 8
Evaporativ e Emission s Controls. . 27 0
Exhaus t Fumes............................... . 4 9
Expectan t Mothers , Us e o f Sea t
Belt s by........................................ . 1 9
Exterior , Cleanin g the.................. . 23 2
Fabric ,  Cleaning............................ .  23 4
Fan , Interior..................................... . 9 0
Features ,  Comfor t  an d
Convenience................................ .  8 9
Fillin g th e  Fue l Tank.................... .  14 3
Filter s
Ai r  Cleaner................................ .  20 1
Oil............................................... .  18 9
5-spee d  Manua l  Transmissio n
Checkin g Flui d Level............... .  19 8
Shiftin g the................................ .  15 8
Flashers ,  Hazar d Warning............. .  6 4
Fla t Tire ,  Changin g  a................... .  23 9 Fluid
s
Automati c Transmission.......... .  19 7
Brake.......................................... .  19 8
Clutch......................................... .  19 9
Manua l Transmission.............. .  19 8
Powe r Steering.......................... .  20 0
Windshiel d  Washer.................. .  19 6
F M   Stere o  Radi o
Reception................................... .  12 7
Foldin g Rea r Seat........................... .  8 0
Foreig n Countries , Drivin g in..... .  26 9
Four-wa y  Flashers.......................... .  6 4
Fron t End , Towin g b y
Emergenc y  Wrecker................ .  25 9
Fuel................................................. . 14 2
Fil l Doo r an d  Cap...................... .  14 3
Gauge........................................... . 5 8
Octan e Requirement................ .  14 2
Oxygenated............................... . 26 8
Reserv e Indicator........................ .  5 6
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 14 3
Fuses , Checkin g the..................... . 25 4
Ga s Mileage , Improving............... .  14 8
 Gasohol..........................................
. 26 8
Gasoline......................................... . 14 2
Fue l Reserv e Indicator............... . 5 6
Gauge........................................... . 5 8
Octan e Requirement................ .  14 2
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 14 3
Ga s Statio n Procedures................ . 14 3
Gauge s
Engin e Coolan t Temperatur e ... . 5 8
Fuel................................................ 58
Gearshif t Leve r Position s
Automati c  Transmission.......... .  16 1
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... .  15 8
Glas s  Cleaning.............................. .  23 5
Glov e Box........................................ . 8 6
Haloge n Headligh t Bulbs............. .  22 0
Hazar d Warnin g Flashers.............. . 6 4
Headlight s
Daytim e Runnin g Lights............ . 6 1
Hig h Bea m Indicator.................. .  5 6
Hig h Beams , Turnin g on........... . 6 1
Lo w Beams , Turnin g on............ . 6 1