
Parkin
g
Alway s us e th e parkin g brak e whe n
yo u par k you r car . Th e indicato r o n
th e instrumen t pane l show s tha t th e
parkin g brak e is no t full y released ; i t
doe s no t indicat e tha t th e parkin g
brak e is firml y set . Mak e sur e th e
parkin g brak e is se t firml y o r you r
ca r ma y rol l i f i t i s parke d o n a n
incline . I
f th e ca r i s facin g uphill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s awa y fro m th e cur b an d
pu t th e transmissio n in firs t gear .
I f th e ca r i s facin g downhill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s towar d th e cur b an d pu t
th e transmissio n in revers e gear .
Mak e sur e th e parkin g brak e is full y
release d befor e drivin g away .
Drivin g wit h th e parkin g brak e
partiall y se t ca n overhea t o r damag e
th e rea r brakes . Parkin
g Tip s Mak
e sur e th e window s ar e closed .
Tur n of f th e lights .
Plac e an y packages , valuables , etc. ,
i n th e storag e bo x o r tak e the m
wit h you .
Loc k th e doors .
Neve r par k ove r dr y leaves , tal l
grass , o r othe r flammabl e
materials . Th e thre e wa y catalyti c
converte r get s ver y hot , an d coul d
caus e thes e material s t o catc h o n
fire .
Drivin g

Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Rain , fog , an d sno w condition s re -
quir e a differen t drivin g techniqu e
becaus e o f reduce d tractio n an d
visibility . Kee p you r ca r well -
maintaine d an d exercis e greate r
cautio n whe n yo u nee d t o driv e in
ba d weather . Drivin
g Techniqu e — Alway s driv e
slowe r tha n yo u woul d i n dr y
weather . I t take s you r ca r longe r t o
react , eve n in condition s tha t ma y
see m jus t barel y damp . Appl y
smooth , eve n pressur e to al l th e
controls . Abrup t steerin g whee l
movement s o r sudden , har d appli -
catio n o f th e brake s ca n caus e los s o f
contro l i n we t weather . B e extr a
cautiou s fo r th e firs t fe w mile s
(kilometers ) o f drivin g whil e yo u
adjus t t o th e chang e in drivin g
conditions . Thi s i s especiall y tru e in
snow . A perso n ca n forge t som e
snow-drivin g technique s durin g th e
summe r months . Practic e is neede d
t o relear n thos e skills .
Exercis e extr a cautio n whe n drivin g
i n rai n afte r a lon g dr y spell . Afte r
month s o f dr y weather , th e firs t
rain s brin g oi l t o th e surfac e o f th e
roadway , makin g it slippery . Visibilit
y — Bein g abl e t o se e
clearl y i n al l direction s an d being -
visibl e t o othe r driver s ar e importan t
i n al l weathe r conditions . Thi s i s
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 i f 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 t o kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e
pag e 86 ) .
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 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 24 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...................... . 14 6
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 14 7
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 14 8
Maintenanc e Record.................... . 15 5
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 15 7
Flui d Locations.............................. . 15 8
Engin e Oil...................................... . 15 9
Addin g Oil.................................. . 15 9
Recommende d Oil.................... . 15 9
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 16 0
Additives.................................... . 16 0
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 16 1
Coolin g System............................. . 16 3
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 16 3
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 16 5
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 16 9
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 17 0
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 17 1
Brak e System............................ . 17 1
Clutc h System........................... . 17 2
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 17 3
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4
Battery........................................... . 17 5
Wipe r Blades................................. . 17 7
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 18 0
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 18 1 Driv
e Belts..................................... .
181
Tires............................................... . 18
2
Inflation...................................... . 18
2
Recommende d Tir e
Pressure s
fo
r Norma l
Driving............................... . 18
3
Inspection.................................. . 18 4
Maintenance.............................. .
18
4
Tir e Rotation............................. . 18 5
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 18 5
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 18 6
Winte r Driving.......................... . 18 6
Sno w Tires............................. . 18 7
Tir e Chains............................ . 18 7
Lights............................................. . 18 8
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 19 0
Storin g You r Car........................... . 19 6
Maintenanc e

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
Yo u shoul d chec k th e followin g
item s a t th e specifie d intervals . I f
yo u ar e unsur e o f ho w to perfor m
an y check , tur n to th e pag e given . Engin
e oi l leve l — Chec k ever y
tim e yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e
pag e 122 .
Engin e coolan t leve l — Chec k th e
radiato r reserv e tan k ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e pag e 12 3 .
Windshiel d washe r flui d — Chec k
th e leve l i n th e reservoi r monthly .
I f weathe r condition s caus e yo u t o
us e th e washer s frequently , chec k
th e reservoi r eac h tim e yo u sto p
fo r fuel . Se e pag e 16 9 .
Brake s — Chec k th e flui d leve l
monthly . Se e pag e 171 . Tire
s — Chec k th e tir e pressur e
monthly . Examin e th e trea d fo r
wea r an d foreig n objects . Se e pag e
183 .
Light s — Chec k th e operatio n o f
th e headlights , parkin g lights ,
taillights , high-moun t brak e light ,
tur n signals , brak e lights , an d
licens e plat e light s monthly . Se e
pag e 188 .
Maintenanc e

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g
Th e Starte r Operate s Normall y
I n thi s case , th e starte r motor' s
spee d sound s normal , o r eve n faste r
tha n normal , whe n yo u tur n th e
ignitio n switc h to STAR T (III) , bu t
th e engin e doe s no t run .
Ar e yo u usin g th e prope r startin g
procedure ? Refe r t o Startin g th e
Engin e o n pag e 13 3 .
D o yo u hav e fuel ? Tur n th e
ignitio n switc h to O N (II ) fo r a
minut e an d watc h th e fue l gauge .
Th e lo w fue l leve l warnin g ligh t
ma y no t b e working , s o yo u wer e
no t reminde d t o fil l th e tank .
Ther e ma y b e a n electrica l
problem , suc h a s n o powe r t o th e
fue l pump . Chec k al l th e fuse s
(se e pag e 222 ).
I f yo u fin d nothin g wrong , yo u wil l
nee d a qualifie d technicia n to fin d
th e problem . Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 22 8 . Jum
p Startin g
I f you r car' s batter y ha s ru n down ,
yo u ma y b e abl e to star t th e engin e
b y usin g a booste r battery . Althoug h
thi s seem s lik e a simpl e procedure ,
yo u shoul d tak e severa l precautions .T
o jum p star t you r car , follo w thes e
direction s closely :
1 . Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e
physica l conditio n o f th e batter y
(se e pag e 17 5 ) . I n ver y col d
weather , chec k th e conditio n o f
th e electrolyte . I f i t seem s slush y
o r lik e ice , d o no t tr y jum p startin g
unti l i t thaws .
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2 . Tur n of f al l th e electrica l acces -
sories : heater , A/C , stere o system ,
lights , etc .
Pu t th e transmissio n i n Neutra l
an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
A
batter y ca n explod e i f yo u d o
no t follo w th e correc t procedure ,
seriousl y injurin g anyon e
nearby .
Kee p al l sparks , ope n flames ,
an d smokin g material s awa y
fro m th e battery .

Inde
x
Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 12 6
Accessories................................ . 12 6
Additiona l Safet y Precaution... . 12 7
Modifications............................ . 12 7
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 6 8
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 7 9
Addin g
Brak e Fluid................................ . 17 1
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 17 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 16 3
Engin e Oil.................................. . 15 9
Manua l Transmissio n Flui d .... . 17 0
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 16 9
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 3 4
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 3 4
Sea t Bel t Maintenance............... . 3 5
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 3 4
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r SRS................................... 36
Additiona l Safel y Precautions... . 3 9
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r
Works....................................... . 3 8
Ho
w You r Airbag s Work........... . 3 6
SR S Components........................ . 3 6
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 16 0
Adjustment s
Mirrors......................................... . 7 6
Seats............................................. . 7 4
Airba g (SRS)............................... .
9
, 4
6
Ai r Conditionin g
System................
.
88
Maintenance.............................. . 18 0
Usage............................................ .
8
8
Ai r Outlet s (Vents)......................... . 8 8
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 18 2
Norma l Driving......................... . 18 2
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 23 8
Antifreeze...................................... . 16 3
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n
Lock.............................................. . 6 7
Appearanc e Care.......................... . 19 7
Audi o System.................................. . 9 6
Aut o Idl e Stop................................ . 13 4
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... . 54 , 21 9
Jum
p Starting............................ . 21 4
Maintenance.............................. . 17 5
Specifications............................ . 23 5
Befor e Driving.............................. . 11 7
Belts , Seat.......................................... . 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 7 8
Bod y Repairs................................. . 20 3
Brake s
Break-in , Ne w Lining s ............. . 11 8
Fluid........................................... . 17 1
Light , Burned-out..................... . 19 3
Parking......................................... . 7 7
Syste m Indicator................. . 46 ,
221
Wea r Indicators........................ .
13
9
Brakin g System............................. . 14 0
Break-in , Ne w Car........................ . 11 8
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 6 0
Brights , Headlights........................ . 5 9
Bul b Replacemen t
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 19 3
Brak e Light............................... . 19 3
Fron t Parkin g Lights................ .
191
Fron t Sid e
Marke
r Lights........ .
191
Headlights................................. .
190
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Bul b Replacemen t
Interio r Light............................. . 19 5
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 19 4
Specifications............................ . 23 5
Tur n Signa l Lights.................... . 19 1
Bulbs , Halogen.............................. . 19 6
Cables , Jum p Startin g With......... . 21 4
Capacitie s Chart............................ . 23 4
Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard............. . 4 0
Carryin g Cargo............................. . 12 8
Cassett e Playe r
Care............................................ . 11 6
Operation................................... . 10
2
CAUTION , Explanatio n
of..............
. i i
C D Changer................................... . 11 2
C D Player....................................... . 10 6
Certificatio n Label........................ . 23 2
Chains............................................ . 18 7
Charge/Assis t Gauge.................... . 5 5
Chang e Oi l
Ho w to........................................ . 16 1
Whe n to...................................... . 15 0
Changin g a Fla t Tire.................... . 18
5
Changin g Engin e
Coolant............
. 16 5
Chargin g Syste m Indicator... . 54 , 21 9
Checkin g
Batter y Condition..................... . 17 5
Brak e Fluid................................ . 17 1
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 17 1
Driv e Belts................................. . 18 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 12 3
Engin e Oil.................................. . 12 2
Fuses.......................................... . 22 2
Manua l Transmissio n Fluid.... . 17 0
Checklist , Befor e Driving............ . 11 7
Chil d Safety..................................... . 1 9
Cleane r Element , Air.................... . 17 3
Cleanin g
Exterior...................................... . 19 8
Interior....................................... . 20 1
Sea t Belts................................... . 20 1
Vinyl........................................... . 20 1
Windows.................................... . 20 2
Clock , Settin g the......................... . 10 1
Clutc h Fluid................................... . 17 1
C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 24 0
Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 13 3
Compac t Spare.............................. . 20 6
Consume r Information*............... . 24 4 Controls
, Instrument s and............. . 5 8
Coolan t
Adding........................................ . 16 3
Checking.................................... . 12
3
Prope r Solution......................... .
16
3
Replacing...................................
. 16 5
Temperatur e
Gauge...................
. 5 6
Corrosio n Protection.................... . 20 2
Crankcas e Emission s Contro l
System........................................ . 24 0
Curren t Fue l Mileage..................... . 5 3
Custome r Relation s Office.......... . 24 4
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ .
ii
Dashboard................................... . 2 ,
4
4
Daytim e Runnin g Lights................ . 6 0
Dea d Battery , Wha t t o Do........... . 21 4
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 24 8
Defo g an d Defrost.......................... . 8 2
Defogger , Rea r Window................ . 6 3
Defrostin g th e Windows................ . 8 2
Dimensions.................................... . 23 4
Dimmin g th e Headlights............... . 5 9

Inde
x
Fron t End , Towin g b y
Emergenc y Wrecker................ . 22 8
Fuel................................................. . 11 8
Fil l Doo r an d Cap...................... . 11 9
Gauge........................................... . 5 6
Octan e Requirement................ . 11 8
Oxygenated............................... . 23 8
Reserv e Indicator........................ . 5 6
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 11 9
Fuses , Checkin g the..................... . 22 3
Ga s Mileage , Improving............... . 12 4
Gasohol.......................................... . 23 8
Gasoline......................................... . 11 8
Fue l Reserv e Indicator............... . 4 7
Gauge........................................... . 4 9
Octan e Requirement................ . 11 8
Tank , Fillin g the........................ . 11 9
Ga s Statio n Procedures................ . 11 9
Gauge s
Engin e Coolan t
Temperature........................... . 5 6
Fuel............................................... . 5 6
Gearshif
t Leve r Position s
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 13 6
Glas s Cleaning............................. . 20 2
Glov e Box........................................ . 7 8
Haloge n Headligh t Bulbs............. . 19 0
Hatc h
Openin g the................................. .
69
Ope n Monito r
Light...................
. 4 7
Hazar d Warnin g Flashers.............. . 6 3
Headlight s
Daytim e Runnin g Lights............ . 6 0
Hig h Bea m Indicator.................. . 4 7
Hig h Beams , Turnin g on........... . 5 9
Lo w Beams , Turnin g o n ............ . 5 9
Reminde r Beeper........................ . 5 9
Replacin g Haloge n Bulbs........ . 19 0
Turnin g on................................... . 6 1
Heating............................................. . 8 1
Hig h Altitude , Startin g at............. . 13 3
High-Lo w Bea m Switc h ................. . 5 9
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4
Hood , Openin g the....................... . 12 0
Horn....................................................
. 3
Ho t Coolant , Warnin g about....... . 16 3
Hydrauli c Clutch........................... . 17 1
Hydroplaning................................. . 14 2
Identificatio n Number , Vehicle... . 23 2
I f You r Ca r Ha s t o b e Towed...... . 22 8
Ignitio n
Keys.............................................. . 6 5
Switch........................................... . 6 7
Timin g Contro l System............ . 24 1
Importan t Safet y Precaution s ......... . 6
Indicato r Lights , Instrumen t
Panel............................................. . 4 5
Inflation , Prope r Tir e ................... . 18 2
Norma l Driving......................... . 18 3
Insid e Mirror................................... . 7 4
Inspection , Tire............................. . 18 4
Instrumen t Panel............................ . 4 5
Instrumen t Pane l Brightness........ . 6 0
Interio r Cleaning........................... . 20 1
Interio r Light................................... . 8 0
Introduction........................................ . i