Page 287 of 352

Exterior Car e
Washin g
Frequent washing helps preserve
your vehicle's beauty. Dirt and grit can scratch the paint, while tree sap
and bird droppings can permanently
ruin the finish.
Wash your vehicle in a shady area, not in direct sunlight. If the vehicle is
parked in the sun, move it into theshade and let the exterior cool down
before you start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's
Manual.
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your vehicle.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with
cool water to remove loose dirt.
Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing.
Wash the vehicle using the water and detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth.
Start at the top and work your waydown. Rinse frequently.
Check the body for road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of the vehicle does not need waxing. When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or soft towel. Letting itair-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
As you dry the vehicle, inspect it for chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 285).
The radio antenna on your vehicle does
not need to be removed when you use a
"drive-through' car wash. However, if
you remove the antenna, make sure to
reinstall it and tighten it securely using
an appropriate tool.
Appearanc e Car e
NOTIC E NOTIC
E
Page 291 of 352

Corrosion Protectio n
Two factors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your vehicle:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities. Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of the
vehicle stays damp, promoting corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective coatings from the exterior and
underside of the vehicle. Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your vehicle from corroding by performing somesimple periodic maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors and body.
Check the floor coverings fordampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode. Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your vehicle. This
is especially important in areas
that use road salt in winter. It is also a good idea in humid climates
and areas subject to salt air. Be
careful of the ABS wheel sensors
and wiring at each wheel.
Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
vehicle inspected and repaired periodically.
Appearanc e Car e
Page 295 of 352

Compact Spar e Tir e
Your vehicle has a compact spare
tire that takes up less space. Use thisspare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on
your vehicle as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to: 60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
2)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to fit
your vehicle. Do not use your
spare tire on another vehicle
unless it is the same make and
model.
On EX model
Turn off the Traction ControlSystem (see page 213 ). Driving
with the compact spare tire may
activate the TCS.
The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
INDICATOR LOCATIO N MAR K
TREA D WEA R INDICATO R BA R
Page 328 of 352

DO
T Tir e Qualit y Gradin g (U.S . Vehicles )
Temperatur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing thetire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlledconditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the materialof the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the FederalMotor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading eitherseparately or in combination, can
cause heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
Technical Informatio n
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