Page 208 of 267

Sit in the driver's seat and
perform these checks:
1. With the engine stopped, depress the brake pedal severaltimes; the travel distance and
effective pedal stroke should
remain unchanged.
2. Start the engine with the brake pedal fully depressed.
The brake pedal should go downa little as the engine starts.
3. Depress the brake pedal, stop the engine and hold the pedal
depressed for about 30
seconds; the brake pedal
should remain in position
without rising or going down.
4. Restart the engine and run it for about a minute, then turn it
off and depress the brake
pedal firmly several times; the
brake pedal travel should decrease each time the brake
pedal is depressed.
If the brakes do not operate
normally, have them checked and
corrected by your Honda dealer.
Exhaus t syste m — Be alert to any
changes in the sound of the exhaust system or any smell of fumes.
These are signs the system may be leaking or overheating. Have the
system checked and/or repaired at
once if these conditions exist. (Also see "Carbon Monoxide Hazard" in
the "Driver and Passenger Safety"
section and "Three-Way Catalytic
Converter" in the "Driving Tips"
section.)
Windshiel d wiper s an d
washer s — Check the operation
and condition of the wiper blades.
Check the flow and aim of the
washer spray.
Defroster
s — Check performance
by moving the controls to the
defrost setting and noting the amount of air directed against the
windshield.
Rea r vie w mirror s an d su n
visor s — Check that the friction
joints hold the mirrors and sun visors firmly in place.
Hor n — Blow the horn now and
then to be sure it works.
La p an d shoulde r belt s — Check
the belt system, including
webbing, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, guide loops and anchors for proper operation and
damage.
Sea t adjuster s — When adjusting
a seat, be sure the seat adjusters
latch securely by pushing the seat
forward and backward.
Car e an d Maintenanc e
Page 216 of 267

The engine cooling system is
designed to maintain the engine at
the proper operating temperatures.
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a quality engine
coolant. The engine cooling system is designed to use coolant (a
mixture of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze) rather than plain
water. The engine coolant solutionshould be used year-round. It has
many advantages such as: provides freezing protection as
lowas — 33°F( — 36°C)
provides boiling protection up
to262°F(128°C)
protects against rust and
corrosion in the cooling system maintains the proper engine
temperature for efficient
operation and emission control
allows proper operation of the
engine coolant temperature gaugeSee the Maintenance Schedule in
this section to find out when the
engine coolant must be replaced.
Checkin g th e Coolan t Leve l
Check the engine coolant level at the interval shown in the
Maintenance Schedule unless there
is evidence of leaking or
overheating. The engine coolant
level should be between the
maximum and the minimum level
marks on the radiator reserve tank.
Car e an d Maintenanc e
Recommende
d Lubrican t
Engin
e Coolin g Syste m
Page 258 of 267

Emergency, In Case of ...... 179
Charging System Indicator . 60Check Engine Light ....... 61
Checking the Fuses ...... 189
Engine Overheating ...... 186 Jump Starting ........... 180
Malfunction Indicator Lamp 61Oil Pressure Indicator ..... 62
Emissions Controls ........ 245
Engine
Belts .................. 218
Break-in ............... 154
Check Light ............. 61Coolant Temperature Gauge 58
Identification Number .... 228
Malfunction Indicator Lamp 61 Oil
Capacity ............. 231
Recommendation ...... 194
Oil Pressure Indicator ..... 62 Overheating ............ 186
Specifications .......... 231
Starting ............... 153
Ethanol in Gasoline ........ 197
Evaporative
Emission Controls ........ 246
Exhaust Fumes ............ 44
Expectant Mothers,
Use of Seat Belts by ...... 16
Exterior, Cleaning the ...... 220
Fabric, Cleaning.
See Interior Cleaning
Fan Control Lever ......... 117
Features,
Comfort and Convenience . . 115
Filling the Fuel Tank ....... 193 Filters
Air .................. 210
Oil .................. 208
5-Speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level ... 211Shifting ................ 81
Flashers, Hazard Warning ....
74
Flat Tire
, Changing a ....... 182
Fluids Automatic Transmission . .
212
Capacity ............
. 233
Brake ................. 215
Clutch ................ 219
5-Speed Manual Transmission .......... 211
Capacity ............. 233
Power Steering .......... 219
Windshield Washer ...... 69
FM Stereo
Radio Reception ........ 132
Page 259 of 267

Folding the Rear Seat ........ 91
Foreign Countries,
Operation in ............. 169
Front End, Towing by Emergency Wrecker ...... 188
Fuel Filling the Fuel Tank ..... 193
Fuel Fill Cap ........... 193
Fuel Gauge .............. 57
Low Fuel Indicator ....... 62Octane Requirement ..... 196
Oxygenated ............ 196
Recommendation ........ 194 Tank Capacity ...... 194, 233
Fuel Injectio
n System ...... 246
Fuses
Checking the .......
189, 236
Locations .............
. 236Gas Mileage, Improving .... 166
Gasohol ................. 196
Gasoline ................ 196
See also Fuel
Octane Requirement ..... 196
Tank,
Filling the ............ 193
Gas Station Procedures ..... 193
Gauges
Engine CoolantTemperature ............ 58
Fuel ................... 57
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........... 229
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission .. 745-Speed Transmission ..... 81
Glass Cleaning ............ 226 Glove Box ............... 110
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating) .......... 229
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .... 239
Hazard Warning Flasher ..... 74
Head Restraints ...... 8, 12, 90
Headlights ................ 70 High Beam Indicator ...... 60
High Beams ............ 70On, Reminder ........... 71
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 239 Turning on .............. 70
Heating and Cooling ....... 116
High-Low Beam Switch ..... 70
Hood Release ......... 105, 195
Horn ...................
111
Page 262 of 267

Oil
Change
How to ............. 208
When to ..... 200, 201, 207
Checking Engine ........ 209
Front and Rear Axle .... 212
Pressure Indicator ........ 62
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart ........ 209
ON (Ignition Key Position) ... 97
Opening the Hood ......... 105
Opening the Tailgate ....... 104
Opening the Windows ...... 103
Operation in Foreign Countries ........ 169
Ordering Service Parts ...... 228
Overheating, Engine ....... 186
Owner Assistance .......... 241
Owner Safety Checks ....... 204 Panel Brightness Control .... 71
Park Gear Position .......... 75
Parking Brake and Brake System Light .... 59, 84
Parking Over Things That Burn ............... 155
Polishing and Waxing ...... 220
Power
Brakes ................ 157
Door Locks ............ 100 Mirror Defogger ........ 72
Mirrors ................ 101Steering ............... 219
Windows .............. 103
Power Drive Indicator .... 67, 79
Power Outlets, Accessory .... 113 Power Steering Belt.
See Drive Belts
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist ..... 9
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . . 16
Proper Seat Belt Usage ...... 13
Protecting Adults ............ 10 AdditionalSafety Precautions ........ 17
Adjust the Front Seat ...... 10 Adjust the Head Restraints . 12
Adjust the Scat-Backs ...... 11
Adjust the Steering Wheel .......... 15
Advice for Pregnant Woment 16 Close and Lock the Doors .. 10
Fasten and Position the Seat Belts .... 13
Page 263 of 267

Protecting Children .......... 18
AdditionalSafety Precautions ........ 21
All Children Must Be Restrained ...... 18
Children Should Sit in the Back Seat ....... 19
General Guidelines for Using Child Seats ........ 21
If a Child Requires Close Attention .......... 20
If You Must Drive With Several Children .... 20
Passenger's Airbag Poses
Serious Risks to Children .. 19
Protecting Infants ......... 25
Protecting Larger Children . 33
Protecting Small Children . . 29
Using Child Seats With Tethers ............ 36 Radiator Overheating ....... 186
Radio/Cassette Sound System ........... 121
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound System ........... 129
Rear End Towing .......... 189
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement ........ 239
Rear Seat, Folding .......... 91
Rear View Mirror .......... 101 Rear Window Defogger ...... 72
Rear Window Wiper and Washer ............... 72
Reclining the Seat-Backs Front .............. 11, 89
Rear .................. 93
Recommended Shift Speeds . . 82 Reduced Power Indicator .... 62
Replacement Information Air Cleaner Element ..... 210
Coolant .......... 200, 214
Engine Oi
l and Filter ..... 207
Fuses ................. 236
Light Bulbs ............ 239 Schedule .............. 200
Spark Plugs ............ 231
Tires .................. 162
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash ............ 40
Reporting Safety Defects .... 245
Reserve Tank, Coolant ...... 213
Restraint, Child ............ 18
Reverse Gear Position ...... 75
Rotation, Tire ............. 162
Rust Protection ............ 221