2000 HONDA PASSPORT Owners Manual

You usually do not need to remove
the radiator cap to check the engine
coolant level.
Addin g Engin e Coolan t
To add engine coolant, remove the cap on the radiator reserve tank
and fill the tank up to the
maximum level mark. Add a
50/50 mixture of water and a good
quality ethylene glycol antifreeze. If you need to add engine coolant
frequently, see your Honda dealer
for a cooling system check.
If the proper quality antifreezeis used, there is no need to add
extra inhibitors or additives. They may be harmful to the proper
operation of the system.
Coolin g Syste m Servic e

The cooling system should be serviced at the intervals specified in the Maintenance Schedule as

follows:
Wash the radiator cap and filler
neck with clean water.
Check the engine coolant level

in the radiator and have it tested
for freeze protection. Add
ethylene glycol antifreeze, if
needed, to maintain freeze

protection at —33°F (—36°C).
Have the cooling system and
radiator cap tested for a pressure capacity of 15 psi (105
kPa). If a replacement cap is
needed, use a cap specified for
your model. Tighten all radiator and heater
hose clamps and inspect all
hoses. Replace the hoses if they
are swollen, "checked," or
otherwise worn. Carefully tighten the hose clamps at the
radiator. Overtightening could bend or collapse the radiator

fittings. Clean the front of the radiator
core and air conditioning

condenser.

It is the owner's responsibility to: Maintain the cooling system
freeze protection at —33°F
Car e an d Maintenanc e

Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine andradiator cool down beforeremoving the radiator cap.

(—36°C) to ensure protection
against corrosion and loss of
engine coolant from boiling.
This should be done even if freezing temperatures are not

expected.

Add ethylene glycol-basedantifreeze when antifreeze has
to be added because of engine
coolant loss or if more
protection against freezing at
temperatures lower than —33 °F
(—36°C) is needed. Do not use
an alcohol-based or
methanol-based antifreeze, or
plain water. They boil at a
lower point, and do not provide corrosion protection.
Thermosta
t

The engine coolant temperature is
controlled by a thermostat, which stops engine coolant flow through
the radiator until a preset
temperature is reached. This
thermostat is installed in the
engine coolant inlet on the front of the engine block. The same
thermostat is used in both winter
and summer. Othe
r Require d
Maintenanc e
Brak e Maste r Cylinde r
Check the master cylinder fluid
level in the reservoir every time
you check the engine oil level.
The level should be between the MAX and ADD level line. If the
level is lower than the ADD level
line, fill to the MAX level linewith DOT-3 or DOT-4 fluid.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

If the diaphragm inside the
reservoir cap is deformed, return
it to the original (collapsed)
condition, then tighten the cap.
It is normal for the brake fluid
level to go down slightly as the
front brake pads wear. So be sure
to keep the reservoir fluid at the
proper level.
If the reservoir needs frequent
refilling, it may indicate a serious mechanical problem.
Brake fluid absorbs water from
the air. Never use brake fluid that
has been open to the air for an
extended period. Throw it away and use new brake fluid from a
sealed container.

Brake fluid can damage your vehicle's paint. Thoroughly clean
up any brake fluid spills.
Shift-on-the-Fl
y Syste m
The fluid level in the system should
be checked at the intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedule.
Remove the filler plug and make sure the fluid level is up to the
edge of the hole. If it is not, add
GL-5 gear oil to bring to that level. Use the same GL-5 gear oilspecified for the front axle (see
page 212). Fron
t Whee l Bearing s
Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings whenever the front brake
pads are replaced. Due to the weight of the tire and wheel
assembly it is recommended that
they be removed from the hub
before lubricating the bearings to
prevent damage to the oil seal.
"Long Fiber" grease should not be
used to lubricate the wheel bearings.
It can cause damage. Clean the old
grease out of the bearings and hubs
before repacking.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E
FILLE
R
PLU G

Hoo
d Latc h an d Hinge s

Lubricate the hood latch assembly
and hood hinge assembly as

follows:
1. Wipe off any accumulatio n of
dirt o
r contamination on the
latch parts.
2. Apply multipurpose-type grease (NLGI No. 1 or 2) to
the hood latch pin cam.
3. Apply light engine oil to all pivot points in the release
mechanism.

4. Lubricate hood hinges with multipurpose-type grease
(NLGI No. 1 or 2).

5. Check the hood hinges and
latch mechanism to assure
they are working correctly.
Ai
r Conditionin g

Periodically have your Honda dealer check your air conditioning
system to be sure there has been

no loss in cooling output. See
your Honda dealer if you suspect

that the system is not performing

as it should.

Bod y Lubricatio n

Normal use of a vehicle causes
metal-to-metal movement at certain
points in the body. Noise, wear and improper operation at these points
will result when a protective film of lubricant is not provided.
For exposed surfaces such as door
checks, door lock bolts, lock striker plates, etc., apply a thin
film of light engine oil.
Any lubricant should be used
sparingly. After application, all excess lubricant should be
carefully wiped off.
The seat adjusters and seat track should be lubricated with water-
resistant EP chassis lubricant.
There are other points on the
vehicle body which may occasionally require lubrication.
Window regulators and controls are confined in the space between
the upholstery and the outside
door panel. Easy access to the
working parts may be made by
removing the trim. Door weatherstrips and rubber hood
bumpers should be lightly coatedwith a rubber lubricant.

Car e an d Maintenanc e

Fron
t (4W D Only ) an d Rea r
Propelle r Shaf t
Lubricate the sliding yoke with
EP chassis grease. Lubricate
universal joints with grease
containing MoS 2 (molybdenum
disulfide-type grease) at the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Schedule. Also
check the propeller shaft
flange-to-pinion bolts for proper
torque of 64 N.m (46.3 Ib-ft).
Most lubrication recommendations
and procedures for four-wheel drive-
equipped vehicles are the same
for the corresponding components in conventional drive vehicles.
Exhaus t Syste m
Check the complete exhaust
system and nearby body areas for
damaged, missing, or
mispositioned parts, open seams, holes, loose connections, or other
deterioration that could allow
exhaust fumes to seep into the
passenger compartment or cause
heat build-up in the floor pan. Any
necessary corrections should be made immediately. For continuedsafety, exhaust system pipes and
resonators rearward of the muffler must be replaced whenever a new
muffler is installed.
Fue l Lin e an d Fue l Tank/Ca p
Inspect the fuel tank, cap and lines
for damage that could cause
leakage. Inspect the fuel cap and
gasket for correct sealing ability
and indications of physical
damage. Replace any damaged or
malfunctioning parts.
Driv
e Bel t
Check the belt driving the
alternator, power steering pump,
and air conditioning compressor.
Look for cracks, fraying, and wear. Replace as necessary.
Timin g Bel t
The timing belt should normally
be replaced at the intervals shown
in the Maintenance Schedule.
Valv e Clearanc e
Incorrect valve clearance will
result in increased engine noise and lower engine output, thereby
adversely affecting engine

performance.

Car e an d Maintenanc e

Spar
k Plug s

Replace the spark plugs with the
type specified in the "Technical
Data" section.

Clutc h

Check the clutch play at the pedal.
Lubricate the clutch pedal bushing and clevis pin, at the intervalsshown in the Maintenance
Schedule, with water-resistant
chassis lubricant. If you hear a squeaking noise coming from the
area of the bushing or clevis pin at
the clutch pedal arm when the
clutch pedal is depressed,
lubricate it with water-resistant EP
chassis grease.
Check the fluid level in the clutch
reservoir at the interval shown in
the Maintenance Schedule. If the fluid is low in the reservoir, it
should be filled to the
maximum
level lin
e with DOT-3 or DOT-4

fluid.

Flui d o r Lubrican t Level s

Check the fluid or lubricant level in the brake master cylinder,
clutch master cylinder, power steering reservoir, rear axle,
engine and transmission, windshield washer reservoir and
engine coolant at specified
intervals.
Powe
r Steerin g

Check the fluid level in the power steering fluid reservoir as
recommended in the Maintenance Schedule. The fluid level should
be between the "MIN" and "MAX" marks on the reservoir.
Use only automatic transmission
fluid labeled DEXRON III.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

Accelerato
r Peda l Linkag e
Lubricate the accelerator pedal
fulcrum pin with multipurpose
Whee l Alignmen t
Proper wheel alignment improves tire mileage. Your vehicle's
suspension parts should be
inspected often and aligned when
needed (see the "Technical Data" section). Improper alignment will
cause the front tires to roll at an angle that will result in faster tire

wear.

Proper tire balancing provides the
best riding comfort and helps
reduce tire tread wear. Out-of-balance tires can cause
annoying vibration and uneven
tire wear such as cupping and flat
spots.
Exterio
r
Washin g You r Vehicl e

The best way to preserve your vehicle's finish is to keep it clean by
frequent washings. Wash the vehicle
with lukewarm or cold water.
Do not use hot water or wash in direct sunlight. Do not use strong
soap or chemical detergents. All
cleaning agents should be promptly
flushed from the surface and not
allowed to dry on the finish.

Polishin g an d Waxin g
You r Vehicl e

Polishing is recommended to
remove accumulated residue and eliminate any "weathered"

appearance.

Your Honda dealer offers several
polishes and cleaners that have
proven to maintain the original finish appearance and durability. Protectio
n o f Exterio r
Brigh t Meta l Part s
Bright metal parts should be cleaned
regularly to keep their luster.
Washing with water is all that is
usually needed. However, chrome
polish may be used on chrome or stainless steel trim, if necessary. A
coating of wax, rubbed to a high
polish, is recommended for all bright metal parts.

Car e o f Aluminu m Wheel s

Aluminum wheels have a clear-coat finish similar to paint.
Use a chamois skin, sponge or
other soft material when washing
the wheels.
Foreig n Materia l Deposit s
Calcium chloride and other salts, ice melting agents, road oil and
tar, tree sap, bird droppings,

Car e an d Maintenanc e

chemicals from industrial
chimneys, and other foreign
matter may damage your vehicle's
finish if allowed to remain on
painted surfaces.
Prompt washing may not
completely remove all of these
deposits. Additional cleaners may
be needed. When using chemical
cleaners developed for this
purpose, be certain they are safe
for use on painted surfaces.
Finis h Damag e
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish should be
repaired promptly. Exposed metal will corrode quickly and may
develop into a major repair
expense. Minor chips and scratches
can be repaired using touch-up materials available from your
Honda dealer. Corrosio
n Protectio n
Your vehicle has been designed
and built to resist corrosion.
Special materials and protective
finishes were applied to most
parts of your vehicle when it was built to help maintain its good
looks, strength and reliable
operation. However, some parts
that are normally not visible (suchas certain parts under the vehicle
and under the hood) are strong
enough so that surface rust will
not affect their reliability. So
corrosion protection is not needed or used on these parts. By
omitting unneeded rust protection
on such parts and applying extra
protection where it is needed most, the best value is assured forthe vehicle buyer. Shee
t Meta l Damag e
If your vehicle is damaged and
requires sheet metal repair or
replacement, make sure the body
repair shop applies anti-corrosion material to the parts repaired or
replaced so that corrosion
protection is restored. (Also see "Finish Damage.")
Underbod y Maintenanc e
Corrosive materials used for ice and snow removal and dust
control can collect on the
underbody. If these materials are not removed, accelerated
corrosion (rust) can occur on
underbody parts such as fuel lines,
frame, floor pan, and exhaustsystem even though they have
Car e an d Maintenanc e