Carbo
n Monoxid e Hazar d
Your car's exhaust contains carbon monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly. Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
The car is raised for an oil change. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The car was in an accident that may have damaged the underside.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage. With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardouscondition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows and set the heating and coolingsystem as shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car, even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating and cooling system as follows:
1. Select the Fresh Air mode. 2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
Drive r an d Passenge r Safet y
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
Engin
e Oi l
The oil container may also display the API Certification seal. Make sureit says "For Gasoline Engines."
API CERTIFICATIO N SEA L The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is preferred for improved fuel economyand year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F (—7°C). Syntheti
c Oi l
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil: energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When
using synthetic oil, you must follow
the oil and filter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.
Additive s
Your Honda does not need any oil additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car.
Maintenanc e
Ambien
t Temperatur e
Engin
e Oi l
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filte r
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oildrain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
Maintenance
Typ
e S H OI
L FILTE R
OI L DRAI N BOL T
WASHER
CONTINUED
Transmissio
n Flui d
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ grade may be used if SG is notavailable. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffershifting. Replace as soon as
convenient.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenanc e
FILLE
R
BOL T
Correc t
leve l
Ai
r Conditionin g System , Ai r Conditionin g Filte r
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The. condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant. If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page
265.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Ai
r Conditionin g Filte r
The air conditioning filter removes pollen and dust from the outside air
the climate control system brings
into the interior.
This filter should be replaced every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air from industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more often if air flow from the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual. Have the air conditioning filter replaced by your
Honda dealer.
Maintenance
NOTIC
E NOTIC
E
Inde
x
Emergency Brake............................ 89
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 258
Emission Controls......................... 270
Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 59
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 55, 250
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 248
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 181
Overheating................................ 246
Specifications............................. 264
Ethanol in Gasoline ....................... 268
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 270
Exhaust Fumes................................ 49
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior. Cleaning the................... 228
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 230
Fan, Interior...................................... 98
Features, Comfort and
Convenience.................................
97
Filling the Fuel Tank.....................
127
Filters
Air................................................ 195
Oil................................................ 183
First
Gear, Shifting........................ 150
5-speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level................ 192
Shifting the................................. 142
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 237
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 191
Brake........................................... 193
Clutch.......................................... 194
Manual Transmission............... 192
Power Steering........................... 194
Windshield Washer................... 190
FM Stereo Radio
Reception.................................... 110
Folding Rear Seat............................ 84
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 269
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 258
Fuel.................................................. 126
Fill Door and Cap....................... 127
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 126
Oxygenated................................ 268
Reserve Indicator......................... 57
Tank, Filling the......................... 127
Fuses, Checking the...................... 254
Gas Mileage. Improving................ 132
Gasohol........................................... 268
Gasoline.......................................... 126
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 57
Gauge............................................ 59
Octane Requirement................. 126
Tank, Filling the......................... 127
Gas Station Procedures................. 127
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 59
Fuel................................................ 59
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 144
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 142
Glass Cleaning............................... 231
Glove Box......................................... 79
Inde
x
Shift Lock Release......................... 151
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 217
Signaling Turns................................
63
Snow Tires...................................... 210
Solvent-type Cleaners....................
228
Sound System................................. 106
Spare Tire Inflating....................................... 236
Specifications............................. 265
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 196
Specifications Charts ...........
264, 265
Speed Control................................... 67
Speedometer....................................
58
SRS, Additional Information........... 45 Additional Safety Precautions.... 48How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
HowYour Airbags Work............ 45
SRS Components......................... 45
SRS Service................................... 4
7
SRS Indicator.............................. 47, 55
START
(Ignition Key Position)..... 73
Starting the Engine........................ 141
In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 141 With a Dead Battery................. 244
Steam Coming from Engine......... 246
Steering Wheel Adjustment................................... 66
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 73
Stereo Sound System.................... 106
Storing Your Car............................ 225
Supplemental Restraint System..... 45
Servicing....................................... 47
SRS Indicator......................... 47, 55
Synthetic Oil................................... 182
Tachometer...................................... 58
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 219
Taking Care of the
Unexpected................................ 235
Tape Player..................................... 119
Technical Descriptions
Emission Control Systems........ 270
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 272
Temperature Gauge........................ 59
Tether Attachment Points.............. 40
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 272
Time, Setting the............................. 90
Timing Belt..................................... 204
Tire Chains..................................... 210
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 237
Tires................................................ 205
Air Pressure............................... 205Checking Wear.......................... 206
Compact Spare........................... 236
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 266
Inflation....................................... 205
Inspection................................... 206
Maintenance............................... 207
Replacing.................................... 208
Rotating....................................... 208
Snow............................................ 210
Specifications............................. 265
Tire Chains................................. 210
Winter Driving........................... 209
Tools,Tire Changing.................... 237
Towing
ATrailer...................................... 160
Emergency................................. 258