Maintenanc
e
This section explains why it is important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 279 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 168
Important Safety Precautions ..169
Maintenance Schedule.................. 170
Required Maintenance Record.... 177 Owner Maintenance Checks........ 17
9
Fluid Locations............................... 180
Engine Oil.......................................
181
Adding Oil...................................
181
Recommended Oil.....................
181
Synthetic Oil............................... 182
Additives.....................................182
Changing
the Oil and Filter...... 183
Cooling System.............................. 185 Adding Engine Coolant............. 185Replacing Engine Coolant........ 187
Windshield Washers..................... 190
Transmission Fluid........................ 19
1
Automatic Transmission.......................... 19
1
5-speed ManualTransmission.......................... 192
Brake an
d Clutch Fluid................. 193
Brake System............................. 193 Clutch System............................ 194
Power Steering............................... 194
Air Cleaner Element...................... 195
Hood Latch.....................................
196
Spark Plugs.....................................
196
Replacement...............................
196
Specifications.............................
198
Battery............................................
198
Wiper Blades.................................. 200
Air Conditionin g
System............... 202
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 203 Drive Belts...................................... 204
Timing Belt..................................... 204
Tires................................................ 205
Inflation.......................................205
Inspection................................... 206
Maintenance............................... 20
7
Tire Rotation.............................. 208
Replacing Tire s
and Wheels .... 208
Wheels and Tires....................... 209
Winter Driving...........................209
Snow Tires.............................. 210
Tire Chains............................. 210
Lights..............................................
211
Headlight Aimimg..................... 213
Replacing Bulbs........................ .
214
Storing Your Car............................ 225
Maintenance
Brak
e an d Clutc h Fluid , Powe r Steerin g
Clutc h Syste m
The fluid should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Powe
r Steerin g
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL. Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
fluid as an emergency replacement. However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the powersteering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Maintenanc e
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
MA
X
MI N UPPE
R LEVE L
LOWE R
LEVE L
NOTICE
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Accessories and Modifications.... 133
Accessories................................. 133
Additional Safety Precautions.. 134Modifications............................. 134
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 73
Accessory Power Socket................ 93
Active Torque Transfer System
(ATTS)
Indicator............................... 56, 157
Operation.................................... 157
Adding
Automatic Transmission Fluid........................................ 191
Brake Fluid................................. 193
Clutch Fluid................................ 194
Engine Coolant........................... 185
Engine Oil................................... 181
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192
Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 190
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44
Seat Belt System Components... 42
Additional Information About
Your SRS...................................45
Additional Safety Precautions.... 48 How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 47
How Your Airbags Work............ 45
SRS Components......................... 45
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 182
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 213
Head Restraints........................... 82
Mirrors..........................................
88
Seats.............................................. 80
Steering Wheel............................ 66
Airba
g (SRS).................................... 45
Air Cleaner Element...................... 195
Air Conditioning............................... 98
Maintenance............................... 202
Usage............................................. 98
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 203
Air Outlets (Vents)........................ 100
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 205 High Speed Driving................... 206
Normal Driving.......................... 206 Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 268
Antifreeze....................................... 185
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light.................... 56, 156Operation....................................
15 4
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock...............................................
73
Appearance Care...........................
227
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 94
Audio System.................................
106
Automatic Speed Control................ 6
7
Automatic Transmission............... 144 Capacity, Fluid...........................
264
Checking Fluid Level................
191
Sequential SportShift Mode..... 147
Shifting........................................
145
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 144
Shift Lever Positions................. 145
Shift Lock Release..................... 151
CONTINUED
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Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55, 249
Jump Starting............................. 244 Maintenance............................... 198
Specifications............................. 265
Before Driving............................... 125
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder.............................. 91
Body Repair.................................... 233
Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 154
Break-in, New Linings .............. 126
Fluid............................................ 193
Light, Burned-out....................... 219
Parking..........................................89
System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 153
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 154
System Indicator.................. 56, 156
Braking System.............................. 153
Break-in, New Car......................... 126
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63 Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 219
Brake Lights............................... 219
Ceiling Lights............................. 223
Courtesy Lights......................... 223
Front Parking Lights................. 216
Front Side Marker Lights......... 217
Headlights.................................. 214
High-mount Brake Light.......... 221
License Plate Light.................... 222
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 219
Specifications............................. 265
Trunk Light................................ 224
Turn Signal Lights..................... 218
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 214
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 244
Capacities Chart............................. 264
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Cargo, Loading............................... 135
Cassette Player
Care............................................. 122
Operation.................................... 119
CAUTION, Explanation of ............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 114
CD Player........................................ 112
Certification Label......................... 262
Chains............................................. 210
Change Oil How to......................................... 183
When to....................................... 172
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 237
Changing Engine Coolant............. 187
Charging System Indicator .... 55, 249
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 191
Battery Condition...................... 198
Brake Fluid................................. 193 Clutch Fluid................................ 194
Drive Belts.................................. 204
Engine Coolant........................... 131
Engine Oil................................... 130
Fuses...........................................254
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 192
Power Steering Fluid................. 194
Checklist, Before Driving............. 140
Child Safety...................................... 21
Cleaner, Air.................................... 195
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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
Index
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 73
Fuel Fill Door............................. 127Glove Box..................................... 79
Power Door.................................. 74
Trunk............................................ 78
Low Coolant Level......................... 131
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 142
Low Fuel Indicator .......................... 57
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 55, 248
Lubricant Specifications
Chart........................................... 264
Luggage.......................................... 135
Maintenance................................... 167
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 179
Record.................................. 177-178
Required Indicator....................... 60
Schedule.............................. 170-176
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .. 55, 250
Manual Transmission.................... 142
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 192
Maximum Allowable Speeds................................. 143, 150
Meters, Gauges................................ 58
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 268
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 88
Moonroof.......................................... 87
Closing Manually....................... 252
Operation...................................... 87
Neutral Gear Position.................... 147
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 126
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 143
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 262
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 126
Odometer.......................................... 58
Odometer, Trip................................ 58
Oil Change, How to ......................... 183
Change, When to....................... 172
Checking Engine....................... 130
Pressure Indicator............... 55, 248
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 182
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 73
Opening the Hood ......................... 128
Opening the Trunk.......................... 78
Operation in Foreign Countries... 269
Outside Mirrors............................... 88
Overheating, Engine..................... 246
Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 146
Parking............................................ 152
Parking Brake.................................. 89 Parking Lights.................................. 62
Parking Over Things that Burn... 272
PGM-FI System.............................. 271
Polishing and Waxing................... 229
Power
Door Locks................................... 74
Mirrors.......................................... 88
Steering....................................... 194
Windows....................................... 85
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 19
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Transmission Checking Fluid Level,Automatic...............................
191
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 192
Flui
d Selection............................ 191
Identification Number............... 262
Shifting the Automatic.............. 144
Shifting the Manual................... 142
Treadwear...................................... 266
Trip Meter........................................ 58
Trunk................................................. 78
Opening the.................................. 78
Open Monitor Light.................... 57
Turn Signals..................................... 63
Underside, Cleaning...................... 232
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 235
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 266
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 126
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 230
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 184 Vehicle Capacity Load .................. 136
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 264
Vehicle Identification Number..... 262 Vehicle Storage.............................. 225
Ventilation...................................... 100
VTN.................................................. 262
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 230
Viscosity, Oil................................... 182
Warning Beepers Headlights on............................... 62
Key in Ignition.............................. 73
Seat Belts........................................ 8
WARNING, Explanation of..............
ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 5
0
Warranty Coverages*................... 277
Washer, Windshield Checking the Fluid Level......... 190
Operation...................................... 65
Washing.......................................... 228
Waxing and Polishing................... 229 Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 66
Alignment and Balance............. 207
Compact Spare........................... 236
Wrench....................................... 238
Windows Cleaning...................................... 231
Operating the Power................... 85
Rear, Defogger............................ 65
Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 64
Defroster................................... 104
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades........................ 200
Operation...................................... 64
Worn Tires..................................... 206
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 258
* U.S. and Canada only
Service
Informatio n Summar y
Gasoline :
Premium unleaded gasoline,
pump octane number of 91 or
higher.
Fue l Tan k Capacity :
15.9 US gal (60 l ,13.2 Imp gal)
Recommende d Engin e Oil :
API Service SJ "Energy
Conserving" oil, SAE 5W-30
viscosity (see page 181).
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
5.1 US qt(4.8 l , 4.2 Imp qt)
Automati c Transmissio n Fluid :
Honda Premium Formula
Automatic Transmission Fluid
preferred, or a DEXRON ®
III ATF
as a temporary replacement (see
page 191).
5-spee
d Manua l Transmissio n
Fluid :
Honda Manual Transmission
Fluid preferred, or an API service
SG, SH or SJ, SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 motor oil as a temporary
replacement (see page 192).
Capacity (including differential):
Type SH 2.2 US qt (2.1 l ,1.8 Imp qt)
Except Type SH 2.0 US qt (1.9 l ,1.7 Imp qt)
Powe r Steerin g Fluid :
Genuine Honda Power Steering
Fluid preferred, or another brand
of power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page 194).
Brak e Fluid :
Genuine Honda DOTS Brake Fluid
preferred, or a DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page 193). Tir
e Pressur e (measure d cold) :
Front/Rear:
32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm2)
Spar e Tir e Pressure :
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm2)