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
Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 130. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 131 .
Windshield washer fluid — Check the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 190 .
Automatic transmission — Check the fluid level monthly. See page
191.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 193 .
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
205.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and license plate lights monthly. See
page 211.
Maintenance
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
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
Storin
g You r Ca r
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If possible, store your car indoors. Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 183 ). Wash and dry the exterior
completely. Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry. Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5- speed manual) or Park (automatic). Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors). Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 172). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenance
Inde
x
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
Inde
x
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
Inde
x
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 229
Carpeting.................................... 230
Exterior....................................... 228
Fabric.......................................... 230
Interior........................................ 230
Seat Belts.................................... 23
1
Vinyl............................................ 230
Windows..................................... 231
Clock, Settin
g the ............................ 90
Clutch Fluid.................................... 194
Coin Box........................................... 93
CO in the Exhaust......................... 270
Cold Weather, Starting in.............
141
Compact Spare............................... 236
Consumer Information*................
274
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 185
Checking.....................................
131
Proper Solution.......................... 185
Replacing.................................... 187
Temperatur
e Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 232
Courtesy Lights............................... 95 Crankcase Emission Control
System.........................................270
Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 274
DANGER, Explanation of.................
ii
Dashboard........................................ 52
Daytime Running Lights................
. 62
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 244
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 278 Defog and Defrost......................... 104
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 19
1
Dimensions..................................... 264
Dimming the Headlights................
62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 19
1
Engine Oil...................................130
Directional Signals...........................
63
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 258
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 153
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 184 Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 7
4
Power Door Locks....................... 7
4
DOT Tire Quality Grading...........
266
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual
Transmission.............................. 14 2
Driv
e Belts...................................... 204
Driving............................................ 139
Economy..................................... 132
In Bad Weather.......................... 158
In Foreign Countries................. 269
Economy, Fuel............................... 132
Emergencies on the Road............. 235 Batteiy, Jump Starting.............. 244
Brake System Indicator............ 251Changing a Flat Tire................. 237
Charging System Indicator ...... 249
Checking the Fuses................... 254
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 248
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 250
Manually Closing Moonroof .... 252
Overheated Engine................... 246
CONTINUED