Adding Oil
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil fill cap on top of the left
valve cover.
Pour in the oil, and
replace
the engine oil fill cap.
Tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes and
recheck the oil level. Do
not
fill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.
Recommended Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter
gent
oil. It is highly recommended
that you use Genuine Honda Motor
oil in your vehicle for as long as you
own it.
You can determine an oil's
SAE
viscosity and Service Classification
from
the API Service label on the oil
container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended
for your Honda.
This is shown on the
API Service label by the words
"Energy Conserving." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel.
Engine Oil
The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API
Service SJ." This service rating may
include other classifications, such as
CD. These additional classifications
are not a problem, as long as the
label also carries
the SJ classification.
CONTINUED
Maintenance 15 7
Engine Oil
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
33 lbf.ft (45 N·m, 4.6 kgf·m)
6. Refill the engine with the recom
mended
oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
5.1 US qt (4.8 Q, 4.2 Imp qt)
7. Install the engine oil fill cap. Start
the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and
oil filter for leaks.
160 Maintenance
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for
several minutes, then check the
oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
NOTICE
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful
to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose
of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it
to a recycling
center. Do not discard it
in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
6-speed Manual Transmission Fluid
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.
168 Maintenance
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an
API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE lOW-30 or lOW-40 as a
temporary replacement. An
SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor
oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffer
shifting. 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.
Check the fluid level with the
differential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
onlevelground.Removethe
differential fluid filler bolt and
washer 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, slowly add fluid
until it starts to run out of
the hole.
Use a SAE 90 viscosity hypoid gear
oil, API service classified GL5 or
GL6 only, in the differential.
Put a new washer on the filler bolt,
then reinstall the filler bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m, 4.6 kgf·m)
The differential should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Differential Fluid
Maintenance 169
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
after
the engine starts. It should
never come on when
the engine is
running.
If it starts flashing, it
indicates
that the oil pressure
dropped very low for a moment,
then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with
the engine running, it shows
that
the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.
226 Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn
off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car
stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page 119 ). Although oil level
and
oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine
that is very
low on
oil can lose pressure during
cornering and
other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 120 ) .
4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator.
If the light
does not go out within
ten seconds,
turn off
the engine. There is a
mechanical problem
that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving.
(See Emergency
Towing on page 238 .)
Index
Inspection, Tire .............................. 187 Indicator ........................................ 43 Meters, Gauges ................................ 4 7
Instrument
Panel ............................. 42 Parking ........................................ 198 Methanol in Gasoline .................... 248
Instrument Panel Brightness ......... 52 Turn Signal.. ............................... 196 Mirrors, Adjusting ........................... 79
Interior Cleaning ............................ 207 Loading Cargo ................................ 124
Interior Lights .................................. 83 LOCK (Ignition Key Position) ....... 60 N
Introduction ......................................... i Locks
Anti-theft Steering
Column ........ 60 New Vehicle Break-in ................... 116
J Fuel Fill Door ............................. 117 Normal Shift Speeds ...................... 134
Power Door .................................. 62 NOTICE, Explanation of ................... ii
Jacking Up the Car ........................ 213 Trunk ............................................ 66 Numbers, Identification ................ 242
Jack, Tire ........................................ 213
Low Coolant Level.. ....................... 120
Jump Starting ................................. 220 Lower Gear, Downshifting to a .... 134 0
Low Fuel Indicator .......................... 46
IK Low Oil Pressure Indicator .... 44, 226 Octane Requirement, Gasoline .... 116
Lubricant Specifications
Chart .... 244
Odometer .......................................... 48
Keys ................................................... 58 Luggage .......................................... 124
Odometer, Trip ................................ 48
Oil
L IM Change, How to ......................... 159
Change, When to ....................... 146
Label,
Certification ........................ 242
Maintenance ................................... 143 Checking Engine ....................... 119
Lane Change, Signaling .................. 53 Owner Maintenance Checks .... 155 Pressure Indicator ............... 44, 226
Lap/Shoulder Belts .........................
33 Record ......................................... 153 Selecting Proper Viscosity
Leaking of Exhaust into
Car .......... 39 Schedule ..................................... 146 Chart ....................................... 157
Leather, Cleaning .......................... 207 Malfunction Indicator Lamp .. 45, 228 ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 61
Lights
Manual Transmission .................... 133
Bulb Replacement ..................... 194 Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 168 CONTINUED
v
Index
Towing Used Oil, How to Dispose of ........ 160 Wheels ............................................ 190
A Trailer, Do Not.. ..................... 141 Alignment and Balance ............. 188
Emergency Wrecker ................. 238
v Cleaning Aluminum Alloys ....... 206
Trailer, Do Not Tow a ................... 141 Wrench ....................................... 213
Transmission Vehicle Dimensions ....................... 244 Windows
Checking Fluid Level, 6-speed
Vehicle Identification Number ..... 242 Cleaning ...................................... 208
Manual Transmission ........... 168 Vehicle Storage .............................. 202 Operating the Power ................... 69
Fluid Selection ............................ 168 Ventilation ......................................... 88 Windshield
Identification Number.. .............
242 VIN .................................................. 242 Cleaning ...................................... 208
Shifting the 6-speed Manual Vinyl Cleaning ................................ 207 Defroster ...................................... 91
Transmission .......................... 133 Viscosity, Oil... ................................ 158 Wipers, Windshield
Treadwear ...................................... 246
Trip Meter ........................................
48 lw
Changing Blades ........................ 180
Operation ...................................... 53
Trunk ................................................. 66 Worn Tires ..................................... 187
Opening the .................................. 66 Warning Beepers Wrecker, Emergency Towing ...... 238
Open Monitor Light ....................
45 Headlights on ............................... 51
Turn Signals ..................................... 53 Key in Ignition .............................. 61
Seat Belts ...................................... 44
u WARNING, Explanation of .............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of .......... 40
Underside, Cleaning ...................... 208 Warranty Coverages ..................... 257
Unexpected, Taking Care Washer, Windshield
of the ...........................................
211 Checking the Fluid Level ......... 167
Uniform Tire Quality Grading ..... 276 Operation ...................................... 54
Unleaded Gasoline ......................... 116 Washing ....... : .................................. 204
Upholstery Cleaning ...................... 207 Waxing and Polishing ................... 205
VIII