Spark Plugs
I NOTICE I
Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads
in the cylinder head.
7. Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the bolt.
8. Repeat this procedure for the
other three spark plugs.
9. Reinstall the cover on the cylinder
bank. Reinstall the four hexagon
socket head cap bolts.
176 Maintenance
Specifications:
NGK:
DENSO:
PFR7G-11S
PK22PR-L 11S
Spark Plug Gap:
0.043 in ~g004in(1.1 mm •g1mm)
Air Conditioning System
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should
be done
by a qualified mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to
make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently.
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.
NOTICE
The condenser and radiator fins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure
~pray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
182 Maintenance
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
245.)
NOTICE
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.
Storing Your Car
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 159).
• Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
• Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
• Raise the convertible top cover.
• Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse.
202 Maintenance
• 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 as soon
as you take it out of storage (see
page
148 ). The replacements called
for
in the maintenance schedule are
not needed unless the car has
actually reached that time or mileage.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more
common problems
that motorists
experience with their vehicles.
It
gives you information about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to
do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also find instructions
on getting your car towed. Compact
Spare Tire .......................
212
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 213
If Your Engine Won't Start ........... 218
Nothing Happens or the
Starter Motor
Operates
Very
Slowly ......................... 218
The Starter Operates
Normally ................................. 219
Jump Starting ................................. 220
If Your Engine Overheats ............. 223
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .......... 226
Charging System Indicator.. .........
227
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 228
Brake System Indicator ................ 229
Closing the Convertible Top ........ 230
Fuses ............................................... 231
Checking and Replacing ........... 232
If Your Car Gets Stuck. ................. 236
Emergency Towing ....................... 238
Taking Care of the Unexpected 211
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 .)
Fuses
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
No: Amps. Circuits Protected No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1 7.5A Windshield Wiper, 14 lOA Daytime Running Lights*
Auto
Stop Signal 15 lOA Keyless Entry
2
15A Washer Motor 16 7.5A Back-up
3
-Not used 17 7.5A Interior Light
4
-Not used 18 lOA Small Lights
5
lOA Accessory Socket 19 15A Radio
6
20A Windshield Wiper 20 7.5A Starter Signal
7 7.5A Tum Light 21 7.5A Heater Control,
8 15A ACG Cooling Fan
Relay
9
7.5A Instrument Light, Back·up 22 7.5A Power Mirrors
Lights
23 20A Right Power Window
10 15A Ignition Coil 24 20A Left Power Window
11 7.5A Engine Start 25 -Not used
12 15A Fuel Pump, SRS 26 -Not used
13 lOA SRS 27 -Not used
* : Canadian Model
234 Taking Care of the Unexpected
Specifications
Dimensions
Length
Width Height
Wheelbase Track Front
Rear
Engine
Type
Bore x Stroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
244 Technical Information
162.0in(4,115mm) 68.9 in (1,750 mm)
50.6 in (1,285 mm) 94.5 in (2,400 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
59.4 in (1,510 mm)
See the certification label attached to the driver's door"amb.
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder l=)asoline engine
3.43 x 3.31 in (87.0 x 84.0 mm)
121.8 cu-in (1,997 cm3
)
11.0 : 1 See spark plug maintenance
section page
174.
c apac1t1es
Fuel tank 13.2 US
aal (50 ll, 11.0 Imp qal)
Engine coolant
Change*'
1.72 US aal (6.51\, 1.43 Imp qal)
Total 2.01 US l=)al (7.61\, 1.67 Imp gal)
Engine oil Change*'
Including filter 5.1 US qt (4.81\, 4.2 Imp qt)
Without
filter 4.8 USgt (4.51\, 4.0 Imp qt)
Total 5.9 US qt (5.61\, 4.9 Imp qt)
Manual Chanl=)e 1.6 US_g_t (1.51\, 1.31mp qt)
transmission Total 1.7 US qt (1.61\, 1.41mp qt) fluid
Differential Chan_g_e 0.78 US qt (0.741\, 0.65 Imp qt)
oil Total 0.81 US qt (0.77 ll, 0.68 Imp at)
Windshield U.S. Cars 2.7 US qt (2.61\, 2.3 ImP at)
washer Canadian Cars 4.4 US qt (4.21\, 3.7 Imp qt)
reservoir
* 1 : Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine. Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.61\, 0.131mp gal)
* 2: Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
A
Accessories Installation .................................. 122
Accessory
Power Socket ................ 81
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position) ........................................
61
Adding
Brake Fluid ................................. 170
Clutch Fluid ................................ 171
Engine Coolant.. ......................... 161
Engine
Oil ................................... 157
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 168
Windshield
Washer Fluid ......... 167
Additional Information About
Your
Seat Belts ........................ 33
Lap/Shoulder Belt.. ..................... 33
Seat Belt Maintenance ................ 34
Seat Belt System Components
... 33
Additional Information About
Your SRS ...................................
37
Additional Safety Precautions .... 38
How
the Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners Work ..................... 37
How Your Airbags Work ............ 35
How the SRS Indicator
Works ........................................ 37
SRS Components ......................... 35
Additives, Engine Oil... .................. 158
Adjustments
Mirrors ..........................................
79
Seats .............................................. 68
Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element.. ....................
l72
Air Conditioning ............................... 86
Maintenance ............................... 182
Usage ............................................. 86
Air Outlets (Vents) .......................... 88
Air Pressure,
Tires ........................ 185
Alarm, Anti-theft.. .......................... 113
Alcohol in Gasoline ........................ 248
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning ........
206-
Antifreeze ....................................... 161
Anti-lock
Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light ..................... 45, 138
Operation .................................... 136
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock
.. 60
Anti-theft System ........................... 113
Appearance Care ...........................
203
Audio Panel. ...................................... 82
Audio System ................................... 94
Index
Automatic Car Washes ................. 204
Automatic Speed Control.. .............. 55
IB
Back-up Lamp Replacement.. ....... 198
Battery Charging System
Indicator.. .......................... 44, 227
Jump Starting ............................. 220
Maintenance ............................... 177
Specifications ............................. 245
Before Driving ............................... 115
Belts, Seat ........................................... 8
Beverage Holder ..............................
81
Body Repair .................................... 210
Brakes ............................................. 136
Anti-lock System (ABS) ............ 137
Break-in, New Linings .............. 116
Fluid ............................................
170
Light, Burned-out ...................... 198
Parking .......................................... 80
System Indicator .......................... 44
Wear Indicators, Disc ............... 136
CONTINUED