
Indicator Lights
I ~ I Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator flashes for several
seconds when you turn
the ignition
0 N (II). It flashes as a reminder to
you and your passenger to fasten
the
seat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not fastened your
seat belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds
but the light stays on until
you do. Both
the light and the beeper
stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on
the ignition.
44 Instruments and Controls
~ Low Oil Pressure
~ Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 226 .
~ Charging System
~ Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 227 .
U.S. Canada
I BRAKE I I ((D) I
Parking Brake and
Brake System Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you
have not released
the parking
brake. Driving with
the parking
brake applied can damage
the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release
the parking brake while the engine
is running,
or comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in
the brake system. For complete
information,
see page 229 .

Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks
and adjustments every day before
you drive
your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights
are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are
fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low,
use a gauge to check its
pressure.
130 Driving
4. Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 68 ) .
6. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page
79 ).
7. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
8. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has fastened his
seat belt (see page 15 ) .
9. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check
the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
10.Start
the engine (see page 131 ) .
1l.Check the gauges and indicator
lights in
the instrument panel (see
page
43 ).

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 259 for information on how to
obtain a copy,
or see your Honda
dealer. Maintenance
Safety .......................
144
Important
Safety Precautions .. 145
Maintenance Schedule .................. 146
Required Maintenance Record
.... 153
Owner Maintenance Checks ........ 155
Fluid Locations ............................... 156
Engine Oil ....................................... 157
Adding Oil... ................................ 157
Recommended Oil ..................... 157
Synthetic
Oil ............................... 158
Additives ..................................... 158
Changing the Oil and Filter.. .... 159
Cooling System .............................. 161
Adding Engine Coolant ............. 161
Replacing Engine Coolant ........ 163
Windshield Washers ..................... 167
6-speed Manual Transmission
Fluid ............................................
168
Differential Fluid ........................... 169
Brake and Clutch Fluid ................. 170
Brake Fluid ................................. 170
Brake System ............................. 170
Clutch System ............................ 171
Air Cleaner Element.. .................... 172
Hood Latch ..................................... 174
Maintenance
Spark Plugs ..................................... 174
Replacement ............................... 17 4
Specifications ............................. 176
Battery ............................................
177
Wiper Blades .................................. 180
Air Conditioning System ............... 182
Air Conditioning Filter, ................. 183
Drive Belt ........................................ 184
Tires ................................................ 185
Inflation ....................................... 185
Inspection ................................... 187
Maintenance ............................... 188
Tire Rotation .............................. 188
Tire Wear .................................... 188
Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 189
Wheels and Tires ....................... 190
Winter Driving ........................... 190
Snow
Tires .............................. 191
Tire Chains ............................. 191
Lights .............................................. 192
Replacing Bulbs ......................... 194
Storing Your Car ............................ 202
Maintenance 143

Service at the indicated miles x 1,000 15 30 45 60 75 90 105
distance ortime -whichever kmx 1,000 24 48 72 96 120 144 168
comes first.
months 12 24 36 48 60 72 84
Replace engine oil Replace every 7,500
miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Replace engine oil filter • •
• • • • • Check engine oil and coolant Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Replace air cleaner element • • • Inspect valve clearance Adjust only if noisy • Replace spark plugs • Inspect drive belt • • • Inspect idle speed • Replace engine coolant • • • Replace transmission fluid • Replace rear differential fluid • • • Inspect front and rear brakes • • • • • •
• Replace brake fluid • • Check parking brake adjustment • • • •
• • • Replace air conditioning filter • • • Check tire inflation and condition Every 7,500
miles (12,000 km)
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and
lines (including ABS) • • • • • • • All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling
system hoses and connections
Exhaust system•
Fuel lines and connections•
148 Maintenance
120 192
96
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
U.S. Owners
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule
if the
severe driving conditions
specified in
the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only
OCCASIONALLY drive under a
"severe" condition, you should
follow
the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
#: See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty,
last column, page 147.

Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, Cas required for each distance/time interval. Follow this schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply. Canadian owners: Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
7,500 mi/12,000
km/- Do items in A. 15,000 m i/24,000 km/1 yr Do items in A, B. 22,500 mi/36,000 km/-
Do items in A. 30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs Do items in A, B, C. 37,500 mi/60,000 km/- Do items in A. 45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs DReplace coolant. DReplace brake fluid. Do items in A, B. 52,500 mi/84,000 km/- Do items in A. 60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs Do items in A, B, C. 67,500 mi/108,000 km/- Do items in A. 75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs DReplace coolant. Do items in A, B. 82,500 mi/132,000 km/- Do items in A. 90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs DReplace brake fluid. DReplace transmission fluid. Do items in A, B, C. 97,500 mi/156,000 km/- Do items in A. 1 05,000 m i/168,000 km/7 yrs Inspect valve clearance. DReplace coolant. Dlnspect idle speed. DReplace spark plugs. Do items in A, B. 112,500 mi/180,000 km/-Do items in A. 120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A, B, C.
Note: • Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop. • Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
A DReplace engine oil. DCheck tire inflation and condition. B DReplace engine oil filter. Dlnspect front and rear brakes. CCheck parking brake adjustment. Dlnspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots. Dlnspect suspension components. Dlnspect driveshaft boots. Dlnspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS). DC heck all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks. Dlnspect cooling system hoses and connections. D"lnspect exhaust system. D"lnspect fuel lines and connections. c DReplace air cleaner element. DReplace rear differential fluid. DReplace air conditioning filter. Dlnspect drive belt. # : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 147.
Maintenance 149

Service at the indicated miles x 1,000 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 distance or time -whichever km x 1,000 24 48 72 96 120 144 168 192 --~-~ comes first. months 12 24
36 48 60 72 84
96 Replace engine oil and oil filter Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check engine oil and coolant Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop Replace air cleaner element • • r-·-. . . ·~ • • Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions Inspect valve clearance Adjust only if noisy • Replace spark plugs • -·~-~-·-· ~~-~ f-----Inspect drive belt •
• • • Inspect idle speed I • --Replace engine coolant • • • -----Replace transmission fluid • •
• • Replace rear differential fluid • • • •
• •
• • Inspect front and rear brakes Inspect every 7,500 miles. (12,000 km) or 6 months
Replace brake fluid • -+-• Check parking brake adjustment • •
• • • • • • Replace air conditioning filter 1
" 1 •
•
• • i -~I-Lubricate al_~!lir1J:JeS, locks and latches • • • • • • • • Check tire inflation and condition Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months Suspension components, Drives haft boots -----r----~~ Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections • • • • • • • • Exhaust system", Fuel lines and connections'
1 Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
* 1: Refer to page183 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
150 Maintenance
U.S. Owners
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
MAINLY
under one or more of the
following conditions:
• Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than
10 miles (16 km) per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot
[over
90° F (32° C)] conditions.
• Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
• Driving in mountainous
conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
#: See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page 147.

82,500 mi/132,000 km/51/z vrs Do items in A, B. 86,250 mi/138,000 km/-Do items in A. 90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs ORe place brake fluid. Do items in A, B, C, D. 93,750 mi/150,000 km/-Do items in A. 97,500 mi/156,000 km/61/z yrs Do items in A. B. 101,250 mi/162,000 km/-Do items in A. 105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs Dlnspect valve clearance. DReplace coolant. Dlnspect idle speed. DReplace spark plugs. Do items in A, B, C. 108,750 mi/174,000 km/-Do items in A. 112,500 mi/180,000 km/71/z yrs Do items in A, B. 116,250 mi/186,000 km/-Do items in A. 120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 vrs Do items in A, B, C D.
152 Maintenance
C Dlnspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS). DC heck all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check for leaks. Dlnspect cooling system hoses and connections. D"lnspect exhaust system. D"lnspect fuel lines and connections. DCheck all lights and controls. Dlnspect the underbody.
D Dlnspect drive belt. DReplace transmission fluid. DReplace air conditioning filter. # : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page 147. * 1: Refer to page183 for replacement information under special driving conditions.

Drive Belt
You should check the condition of
the drive belt every 2 years. Examine
the edges of belt for cracks or
fraying.
184
Maintenance
An auto-tensioner adjusts the tension
of the drive belt.
The pointer on the auto-tensioner
should be between
the two lines of
the indicator.
If the pointer is not
between
the lines, contact your
Honda dealer.