Page 184 of 273
3. Remove the blade from its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade.
Pull firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein
forcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinforcement
strips from the old wiper blade and
install
them in the slots along the
edge of
the new blade.
Wiper Blades
5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until
the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
Maintenance 181
Page 185 of 273

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.
Page 186 of 273

The air conditioning filter removes
pollen and dust from outside air the
heating and cooling system brings
into the interior.
It should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations
in the
maintenance schedule.
This filter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions.
It should be
replaced every
15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air from industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more often
if air flow from the
climate control system becomes less
than usual. Have the air conditioning
filter replaced by your Honda dealer.
Replacement
The air conditioning filter is located
in the engine compartment on the
passenger's side near the base of the
windshield.
1. Open the hood. Unclip the
windshield base by pulling it
up.
Air Conditioning Filter
2. Push the tab on the air
conditioning filter to unlock it
from the holder.
3. Remove the old filter. Put a new
filter in the holder and push it in
until it locks.
4. Put the pins on the windshield
base into their mating holes on the
support, and push the base down
until the pins snap
in.
Maintenance 183
Page 198 of 273

1. Open the hood.
If you need to change the high
beam headlight bulb on the left
side, remove the coolant reserve
tank from its holder by pulling it
straight up.
2. Remove the electrical connector
from
the bulb by squeezing the
connector to unlock the tab, then
slide
the connector off the bulb.
3. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire from its slot.
Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb
socket.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Lights
6. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Make sure
the bulb is installed correctly by
looking through the headlight lens.
The pins on the base of the bulb
should fit in
the holes in the
headlight assembly.
Pivot the hold
down wire back in place and clip
the end into the slot.
7. Install the rubber seal over the
back of
the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side
up; it is
marked
''TOP."
8. Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Maintenance 195
Page 199 of 273
Lights
Replacing Front Tum Signal and
Side Marker Light Bulbs
1. If you are changing the bulb on
the driver's side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel
all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine.
If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger's side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
196 Maintenance
2. Use a flat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the three holding clips
from the inner fender.
3. Pull the inner fender cover back.
4. Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
5. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
6. Install the new bulb in the socket.
7. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly.
Turn it
clockwise to lock it
in place.
8. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
9. Put the inner fender in place.
Install the two holding clips. Lock
each clip in place by pushing on
the center.
Page 200 of 273
Replacing a Side Turn Signal Bulb 3. Pull the bulb straight out of its
1. Push the side turn signal assembly
forward until it pops out of
the
body.
2. Turn the bulb holder one-quarter
turn counterclockwise to remove it
from
the lens. socket.
Push the new
bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
4. Put the bulb holder back into its
hole in
the lens, and turn it
clockwise until it locks.
5. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
6. Put the side turn signal assembly
back into the body, back first.
Push on the front edge until it
snaps into place.
Lights
Maintenance 197
Page 201 of 273
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
1. Open the trunk.
2. Remove the fasteners from the
trunk lining. To remove a fastener,
push on
the center of the head
until it pops in. Then pull it out.
3. Pull the lining back.
198 Maintenance
4. Determine which of the four bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight, back
up light, turn signal, or side
marker. 5. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
6. Remove the burned out bulb. To
remove the stop/taillight, back-up
or side marker light bulb, pull the
bulb straight out of its socket. To
remove the turn signal light bulb,
push it in and turn it
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
Page 202 of 273
7. Install the new bulb in the socket.
8. Push the socket into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
9. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
lO.Install the trunk lining and secure
it with the fasteners. To reinstall a
fastener, reset the fastener by
pushing on the pointed end until it
pops back almost flush with the
fingers on the housing.
Put the
fastener
in the hole of the trunk
lining and push on the center until
it locks (the center is flush with
the head).
Lights
Maintenance 199