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
Page 203 of 273
Lights
Replacing a Rear License Bulb
1. Insert a flat blade screwdriver
between
the left edge of the lens
and
the housing. The lens will
come down.
200 Maintenance
2. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in
the socket.
3. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
4. Put the lens back into the light
assembly, right side first.
Push on
the left edge until it snaps into
place.
Page 204 of 273
Replacing an Interior Light Bulb
1. Remove the lens by carefully
prying on
the front edge of the
lens near both sides.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs.
Snap the lens back in place.
Lights
Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb
1. Open the trunk. Pull down the
trunk light cover.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs.
4. Push the cover back in place.
Maintenance 201
Page 205 of 273

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.
Page 207 of 273

Exterior Care
Washing
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the finish.
Wash your car
in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down before you
start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended
in this Owner's
Manual.
204 Appearance Care
NOTICE
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can
damar;e the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.
• Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt.
• Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing.
• Wash the car, using the water and
neutral detergent solution and
sponge or soft cloth.
Start at a top
and work your way down. Rinse
frequently.
• Check the body for road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove
these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re
wax these areas, even
if the rest of the
car does not need waxing.
Do not use harsh chemicals to
remove stains from the
convertible top
or rear window.
Use a mild detergent/water
solution with a soft-bristle brush
on the top, and with a soft cloth on
the rear window.
• When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry
will cause dulling and water
spots.
Make sure the top is completely
dry before you fold
it.
As you dry the car, inspect it for
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair
them with
touch-up paint (see page
206 ).
Page 208 of 273

Waxing
Always wash and dry the whole car
before waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on
the surface
in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing. You
should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes - A wax coats the finish and
protects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.
Exterior Care
Polishes -Polishes and cleaner I
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine.
They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You
should use a polish on your Honda
if
the finish does not have its original
shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even
if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Appearance Care 205
Page 216 of 273

If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic
or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along
the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that
is far away from the traffic lanes.
The car can easily roll off the
jack,
seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire
exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
The compact spare tire is smaller
than a standard tire, which
will affect
the vehicle's handling. Drive
cautiously when this spare is
mounted on your vehicle.
The size difference may also cause
damage to
the rear differential, so do
not mount
the compact spare on the
rear. If either rear tire goes flat,
remove
the front tire on that same
side, mount
the compact spare tire
on
the front, then mount the front
tire on
the rear.
1. Park the car on firm, level, non
slippery ground away from traffic.
Put the transmission in Reverse.
Apply
the parking brake.
2. Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn
the ignition switch to
LOCK (O). Have your passenger
get out of the car while you
change
the tire.
Changing a Flat Tire
3. Open the trunk. Lift up the tool
box lid and take
the jack, wheel
wrench and extension out of
the
tool box.
NOTICE
Use the jack that came on your car. If
you try to raise another car by this jack
or use another jack to raise your car,
the car
or jack can be damaged.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected 213
Page 221 of 273

If Your Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you
hear when you press
the ENGINE START button.
• You hear nothing, or almost
nothing.
The engine's starter
motor does not operate at
all, or
operates very slowly.
• You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
218 Taking Care of the Unexpected
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you press the ENGINE
START button, you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at
all.
Check these things:
• Your car has the Immobilizer
System.
You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 59).
A key that
is not properly coded
will cause the immobilizer system
indicator
in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
• Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness.
If the headlights
are very dim or don't light at
all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting on page 220.
• Press
the ENGINE START button,
then release
it. If the headlights do
not dim, check the condition of the
fuses.
If the fuses are 0 K, there is
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit for the
ignition switch
or starter motor.
You
will need a qualified
technician to determine the
problem.
(See Emergency
Towing on page 238 .)