Service Station Procedures
3. Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level.
It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
120 Before Driving
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
Adding Oil on page 157.
Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between
the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant
on page 161 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to
Owner Maintenance
Checks
on page 155 for information
on checking other items
in your
Honda.
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
Maintenance Safety
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers.
It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-free
driving and help reduce air pollution.
Improperly maintaining this car
or
failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash
in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow
the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner's
manual.
144 Maintenance
This section includes instructions for
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding
oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be performed by a Honda
technician or other qualified
mechanic. Some
of
the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard
that can arise in
performing maintenance.
Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow
the procedures
and precautions
in this owner's
manual.
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
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
Index
Brakes,ABS Certification Label ......................... 242
Vinyl ............................................ 207
Operation
.................................... 137 Chains ............................................. 191 Windows ..................................... 208
System
Indicator .................. 44, 139 Change Oil Climate Control System .................. 86
Braking System .............................. 136 Howto ......................................... 159 Clutch Fluid .................................... 171
Break-in, New Car ......................... 116 When to ....................................... 146 CO in the Exhaust ......................... 250
Brightness Control, Instruments ... 52 Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 213 Cold Weather, Starting in ............. 132
Brights, Headlights ......................... 51 Changing Engine Coolant.. ........... 163 Compact Spare Tire ....................... 212
Bulb Replacement... ....................... 192 Charging System Indicator .... 44, 227 Controls, Instruments and .............. 41
Back-up Lights ........................... 198 Check Engine Light ................ 45, 228
Covertible Top ................................. 71
Brake Lights ............................... 198 Checking
Closing the Convertible Top ...... 7 4
Headlights ..................................
195 Battery Condition ...................... 177 Convertible Top Cover. ............... 76
License Plate Lights .................. 200 Brake Fluid ................................. 170 Maintenance ................................. 77
Parking Lights ........................... 196 Clutch Fluid ................................ 171 Opening the Covertible Top ....... 71
Side Marker Lights ................... 198
Drive Belt.. .................................. 184 Coolant
Specifications .............................
245 Engine Coolant.. ......................... 120 Adding ......................................... 161
Turn Signal Lights ..................... 196 Engine Oil.. ................................. 119 Checking ..................................... 120
Bulbs, Halogen ............................... 194 Fuses ........................................... 232 Proper Solution .......................... 161
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 168 Temperature Gauge .................... 47
c Checklist, Before Driving ............. 115 Corrosion Protection ..................... 208
Cleaner, Air .................................... 172 Crankcase Emission Control
Cables, Jump Starting With ..........
220 Cleaning .......................................... 203 System ......................................... 250
Capacities Chart. ............................ 244
Aluminum Wheels ..................... 206 Cruise Control Operation ............... 55
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .............. 39 Exterior ....................................... 204 Customer Relations
Cargo, Carrying .............................
124 Interior ........................................ 207 Information ................................. 254
CAUTION, Explanation of ............... ii Leather ........................................ 207
CD Changer. ................................... 107 Seat Belts .................................... 207
II