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.
Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, or normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A, B, C, D as required for each distance/time.
3,750 mi/6,000 km/6 mos Do items in A. 7,500 mi/12,000 km/- Do items in A, B. 11,250 mi/18,000 km/-
Do items in A. 15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr Do items in A, B, C. 18,750 mi/30,000 km/- Do items in A. 22,500 mi/36,000 km/1% yrs Do items_in_A,Jt .. ~--------· ---~~---26,250 mi/42,000 km/-Do items in A. 30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 vrs Do items in A, B, C, D. 33,750 mi/54,000 km/-
Do items in A. 37,500 mi/60,000 km/2'/z vrs
Do items in A, B. 41,250 mi/66,000 km/-
Do items in A. 45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs DReplace brake fluid. DReplace coolant. Do items in A, B, C. 48,750 mi/78,000 km/- Do items in A. 52,500 mi/84,000 km/3'/z vrs Do items in A, B. 56,250 mi/90,000 km/-
Do items in A. 60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 vrs _Do items in A, B, C, D. 63,750 mi/102,000 km/-
Do items in A. 67,500 mi/108,000 km/41!2 yrs Do items in A, B. 71,250 mi/114,000 km/-
Do items in A. 75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs ']Replace coolant. Do itefY!S_lll_ A,_B_,_(:, -~--~--78,750 mi/126,000 km/-
Do items in A.
Note: • Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop. • Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, if noisy.
·--~
··-
Severe Conditions:
A
B
c
Driving less than 5 mi (8 km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less than 10 mi (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.
Drivin_gon muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
[]Replace enqine oil and filter. Dlnspect front and rear brakes. DC heck tire inflation and condition. Dlnspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots. Dlnspect suspension components. Dlnspect driveshaft boots. ORe place air cleaner element. ']Check parking brake adjustment. ']Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches. ']Replace rear differential fluid.
CONTINUED
Maintenance 151
Check the fluid level with the
differential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
onlevelground.Removethe
differential fluid filler bolt and
washer and carefully feel inside the
bolt hole with your finger.
The fluid
level should
be up to the edge of the
bolt hole.
If it is not, slowly add fluid
until it starts to run out of
the hole.
Use a SAE 90 viscosity hypoid gear
oil, API service classified GL5 or
GL6 only, in the differential.
Put a new washer on the filler bolt,
then reinstall the filler bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m, 4.6 kgf·m)
The differential should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Differential Fluid
Maintenance 169
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
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.