Liquid crystal is used in the meter
panel. You may feel the indicators
appear slowly
in the low temperature.
Speedometer
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph) or kilometers per hour
(km/h). Select
Button
The Select button switches the
speedometer reading between miles
per hour and kilometer per hour.
It
also changes the odometer and trip
meters to read in miles or kilometers
correspondingly. To change the
readings, push the Select button and
hold it until you
hear a beep.
Gauges
Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine
speed
in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer reading in the red zone.
Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be
in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark.
If it reaches the red
mark, pull safely to the side of the
road.
Turn to page 223 for
instructions and precautions on
checking
the engine's cooling
system.
Instruments and Controls 4 7
Heating and Cooling
Vent Controls
You can adjust the direction of the
air coming from the vents on both
sides of the instrument panel and at
the corner of the dashboard on the
passenger's side.
To adjust the air
flow up and down, move the tab
in
the center of each vent up and down.
To adjust it left and right, turn the
dial under each vent left and right.
88 Comfort and Convenience Features
You can shut off the air flow from
each vent by turning the dial
all the
way toward the
t>UO mark until it
clicks. How
to Use the System
This
section covers how to set up the
system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and
defrosting.
The engine must be running for the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air.
The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
Heating and Cooling
To Cool with A/C
1. Turn on the AI C by pressing the
button.
The light in the button
should come on when a fan speed
is selected.
2. Make sure the temperature
control dial is
all the way to the left.
3. Select ;,; .
4. If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode.
If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set
the fan to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm from
being parked
in the sun, you can cool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera
ture control dial is
all the way to
the left.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select
;,; and Recirculation mode.
90 Comfort and Convenience Features
When the interior has cooled down
to a more comfortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling. Air
conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
47) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red mark, turn
off the
A/ C until the reading returns
to normal.
These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
defroster vents.
The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent.
This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
To Tum Everything Off
To shut off the system temporarily,
turn off the fan (no lights
illuminated).
You should shut the system
completely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at
all other times so stale
air does not build up
in the interior.
Heating and Cooling
Comfort and Convenience Features 93
Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to
use, and how to check
the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages.
The information in this
section will help you.
If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
·
please read the information in this
section first.
Before Driving
Break-in Period .............................. 116
Gasoline .......................................... 116
Service Station Procedures ..........
117
Filling the Fuel Tank ................. 117
Opening the Hood ..................... 118
Oil Check ................................ 119
Engine Coolant Check .......... 120
Fuel Economy ................................ 121
Car Condition ............................. 121
Driving Habits ............................ 121
Accessories and Modifications .... 122
Accessories ................................. 122
Modifications ............................. 123
Additional Safety Precaution .... 123
Carrying Cargo .............................. 124
General Precautions ...................... 127
Before Driving 115
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
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.