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
Engine Oil
The oil container may also display
the
API Certification seal. Make sure
it says
"For Gasoline Engines."
158 Maintenance
The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the
oil for
your car according to this chart.
60
. 10 20
" ~ c" ' -c '
AnlbielltTertlperature
An oil with a viscosity of lOW-30 is
preferred for improved fuel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda.
You may use a 5W-40 oil if
the temperature in your area goes
below oaF (
-20°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor
oil:
energy conserving, a service
classification of
SJ, and the proper
weight as shown on the chart. When
using synthetic
oil, you must follow
the
oil and filter change intervals
given
in the maintenance schedule.
Additives
Your Honda does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity.
It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
6-speed Manual Transmission Fluid
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt 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, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely.
168 Maintenance
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an
API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE lOW-30 or lOW-40 as a
temporary replacement. An
SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor
oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffer
shifting. Replace as soon as
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen
dations
in the maintenance schedule.
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