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.
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.
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.
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.