Page 187 of 285

Transmissio
n Flui d
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lowermarks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the filler hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (AutomaticTransmission Fluid). If it
is not available, you may use a
DEXRON ®
III automatic
transmission fluid as a temporary replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have the
transmission flushed and refilled
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient.
To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle a short distance. Do this three times. Then drain and refill the
transmission a final time. 6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenanc e
UPPE
R MAR K
LOWE R MAR K
Page 188 of 285

Transmissio
n Fluid , Brak e an d Clutc h Flui d
5-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
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 isnot, add Honda Manual Transmis-sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
filler bolt and tighten it securely. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE10W-30 or 10W-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 stiffershifting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule. Brak
e an d Clutc h Flui d
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are: Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake fluid should be replaced according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
CONTINUED
Maintenanc e
FILLE
R BOL T
Correc
t leve l
Page 214 of 285
Light
s
Replacin g a High-moun t Brak e
Ligh t Bul b
LS model
1. Undo the cover fasteners by pushing on the center of each
fastener's head until it pops in. Remove the cover.
2. Determine which bulb is burned out. 3. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
4. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working. 5. Reset each fastener by pushing on
the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
6. Reinstall the cover. Secure each fastener by pushing on the centeruntil it locks (the center is flush
with the head).
Maintenance
Page 217 of 285
Light
s
8. Reset each fastener by pushing on the pointed end until it pops backalmost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
9. Reinstall the cover. Secure each fastener by pushing on the center
until it locks (the center is flush
with the head). Replacin
g a Rea r Licens e Plat e
Bul b
1. Remove the two screws and remove the license plate light
assembly.
2. Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
4. Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
5. Reinstall the license light assem-
bly. Install the two screws and
tighten them securely.
Maintenanc e
Page 225 of 285

Interio
r Car e
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol. Window
s
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass cleaner. You can also use a mixtureof one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.
The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass. Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires. When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.
Ai
r Freshener s
If you want to use an air freshener/ deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi- cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack ordiscolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it does not spill as you drive.
Appearanc e Car e
NOTIC
E
Page 233 of 285
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
12. Put on the spare tire. Put the wheel nuts back on finger-tight,then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is firmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them fully. 13. Lower the car to the ground and
remove the jack.
14. Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Havethe wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
facility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
80 lbf.ft (108 N.m , 11 kgf.m)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d (Excep
t Type-R )
(Type-R )
Page 234 of 285

Changin
g a Fla t Tire , I f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
15. Remove the wheel cover or center
cap.
Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
16. Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt. 17. Secure the flat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
18. Store the jack in its holder with the end bracket facing to the right.
Turn the jack's end bracket to lock
it in place. Store the tool kit.
19. Store the wheel cover or center cap in the cargo area. Make sure it
will not get scratched or damaged.
20. Reinstall the floor mat and spare tire cover, then close the hatch. I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosing why your engine won't start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III): You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, oroperates very slowly. You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
WIN
G BOL T
SPACER
CON E
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack and tools
securely before driving.