Maintenanc
e
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 normaldriving 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 Acura, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. Seepage 271 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Acura
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 160
Important Safety Precautions.. 161
Maintenance Schedule.................. 162
Maintenance Record..................... 169
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 171
Fluid Locations............................... 172
Engine Oil....................................... 173 Adding Oil................................... 173
Recommended Oil..................... 173
Synthetic Oil............................... 175
Additives..................................... 175
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 175
Cooling System.............................. 178
Adding Engine Coolant............. 178Replacing Engine Coolant........ 180
Windshield Washers..................... 182
Transmission Fluid........................ 183 AutomaticTransmission.......................... 183
5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 185
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 185 Brake System............................. 186Clutch System............................ 186
Power Steering............................... 187
Air Cleaner Element...................... 188
Hood Latch..................................... 189
Spark Plugs..................................... 189
Replacement............................... 189
Specifications............................. 191
Battery............................................ 191
Wiper Blades.................................. 194
Air Conditioning System............... 196
Drive Belts...................................... 197
Timing Belt..................................... 197
Tires................................................ 198
Inflation....................................... 198
Inspection................................... 199 Maintenance............................... 200
Tire Rotation.............................. 201
Tire Wear.................................... 201
Replacing Tires and Wheels.... 202
Wheels and Tires....................... 203
Winter Driving........................... 203
Snow Tires.............................. 204
Tire Chains............................. 204
Lights.............................................. 205 Headlight Aiming...................... 207
Replacing Bulbs......................... 209
Storing Your Car............................ 216
Maintenance
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in A
, B , C , D as 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.
Canadia n owners : Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
#'. See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, lastcolumn, page 163.
* 1 : On Automatic transmission, thereafter replace transmission fluid every 90,000 mi/144,000 km/
5
yrs.
* 2 : Thereafter replace engine coolant every 60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs.
NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
Maintenanc
e
page 201
Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See page 127. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 128. Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 182. Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
183.
Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 185. Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
198.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 205.
Maintenance
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
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Accessories and Modifications.... 130 Accessories................................. 130Additional Safety Precaution.... 131
Modifications............................. 131
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175
Airbag (SRS)............................... 9, 45Ai
r Cleane
r Element...................... 188
Air Conditioning System................. 94
Maintenance............................... 196Usage............................................. 94
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 198
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 258
Antifreeze....................................... 178 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator................................ 55
, 148
Operation.................................... 14
6
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 74
Appearance Care........................... 217
Ashtrays............................................ 91
Audio System................................. 102
Automatic Speed Control................ 67
Automatic Transmission............... 140
Capacity, Fluid........................... 255
Checking Fluid Level................ 183
Shifting........................................ 140
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 140
Shift Lever Positions................. 140
Shift Lock Release..................... 143
Battery Charging SystemIndicator............................ 55,
239
Jump Starting............................
. 233
Maintenance............................... 191
Specifications............................. 255
Before Driving............................... 121
Belts, Seat.................................... 8, 42
Beverage Holder.............................. 89
Body Repair.................................... 224
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 146
Break-in, New Linings.............. 123
Bulb Replacement..................... 212
Fluid............................................ 185
Parking.......................................... 87
System Indicator................. 54,
241
Wear Indicators........................
. 145
Braking System.............................. 145
Break-in, New Car......................... 123
Brightness Control, Instruments... 63
Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 212
Brake Lights............................... 212 Cargo Area Light....................... 215
Ceiling Light............................... 215
Front Parking Lights................. 210
Front Side Marker Lights......... 210
Headlights.................................. 209
High-mount Brake Light.......... 211
License Plate Light.................... 214
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 212
Specifications............................. 255
Spotlights.................................... 215
Turn Signal Lights..................... 210
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 209
CONTINUED
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Capacities Chart.................... 254, 255
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Cargo Area Cover............................ 83
Carrying Cargo.............................. 132
Cassette Player
Care............................................. 118
Operation.................................... 115
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.................................... 111
CD Player........................................ 109
Certification Label......................... 252
Chains............................................. 204
Changing Oil
How to......................................... 175
When to....................................... 162
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 227
Changing Engine Coolant............. 180
Charging System Indicator.... 55, 239
Checklist, Before Driving............. 136
Child Safety...................................... 21
Child Seats........................................ 26
Tether Anchorage Points........... 41
Cleaner Element, Air..................... 188
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 219
Antenna....................................... 218Carpeting.................................... 220
Exterior....................................... 218
Fabric.......................................... 221
Interior........................................ 220
Leather........................................ 221
Seat Belts.................................... 221
Vinyl............................................221
Windows..................................... 222
Clock, Setting the............................ 88
Clutch Fluid.................................... 185
Code, Audio System...................... 119
CO in the Exhaust......................... 260 Cold Weather, Starting in............. 137
Compact Spare............................... 226
Console Compartment.................... 90
Consumer Information*................ 266
Controls, Instruments and.............. 51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 178
Checking..................................... 128
Proper Solution.......................... 178
Replacing.................................... 180
Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 223
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 260
Cruise Control Operation............... 67
Customer Relations Office........... 266
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 62
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 269
Defog and Defrost......................... 100
Defogger, Rear Window................. 65
Dimensions..................................... 254 Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 183
Engine Oil................................... 127
Directional Signals........................... 63
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 145
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 177
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 75
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 256
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Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 138
Drive Belts...................................... 197
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Driving............................................ 135 Economy..................................... 129
In Bad Weather.......................... 149
In Foreign Countries................. 259
Economy, Fuel............................... 129
Emergencies on the Road............. 225 Battery, Jump Starting.............. 233
Brake System Indicator............ 241
Changing a Flat Tire................. 227
Charging System Indicator...... 239
Checking the Fuses................... 244
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 238
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 240
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 242 Overheated Engine................... 236
Emergency Brake............................ 87
Emergency Flashers....................... 65
Emergency Towing....................... 248
Emissions Controls........................ 260 Emissions Testing, State.............. 263
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge..... 59
Drive Belts.................................. 197
Malfunction Indicator Lamp................................. 55, 240
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 55, 238
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173
Overheating................................ 236
Specifications............................. 254
Starting........................................ 137
Ethanol in Gasoline....................... 258
Evaporative Emissions Controls.. 260
Exhaust Fumes................................
49
Expectant Mothers
, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 19
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 218
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 221
Fan, Interior...................................... 94
Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 93
Filling the Fuel Tank..................... 124
Filters
Air Cleaner................................. 188
Oil................................................ 175
5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 185
Shifting the................................. 138
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 65
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 227
Fluids Automatic Transmission........... 183Brake........................................... 185
Clutch.......................................... 185
Manual Transmission............... 185
Power Steering........................... 187
Windshield Washer................... 182
FM Stereo Radio Reception.................................... 103
Folding Rear Seat............................ 83
Foreign Countries, Driving in...... 259
Four-way Flashers........................... 65
CONTINUED
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Technical Descriptions................. 251 Emissions Control Systems...... 260Oxygenated Fuels...................... 258
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 262
Temperature Gauge........................ 59
Tether Anchorage Points............... 41
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 262
Time, Setting the............................. 88
Timing Belt..................................... 197
Tire Chains..................................... 204
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 227
Tires................................................ 198 Air Pressure............................... 198Checking Wear.......................... 199
Compact Spare........................... 226
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 256
Inflation....................................... 198
Inspection................................... 199
Maintenance............................... 200
Replacing.................................... 202
Rotating....................................... 201
Snow............................................ 204
Specifications............................. 255
Tire Chains................................. 204
Winter Driving........................... 203 Tools, Tire Changing.................... 227
Towing
A Trailer...................................... 151
Emergency................................. 248
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,Automatic............................... 183
Checking Fluid Level, Manual.................................... 185
Fluid Selection.................. 184,
185
Identification Number..............
. 253
Shifting the Automatic.............. 140
Shifting the Manual................... 138
Treadwear...................................... 256
Trip Meter........................................ 58
Turn Signals..................................... 63
Underside, Cleaning...................... 223
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 225
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 256
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 123
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 220
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 177 Vehicle Capacity Load.................. 133
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 254
Vehicle Identification Number..... 252
Vehicle Storage.............................. 216
Ventilation......................................... 97
VIN 252
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 221
Viscosity, Oil................................... 174
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 50
Warranty Coverages*................... 268
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 182
Operation...................................... 64
Washing.......................................... 218
Waxing and Polishing................... 219
Wheels Adjusting the Steering................ 66
Alignment and Balance............. 200
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys....... 219