Page 234 of 372
Owner Maintenance Checks
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 182. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 184 .
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 246 . Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page 247. Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 251.
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
267.
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 274.
Maintenance
Page 235 of 372
Fluid Locations
Maintenance
4-cylinder Models
BRAKE FLUID(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
RADIATOR CAP
Page 236 of 372
Fluid Locations
Maintenance
RADIATOR CAP
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
6-cylinder Models
ENGINE OILFILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
Page 238 of 372

Engine Oil
Recommended Oil Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements.
Genuine Honda Motor Oil is the
preferred 5W-20 lubricant for your
vehicle. It is highly recommended that you use Genuine Honda MotorOil in your vehicle for optimum
engine protection. Make sure the API Certification Seal
says "For Gasoline Engines."
The SAE number tells you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your vehicle according to this chart. 5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less fuel.
If 5W-20 oil is not available, a 5W-30 oil may be used. However, it should
be replaced with 5W-20 at the next oil change.
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it displays the API Certification Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shownon 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 require any oiladditives. Additives may adversely
affect your engine's or transmission's
performance and durability.
Maintenance
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
Page 248 of 372

Cooling System
6-cylinder models
Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck.
The cooling system capacity is:
With 5-speed manual transmission:
1.45 US gal (5.5 ,1.21 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
1.43 US gal (5.4 ,1.19 Imp gal)
6-cylinder models 1.48 US gal (5.6 ,1.23 Imp gal) 8. Start the engine and let it run for
about 30 seconds. Then turn off
the engine.
9. Fill the radiator with coolant up to the base of the filler neck.
10. Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
11.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it to the first stop.
12.Start the engine and let it run until the radiator cooling fan comes onat least twice. Then stop the
engine.
13.Remove the radiator cap. Pour coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark. 14.Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling fan
comes on. Turn off the engine. Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
15.Install the radiator cap, and tighten it fully.
16.If necessary, fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark. Install thereserve tank cap.
Maintenance
4-cylinder models
BLEEDER BOLT
Page 250 of 372

Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
4-cylinder models
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower marks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission 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 drained and refilled with Honda ATF-Z1as soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the vehicle a short distance.Do this three times. Then drain and
refill the transmission a final time.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Page 251 of 372
Transmission Fluid
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the transmission securely asshown 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.
Automatic Transmission
6-cylinder models
Check the fluid level with the engineat normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Page 252 of 372

Transmission Fluid
5. If the level is below the lower mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission 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 drained and
refilled with Honda ATF- Zl as soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), 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 asshown 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. 5-speed Manual Transmission
FILLER
BOLT
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 Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely.
Maintenance
Correct level