Page 180 of 372
Before Driving
Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period.............................. 178
Gasoline.......................................... 178
Service Station Procedures .......... 178 Filling the Fuel Tank................. 178Opening the Hood..................... 180 Oil Check................................ 182
Engine Coolant Check.......... 184
Fuel Economy................................ 185 Vehicle Condition...................... 185Driving Habits............................ 185
Accessories and Modifications.... 186 Carrying Cargo.............................. 188
Before Driving
Page 181 of 372

Break-in Period, Gasoline, Service Station Procedures
Break-in Period
Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300
km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
interval shown in the maintenance
schedule.
You should follow these same re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasoline
Your Honda is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Useof a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits. Using gasoline containing lead willdamage your car's emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system performance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer for service. Filling the Fuel Tank
1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pushing on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.
Before Driving
Page 353 of 372

Index
Headlights......................................... 62Aiming......................................... 276
Automatic Lighting Off............... 63Daytime Running Lights............. 63
Lights On Indicator..................... 53
Low Beams, Turning on............. 62
Reminder Chime.......................... 62
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 278
Turning on.................................... 62
Head Restraints............................... 92
Heating and Cooling...................... 110
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 194
HomeLink Universal Transmitter.................................. 83
Hood, Opening the ........................ 180
Hydraulic Clutch............................ 252
Hydroplaning.................................. 210
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 326
Ignition
Keys............................................... 71
Switch............................................ 73
Timing Control System............. 336
Immobilizer System......................... 72
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicators, Instrument Panel.......... 53
Infant Restraint................................ 28
Infant Seats....................................... 28
Tether Anchorage Points........... 39
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 268
Inside Mirror.................................... 98
Inspection, Tire.............................. 270
Instrument Panel............................. 53
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 63 Interior Cleaning............................ 290
Interior Lights................................ 106
Introduction......................................... i
Jacking up the Car......................... 209
Jack, Tire........................................ 298
Jump Starting................................. 304
Keys................................................... 71
Gas Mileage, Improving................ 185
Gasohol........................................... 331
Gasoline.......................................... 178
Gauge............................................ 58
Octane Requirement................. 178
Tank, Filling the......................... 178
Gas Station Procedures................. 178
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 59
Fuel................................................59
Speedometer................................ 58
Tachometer.................................. 58
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 1975-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 195
Glass Cleaning............................... 292
Glove Box......................................... 82
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 278
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 66