Maintenance
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 Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See page 345 for information on how toobtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 220
Important Safety Precautions ..221
Maintenance Schedule.................. 222
Maintenance Record..................... 229
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 231
Fluid Locations............................... 232
Engine Oil....................................... 234
Adding Oil................................... 234Recommended Oil..................... 235
Synthetic Oil............................... 235
Additives..................................... 235
Changing the Oil and Filter...... 236
Cooling System.............................. 239
Adding Engine Coolant............. 239Replacing Engine Coolant........ 241
Windshield Washers..................... 246
Transmission Fluid........................ 247
Automatic
Transmission.......................... 247
5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 249
Brake and Clutch Fluid................. 251
Brake System............................. 251
Clutch System............................ 252
Power Steering............................... 252
Air Cleaner Element...................... 253
Hood Latch..................................... 256
Spark Plugs..................................... 256
Replacement............................... 256
Specifications............................. 257
Battery............................................ 260
Wiper Blades.................................. 263
Air Conditioning System............... 265
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 266 Drive Belts...................................... 266
Timing Belt..................................... 267
Tires................................................ 267
Inflation...................................... 268
Inspection................................... 270
Maintenance............................... 270
Tire Rotation.............................. 271 Replacing Tires and Wheels .... 271
Wheels and Tires....................... 272 Winter Driving........................... 273
Snow Tires.............................. 273
Tire Chains............................. 273
Lights.............................................. 274 Replacing Bulbs......................... 276
Storing Your Car............................ 285
Maintenance
Tires
Winter Driving
Tires that are marked "M + S" or "All Season" on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable for most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed for optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate performance in winter driving.For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under certain conditions.
Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your car's handling in all weather conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car's original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommenda-
tions.
Tire Chains
Mount snow chains on your vehicle
when warranted by driving condi- tions or required by local laws. Make sure the chains are the correct size
for your tires. Install them only on
the front tires.
4-cylinder models
If metal chains are used, they must
be SAE class "S". Cable-type traction devices can also be used.
6-cylinder models
Use only SAE class "S" cable-type
traction devices.
When installing chains, follow the
manufacturer's instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis, stop and investigate.Make sure the chains are installed
tightly, and that they are not
contacting the brake lines or suspension. Remove the chains assoon as you begin driving on cleared
roads.
Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the
chains hitting any part of the car.
Maintenance
NOTICE
Compact Spare Tire
Your car has a compact spare tire that takes up less space. Use thisspare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on
your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm 2
)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
The wheel of the compact spare tire is designed especially to fit
your car. Do not use your spare tire on another vehicle unless it is
the same make and model.
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
The compact spare tire has a shorter tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wearindicator bars. The replacementshould be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not designed for mounting a regular tire.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
Index
Setting the Clock........................... 101 The 5-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 195
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 197
Shift Lock Release......................... 200
Side Airbags..................................... 45
How Your Side Airbags Work.... 45
How The Side Airbag IndicatorLight Works............................. 46
Side Marker Lights, Bulb Replacement............................... 279
Signaling Turns................................ 64
Snow Tires...................................... 273
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 288
Sound System........................ 125, 153
Spare Tire
Inflating....................................... 297
Specifications............................. 330
Spark Plugs, Replacing........ 256, 258
Specifications Charts..................... 328
Speed Control...................................
68
Speed Limiter........................ 196, 200
Speedometer....................................
58
SRS, Additional Information........... 43
Additional Safety Precautions.... 23How Your Airbags Work..... 43, 45
How Your SRS Indicator
Works........................................43
SRS Components......................... 43
SRS Service................................... 48
SRS Indicator............................. 43, 55
START (Ignition Key Position) ..... 74
Starting the Engine........................
193
In Cold Weather at High
Altitude...................................
194
With a Dead Battery................. 306
Steam Coming from Engine......... 308
Steering Wheel Adjustment................................... 67
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 73
Stereo Sound System........... 125,
153
Storing Your Car.............................
287
Sun Visor......................................... 105
Sunglasses Holder......................... 106
Supplemental Restraint System Servicing....................................... 48
SRS Indicator......................... 43, 55
System Components.................... 43
Synthetic Oil................................... 235 Tachometer...................................... 58
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 281
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 295
Tape Player ........................... 130, 160
Technical Descriptions DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 329
Emissions Control Systems...... 332
Oxygenated Fuels...................... 331
Three Way Catalytic Converter................................ 335
Temperature Gauge........................ 59
Tether Attachment Points.............. 37
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 335 Time, Setting the...........................
101
Timing Belt..................................... 267
Tire Chains..................................... 273
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 297
CONTINUED