This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 220
.
Important Safety Precautions . 221
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 222
....................
Maintenance Record . 229
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 231
..............................
Fluid Locations . 232
......................................
Engine Oil . 234
..................................
Adding Oil . 234
....................
Recommended Oil . 235
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 235
....................................
Additives . 235
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 236
.............................
Cooling System . 239
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 239
.......
Replacing 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
............................
Specif ications . 257
...........................................
Battery . 260
.................................
Wiper Blades . 263
..............
Air Conditioning System . 265
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 266
.....................................
Drive Belts . 266
....................................
Timing Belt . 267
...............................................
Tires . 267
......................................
Inf lation . 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
345
Maintenance
Maint enance
219
µ
Ì
Î ÎÎ ÌÌ
ÌÎÎ
Î
Î Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
car top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
MAINLY
Maint enance U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
226 Visually inspect the following items:Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
See air conditioning filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Balancer belt applies to 4-cylinder models only.
See timing belt on page to determine need for replacement.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system, fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean ( ) or replace ( ) air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty conditons
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt , balancer belt , and
inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
152412
304824 457236609648 75
120 60 105168
84 120192
96
90
144
72
At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 36 months, thereafter every 30,000 mi, (48,000 km) or 24 months
At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 36 months
Every 36 months
Adjust only if noisy
:
1:2:3: 223
267
266 Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
MTAT
11
,2
3
120,000 miles (200,000 km) or 10 years, thereafter every 60,000 miles (100,000 km) or 60 months
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
Ø Ø Ø ØØØØØØØØ
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Maint enance
228 D E
82,500 mi/132,000 km
86,250 mi/138,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
93,750 mi/150,000 km
97,500 mi/156,000 km
101,250 mi/162,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
108,750 mi/174,000 km
112,500 mi/180,000 km
116,250 mi/186,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
At 120,000 mi/200,000 km/72
months, thereafter every
60,000 mi/100,000 km/60 mos
Every 60,000 mi/96,000 km/36mos
At 60,000 miles/96,000 km or
36 months, thereafter every
30,000 mi/48,000 km/24 mos Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter .
Replace brake fluid every 3 years.
(independent of mileage)
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replacebrakefluid.DoitemsinA,B,C,D,E.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace timing belt , balancer belt , and
inspect water pump. Inspect valve clearance. Check idle speed. Clean air cleaner element.
Replace spark plugs. Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace timing belt , balancer belt , and
inspect water pump. Do items in A, B, C, D.
Replace engine coolant
Replace manual transmission fluid
Replace automatic transmission fluid See air conditioning filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
Balancer belt applies to 4-cylinder models only.
See timing belt on page to determine need for replacement.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
:
1:2:3: 223
267
2663
11
,2
11 ,2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)
µµ
µ µ
µ
µ
µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .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 .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 182
184
246
247 251 267
274
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance 231
Check the f ollowing:Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light f unction
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian models)
If youfindanybulbsareburnedout,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page to
determinewhattypeof replacement
bulb is needed. 327
Lights
Maint enance
275
SSTTOOPP//TTAAIILLLLIIGGHHTTTTUURRNNSSIIGGNNAALLLLIIGGHHTT
HHIIGGHH--MMOOUUNNTTBBRRAAKKEELLIIGGHHTT
TTAAIILLLLIIGGHHTT
BBAACCKK--UUPPLLIIGGHHTT
Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
Remove the burned-out bulb by
pulling it straight out of the socket.
Install the new bulb and reinstall
the socket. Make sure the new
bulb is working.Remove the license light assembly
by caref ully prying on the lef t
edge of the lens with a f lat-tip
screwdriver and pulling the
assembly out.
Remove the lens f rom the bulb
holder by pulling the lens while
squeezing the tabs on both sides
of the holder.
1.
2. 3. 1.
2.
CONT INUED
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light BulbReplacing a Rear License Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
281
BBUULLBB
Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule as soon
as you take it out of storage (see
page ). The replacements called
f or in the maintenance schedule are
not needed unless the car has
actually reached that time or mileage.
235
224
St oring Your Car
Maint enance285
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
The tools are in the tool box on
the right side of the trunk. Take
the tools out of the tool box.
Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traf f ic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire. 5.
4.
3.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
297
JJAACCKKSSPPAARREETTIIRREE
TTOOOOLLBBOOXXTTRRUUNNKKFFLLOOOORR
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyoneunderneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.