Page 257 of 355
The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.Loosen the two holding clips by
turning the heads one-quarter turn
counterclockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Remove the cover on
the f ront cylinder bank by pulling
it straight up. Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
Use a wrench to remove the
hexagonsocketheadcapbolt
holding the ignition coil. Remove
the ignition coil by pulling it
straight out.
Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
Replacement
Spark Plugs (6-cylinder Models)
Maint enance
258
HHOOLLDDIINNGGCCLLIIPP
HHEEXXAAGGOONNSSOOCCKKEETTHHEEAADDCCAAPPBBOOLLTT
Page 258 of 355

´ µ
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt.Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Spark Plug Gap: Reinstall the cover on the front
cylinder bank while putting its
mounting clip in the hole on the
passenger’s side. Secure the cover
by turning the heads of the two
holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
NGK:
DENSO:
6. 7.
8.9.
10. 11.
Specif ications:
Spark Plugs (6-cylinder Models)
Maint enance 259
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
0.04 in (1.1 mm)PKJ16CR-L11
PZFR5F-11
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.
Page 259 of 355
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator’s colors.Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
of f with plain water. Dry of f the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent f uture corrosion.
Check the condition of your car’s
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and f or corrosion on the terminals.
Battery
Maint enance
260
TTEESSTTIINNDDIICCAATTOORRWWIINNDDOOWW
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TTEESSTTIINNDDIICCAATTOORRWWIINNDDOOWW
66--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss
Page 260 of 355
µIf you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
CONT INUED
Battery
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
261
44--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss66--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss
Page 261 of 355
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘Code’’ in
the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).174
On EX and EX-V6 models
Battery
Maint enance
262 The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.
Page 262 of 355
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Raise the driver’s side f irst, then
the passenger’s side. 2.
1.
CONT INUED
Wiper Blades
Maint enance 263
WWIIPPEERRAARRMMSS
LLOOCCKKTTAABB
Page 263 of 355
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the passenger’s side f irst,
then the driver’s side.
3. 4. 5. 6.
7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance
264
RREEIINNFFOORRCCEEMMEENNTT
BBLLAADDEEBBLLAADDEE
Page 264 of 355

Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 328
Optional f or U.S. DX model
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance
265
AAIIRRCCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGGCCOONNDDEENNSSEERR
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.