Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the cooling f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Fill the radiator with coolant up to
the base of the f iller neck.
Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Remove the radiator cap. Pour
coolant into the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck and into the
reserve tank up to the MAX mark. If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the f iller neck.
The cooling system capacity is: 8. 9.
10. 11.12. 13. 14. 15. 16.
With automatic transmission:
6-cylinder models
With 5-speed manual transmission:
6-cylinder models
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
245
44--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellssBBLLEEEEDDEERRBBOOLLTT
1.45 US gal (5.5
, 1.21 Imp gal)
1.43 US gal (5.4
, 1.19 Imp gal)
1.48 US gal (5.6
, 1.23 Imp gal)
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.
µµ
µµ µµ
The air conditioning f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
climate control system becomes less
than usual. Have the air conditioning
f ilter replaced by your Honda dealer.
Check the condition of the drive
belts (two on 4-cylinder models, one
on 6-cylinder models). Examine the
edges of each belt for cracks or
f raying.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushingonitwithyourthumb
midway between the pulleys.
The belts should have the f ollowing
‘‘play’’ or def lection. (On vehicles with A/C)
(On vehicles without A/C)
Alternator belt:
Power steering belt:
4-cylinder models
Drive Belts
A ir Conditioning Filter
A ir Conditioning Filter, Drive Belts
Maint enance
266
44--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss66--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss
AALLTTEERRNNAATTOORRBBEELLTT
PPOOWWEERRSSTTEEEERRIINNGGBBEELLTT
PPOOWWEERRSSTTEEEERRIINNGGBBEELLTT
0.28 0.35 in (7.0 9.0 mm)
0.41 0.49 in (10.5 12.5 mm)
0.51 0.63 in (13.0 16.0 mm)
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.
The pointer of your car’s tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Your car can overheat f or several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action. 1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed 307
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open thehood.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointerreaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ). Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See on page .)
4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9.
11.12.10.
184 320
320
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
308 Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
µµ
No.
No.
Amps. Amps. Circuits Protected
Circuits Protected
1 23456789
1011 12131415161718192021
20 A
(7.5A) 20 A
20 A
20 A
15 A
30 A
15 A
100 A 20 A 40 A
40 A
40 A
20 A
40 A
40 A
20 A
20 A
50 A
Back Up, ACC
Power Window Motor
Spare Fuse
Power Seat
BSC
Heater Motor
Rear Defroster
Heated Seat
Condenser Fan
IG1 Main
Lef t Headlight
(DIMMER RELAY)
Right Headlight
ABS F/S
Stop
ACG
ABS Motor
Hazard
Spare Fuse
Battery
Cooling Fan
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
318
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 278
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 66 ........................................
Headlights . 62
........................................
Aiming . 276
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 63
............
Daytime 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
..................................................
Keys . 71
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 326
Ignition
..............................................
Keys . 71
...........................................
Switch . 73
............
Timing Control System . 336
........................
Immobilizer System . 72 .........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 53
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 28
......................................
Inf ant Seats . 28
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 39
...................
Inf lation, 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
...............
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
Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........
Automatic Transmission . 197
5-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission . 195
..............................
Glass Cleaning . 292
........................................
Glove Box . 82
Index
G H I J K
IV