4-cylinder models6-cylinder models
The gauge stays at the same f uel
level reading af ter you turn of f the
ignition. When you add f uel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
readingafteryouturntheignition
switch back ON (II).
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’. Both trip meters will reset if
the vehicle’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper grey zone. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
239
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Trip Meter Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
59
CONT INUED
The f low-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear window.Turn the temperature control dial
all the way to the lef t.
Make sure the A/C is of f .
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
The outside air intakes f or the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C of f ,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or
dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
1. 2. 3.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent ilat ion
How to Use the System
113TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREECCOONNTTRROOLLDDIIAALLFFAANNCCOONNTTRROOLLDDIIAALL
AAIIRRCCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGGBBUUTTTTOONN
MMOODDEEBBUUTTTTOONNSS
RREECCIIRRCCUULLAATTIIOONNBBUUTTTTOONN
When the interior has cooled down
to a more comf ortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described f or normal
cooling.Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn
of f the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.
If the interior is very warm f rom
beingparkedinthesun,youcancool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way: Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light above the button
should come on when a f an speed
is selected.
Make sure the temperature
controldialissettomaximumcool.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Start the engine.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is set to maximum
cool.
Set the f an to maximum speed.
Open the windows partially. Select
and Fresh Air mode.
1.2. 3. 4.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
58
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
114
TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREECCOONNTTRROOLLDDIIAALL
AAIIRRCCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGGBBUUTTTTOONNRREECCIIRRCCUULLAATTIIOONNBBUUTTTTOONN
MMOODDEEBBUUTTTTOONNSSFFAANNCCOONNTTRROOLLDDIIAALL
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.To shut of f the system temporarily,
turn the fan speed and temperature
control dials all the way to the lef t.
You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
Start the engine.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Switch the fan and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior f rost or
ice f rom the windshield (on very cold
days), f irst select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
f ogging the windows. These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
underneath each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
To remove exterior f rost or ice f rom
the windshield and side windows
after the car has been sitting out in
cold weather: 1. 2. 3.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures To Turn Everything Of f
116
Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period . 178
.........................................
Gasoline . 178
.........
Service Station Procedures . 178
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 178
....................
Opening the Hood . 180
...............................
Oil Check . 182
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 184
...............................
Fuel Economy . 185
.....................
Vehicle Condition . 185
...........................
Driving Habits . 185
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 186
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 188
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving 177
Refer toon page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
4.
234 239231
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving Owner Maintenance
Checks
A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil
Engine Coolant Check
184
MMAAXX
MMIINN44--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss66--ccyylliinnddeerrmmooddeellss
RREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKKMMAAXX
MMIINN
RREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK
LLOOWWEERRMMAARRKK
UUPPPPEERRMMAARRKK
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 Î ÎÎ
Î
ÌÌ NOTE: If you only
drive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
224 Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
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 .
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
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
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system, fuel lines and connections 152412
304824
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) 457236
Every 36 months609648
75
120
60 90
144
72 105168
84 120192
96
Every 120,000 miles (200,000 km) or 10 years, thereafter every 60,000 miles (100,000 km) or 60 months
Every 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 72 months
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 72 months thereafter every
90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 60 monthsAdjust only if noisy
:
1:2: 223
267 MTAT
11
,2
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions