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
Maintenance
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page 223.
* 1 : See timing belt on page 267 to determine need for replacement.
* 2 : Balancer belt applies to 4-cylinder models only.
* 3 : See air conditioning filter on page 266 for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
NOTE:
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
Engine Oil
Recommended Oil Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20 detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute's latest requirements.
Genuine Honda Motor Oil is the
preferred 5W-20 lubricant for your
vehicle. It is highly recommended that you use Genuine Honda MotorOil in your vehicle for optimum
engine protection. Make sure the API Certification Seal
says "For Gasoline Engines."
The SAE number tells you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your vehicle according to this chart. 5W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your Honda, to
improve cold weather starting, and
to help your engine use less fuel.
If 5W-20 oil is not available, a 5W-30 oil may be used. However, it should
be replaced with 5W-20 at the next oil change.
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it displays the API Certification Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shownon the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must follow the oil and filter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
Additives Your Honda does not require any oiladditives. Additives may adversely
affect your engine's or transmission's
performance and durability.
Maintenance
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
Engine Oil
Changing the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance (miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami- nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly. Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic. 1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Maintenance
Engine Oil
4-cylinder models
2. Open the hood and remove the engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. 3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to
instructions that come with it.
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
33 Ibf.ft (44 N.m , 4.5 kgf.m)
CONTINUED
Maintenance
DRAIN BOLT
WASHER
6-cylinder models WASHER
DRAIN BOLT
OIL FILTER
4-cylinder models
Engine Oil
6. Refill the engine with the recom- mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity (including filter):
(4-cylinder models)
4.5 US qt (4.3 , 3.8 Imp qt)
(6-cylinder models)
4.6 US qt (4.4 , 3.9 Imp qt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Maintenance
NOTICE
OIL FILTER
6-cylinder models
Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter(see page 235).
Wash and dry the exterior completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded 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
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule as soon as you take it out of storage (see
page 224). The replacements called
for in the maintenance schedule are not needed unless the car hasactually reached that time or mileage.
Maintenance
Index
Accessories and Modifications.... 186 Accessories................................. 186Additional Safety Precaution.... 187 Modifications............................. 187
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key Position)........................................ 74
Accessory Power Socket.............. 106
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 234
Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 9
Air Cleaner Element...................... 253
Air Conditioning............................. 110
Maintenance............................... 265
Usage.......................................... 110
Air Conditioning Filter.................. 266
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 268
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 331
Antifreeze....................................... 239
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Description................................. 204
Indicator............................... 55, 205
Operation.................................... 204
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 73
Appearance Care........................... 287
Audio System................ 125, 137, 153
Automatic Speed Control................
68
Automatic Transmission............... 196
Capacity, Fluid........................... 326
Checking Fluid Level....... 247, 249
Shifting........................................ 196
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 197
Shift Lever Positions................. 197
Shift Lock Release..................... 200
Battery Charging System Light...... 54, 310
Jump Starting............................. 304
Maintenance............................... 260
Specifications............................. 329
Before Driving............................... 177
Belts, Seat........................................... 8
Beverage Holder............................ 104
Body Repair.................................... 296
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 204Break-in, New Linings .............. 178
Bulb Replacement..................... 281
Fluid............................................ 251
Parking........................................ 101
System Indicator.......................... 55
Wear Indicators......................... 203
Braking System.............................. 203
Break-in, New Car......................... 178 Brightness Control, Instruments... 63
Brights, Headlights......................... 62
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 281
Brake Lights............................... 281Ceiling Light............................... 282
Courtesy Light........................... 283
Front Parking Lights................. 278
Front Side Marker Lights......... 277
Headlights.................................. 276
High-mount Brake Light.......... 281
License Plate Lights.................. 281
Specifications............................. 327
Spotlight...................................... 283
Trunk Light................................ 284
Turn Signal Lights..................... 277
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 276
CONTINUED