Page 222 of 372

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
Page 234 of 372
Owner Maintenance Checks
You should check the following items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform any check, turn to the page given. Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 182. Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 184 .
Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 246 . Automatic transmission — Check
the fluid level monthly. See page 247. Brakes — Check the fluid level
monthly. See page 251.
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
267.
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 274.
Maintenance
Page 235 of 372
Fluid Locations
Maintenance
4-cylinder Models
BRAKE FLUID(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
RADIATOR CAP
Page 236 of 372
Fluid Locations
Maintenance
RADIATOR CAP
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
6-cylinder Models
ENGINE OILFILL CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
Page 250 of 372

Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
4-cylinder models
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower marks. 5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). If it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON ®
III automatic
transmission fluid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission drained and refilled with Honda ATF-Z1as soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the vehicle a short distance.Do this three times. Then drain and
refill the transmission a final time.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Page 251 of 372
Transmission Fluid
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Automatic Transmission
6-cylinder models
Check the fluid level with the engineat normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth. 3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Page 252 of 372

Transmission Fluid
5. If the level is below the lower mark, add fluid into the tube to
bring it to the upper mark. Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid). If it is not available, you may use a
DEXRON ®
III automatic
transmission fluid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission drained and
refilled with Honda ATF- Zl as soon as it is convenient.
To thoroughly flush the transmission, the technician should drain and refillit with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the vehicle a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and refill
the transmission a final time. 6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely asshown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule. 5-speed Manual Transmission
FILLER
BOLT
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely.
Maintenance
Correct level
Page 253 of 372
Transmission Fluid
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity ofSAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is preferred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stiffershifting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen- dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance