Page 269 of 372

Air Conditioning Filter, Drive Belts
Air Conditioning FilterThe air conditioning filter removes pollen and dust that is brought in
from the outside through the heatingand cooling system.
This filter 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 concentrationsof soot in the air from industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more often if air flow from the
climate control system becomes less
than usual. Have the air conditioning
filter replaced by your Honda dealer. Drive Belts
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
fraying.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys.
The belts should have the following
"play" or deflection.
4-cylinder models
Alternator belt: (On vehicles without A/C)
0.41 — 0.49 in (10.5 — 12.5 mm)
(On vehicles with A/C)
0.28 — 0.35 in (7.0 — 9.0 mm)
Power steering belt:
0.51 — 0.63 in (13.0 — 16.0 mm)
Maintenance
ALTERNATOR BELT
4-cylinder models
POWER STEERING
BELT
6-cylinder models
POWER STEERING BELT
Page 310 of 372

If Your Engine Overheats
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.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause serious damage to your engine.
Your car can overheat for 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 from under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the heating and cooling system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning indicators.
2. If you see steam and/or spray coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine.
3. 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, for 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.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
NOTICE
Page 311 of 372

If Your Engine Overheats
4. If the temperature gauge stays at the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks, such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see Emergency
Towing on page 320).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page 184). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. 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 pointer reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check- ing the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first 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. 10. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial tomaximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the filler neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and refilled with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.
11. 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 Emergency
Towing on page 320.)
12. 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.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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.
Page 353 of 372

Index
Headlights......................................... 62Aiming......................................... 276
Automatic Lighting Off............... 63Daytime 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
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 326
Ignition
Keys............................................... 71
Switch............................................ 73
Timing Control System............. 336
Immobilizer System......................... 72
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicators, Instrument Panel.......... 53
Infant Restraint................................ 28
Infant Seats....................................... 28
Tether Anchorage Points........... 39
Inflation, 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
Keys................................................... 71
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
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission........... 1975-speed Manual Transmission.......................... 195
Glass Cleaning............................... 292
Glove Box......................................... 82
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 278
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 66