Page 57 of 372
Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by fastening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 309 .
Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 310 .
Instruments and Controls
Page 58 of 372

Indicator Lights
U.S.
Parking Brake and
Brake System Indicator
1. This indicator comes on when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not fully released candamage the brakes and tires.
2. If the indicator remains lit after you have fully released theparking brake while the engine isrunning, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
information, see page 313 .
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your front airbags or automatic seat belt tensioners. This light willalso alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags. For complete information, see page 47.
Side Airbag Indicator
Only on models equipped with side
airbags
This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If itcomes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger's side airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete information, see page
47.
Malfunction IndicatorLamp
See page 311.
U.S.
Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) Indicator
Only on models equipped with ABS (see
page 204)
This light normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned toSTART (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
the ABS. If this happens, take the car to your dealer to have it checked.
With the light on, your car still has normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete information, see
page 205.
Instruments and Controls
Canada
S R S
SIDEAIRBAG
A B S
Canada
Page 85 of 372
Keys and Locks
Glove Box
Open the glove box by squeezing the
handle. Close it with a firm push. Lock or unlock the glove box with
the master key.
The glove box light comes on only when the instrument panel lights are
on.
Instruments and Controls
GLOVE BOX
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passengerin a crash, even if thepassenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.
Page 96 of 372
Seat Adjustments
Folding Rear Seat
The back of the rear seat folds down, giving you direct access to the trunk.
The seat-back can be released from inside the car or inside the trunk.
To fold down the seat-back from inside the car, insert the master key
in the lock on the rear shelf. Turn
the key clockwise, pull down the top of the seat-back, then release the
key.
When storing cargo, you can move
the rear center shoulder belt out of
the way by removing the belt from
the guide.
To release the seat-back from inside
the trunk, pull the release loop under
the trunk panel.
To lock the seat-back upright, push it firmly against the trunk panel. Makesure it is latched in place by pulling
on the top of the seat.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
MASTER KEY
Page 97 of 372
Seat Adjustments
Make sure all rear shoulder belts are
positioned in front of the rear seat-
back whenever the seat-back is in its upright position.
Make sure all items in the trunk, or
items extending through the opening
into the back seat, are secured.Loose items can fly forward and
cause injury if you have to brake
hard. See Carrying Cargo on page
188.
Never drive with the seat-back
folded down and the trunk lid open. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on
page 49. Rear Seat Armrest
On all models except DX
The rear seat armrest is located at the center of the rear seat. Pivot itdown to use it.
Instruments and Controls
Page 195 of 372

Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 88).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 99).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 67).
8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 14 ). 10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11.Start the engine (see page 193).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).
Driving
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 227 of 372
U.S. Owners
Follow the Normal ConditionsMaintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specified in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only OCCASIONALLY drive under a
"severe" condition, you should
follow the Normal Conditions Maintenance Schedule.
Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
# : 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.
Maintenance