Servic
e Statio n Procedure s
SUPPOR T RO D
3 . Pul l th e suppor t ro d ou t o f it s cli p
an d inser t th e en d int o th e hol e o n
th e fron t o f th e hoo d aroun d th e
center .
T o clos e th e hood , lif t i t u p slightl y t o
remov e th e suppor t ro d fro m th e
hole . Pu t th e suppor t ro d bac k int o
it s holdin g clip . Lowe r th e hoo d t o
abou t a foo t (3 0 cm ) abov e th e
fender , the n le t i t drop .
Afte r closin g th e hood , mak e sur e it
i s securel y latched . Oil
Check
Chec k th e engin e oi l leve l ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e vehicl e wit h fuel . Wai t a
fe w minute s afte r turnin g th e engin e
of f befor e yo u chec k th e oil .
1 . Remov e th e dipstic k (orang e
handle) .
2
. Wip e th e dipstic k wit h a clea n
clot h o r pape r towel .
CONTINUED
Befor e Drivin g
DIPSTIC
K
Servic
e Statio n Procedure s
3 . Inser t i t al l th e wa y bac k in it s tube .
UPPE
R MAR K
4 . Remov e th e dipstic k agai n an d
check th e level . I t shoul d b e
betwee n th e uppe r an d lowe r
marks .
I f i t
i
s nea r o r belo w th e lowe r mark ,
see Adding Oil on pag e 211.
Engine
Coolant Check
MI N
Loo k a t
th
e coolan t leve l i n th e
radiato r reserv e tank . Mak e sur e it i s
betwee n th e MA X an d MI N lines . I f
i t i s belo w th e MI N line , se e Addin g
Engin e Coolan t o n pag e 21 5 fo r
informatio n o n addin g th e prope r
coolant .
Refe r t o Owne r Maintenanc e
Check s o n pag e 20 9 fo r informatio n
o n checkin g othe r item s i n you r
Honda .
Befor e Drivin g
LOWE
R MAR K
RESERV
E TAN K
MA X
Off-Highwa
y Guideline s
Drivin g Tip s
Th e followin g page s contai n practica l
tip s o n basi c off-highwa y operation .
Check Out Your Vehicle
Drivin g off-highwa y ca n b e har d o n a
vehicle . Befor e yo u leav e th e
pavement , b e sur e al l schedule d
maintenanc e an d servic e ha s bee n
done , an d tha t yo u hav e inspecte d
you r vehicle . Pa y specia l attentio n to
th e conditio n o f th e tires , an d us e a
gaug e t o chec k th e tir e pressures .
Afte r yo u retur n t o th e pavement ,
carefull y inspec t you r vehicl e t o
mak e sur e ther e is n o damag e tha t
coul d mak e drivin g it unsafe . Chec k
th e tire s fo r damag e an d fo r prope r
pressure .
Controlling
Speed
Off-highway , th e genera l rul e is t o
kee p you r spee d low . O f course ,
you'l l nee d enoug h spee d to kee p
movin g forward . Bu t a t highe r
speeds , yo u hav e les s tim e to asses s
condition s an d mak e good decisions .
There' s als o a greate r chanc e o f
slidin g if yo u brak e o r tur n to o
quickl y o n we t soil , gravel , o r ice . I n
an y situation , neve r g o faste r tha n
condition s allow .
Accelerating
and Braking
Fo r bette r tractio n o n al l surfaces ,
accelerat e slowl y an d graduall y buil d
u p speed . I f yo u tr y t o star t to o fas t
o n we t soil , mud , snow , o r ice , yo u
migh t no t hav e enoug h tractio n to
ge t underway . Yo u ma y eve n di g
yoursel f int o a hole .
Generally , th e bes t off-pavemen t
brakin g techniqu e is t o gentl y
depres s th e brak e pedal , the n
increas e pressur e a s mor e brakin g is
needed . Avoi d har d braking . Kee p in
min d tha t yo u wil l usuall y nee d mor e
tim e an d distanc e to brak e t o a sto p
o n unpave d surfaces .
Tes t you r brake s fro m tim e t o tim e
t o mak e sur e the y ar e operatin g
properly . Thi s wil l als o giv e yo u a
fee l fo r ho w muc h tractio n yo u hav e
o n a give n surface .
CONTINUED
Drivin g
Maintenanc
e
Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r vehicl e wel l
maintaine d an d t o follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f
yourself .
I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 309 for informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc e Safety...................... . 198
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 199
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 200
Require
d Maintenanc e Record... . 207
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 209
Flui d Locations.............................. . 210
Engin e Oil...................................... . 211
Addin g Oil.................................. . 211
Recommende d Oil.................... . 211
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 212
Additives.................................... . 212
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 213
Coolin g System............................. . 215
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 215
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 217
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 220
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 221
Automati c Transmission.......... . 221
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 222
Rea r Differentia l Fluid................. . 223
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 224
Brak e System............................ . 224
Clutc h System........................... . 225
Powe r Steering.............................. . 225
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 226
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 227
Spar k Plugs.................................... . 227
Replacement.............................. . 227
Specifications............................
. 228
Battery........................................... . 229
Wipe r Blades................................. . 231
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 233
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 234
Driv e Belts..................................... . 234
Timin g Belt.................................... . 235
Tires............................................... . 235
Inflation...................................... . 235
Recommende d Tir e
Pressure s fo r Norma l
Driving........................... . 236
Inspection.................................. . 237
Maintenance.............................. . 237
Tir e Rotation............................. . 238
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s ... . 239
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 240
Winte r Driving.......................... . 240
Sno w Tires............................. . 240
Tir e Chains............................ . 241
Lights............................................. . 242
Headligh t Aiming..................... . 244
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 246
Storin g You r Vehicle.................... . 253
Maintenanc e
Maintenanc
e Safet y
Regularl y maintainin g you r vehicl e i s
th e bes t wa y t o protec t you r
investment . Prope r maintenanc e i s
essentia l t o you r safet y an d th e
safet y o f you r passengers . I t wil l als o
rewar d yo u wit h mor e economical ,
trouble-fre e drivin g an d hel p reduc e
ai r pollution . Thi
s sectio n include s instruction s fo r
simpl e maintenanc e tasks , suc h a s
checkin g an d addin g oil . An y servic e
item s no t detaile d i n thi s sectio n
shoul d b e performe d b y a Hond a
technicia n o r othe r qualifie d
mechanic . Som
e o f th e mos t importan t safet y
precaution s ar e give n here . However ,
w e canno t war n yo u o f ever y
conceivabl e hazard tha t ca n aris e i n
performin g maintenance .
Onl
y yo u
ca n decid e whethe r o r no t yo u
shoul d perfor m a give n task .
Maintenanc e
Failur
e t o properl y follo w
maintenanc e instruction s an d
precaution s ca n caus e yo u t o
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e procedure s
an d precaution s i n thi s owner' s
manual .
Improperl
y maintainin g thi s
vehicl e o r failin g t o correc t a
proble m befor e drivin g ca n
caus e a cras h in whic h yo u ca n
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e inspectio n
an d maintenanc e
recommendation s an d
schedule s i n thi s owner' s
manual .
Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Thi s sectio n cover s th e more -
commo n problem s tha t motorist s
experienc e wit h thei r vehicles . I t
give s yo u informatio n abou t ho w to
safel y evaluat e th e proble m an d wha t
t o d o to correc t it . I f th e proble m ha s
strande d yo u o n th e sid e o f th e road ,
yo u ma y b e abl e to ge t goin g again .
I f not , yo u wil l als o fin d instruction s
o n gettin g you r vehicl e towed .
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e .................... . 26 6
I f You r Engin e Won' t Start.......... . 27 5
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y
Slowly..................................... 275
Th e Starte r Operate s
Normally................................ . 27 6
Jum p Starting................................ . 27 7
I f You r Engin e Overheats............ . 27 9
Low Oil Pressur e Indicato r ......... . 28 1
Chargin g Syste m Indicator.......... . 28 2
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lam p ....... . 28 3
Brak e Syste m Indicator............... . 28 4
Fuses.............................................. . 28 5
Checkin g an d Replacing.......... . 28 6
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 29 0
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Inde
x
Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 158
Accessories................................ . 158
Additiona l Safet y Precautions. . 159
Modifications............................ . 159
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 70
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 92
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 212
Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 226
Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 98
Maintenance.............................. . 233
Usage............................................ . 98
Ai r Conditionin g
Filter................. . 234
Ai r Outlet s
(Vents)....................... . 100
Ai r Pressure ,
Tires.......................
. 235
Norma l Driving......................... . 236
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 298
Antifreeze...................................... . 215
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light................... . 55 , 179
Operation................................... . 177
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n
Lock.............................................. 69
Appearanc
e Care.......................... . 225
Ashtrays........................................... . 94
Audi o System................................ . 106
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 66
Automati c Transmission.............. . 170
Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 294
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 221
Shifting....................................... . 170
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 170
Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 170
Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 174
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator............................ 54 , 281
Jum p Starting............................ . 277
Maintenance.............................. . 229
Specifications............................ . 294
Befor e Driving.............................. . 151
Belts , Seat.......................................... . 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 88
Bod y Repair................................... . 263
Brake s
Anti-loc k Syste m (ABS)........... . 177 Break-in
, Ne w Lining s ............. .
152
Fluid........................................... . 224
Bul b Replacement.................... . 247
Parking......................................... . 86
Syste m
Indicator.................
. 54 , 284
Wea r Indicators........................ . 176
Brakin g System............................. . 176
Break-in , Ne w Car........................ . 152
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 61
Brights , Headlights........................ . 60
Built-i n Table................................... . 89
Bul b Replacemen t
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 248
Brak e Lights.............................. . 248
Carg o Are a Light...................... . 252
Ceilin g Light.............................. . 252
Fron t Parkin g Lights................ . 247
Fron t Sid e Marke r Lights........ . 247
Headlights................................. . 246
High-moun t Brak e Light......... . 251
Interio r Light............................. . 252
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 249
Rea r Sid e Marke r Lights......... . 248
Specifications............................. . 295
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Bul b Replacemen t
Spotlight..................................... . 252
Tur n Signa l Lights.................... . 247
Bulbs , Halogen.............................. . 246
Capacitie s Chart............................ . 294
Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard............. . 49
Carg o Are a Light............................ . 95
Carg o Floo r Pockets....................... . 92
Carg o Hooks.................................... . 93
Carryin g Cargo............................. . 160
Cassett e Playe r
Car e.......................................... 136
Operation................. ... 112 , 133, 148
CAUTION , Explanatio n
of .............
. i i
C D Changer.......................... . 115 ,
129
C D Player...................... . 115 ,
127, 144
Cente r Pocket................................. .
9
1
Cente r Table.................................... . 87
Certificatio n Label........................ . 292
Chains............................................ . 241
Chang e Oil..................................... . 213
Ho w to........................................ . 213
Whe n to...................................... . 202
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e .................... . 266
Changin g Engin e Coolant............ . 217
Chargin g Syste m Indicato r ... . 54 , 282
Checklist , Befor e Driving............ . 151
Childproo f Doo r Locks.................. . 75
Chil d Safety..................................... . 21
Chil d Seats....................................... . 21
Tethe r Anchorag e Points.......... . 40
Cleaner , Air.................................. . 226
Cleanin g
Aluminu m Wheels.................... . 257
Carpeting................................... .. 259
Exterior...................................... ... 256
Fabric......................................... ... 260
Interior....................................... . 259
Sea t Belts................................... . 261
Vinyl........................................... . 260
Windows.................................... ... 260
Clock , Settin g th e ........................... 87
Clutc h Fluid................................... 224
C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 300
Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 167
Consume r Information*................ 306
Controls , Instrument s and............. . 51
Coolan t
Adding........................................ . 215
Checking....................................
. 156
Prope r Solution......................... . 215
Replacing................................... . 217
Temperatur e Gauge................... . 57
Corrosio n Protection.................... . 262
Crankcas e Emissio n Contro l
System........................................ . 300
Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 66
Custome r Relation s Office.......... . 306
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . ii
Dashboard....................................... . 52
Daytim e Runnin g Lights................ . 60
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 310
Defo g an d Defrost........................ . 103
Defogger , Rea r Window................ . 63
Defrostin g th e Windows.............. . 103
Dimensions.................................... . 294
Dimmin g th e Headlight s ............... . 60
Dipstic k
Automati c Transmission.......... . 221
Engin e Oil.................................. . 155
Directiona l Signals.......................... . 61
Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 176