
Parkin
g
Alway s us e th e parkin g brak e whe n
yo u par k you r vehicle . Th e indicato r
o n th e instrumen t pane l show s tha t
th e parkin g brak e is no t full y
released ; i t doe s no t indicat e tha t th e
parkin g brak e is firml y set . Mak e
sur e th e parkin g brak e is se t firml y
o r you r vehicl e ma y rol l i f i t i s
parke d o n a n incline .
I f you r vehicl e ha s a n automati c
transmission , se t th e parkin g brak e
befor e yo u pu t th e transmissio n in
Park . Thi s keep s th e vehicl e fro m
movin g an d puttin g pressur e o n th e
parkin g mechanis m in th e
transmissio n — makin g it easie r t o
mov e th e shif t leve r ou t o f Par k
whe n yo u wan t t o driv e away . I
f th e vehicl e i s facin g uphill , tur n
th e fron t wheel s awa y fro m th e curb .
I f yo u hav e a manua l transmission ,
pu t i t i n firs t gear .
I f th e vehicl e i s facin g downhill , tur n
th e fron t wheel s towar d th e curb . I f
yo u hav e a manua l transmission , pu t
i t i n revers e gear .
Mak e sur e th e parkin g brak e i s full y
release d befor e drivin g away .
Drivin g wit h th e parkin g brak e
partiall y se t ca n overhea t o r damag e
th e rea r brakes . Parkin
g Tip s Mak
e sur e th e window s ar e closed .
Tur n of f th e lights .
Place any packages , valuables , etc. ,
i n th e carg o are a o r tak e the m
wit h you .
Loc k th e doors .
Neve r par k ove r dr y leaves , tal l
grass , o r othe r flammabl e
materials . Th e thre e wa y catalyti c
converte r get s ver y hot , an d coul d
caus e thes e material s t o catc h o n
fire .
Driving

Drivin
g i n Ba d Weathe r
Rain , fog , an d sno w condition s re -
quir e a differen t drivin g techniqu e
becaus e o f reduce d tractio n an d
visibility . Kee p you r vehicl e well -
maintaine d an d exercis e greate r
cautio n whe n yo u nee d t o driv e in
ba d weather . Th e cruis e contro l
shoul d no t b e use d in thes e condi -
tions .
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Alway s driv e
slowe r tha n yo u woul d in dr y
weather . I t take s you r vehicl e longe r
t o react , eve n in condition s tha t ma y
see m jus t barel y damp . Appl y
smooth , eve n pressur e to al l the
controls . Abrup t steerin g whee l
movement s o r sudden , har d appli -
catio n o f th e brake s ca n caus e los s o f
contro l i n we t weather . B e extr a
cautiou s fo r th e firs t fe w mile s
(kilometers ) o f drivin g whil e yo u
adjus t t o th e chang e in drivin g
conditions . Thi s i s especiall y tru e in
snow . A perso n ca n forge t som e
snow-drivin g technique s durin g th e
summe r months . Practic e is neede d
t o relear n thos e skills .
Exercis e extr a cautio n whe n drivin g
i n rai n afte r a lon g dr y spell . Afte r
month s o f dr y weather , th e firs t
rain s brin g oi l t o th e surfac e o f the
roadway , makin g it slippery . Visibilit
y — Bein g abl e to se e
clearl y in al l direction s an d bein g
visibl e t o othe r driver s ar e importan t
i n al l weathe r conditions . Thi s i s
mor e difficul t i n ba d weather . T o b e
see n mor e clearl y durin g dayligh t
hours , tur n o n you r headlights .
Inspec t you r windshiel d wiper s an d
washer s frequently . Kee p th e wind -
shiel d washe r reservoi r ful l o f th e
prope r fluid . Hav e th e windshiel d
wipe r blade s replace d if the y star t t o
strea k th e windshiel d o r leav e part s
unwiped . Us e th e defroster s an d ai r
conditionin g to kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e
pag e 103 ).
Drivin g

Towin
g a Traile r
Trailer Brakes
Hond a recommend s tha t an y traile r
havin g a tota l weigh t o f 1,00 0 Ib s
(45 0 kg ) o r mor e b e equippe d wit h
it s ow n electri c o r surge-typ e brakes .
I f yo u choos e electri c brakes , b e
sur e the y ar e electronicall y actuated .
D o no t attemp t t o ta p int o you r
vehicle' s hydrauli c system . N o
matte r ho w successfu l i t ma y seem ,
an y attemp t t o attac h traile r brake s
t o you r vehicle' s hydrauli c syste m
wil l lowe r brakin g effectivenes s an d
creat e a potentia l hazard .
Trailer
Lights
You r vehicl e ha s a traile r lightin g
connecto r locate d behin d th e lef t
sid e pane l i n th e carg o area . Refe r t o
th e drawin g abov e fo r th e wirin g
colo r cod e an d purpos e o f eac h pin .
I f yo u us e a converter , yo u ca n ge t
th e connecto r an d pin s tha t mat e
wit h th e connecto r i n you r vehicl e
fro m you r Hond a dealer . Sinc
e lightin g an d wirin g var y i n
traile r typ e an d brand , yo u shoul d
als o hav e a qualifie d mechani c instal l
a suitabl e connecto r betwee n th e
vehicl e an d th e trailer .
Drivin g
GROUN
D
(BLACK )
BACK-U
P LIGH T
(GREEN/BLACK )
LEF
T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/RED )
RIGH T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/YELLOW )
BRAK
E LIGH T
(GREEN/WHITE )
TAILLIGH
T
(RED/GREEN )

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

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
Yo u shoul d chec k th e followin g
item s a t th e specifie d intervals . I f
yo u ar e unsur e o f ho w to perfor m
an y check , tur n to th e pag e given . Engin
e oi l leve l — Chec k ever y
tim e yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e
pag e 155 . Engin
e coolan t leve l — Chec k th e
radiato r reserv e tan k ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e pag e 15 6. Windshiel
d washe r flui d — Chec k
th e leve l i n th e reservoi r monthly .
I f weathe r condition s caus e yo u t o
us e th e washer s frequently , chec k
th e reservoi r eac h tim e yo u sto p
fo r fuel . Se e pag e 22 0. Automati
c transmissio n — Chec k
th e flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e
221 .
Brake
s an d clutc h — Chec k th e
flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e 22 4. Tire
s — Chec k th e tir e pressur e
monthly . Examin e th e trea d fo r
wea r an d foreig n objects . Se e pag e
235 . Light
s — Chec k th e operatio n o f
th e headlights , parkin g lights ,
taillights , high-moun t brak e light ,
tur n signals , brak e lights , an d
licens e plat e light s monthly . Se e
pag e 242 .
Maintenanc e

Jum
p Startin g
I f you r vehicle' s batter y ha s ru n
down , yo u ma y b e abl e to star t th e
engin e b y usin g a booste r battery .
Althoug h thi s seem s lik e a simpl e
procedure , yo u shoul d tak e severa l
precautions .
Yo u canno t star t a Hond a wit h a n
automati c transmissio n b y pushin g
o r pullin g it . T
o jum p star t you r vehicle , follo w
thes e direction s closely :
1 . Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e
physica l conditio n o f th e batter y
(se e pag e 229 ). I n ver y col d
weather , chec k th e conditio n o f
th e electrolyte . I f i t seem s slush y
o r lik e ice , d o no t tr y jum p startin g
unti l i t thaws .
If a batter y sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2 . Tur n of f al l th e electrica l acces -
sories : heater , A/C , stere o system ,
lights , etc .
Pu t th e transmissio n i n Neutra l o r
Par k an d se t th e parkin g brake . 3
. Connec t on e jumpe r cabl e to th e
positiv e ( + ) termina l o n you r
Honda' s battery . Connec t th e
othe r en d t o th e positiv e (+ )
termina l o n th e booste r battery .
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
A
batter y ca n explod e if yo u d o
no t follo w th e correc t procedure ,
seriousl y injurin g anyon e
nearby .
Kee p al l sparks , ope n flames ,
an d smokin g material s awa y
fro m th e battery .
NOTIC
E

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