Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
bottom
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing a Trailer
Driving
233
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 236
.
Important Safety Precautions . 237
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 238
...
Required Maintenance Record . 245
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 247
..............................
Fluid Locations . 248
......................................
Engine Oil . 249
..................................
Adding Oil . 249
....................
Recommended Oil . 249
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 250
....................................
Additives . 251
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 251
.............................
Cooling System . 253
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 253
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 255
....................
Windshield Washers . 258
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 259
....................................
Brake Fluid . 260
............................
Brake System . 260
..............................
Power Steering . 261
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 262
....................................
Hood Latch . 264
....................................
Spark Plugs . 264
..............................
Replacement . 264
............................
Specif ications . 266
...........................................
Battery . 267 .................................
Wiper Blades . 269
..............
Air Conditioning System . 271
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 272
.....................................
Drive Belts . 272
....................................
Timing Belt . 273
...............................................
Tires . 273
......................................
Inf lation . 273
..................................
Inspection . 275
..............................
Maintenance . 276
.............................
Tire Rotation . 276
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 277
......................
Wheels and Tires . 278
..........................
Winter Driving . 278
.............................
Snow Tires . 279
............................
Tire Chains . 279
.............................................
Lights . 280
.....................
Headlight Aiming . 282
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 282
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 291
351
Maintenance
Maint enance
235
Bef ore you begin any maintenance,
make sure your vehicle is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is of f . This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, be caref ul when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
f uel-related parts.
Do
not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so. You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
237
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your
vehicle serviced and what things
need attention. It is essential that
you have your vehicle serviced as
scheduled to retain its high level of
saf ety, dependability, and emissions
control perf ormance.Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages. Select the schedule
f or ‘‘Severe Conditions’’ if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page.Otherwise,followtheschedule
f or ‘‘Normal Conditions.’’
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your vehicle. The
load limit is shown on the tire
inf ormation label on the driver’s
doorjamb. Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage
).
196
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance Which Schedule to Follow:
238
µ
ÌÌ
Ì
Ì Ì Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only
drive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
Maint enance U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
240 Visually inspect the following items:Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 12 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months, thereafter every60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month)
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 36 months
152412
304824 457236609648 75
120 60 90
144
72 105168
84 120192
96
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . Adjust only if noisy
: 239
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
Ø ØØØØØØØØØ Ø ØØØØØØ
Ø ØØ ØØØØ Ø
Ì
Ì
Ì
Ì
Ì
Maint enance241
A, B, C
Canadian owners:
A B C D
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval. Follow this
schedule if the severe driving conditions described in the Severe Conditions Schedule on the next page do not apply.
Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 276 ).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system .
Inspect fuel lines and connections .
Replace air cleaner element.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace air conditioning filter.
Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent ofmileage).
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Replace transmission fluid. Do items in A, B, D.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Replace transmission fluid. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A. Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump.
Replace transmission fluid.
Inspect idle speed . Inspect valve clearance.
Replace spark plugs. Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Replace engine coolant
7,500 mi/12,000 km/-
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km/-
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km/-
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km/-
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km/-
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km/-
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km/-
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km/-
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
thereafter every 60,000 mi/
96,000 km/5 yrs
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
NOTE: :
239
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)
µ
µ
Î ÎÌ
Ì
Ì
Ì
Î
ÌÎ
Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof top carrier, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
MAINLY
Maint enance U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
242 Visually inspect the following items:
Refer to page for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Refer to page for replacement
information under special driving
conditions.
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 120 months, thereafter every60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 60 months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls
Vehicle underbody Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) Every 36 months
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean ( ) or replace ( ) air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace air conditioning filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month) 152412
304824457236 60964875
120 60 90
144 72 105168
84 120192
96
Adjust only if noisy
1: 2:: See page 239. 273272
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump,1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
Ø ØØØØØØØ Ø Ø Ø ØØØØ
Ø Ø
ÌÌ
CONT INUED
Maint enance 243
A, B, C, D
Severe Conditions:
A B C
Use this schedule if your vehicle is MAINLY driven in any of the following Severe Conditions, o
r normally driven in Canada; otherwise use the Normal
Schedule. Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km) per trip or, in freezing temperatures, driving less than 10 miles (16 km) p er trip.
Driving in extremely hot (over 90°F/32°C) conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
3,750 mi/6,000 km/-
7,500 mi/12,000 km/6 mos
11,250 mi/18,000 km/-
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km/-
22,500 mi/36,000 km/1½ yrs
26,250 mi/42,000 km/-
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km/-
37,500 mi/60,000 km/2½ yrs
41,250 mi/66,000 km/-
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km/-
52,500 mi/84,000 km/3½ yrs Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 276 ).
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches, with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system .
Inspect fuel lines and connections .
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Clean air cleaner element. Do items in A, B, C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Clean air cleaner element.
DoitemsinA,B,C,E.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
·····
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)