Parkin
g
Alway s us e th e parkin g brak e whe n
yo u par k you r car . 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
ca r ma y rol l i f i t i s parke d o n a n
incline . I
f th e ca r i s facin g uphill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s awa y fro m th e cur b an d
pu t th e transmissio n in firs t gear .
I f th e ca r i s facin g downhill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s towar d th e cur b an d pu t
th e transmissio n in revers e gear .
Mak e sur e th e parkin g brak e is 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 convertibl e to p an d
th e window s ar e closed . Tur
n of f th e lights . Plac
e an y packages , valuables , etc. ,
i n th e trun k o r tak e the m wit h you . Loc
k th e door s wit h th e ke y o r th e
remot e transmitter . 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 in Ba d Weathe r
Rain , fog , an d sno w condition s
requir e a differen t drivin g techniqu e
becaus e o f reduce d tractio n an d
visibility . Kee p you r ca r well -
maintaine d an d exercis e greate r
cautio n whe n yo u nee d to driv e in
ba d weather . Th e cruis e contro l
shoul d no t b e use d in thes e
conditions .
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 ca r 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 th e
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 i n 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 th e
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 i f 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 t o kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e
pag e 9 1).
Drivin g
Maintenanc
e
Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r ca r wel l
maintaine d an d to 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 26 3 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc
e Safety...................... . 14 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 14 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 14 6
Require d Maintenanc e Record... . 15 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 15 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 15 6
Engin e Oil...................................... . 15 7
Addin g Oil.................................. . 15 7
Recommende d Oil.................... . 15 7
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 15 8
Additives.................................... . 15 8
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 15 9
Cooling System............................. . 16 1
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 16 1
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 16 3
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 16 7
6-spee d Manua l Transmissio n
Fluid........................................... . 16 8
Differentia l Fluid.......................... . 16 9
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 17 0
Brak e Fluid................................. 170
Brak e System............................ . 17 0
Clutc h System........................... . 17 1
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 17 2
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4 Spar
k Plugs.................................... . 17 4
Replacement.............................. . 17 4
Specifications............................ . 17 6
Battery........................................... . 17 7
Wipe r Blades................................. . 18 0
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 18 2
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 18 3
Driv e Belt....................................... . 18 4
Tires............................................... . 18 5
Inflation....................................... 185
Inspection.................................. . 18 7
Maintenance.............................. . 18 8
Tir e Rotation............................. . 18 8
Tir e Wear................................... . 18 8
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s ... . 18 9
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 19 0
Winte r Driving.......................... . 19 0
Sno w Tires............................. . 19 1
Tir e Chains............................ . 19 1
Lights............................................. . 19 2
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 19 4
Storin g You r Car........................... . 20 2
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 t o 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 119 .
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 12 0.
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 16 7. Brake
s an d clutc h — Chec k th e
flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e 17 0. 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
185 . 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 192 .
Maintenanc e
Jum
p Startin g
I f you r car' s batter y ha s ru n down ,
yo u ma y b e abl e t o 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 . T
o jum p star t you r car , 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 17 7). 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 battery 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 in Neutra l
an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
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 .
Inde
x
Accessorie s
Installation................................. . 12 2
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 8 2
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... 61
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 15 8
Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 17 2
Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 8 6
Maintenance.............................. . 18 2
Usage........................................... 86
Ai r Outlet s (Vents)......................... . 8 8
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 18 5
Alarm , Anti-theft........................... . 11 4
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 25 0
Aluminu m Wheels , Cleaning....... . 20 6
Antifreeze...................................... . 16 1
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light.................... 45, 13 9
Operation................................... . 13 7
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n Loc k . . 6 0
Anti-thef t System.......................... . 11 4
Appearanc e Care.......................... . 20 3
Audi o Panel...................................... . 8 2
Audi
o System.................................. . 9 4
Automati c Ca r Washes................ . 20 4
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 5 5
Back-u p Lam p Replacement........ . 19 8
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... 44, 22 9
Jum p Starting............................ . 22 2
Maintenance.............................. . 17 7
Specifications............................ . 24 7
Befor e Driving.............................. . 11 5
Belts , Seat......................................... 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 8 2
Bod y Repair................................... . 21 1
Brakes............................................ . 13 6
Anti-loc k Syste m (ABS)........... . 13 7
Break-in , Ne w Lining s ............. . 11 6
Bul b Replacement.................... . 19 8
Fluid........................................... . 17 0
Parking......................................... . 8 1
Syste m Indicator......................... . 4 4
Wea r Indicators , Dis c .............. . 13 6
Brakin g System............................. . 13 6 Break-in
, Ne w Car........................ . 11 6
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 5 2
Brights , Headlights........................ . 5 1
Bul b Replacement......................... . 19 4
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 19 8
Brak e Lights.............................. . 19 8
Headlights................................. . 19 4
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 20 0
Sid e Marke r Light s .................. . 19 6
Specifications............................ . 24 7
Tur n Signa l Lights.................... . 19 6
Bulbs , Halogen.............................. . 19 4
Capacitie s Chart............................ . 24 6
Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard............. . 3 9
Cargo , Carrying............................ . 12 4
CAUTION , Explanatio n of............ ii
C D Changer................................... . 10 8
Certificatio n Label........................ . 24 4
Chains............................................ . 19 1
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Gauges............................................. . 4 7
Engin e Coolan t Temperatur e ... . 4 7
Fuel............................................... . 4 8
Speedometer............................... . 4 7
Tachometer................................. . 4 7
Gearshif t Leve r Position s
6-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 13 3
Glas s Cleaning.............................. . 20 9
Haloge n Headligh t Bulbs............. . 19 4
Hazar d Warnin g Flashers.............. . 8 0
Headlight s
Daytim e Runnin g Lights............ . 5 2
Hig h Bea m Indicator.................. . 4 6
Reminde r Tone........................... . 5 1
Replacin g Haloge n Bulb s ........ . 19 4
Turnin g on................................... . 5 1
Heatin g an d Coolin g System......... . 8 6
Hig h Altitude , Startin g at............. . 13 2
High-Lo w Bea m Switc h ................. . 5 1
Hig h Speed , Shiftin g at................ . 13 4
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 17 4
Hood , Openin g th e ....................... . 11 8
Jum
p Starting................................ . 22 2
Keys.................................................. . 5 8
Label , Certification....................... . 24 4
Lan e Change , Signaling................. . 5 3
Lap/Shoulde r Belts........................ . 3 3
Leather , Cleaning......................... . 20 8
Light s
Bul b Replacement.................... . 19 4
Indicator....................................... . 4 3
Tur n Signal................................ . 19 6
Loadin g Cargo............................... . 12 4
LOC K (Ignitio n Ke y Position)...... . 6 0
Lock s
Anti-thef t Steerin g Column....... . 6 0
Fue l Fil l Door............................ . 11 7
Powe r Door................................. . 6 2
Trunk........................................... . 6 6
Lo w Coolan t Level........................ . 12 0
Lowe r Gear , Downshiftin g to a... . 13 4
Lo w Fue l Indicato r ......................... . 4 6
Hydrauli
c Clutch........................... . 17 1
Hydroplaning................................. . 14 1
Identificatio n Number ,
Vehicle....................................... . 24 4
Ignitio n
Keys............................................. 58
Switch........................................... . 6 0
Timin g Contro l System............ . 25 3
Indicato r Lights , Instrumen t
Panel............................................ 43
Inflation , Prope r Tir e ................... . 18 5
Insid e Mirror................................... . 8 0
Inspection , Tire............................. . 18 7
Instrumen t Panel............................ . 4 2
Instrumen t Pane l Brightness........ . 5 2
Interio r Cleaning........................... . 20 7
Interio r Lights................................. . 8 3
Introduction........................................ . i
Jackin g U p th e Car....................... . 21 6
Jack , Tire....................................... . 21 5
Inde
x
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator... 44, 22 8
Lubrican t Specification s Chart... . 24 6
Luggage......................................... . 12 4
Maintenance.................................. . 14 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks... . 15 5
Record........................................ . 15 3
Schedule.................................... . 14 6
Maintenanc e Require d Indicator.. . 4 9
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp. 45, 23 0
Manua l Transmission................... . 13 3
Manua l Transmissio n Flui d ........ . 16 8
Meters , Gauges............................... . 4 7
Methano l i n Gasoline................... . 25 0
Mirrors , Adjusting.......................... . 8 0
Ne w Vehicl e Break-i n .................. . 11 6
Norma l Shif t Speeds..................... . 13 4
NOTICE , Explanatio n of.................. . i i
Numbers , Identification............... . 24 4 Octan
e Requirement , Gasoline... . 11 6
Odometer......................................... . 4 8
Odometer , Trip............................... . 4 8
Oi l
Change , Ho w to ........................ . 15 9
Change , Whe n to...................... . 14 6
Checkin g Engine...................... . 11 9
Pressur e Indicator.............. . 44 , 22 8
Selectin g Prope r Viscosit y
Chart...................................... . 15 8
O N (Ignitio n Ke y Position)........... . 6 1
Openin g th e Trunk......................... . 6 6
Operatio n i n Foreig n Countries.. . 25 1
Outsid e Mirrors.............................. . 8 0
Overheating , Engine.................... . 22 5
Oxygenate d Fuels......................... . 25 0
Pain t Touch-up.............................. . 20 6
Pane l Brightnes s Control.............. . 5 2
Parkin g Brake................................. . 8 1
Parkin g Lights................................. . 5 1
PGM-F I System............................. . 25 3 Polishin
g an d Waxing.................. . 20 5
Powe r
Doo r Locks.................................. . 6 2
Engine , Specifications.............. . 24 6
Mirrors......................................... . 8 0
Windows...................................... . 7 0
Pregnancy , Usin g Sea t Belts......... . 1 7
Protectin g Adults............................ . 1 2
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 1 8
Advic e fo r Pregnan t Women..... . 1 7
Protectin g Children........................ . 1 9
Protectin g Large r Children....... . 2 9
Protectin g Smal l Children......... . 2 6
Radiato r Overheating................... . 22 5
Radi o Soun d System....................... . 9 4
Readines s Codes........................... . 25 5
Rea r Lights , Bulb Replacement.. . 19 8
Rea r Vie w Mirror............................ . 8 0
Reclinin g th e Seat-backs................ . 6 9
Recommende d Shif t Speed s ....... . 13 4
CONTINUED