Page 267 of 375

Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement. However, the use of
any non-Honda brake fluid can cause
corrosion and decrease the lif e of the
system. Have the brake system
f lushed and ref illed with Honda
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3 as
soon as possible.
Check the f luid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are up to two
reservoirs, depending on the model.
They are:
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
The brake f luid should be replaced
according to the time recommenda-
tion in the maintenance schedule.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car’s braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Maint enance
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake System
264
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Page 270 of 375

Caref ully clean the inside of the
air cleaner housing with a damp
rag.
Remove the old air cleaner
element. Unsnap the f our hold-down clamps
and remove the air cleaner
housing cover.
To replace it: The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing on the passenger’s
side of the engine compartment.
The air cleaner element should be
cleaned or replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Clean the air cleaner element by
blowing compressed air through it in
the opposite direction to normal air
f low. If you do not have access to
compressed air (such as a service
station), ask your Honda dealer to do
this service.
Follow the replacement procedure
for removal and reinstallation.
Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, snap the four hold-down
clamps back into place. Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
1. 3.
4.
5.
2. Replacement
Cleaning (Severe Conditions)
4-cylinder Models
A ir Cleaner Element
Maint enance267
A A I
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Page 272 of 375
Clean up any dirt and oil around
the spark plug caps.
Remove the spark plug cap by
pulling it straight out.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. To lubricate
them, remove the holding clip and
pull the cover away. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer. 1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Hood L atch
Spark PlugsReplacement
Hood L atch, Spark Plugs (4-cylinder Models)
Maint enance269
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Page 274 of 375
CONT INUED
The spark plugs in your car should
be replaced according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule.Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
Disconnect the wire connector
f rom the ignition coil by pushing
on the lock tab and pulling on the
connector. Pull on the plastic
connector, not the wires.
Loosen the two holding clips by
turning the heads one-quarter turn
counterclockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. Remove the cover on
the f ront cylinder bank by pulling
it straight up.
1.
2.
3.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs (6-cylinder Models)
Replacement
271
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Page 283 of 375

Check the condition of the drive
belts (two on 4-cylinder models, one
on 6-cylinder models). Examine the
edges of each belt for cracks or
f raying.Check the tension of each belt by
pushingonitwithyourthumb
midway between the pulleys.
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
and cooling system/climate control
system.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system/climate
control system becomes less than
usual. Have the dust and pollen f ilter
replaced by your Honda dealer. Drive Belts
Dust and Pollen Filter
Maint enance
Dust and Pollen Filter, Drive Belts
280
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LTT
Page 290 of 375

4-cylinder models6-cylinder models
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
areclear.Checkwiththetiredealer
f or maximum speed recommenda-
tions. Mount traction devices (link-type or
cable-type) only when required by
driving conditions or local laws.
Make sure they are the correct size
f or your tires. Install them only on
the front tires.
If link-type traction devices are used,
they must be SAE class ‘‘S’’. Cable-
type traction devices can also be
used.
Because your Honda has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices.
Link-type ‘‘chains’’ should not be
used. No matter how tight they seem
to be installed, they can come into
contact with the body and
suspension, causing serious damage.When installing traction devices,
f ollow the manuf acturer’s
instructions and mount them as
tightly as you can. Drive slowly with
them installed. If you hear them
coming in contact with the body or
chassis, stop and investigate. Make
sure the traction devices are
installed tightly, and that they are
not contacting the brakes or
suspension. Remove them as soon as
youstartdrivingonclearedroads.
Snow T ires
T ire ChainsA ll Models
Tires
Maint enance287
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your car’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the car.
Page 315 of 375

Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:Thecompactsparetirehasashorter
tread lif e than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
Thecompactsparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
Your car has a compact spare tire
that takes up less space. Use this
sparetireasatemporaryreplace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back
on your car as soon as you can.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to f it
your car. Do not use your spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Turn off the Traction Control
System (see page ). Driving
withthecompactsparetiremay
activate the TCS.221
On all V6 models
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed312
I IN
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ICCA A T
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OR R
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60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
Page 332 of 375

This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine’s emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may f eel no dif f erence in your
car’s perf ormance, it can reduce
your f uel economy and cause your
car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage.If you have recently ref ueled your
car, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips.
If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the car
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your car if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed329
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If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your car’s emissions controls
and engine. Those repairs may not be
covered by your car’s warranties.