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 295 of 375

Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place. Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place. Remove the burned out bulb f rom
thesocketbypushingitinand
turning the bulb counterclockwise
until it unlocks.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center.
1.
3. 2.
4.5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Replacing Front Turn Signal and
Side Marker L ight Bulbs
Lights
Maint enance292
H H
O
OL LDD I
INNG G C
CLLIIPP
Page 304 of 375

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
250
238
St oring Your Car
Maint enance301
Page 306 of 375

Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Honda helps to keep it ‘‘new’’
looking. This section gives you hints
on how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also
included are several things you can
do to help prevent corrosion..................................
Exterior Care .304
.....................................
Washing .304
.......................................
Waxing .305
....................
Aluminum Wheels .305
..........................
Paint Touch-up .305
..................................
Interior Care .306
...................................
Carpeting .306
.................................
Floor Mats .306
.........................................
Fabric .307
...........................................
Vinyl .307
.......................................
Leather .307
...................................
Seat Belts .307
....................................
Windows .308
..........................
Air Fresheners .308
....................
Corrosion Protection .309
.................................
Body Repairs .310
Appearance Care
Appearance Care303
Page 308 of 375

µµ
Always wash and dry the whole car
bef ore waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surf ace
in large patches. It should f orm into
beads or droplets af ter waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes A wax coats the finish and
protects it f rom damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.
Polishes Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the f inish. You should use a polish on your Honda if
the f inish does not have its original
shine af ter using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Clean your Honda’s aluminum alloy
wheels as you do the rest of the
exterior.Washthemwiththesame
solution, and rinse them thoroughly.
The wheels have a protective clear-
coat that keeps the aluminum from
corroding and tarnishing. Using
harsh chemicals, including some
commercial wheel cleaners, or stif f
brushes can damage this clear-coat.
Only use a mild detergent and sof t
brush or sponge to clean the wheels.
Your dealer has touch-up paint to
match your car’s color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on the
driver’s doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get
the correct color.
Inspect your car f requently f or chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion
of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips
and scratches. More extensive paint
damage should be repaired by a
prof essional.
On some models
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Waxing
Paint T ouch-up
A luminum Wheels
305
Page 312 of 375

Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body.
Check the f loor coverings f or
dampness. Carpeting and f loor
mats may remain damp f or a long
time, especially in winter. This
dampness can eventually cause
the f loor panels to corrode.
Two f actors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your car:
Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirtandroadsaltthatcollectsin
hollows on the underside of the
car stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
Removal of paint and protective
coatings f rom the exterior and
underside of the car. Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your car f rom corroding
by perf orming some simple periodic
maintenance:
Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is
especially important in areas that
useroadsaltinwinter.Itisalsoa
good idea in humid climates and
areas subject to salt air. Cars
equipped with ABS have a sensor
and wiring at each wheel. Be
caref ul not to damage them.
Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.
1.
2.
Corrosion Prot ect ion
Appearance Care309
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
ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
L
LO OC CAA T
TI
IOON N
M
M A
AR
RKK
T
TR
RE EA
A D
D W
WE EA
A R
R
I
IN ND DI
ICCA A T
TO
OR R
B
BA A R
R
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
Page 317 of 375
Loosen the wheel nuts (f our f or
the4-cylindermodels,fiveforthe
V-6 models) 1/2 turn with the
wheel wrench.
Turn the jack’s end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
The jack is behind a cover in the
right f ender. Remove the cover by
turning the handle counterclock-
wise, then pulling on the cover. 7.
8.
5.
6.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Changing a Flat T ire
314
J JA A C
CKK W
WH
HE
EE
EL
L N
NUUTTS
S
W
WH HE
EE
EL
L W
WR REEN
NC CHH
C
CO
OV VE
ER
R