During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Break-in Period, Gasoline
192
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. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .234
.
Important Safety Precautions . 235
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 236
...
Required Maintenance Record . 243 .......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 245
..............................
Fluid Locations .246
......................................
Engine Oil .248
..................................
Adding Oil .248
....................
Recommended Oil .248
..............................
Synthetic Oil .250
....................................
Additives .250
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 250
.............................
Cooling System .253
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 253
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 255
....................
Windshield Washers .260
.......................
Transmission Fluid .261
Automatic .........................
Transmission .261
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .263
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 264
............................
Brake System .264
...........................
Clutch System .265
..............................
Power Steering .266
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
....................................
Hood Latch .269
Spark Plugs ..............
(4-cylinder Models) . 269
..............................
Replacement .269 ............................
Specif ications .270
Spark Plugs ..............
(6-cylinder Models) . 271
..............................
Replacement .271
............................
Specif ications .273
...........................................
Battery .274
.................................
Wiper Blades .277
..............
Air Conditioning System . 279
.................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 280
.....................................
Drive Belts .280
....................................
Timing Belt .281
...............................................
Tires .282
......................................
Inf lation .282
..................................
Inspection .283
..............................
Maintenance .284
.............................
Tire Rotation .285
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 285
......................
Wheels and Tires .286
..........................
Winter Driving .286
.............................
Snow Tires .287
............................
Tire Chains .287
.............................................
Lights .288
.....................
Headlight Aiming .290
........................
Replacing Bulbs .290
...........................
Storing Your Car .291
361
Maintenance
Maint enance233
Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight as shown
on the chart. When using synthetic
oil, you must f ollow the oil and f ilter
change intervals given in the
maintenance schedule.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.
1.2.
Maint enance
Engine Oil
Synthetic Oil
A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
250
4 4-
-c
cy yl liinn d
de
err m
m o
od
de
ellss
W
WA
AS
SHH E
ER
R D
DR
RAA I
INN B
BOOL LTT
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
5-speed Manual Transmission
263
F FI
ILLL LEE R
R
B
BO OL LTT C
Co
or
rrreec ctt l
leev veell
CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .58, 328
............................
Jump Starting .321
..............................
Maintenance .274
....................
Specif ications .345, 347
..............................
Bef ore Driving .191
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,41
...........................
Beverage Holder .101
...................................
Body Repair .310 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 218
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 192
............
Bulb Replacement . 294,295
...........................................
Fluid .264
.........................................
Parking .99
.................
System Indicator . 59,331
........................
Wear Indicators .217
.............................
Braking System .217
........................
Break-in, New Car .192
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 69
........................
Brights, Headlights .67
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .295
.....................
Brake Lights .294, 295
..............................
Ceiling Light .299
........................
Courtesy Lights .299
................
Front Parking Lights . 293
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 292
.................................
Headlights .290
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 297
.................
License Plate Lights . 298
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 296
....................
Specif ications .345, 347
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 200
................................
Accessories .200
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 201
............................
Modif ications .201
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .77
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 104
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 250
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 45
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 280
......
Air Conditioning System . 108,115
..............................
Maintenance .279
.................................
Usage .111, 117
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 110,115
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .282
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .350
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 305
......................................
Antif reeze .253
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .59, 219
...................................
Operation .218
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 179
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 76..........................
Appearance Care .303
................
Audio System . 123,138,161
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 68
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 43
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 181
..............
Automatic Transmission . 210
..................
Capacity, Fluid . 344,346
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 261
.......................................
Shif ting .211
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 211
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 211
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 214
Index
A
B
I