Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page . Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
the f uses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. (See
on page .)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the car from
a booster battery (see page ). 290
230 274
274
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
272
If your car’s battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.To jump start your car, f ollow these
directions closely:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws. Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
1.
2.
230
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed274
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyonenearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery. If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
µ
µ µ
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing: Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
5-speed Manual Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda.
This is the best way to transport
your Honda.
T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed290
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.
ÎÎÎ Î Î Î
Î ÎÎÎ
Î Î ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation296
Dimensions
Weights
Engine Capacities
174.6 in (4,435 mm)
67.3 in (1,710 mm)
56.9 in (1,445 mm)
103.1 in (2,620 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
2.95 x 3.72 in (75.0 x 94.4 mm) 13.2 US gal (50
, 11.0 Imp gal)
1.03 US gal (3.9
, 0.86 Imp gal)
102 cu-in (1.668 cm
)
9.5 9.9
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs Water cooled 4-stroke
SOHC , SOHC VTEC
4-cylinder gasoline engine Fuel tank
Engine
coolant
Engine oil Automatic
transmission
fluid1.06 US gal (4.0
, 0.88 Imp gal)
1.35 US gal (5.1
, 1.12 Imp gal)
1.32 US gal (5.0, 1.10 Imp gal)
3.4 US qt (3.2
, 2.8 Imp qt)
3.7 US qt (3.5, 3.1 Imp qt)
3.2 US qt (3.0, 2.6 Imp qt)
3.5 US qt (3.3, 2.9 Imp qt)
4.4 US qt (4.2, 3.7 Imp qt)
1.6 US qt (1.5, 1.3 Imp qt)
1.7 US qt (1.6, 1.4 Imp qt)
2.9 US qt (2.7, 2.4 Imp qt)
6.2 US qt (5.9, 5.2 Imp qt)
2.6 US qt (2.5
, 2.2 Imp qt)
4.8 US qt (4.5, 4.0 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.11 US gal (0.4
, 0.09 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
See spark plug maintenance
section page 229 .
FrontRear
Approx.
1: 2: 3:4:
1 : DX, LX
2:EX
DX, LXEXChange
ManualAutomatic
Total
ManualAutomatic
Change
Without filter
Total
ChangeTotal
ChangeTotal
U.S. Cars
Canada Cars
12
12 1 2
3 434
Manual trans-
mission fluidIncluding filter
Windshield
washer reservoir
CONT INUED
If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle re-tested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle for re-testing
by doing the f ollowing.
Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 8
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 20° and
95°F. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park
(automatic transmission) or
Neutral (manual transmission).
Increase the engine speed to 2,000
rpm and hold it there until the
temperature gauge rises to at least
1/4of thescale(approximately3
minutes).
T echnical Inf ormation
T esting of Readiness Codes
St at e Emissions T est ing
305
CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator . 62, 280
............................
Jump Starting . 274
..............................
Maintenance . 230
............................
Specif ications . 297
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 163
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,45
.............................
Beverage Holder . 99
.................................
Body Repairs . 264 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 189
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 164
....................
Bulb Replacement . 250
...........................................
Fluid . 222
.........................................
Parking . 97
.................
System Indicator . 62, 283
........................
Wear Indicators . 188
.............................
Braking System . 188
........................
Break-in, New Car . 164
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights . 70
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 251
..............................
Brake Lights . 250
..............................
Ceiling Light . 254
................
Front Parking Lights . 248
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 248
.................................
Headlights . 247
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 251
.................
License Plate Lights . 252
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights . 250
............................
Specif ications . 297
...................................
Spotlights . 255
...............................
Trunk Light . 253
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 171
................................
Accessories . 171
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 172
............................
Modif ications . 172
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 81
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 101
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 210
.............................
Airbag (SRS) . 10, 48
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 225
..............
Air Conditioning System . 106
..............................
Maintenance . 234
.........................................
Usage . 106
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 108
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 238
..................
High Speed Driving . 239
.........................
Normal Driving . 239
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 300
......................................
Antif reeze . 213
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 62, 191
...................................
Operation . 189
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 157 Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock . 80
..........................
Appearance Care . 257
................
Audio System . 114, 126, 138
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 46
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 159
..............
Automatic Transmission . 182
..........................
Capacity, Fluid . 296
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 220
.......................................
Shif ting . 183
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 182
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 183
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 186
Index
A
B
I
Î
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 71
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 310
........................
Def og and Def rost . 111
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 111
....................................
Dimensions . 296
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 220
..................................
Engine Oil . 168
..........................
Directional Signals . 72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 188
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 212
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 81
......................
Power Door Locks . 82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 298
............................
Capacities Chart . 296
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 173
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 156
...................
Operation . 120, 132, 153
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 123, 135, 149
......................
CD Player . 123, 135, 147
..................................
Ceiling Light . 102
........................
Certif ication Label . 294
............................................
Chains . 244
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 267
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 215
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 211
......................................
When to . 200
...
Charging System Indicator . 62, 280
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 178
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 22 Child Seats
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 43
...........................
Lower Anchors . 43
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 86
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 225
Cleaning
......................................
Exterior . 258
.......................................
Interior . 260
...................................
Seat Belts . 261
...........................................
Vinyl . 261
....................................
Windows . 262
.........
Clock, Setting the . 119, 131, 143
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 223
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 302
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 179
..............................
Compact Spare . 266
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 308
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 213
....................................
Checking . 169
.........................
Proper Solution . 213
...................................
Replacing . 215
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
....................
Corrosion Protection . 263 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 302
............
Cruise Control Operation . 159
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 308
Bulb Replacement
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 248
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 247
Index
C
D
II
CONT INUED
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual.............................
Transmission . 180
.....................................
Drive Belts . 237
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 177
....................................
Economy . 170
.........................
In Bad Weather . 192
................
In Foreign Countries . 301
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 235
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 170
............
Emergencies on the Road . 265
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 274
...........
Brake System Indicator . 283
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 267
.....
Charging System Indicator . 280
..................
Checking the Fuses . 286
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 279
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 281
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 284
..................
Overheated Engine . 276
...........................
Emergency Brake . 97
......................
Emergency Flashers . 74
......................
Emergency Towing . 290 ............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 87
.......................
Emissions Controls . 302
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 305 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 68
.................................
Drive Belts . 237
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 181, 185
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 63, 281
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 279
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 209
...............................
Overheating . 276
............................
Specif ications . 296
.......................................
Starting . 179
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline . 300
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 302
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 20
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 258
............................
Fabric, Cleaning . 261
...................................
Fan, Interior . 106
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience . 105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 165
Filters
................................
Air Cleaner . 225
.........................
Dust and pollen . 235
...............................................
Oil . 211
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 221
................................
Shif ting the . 180
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 74
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 267
Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 220
..........................................
Brake . 222
.........................................
Clutch . 223
..............
Manual Transmission . 221
..........................
Power Steering . 224
..................
Windshield Washer . 219
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception . 145
...........................
Folding Rear Seat . 91
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 301
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 74
............................
Front Airbags . 10, 48
Index
E
F
III