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 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.
211
200
St oring Your Car
Maint enance256
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traffic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor mat and the trunk f loor by
lif ting up on the back edge.
Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed267
SSPPAARREETTIIRREETTRRUUNNKKFFLLOOOORR
TTOOOOLLKKIITTJJAACCKK
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyoneunderneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
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.
CONT INUED
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open thehood.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
1. 2.
3. 4. 5.6. 7.
290
169
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If Your Engine Overheats
Emergency
Towing
277
ÎÎ
ÎÎSlow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (Seeon page .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
222
290Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed283
UU..SS..iinnddiiccaattoorrsshhoowwnn
BBRRAAKKEESSYYSSTTEEMMIINNDDIICCAATTOORR
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.
µµµ
Î Î µµ µ µµ µ µµµµµµµµ µ
Î ÎÎÎ
Î Î
Î
ÎÎ
ÎÎ
Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation297
Battery Fuses
Tires
Alignment
Lights
Air Conditioning
HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 19.4 oz (500 550 g)
SP-10
12 V
12 V 60/55 W (HB2)
21/5 W
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
12 V 5 W
12 V 8 W
12 V 5 W
12 V 5 W
12 V 8 W
12 V 3 CP
12 V 21 W
12 V 3 CP
12 V 21 W
12 V 21/5 W
12 V 21 W
12 V 3 CP
12 V 36 AH/5 HR
Capacity Interior
Under-hood Size
Pressure
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
1°33’0°50’
0°
0.00 in (0.0 mm)
30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm)
T115/70D14 88M
P185/65R15 86HP185/70R14 87S
Headlights (HI/LO)
Front turn signal/side marker
lights
Front parking light
Rear turn signal lights
Stop/Taillights/Rear side
marker lights
Back-up lights
Taillights
High-mount brake light
License plate lights
Ceiling light
Front ceiling light
Spotlights
Trunk light
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant oil type
0.08 in (2.0 mm)
T125/70D15 95M
See page 289 or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the steering
column.
See page 288 or the fuse box
cover.
FrontRear
FrontRear
Front
1: EX
2: LX Front/Rear
Spare
Front/Rear
Spare
1 : US: DX, LX Canada: DX
2: US:EX Canada: LX
3 : US: DX, LX without ABS Canada: DX
4 : US: EX, LX with ABS Canada: LX
12
1
34
12
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