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 . 196
.
Important Safety Precautions . 197
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 198 ...
Required Maintenance Record . 205
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 207
..............................
Fluid Locations . 208
......................................
Engine Oil . 209
..................................
Adding Oil . 209
....................
Recommended Oil . 209
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 210
....................................
Additives . 210
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 211
.............................
Cooling System . 213
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 213
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 215
....................
Windshield Washers . 219
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 220
Automatic .........................
Transmission . 220
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission . 221
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 222
............................
Brake System . 222
...........................
Clutch System . 223
..............................
Power Steering . 224
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 225
....................................
Hood Latch . 226
....................................
Spark Plugs . 227
..............................
Replacement . 227 ............................
Specif ications . 229
...........................................
Battery . 230
.................................
Wiper Blades . 232
..............
Air Conditioning System . 234
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 235
.....................................
Drive Belts . 237
....................................
Timing Belt . 237
...............................................
Tires . 238
......................................
Inf lation . 238
Recommended Tire Pressures ...........
f or Normal Driving . 239
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 239
..................................
Inspection . 240
..............................
Maintenance . 240
.............................
Tire Rotation . 241
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 242
......................
Wheels and Tires . 243
..........................
Winter Driving . 243
.............................
Snow Tires . 243
............................
Tire Chains . 244
.............................................
Lights . 245
.....................
Headlight Aiming . 247
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 247
...........................
Storing Your Car . 256
311
Maintenance
Maint enance195
µ
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Î
ÌÎ
Maint enance202
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
1016
508070
112 110176
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace timing belt , and inspect water pump
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
See Timing Belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See Dust and Pollen Filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 7 years
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in dusty conditions,
otherwise use normal schedule
Service the following items at the recommended intervals
At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
20 32
3048 4064 6096 80
128 90
144 100160 120192
24 48 72
12 36 60
1:2: : 235
237 199
M/T
A/T
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
µµ
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Ø Ø Ø
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CONT INUED
Maint enance203
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners A, B, C, D, E, F
AB CD EF
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
5,000 mi/8,000 km
10,000 mi/16,000 km/1 yr
15,000 mi/24,000 km
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
25,000 mi/40,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
35,000 mi/56,000 km
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km3ys
50,000 mi/80,000 km/3 yrs
55,000 mi/88,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
65,000 mi/104,000 km
70,000 mi/112,000 km/4 yrs
75,000 mi/120,000 km
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
85,000 mi/136,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs Replace engine oil.
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 241 ).
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter .
Replace air cleaner element every 15,000 mi/
24,000 km (independent of time).
Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent ofmileage).
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do item in E.
DoitemsinA,B,D.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A, E.
Do item in F.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Do item in E.
Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
Replace transmission fluid (A/T), then
replace every 30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A, E.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do item in E. Replace transmission fluid (A/T).
DoitemsinA,B,D.
198
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)
µµµ µ
µ
µ
µ
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . 168
169
219
220 222 238
245
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance207
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
5. 6.
7. 8. 9.
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: DX, LX)
(U.S.: EX)
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: DX, LX)
(U.S.: EX)
Engine Oil
Maint enance212
33 lbf·ft (44 N·m , 4.5 kgf·m)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
3.4 US qt (3.2
, 2.8 Imp qt)
3.7 US qt (3.5
, 3.1 Imp qt) Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the driver’s side
headlight. Check the reservoir’s f luid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
The low washer level indicator will
light when the level is low (see page
).
63
On Canadian models
Windshield Washers
Maint enance219
LLEEVVEELLGGAAUUGGEE
WWIINNDDSSHHIIEELLDDWWAASSHHEERRRREESSEERRVVOOIIRR
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.
Your car’s air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualif ied mechanic. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works ef f iciently.
297Standard f or LX and EX models in
the U.S., and DX-GOP andLX models in CanadaOptional f or other models
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance234
AAIIRRCCOONNDDIITTIIOONNIINNGGCCOONNDDEENNSSEERR
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
Check the operation of your car’s
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsaf e condition by reducing your
car’s visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance245
HHEEAADDLLIIGGHHTT
PPAARRKKIINNGGLLIIGGHHTT
TTUURRNNSSIIGGNNAALL//SSIIDDEEMMAARRKKEERR