Page 228 of 321
´ µSpark Plug Gap:
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other three spark plugs.
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the nut.
Reinstall the cover. Secure the
cover by turning the heads of the
two holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. NGK:
DENSO:
8.
11.
10. 9.
Maint enance
Spark Plugs
Specif ications:
229
PZFR6F-11
PKJ20CR-M11
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.
Page 230 of 321

µ
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables f rom
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative ( ) cable f irst and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car’s
electrical system.
If your car’s battery is disconnected
or goes dead, the audio system will
disableitself.Thenexttimeyouturn
on the radio you will see ‘‘ ’’
in the f requency display. Use the
Preset buttons to enter the five-digit
code (see page ).
When the battery is disconnected,
the clock setting in the audio system
will be canceled. You will need reset
the clock according to the
instructions of the audio system.157On all models
On the U.S. EX, and Canadian LX and
DX-GOP models
Battery
Maint enance231
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normaloperation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the batterymaintenance. Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car’s electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables bef ore connecting the
battery to a charger.
Page 231 of 321
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
To replace the blade:
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
2.
1.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance232
WWIIPPEERRAARRMMSS
LLOOCCKKTTAABB
Page 232 of 321
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance233
BBLLAADDEE
BBLLAADDEE
RREEIINNFFOORRCCEEMMEENNTT
Page 233 of 321

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.
Page 234 of 321

To replace it:Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by pulling
out on the tabs. Pivot the glove
box out of the way.
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual.
The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box.
Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing in on the lock tab,
then pulling the cover toward you.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Standard f or LX and EX models in
the U.S., and LX and DX-GOP models inCanadaOptional f or other models
Maint enance
Replacement
Dust and Pollen Filter
235
HHOOOOKKSS
TTAABB
CCOOVVEERR
Page 248 of 321
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover back.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center.
3.
2.
4. 5.6.7. 8.
Lights
Maint enance249
HHOOLLDDIINNGGCCLLIIPP
Page 249 of 321
Open the trunk. Determine which of the two bulbsis burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker light or turn signal light.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
Remove the screws in the center
of each of the two f asteners on the
side of the trunk lining. Pull the
lining back. Put the f asteners into the holes on
the side of the trunk lining.
Reinstall the screws.
1.
2. 3.4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Fenders)
Lights
Maint enance250
FFAASSTTEENNEERRSS