Page 167 of 321
Wipe the dipstick with a clean 
cloth or paper towel.Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
2.
3.
1.
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving168
DDIIPPSSTTIICCKK 
     
        
        Page 168 of 321
Remove the dipstick again and 
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
4. 209 213207
A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving169
LLOOWWEERRMMAARRKK
MMAAXX
UUPPPPEERRMMAARRKK
RREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK
MMIINN 
     
        
        Page 211 of 321

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. 
     
        
        Page 220 of 321

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.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
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.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
5-speed Manual Transmission
221
FFIILLLLEERRBBOOLLTT
CCoorrrreeccttLLeevveell 
     
        
        Page 278 of 321

This indicator should light when the 
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or a moment, then
recovered. If the indicator stays on
with the engine running, it shows
that the engine has lost oil pressure
and serious engine damage is
possible. In either case, you should
take immediate action.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators. 
If necessary, add oil to bring the 
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Letthecarsitforaminute.Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page ). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1. 2. 3. 4.
168 209 290
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
279
LLOOWWOOIILLPPRREESSSSUURREEIINNDDIICCAATTOORR
Running the engine with low oil 
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the car stopped. 
     
        
        Page 313 of 321

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