Page 251 of 372
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil f ill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and install the
engine oil f ill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not f ill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection.
CONT INUED
Recommended Oil
A dding Oil
Engine Oil
Maint enance247
E E N
NG GIINNE E O
OIILL F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P
A
AP
PI
IC
CE ER
RT TI
IFFI ICCA A T
TI
IOON N S
SEEA
A L
L
Page 260 of 372

Remove the coolant tube f rom the
radiator.
Put the end of the coolant tube
lower than the coolant reserve
tank and drain the coolant into an
appropriate container.Put the reserve tank back in place,
making sure its bottom tab is in
the holder. Reinstall and tighten
the mounting bolt securely.
Reinstall the cover. Lock the
holding clips by pushing on the
center of the clip. Reinstall the bolt
in the battery hold-down.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Put the cover back in place and
tighten the bolts securely.
Reinstall the 16 holding-clips. Look
each clip in place by pushing on its
center.
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
Put the coolant tube back in the
clips and reinstall the coolant tube
to the radiator securely.
12.
13.
9.
10. 11.
14.
15. 16.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance256
F FI
ILLL LEE R
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NEEC
CK K
F
Fi illll u
u p
p t
too h
he
erree
Page 265 of 372

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 vehicle 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
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole.The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule. 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. Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
6.
5-speed Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance261
F FIILLL LEE R
R B
BOOL LTT
C
Co or
rrreec ctt l
leev veell
W
WA
AS
SHH E
ER
R
Page 266 of 372
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
Only use Honda Dual Pump Fluid.
Do not use Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF).
The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the rear
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer 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, slowly add
Honda Dual Pump Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole.
Rear Dif f erential Fluid
Maint enance
4WD models only
262
C Co or
rrreec ctt
l
le ev veell W
WA
AS
SHH E
ER
R
F
FI ILLL LEE R
R B
BOOL LTT
Page 292 of 372

Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.Remove the socket f rom the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Open the hood. The f ront side
marker/turn signal light is next to
the headlight bulb. 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.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
2.3.
4.
5.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal Light Bulb
288
Page 295 of 372
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.
Align the clips on the taillight
assembly with the holes in the
body, then push the taillight
assembly into place. Tighten the
two mounting screws securely and
reinstall the covers.Place a cloth and insert a small
f lat-tipped screwdriver between
the right edge of the lens and the
housing. The lens will come down.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Put the lens back into the light
assembly, lef t side f irst. Push on
the right edge until it snaps into
place.
1.
2.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.
4.
Maint enance
Lights
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
291
Page 302 of 372

Frequent washing helps preserve
your vehicle’s beauty. Dirt and grit
can scratch the paint, while tree sap
and bird droppings can permanently
ruin the f inish.
Wash your vehicle in a shady area,
not in direct sunlight. If the vehicle is
parked in the sun, move it into the
shade and let the exterior cool down
bef ore you start.When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or sof t towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
As you dry the vehicle, inspect it f or
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page ).
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with
cool water to remove loose dirt.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommendedinthisOwner’s
Manual. Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially f or car washing.
Wash the vehicle using the water
and detergent solution and a sof t-
bristle brush, sponge, or sof t cloth.
Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse f requently.
Check the body f or road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
of f immediately so it does not
harm the f inish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest of
the vehicle does not need waxing.
300
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Washing
298
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your vehicle.
The radio antenna on your vehicle does
not need to be removed when you use a
‘‘drive-through’’ car wash. However, if
you remove the antenna, make sure to
reinstall it and tighten it securely using
an appropriate tool.
Page 307 of 372

Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass
cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that
builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a sof t cloth or paper
towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surf aces.If you want to use an air f reshener/
deodorizer in the interior of your
vehicle, it is best to use a solid type.
Some liquid air f resheners contain
chemicals that may cause parts of
the interior trim and f abric to crack
or discolor.
If you use a liquid air f reshener,
make sure you f asten it securely so it
does not spill as you drive.
Interior Care
Appearance Care
Windows
A ir Fresheners
303
The rear window def ogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass.
Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the def ogger wires.
When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.