µµAlways drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer
to react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery. Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Rain, f og, and snow conditions re-
quire a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these condi-
tions. 134
CONT INUED
Driving T echnique
Visibility
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving215
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .234
.
Important Safety Precautions . 235
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 236 ...
Required Maintenance Record . 243
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 245
..............................
Fluid Locations .246
......................................
Engine Oil .247
..................................
Adding Oil .247
....................
Recommended Oil .247
..............................
Synthetic Oil .248
....................................
Additives .248
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 249
.............................
Cooling System .251
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 251
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 253
....................
Windshield Washers .258
.......................
Transmission Fluid .260
..........
Automatic Transmission . 260
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .261
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 262
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 263
............................
Brake System .263
...........................
Clutch System .264
..............................
Power Steering .264
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .265
....................................
Hood Latch .266
....................................
Spark Plugs .267
..............................
Replacement .267 ............................
Specif ications .268
...........................................
Battery .269
.................................
Wiper Blades .271
..............
Air Conditioning System . 274
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 275
.......................................
Drive Belt .277
...............................................
Tires .278
......................................
Inf lation .278
Recommended Tire Pressures f or Normal ...........................
Driving .279
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 279
..................................
Inspection .280
..............................
Maintenance .280
.............................
Tire Rotation .281
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 282
......................
Wheels and Tires .283
..........................
Winter Driving .283
.............................
Snow Tires .283
............................
Tire Chains .284
.............................................
Lights .285
.....................
Headlight Aiming .287
........................
Replacing Bulbs .287
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .295
357
Maintenance
Maint enance233
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
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.
Windshield Washers
Maint enance259
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your vehicle’s
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer
pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.
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.To replace a wiper blade:Front:
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield. Rear:
Raise the wiper arm of f the hatch
glass and hold it.
1.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Wiper Blades
271
R RE EA
A R
R
F
FR RO ON NTT
W
WIIPP E
ER
R A
AR
RMM S
S
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.
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.
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
thebaseof thearm.
If you are changing the rear wiper
blade, go to step 6. 4.
3.
2.
Maint enance
Wiper Blades
272
L LO OC CKK T
TA
A B
B B
BL
LAA D
DE
E R
REEI
INNF FOOR RCCEEM
M E
EN
NT T B
BL
LAA D
DE
E
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 or the hatch glass.
5.
6.
7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance273
ÎÎ
CONT INUED
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element . 265
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 275
..........................
Engine Coolant .253
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 249
..........................................
Fuses .331
................................
Light Bulbs .287
....................................
Schedule .238
................................
Spark Plugs .267
...........................................
Tires .282
.............................
Wiper Blades .271
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .53
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .189, 251
...............................
Restraint, Child .24
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 206
...........................
Reverse Lockout .209
................................
Rotation, Tire .281
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 50
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 356
...........
Saf ety Checklist, Pre-Drive . 12.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 61
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 50
...............
Additional Information . 50
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .52
.....................................
Cleaning .302
...................
Detachable Anchor . 108
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17,50
................................
Maintenance .53
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .50, 67
................................
Replacement .53
...................
System Components . 50
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 21
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17
..................................
Seat Heaters .109
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .97
...............................
Serial Number .340 ...........................
Service Intervals .238
...........................
Service Manual .357
.........
Service Station Procedures . 185
..................
Setting the Clock . 144,162
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
........................
Shif t Lock Release .209
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 56
....................
Cutof f Indicator .58, 67
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .288
...............................
Signaling Turns .77
.....................................
Snow Tires .283
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 298
................................
Sound System .137
......................................
Spare Tire .308
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 267
....................
Specif ications Charts . 342
................................
Speed Control .179
...................................
Speedometer .72
.......................................
Spotlights .124
Index
S
VII
ÎÎ
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .260
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .261
..................
Fluid Selection . 260,261
..............
Identif ication Number . 341
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 204
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 202
.....................................
Treadwear .344
.......................................
Trip Meter .73
....................................
Turn Signals .77
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .304
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .307
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 344
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .184
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .301
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 250.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 194
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .342
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 340
.............................
Vehicle Storage .295
.....................................
Ventilation .131
.................................................
VIN .340
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .302
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .248
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 61
..................
Warranty Coverages .355
Washers, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 258
.....................................
Operation .79
.........................................
Washing .298
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 299
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 83
............
Alignment and Balance . 280
......................................
Wrench .311 Windows
.....................................
Cleaning .303
................
Operating the Power . 110
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .81
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .78
...................................
Def roster .134
.....................................
Washers .258
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .271
.....................................
Operation .78
....................................
Worn Tires .280
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 337
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
U V
W
IX