Page 190 of 270
Slide the blade out of the holder.
Slide the new blade into the holder.
Make sure it is engaged in the slot
along its f ull length.
To replace the rear wiper blade: Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Pull one end of the blade out f rom
the holder. Insert both ends of the blade into
the holder. Make sure they are
secure.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
2.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance187
Page 191 of 270

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.
243
Maint enance
Air Conditioning System (Optional)
188
A AI
IRR C
COON NDDI
ITT I
IOON NIINNG G C
COON NDDE
EN
NS SEER
R
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 201 of 270

Open the hood.Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by squeezing the
connector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the engine coolant
reservoir tank by pulling it out of
its holder.
Your car has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth. Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area, readjustment may be
required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
1.2.
3.
Lights
Maint enance
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
198
H HO
OL LDD E
ER
R W
WEEA
A T
TH
H E
ER
R S
SEEA
A L
L B
BUUL LBB
C
CO ON NNNEEC
CT TO
OR R H
HO
OL LDD -
-D
D O
OW WN N W
WIIRRE E
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
Page 202 of 270

CONT INUED
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 tabs of the new bulb. Make
sure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
Reinstall the radiator reserve tank.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Install the new bulb into the
socket.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Front Parking
Lights
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ight
Bulb
199
Page 203 of 270
Pull the inner f ender cover back.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the burned out bulb f rom
thesocketbypushingitinand
turning the bulb counterclockwise
until it unlocks.Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the screw f rom the top of
the f ender. Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Tighten the screw securely.
3. 2. 4.
5.6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
Maint enance200
Page 204 of 270
CONT INUED
Open the hatch.Determine which bulb, stop/
taillight, back-up light, side marker
light or turn signal is burned out.
Remove the socket f or that bulb
by turning counterclockwise.
Pull the cover back.
Loosen the nut holding the rear
light assembly. Remove the two covers. Remove
the two screws holding the rear
light assembly. Remove the light
assembly.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
3. 2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
201
C CO
OV VE
ER
R
Page 205 of 270
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the light assembly and
tighten the two screws and nut.
Reinstall the two covers.Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the two screws holding
the license plate light lens.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Reinstall the two screws and
tighten them securely.
3. 2.
4.
5.
1.
8.
9.
11. 10.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
202
Page 207 of 270

Block the rear wheels.
Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter
(see page ).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
If you need to park your car f or an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).Coverthecarwitha‘‘breathable’’
cover, one made f rom a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and hatch seals. Also, apply a body
wax to the painted surf aces that
mate with the door and hatch seals. Drive your car every month f or
about 30 minutes. This will keep
the IMA battery charged and in
good condition.
If you store your car f or 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-
speed manual) or Park (CVT). 167
156
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
204