217Care and Maintenance
Recommended Lubricant
Ambient
TemperatureLubricant Viscosity to Be Used
Rear
AxleFront Axle
Below 50F(10 C)
SAE 80
or SAE80W-90
SAE
75W-90
synthetic
0 F to 90hF(–18 C to
32 C)
SAE 90
or SAE
80W-90
SAE
75W-90
synthetic
Above 50 F(10C)
consistentlySAE
140SAE
80W-90
or SAE
80W
-140
The engine cooling system is
designed to maintain the engine at
the proper operating temperatures.
The cooling system was filled at
the factory with a quality engine
coolant. The engine cooling system
is designed to use coolant (a
mixture of water and ethylene
glycol antifreeze) rather than plain
water. The engine coolant solution
should be used year-round. It has
many advantages such as:
•provides freezing protection as
low as –33F (–36C)
• provides boiling protection up
to 262F (128C)
•protects against rust and
corrosion in the cooling system
• maintains the proper engine
temperature for efficient
operation and emission control
•allows proper operation of the
engine coolant temperature gauge See the Maintenance Schedule in
this section to find out when the
engine coolant must be replaced.
Checking the Coolant Level
Check the engine coolant level at
the interval shown in the
Maintenance Schedule unless there
is evidence of leaking or
overheating. The engine coolant
level should be between the
maximum and the minimum level
marks on the radiator reserve tank.
Engine Cooling System
218Care and Maintenance
You usually do not need to remove
the radiator cap to check the engine
coolant level.
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray
out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
Adding Engine Coolant
To add engine coolant, remove the
cap on the radiator reserve tank
and fill the tank up to the
maximum level mark. Add a
50/50 mixture of water and a good
quality ethylene glycol antifreeze.
If you need to add engine coolant
frequently, see your Honda dealer
for a cooling system check.
If the proper quality antifreeze
is used, there is no need to add
extra inhibitors or additives. They
may be harmful to the proper
operation of the system.
Cooling System Service
The cooling system should be
serviced at the intervals specified
in the Maintenance Schedule as
follows:
•Wash the radiator cap and filler
neck with clean water.
•Check the engine coolant level
in the radiator and have it tested
for freeze protection. Add
ethylene glycol antifreeze, if
needed, to maintain freeze
protection at
–33 F ( –36 C).
•Have the cooling system and
radiator cap tested for a
pressure capacity of 15 psi (105
kPa). If a replacement cap is
needed, use a cap specified for
your model.
•Tighten all radiator and heater
hose clamps and inspect all
hoses. Replace the hoses if they
are swollen, “checked, ” or
otherwise worn. Carefully
tighten the hose clamps at the
radiator. Overtightening could
bend or collapse the radiator
fittings.
•Clean the front of the radiator
core and air conditioning
condenser.
It is the owner ’s responsibility to:
•Maintain the cooling system
freeze protection at –33 F
219Care and Maintenance
(–36
C) to ensure protection
against corrosion and loss of
engine coolant from boiling.
This should be done even if
freezing temperatures are not
expected.
•Add ethylene glycol-based
antifreeze when antifreeze has
to be added because of engine
coolant loss or if more
protection against freezing at
temperatures lower than –33F
(–36 C) is needed. Do not use
an alcohol-based or
methanol-based antifreeze, or
plain water. They boil at a
lower point, and do not provide
corrosion protection.
Thermostat
The engine coolant temperature is
controlled by a thermostat, which
stops engine coolant flow through
the radiator until a preset
temperature is reached. This
thermostat is installed in the
engine coolant inlet on the front
of the engine block. The same
thermostat is used in both winter
and summer.Brake Master Cylinder
Check the master cylinder fluid
level in the reservoir every time
you check the engine oil level.
The level should be between the
MAX and ADD level line. If the
level is lower than the
ADD level
line, fill to the
MAX level line
with
DOT-3 or DOT-4 fluid.
Other Required
Maintenance
223Care and Maintenance
Spark Plugs
Replace the spark plugs with the
type specified in the “Technical
Data” section.
Clutch
Check the clutch play at the pedal.
Lubricate the clutch pedal bushing
and clevis pin, at the intervals
shown in the Maintenance
Schedule, with water-resistant
chassis lubricant. If you hear a
squeaking noise coming from the
area of the bushing or clevis pin at
the clutch pedal arm when the
clutch pedal is depressed,
lubricate it with water-resistant
EP
chassis grease.
Check the fluid level in the clutch
reservoir at the interval shown in
the Maintenance Schedule. If the
fluid is low in the reservoir, it should be filled to the maximum
level line with
DOT-3 or DOT-4
fluid.
Fluid or Lubricant Levels
Check the fluid or lubricant level
in the brake master cylinder,
clutch master cylinder, power
steering reservoir, rear axle,
engine and transmission,
windshield washer reservoir and
engine coolant at specified
intervals.
Power Steering
Check the fluid level in the power
steering fluid reservoir as
recommended in the Maintenance
Schedule. The fluid level should
be between the “
MIN” and
“
MAX” marks on the reservoir.
Use only automatic transmission
fluid labeled
DEXRON III.
256
Break-in158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid
219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking
86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power
161. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear Indicators
162. . . . . . . . .
Break-in, New Vehicle
158. . . . . .
Brightness Control, Instrument Panel. See Illumination Control
Brights, Headlights
62. . . . . . . .
Bulb Replacement Specifications
243. . . . . . . . . . . .
C
Capacity Charts235. . . . . . . . . . .
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
47. . .
Care and Maintenance
195. . . . . .
Cargo Loading
233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carrying
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cassette Player
Care
141. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation
128. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Catalytic Converter, Three-Way
172. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CAUTION, Explanation ofiv. . .
CD Changer131. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Certification Label
234. . . . . . . . .
Chains, Tire
168. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing Oil How to
212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When
204, 205, 211. . . . . . . . .
Changing a Flat Tire
186. . . . . . .
Lifting Points
187. . . . . . . . . . .
Changing Engine Coolant
218. . .
Charging System Indicator
62. .
Check Engine Light
63. . . . . . . .
Checklist, Before Driving
156. . . Children, Protecting
18. . . . . . . .
Child-Safe Door Locks
105. . . . .
Child Seats, General Guidelines
22. . . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter
116. . . . . . . . . .
Circuit Breaker, Checking the
108
Cleaner, Air214. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning Exterior
224. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior
226. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat Belts
229. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vinyl
229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock, Setting the
153. . . . . . . . . .
Clutch Fluid
223. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CO in the Exhaust
47, 249. . . . . .
Consumer Information
246. . . . . .
Control Locations
56. . . . . . . . .
Controls, Instruments and
55. . .
257
Controls Near
the Steering Wheel
Hazard Warning
76. . . . . . . . .
Headlights
72. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination Control
73. . . . .
Rear Window Defogger
74. . .
Steering Wheel Adjustment
115
Turn Signals75. . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper/Washer
70.
Rear Window Wiper/ Washer
74. . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Adding
218. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capacity
236. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking
217. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proper Solution
218. . . . . . . . .
Temperature Gauge
60. . . . . .
Corrosion Protection
225. . . . . . .
Courtesy Lights
112. . . . . . . . . . . Crankcase Emissions
Control System
249. . . . . . . . . .
Cruise Control Operation
147. . . .
Customer Relations Information
246. . . . . . . . . . . . .
D
DANGER, Explanation ofiv. . . .
Dashboard
56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Defects, Reporting Safety
248. . .
Defogger, Rear Window
74. . . .
Defrosting the Windows
122. . . .
\b 153
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\
\b\b\b
Dimensions243. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimming the Headlights
72. . . .
Dipstick, Engine Oil
200, 213. . .
Directional Signals
75. . . . . . . . . Disc Brake Wear Indicators
162. .
Dome Light
111. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power
104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Doors, Close and Lock
10. . . . . .
DOT Tire Quality Grading
251. . .
Downshifting, 5-Speed Manual Transmission
84. . . . .
Drive Belts
222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving, On-Road Fuel Economy
170. . . . . . . . . .
In Bad Weather
168. . . . . . . . .
In Foreign Countries
173. . . . .
On Slippery Surfaces
162. . . . .
E
Economy, Fuel170. . . . . . . . . . . .
EGR System
250. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency Brake
86. . . . . . . . . .
258
Emergency Flashers76. . . . . . . .
Emergency, In Case of
183. . . . . .
Charging System Indicator
62
Check Engine Light63. . . . . .
Checking the Fuses
193. . . . . .
Engine Overheating
190. . . . . .
Jump Starting
184. . . . . . . . . . .
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
63
Oil Pressure Indicator65. . . .
Emissions Controls
248. . . . . . . .
Engine Belts
222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-in
158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Light
63. . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gauge
60
Identification Number232. . . .
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
63
Oil Capacity
235. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommendation
198. . . . . . Oil Pressure Indicator
65. . . .
Specifications
235. . . . . . . . . .
Starting
157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ethanol in Gasoline
201. . . . . . . .
Evaporative Emissions Controls
249. . . . . . .
Exhaust Fumes
47. . . . . . . . . . . .
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
16. . . . . .
Exterior, Cleaning the
224. . . . . .
F
Fabric, Cleaning. See Interior Cleaning
Fan Control Lever
121. . . . . . . . .
Features, Comfort and Convenience
119. .
Filling the Fuel Tank
197. . . . . . . Filters
Air
214. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil
212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5-Speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level
215. . . .
Shifting
83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning
76. . .
Flat Tire, Changing a
186. . . . . . .
Fluids Automatic Transmission
216. .
Capacity
237. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch
223. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5-Speed Manual Transmission
215. . . . . . . . . .
Capacity
237. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Steering
223. . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Washer
71. . . . . .
FM Stereo Radio Reception
136. . . . . . . . .
Folding the Rear Seat
94. . . . . . .
259
Foreign Countries, Operation in
173. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filling the Fuel Tank
197. . . . .
Fuel Fill Cap
197. . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Gauge
59. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Fuel Indicator
64. . . . . .
Octane Requirement
200. . . . .
Oxygenated
200. . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommendation
198. . . . . . . .
Tank Capacity
198, 237. . . . . .
Fuel Injection System
249. . . . . .
Fuses Checking the
193, 240. . . . . . .
Locations
240. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G
Gas Mileage, Improving170. . . . Gasohol
200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gasoline
200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
See also Fuel
Octane Requirement
200. . . . .
Tank, Filling the
197. . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas Station Procedures
197. . . . .
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature
60. . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel
59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer
58. . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer
58. . . . . . . . . . . .
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating)
233. . . . . . . . . . .
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
76. .
5-Speed Transmission
83. . . .
Glass Cleaning
230. . . . . . . . . . . . Glove Box
114. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)
233. . . . . . . . . .
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs243. . . .
Hazard Warning Flasher
76. . . .
Head Restraints
8, 12, 93. . . . . . .
Headlights
72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High Beam Indicator
62. . . . .
High Beams
72. . . . . . . . . . . .
On, Reminder
73. . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
243.
Turning on
72. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heating and Cooling
120. . . . . . .
High-Low Beam Switch
72. . . .
Hood Release
109, 199. . . . . . . . .
Horn
115. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydroplaning
168. . . . . . . . . . . . .