191In Case of Emergency
find a leak, it must be repaired
before you can continue
driving. (See Towing on page
191.)
•If you don’
t find an obvious
leak, check the coolant level in
the radiator reserve tank. If the
level is below the
MIN mark, add
coolant to halfway between the
MIN and MAX marks.
•If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also
have to add coolant to the
radiator.
Let the engine cool down until
the pointer reaches the middle
of the temperature gauge, or
lower, before checking the
radiator.
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.
•
If needed, add coolant to the
radiator to bring the level up to
the filler neck, and to the
reservoir up to the level
indicated on the reservoir tank. Proper equipment must be used to
prevent damage to vehicles during
any towing. State and local laws
that apply to vehicles in tow must
be followed. Get detailed towing
instructions from your Honda
dealer.
Should it become necessary to
tow your vehicle, follow these
directions.Precautions
•Before towing, make sure that
the power train, axle,
transmission, wheels and
steering system are in good
condition.
If any of these items are
damaged, a flatbed trailer must
be used.
Towing
192In Case of Emergency
•Use only towing equipment
specifically designed for this
purpose, following the
instructions of the equipment
manufacturer. A separate safety
chain system must be used.
•For such towing, the parking
brake must be released, the
transmission must be in neutral
and the key switch turned to
the “
OFF” position (not
“
LOCK”).
•Towing attachments must be
made to main structural
members of the vehicle. Do not
attach to bumpers or associated
brackets.
•Remember that the power
brake assist will not be
available when the engine is
inoperative.
Towing Tips
All Four Wheels on the Ground
1. Transfer case in 2
H (4WD
model only).
2. Transmission in Neutral position.
3. Maximum speed 30 mph (50 km/h).
4. Maximum distance 50 miles (80 kilometers).
If you are towing the vehicle at
distances and speeds greater than
shown, disconnect the propeller
shaft from the rear axle carrier.
On 4
WD models, also disconnect
the front propeller shaft. Safely
secure the propeller shafts so they
will not fall and scrape the
ground. Front Wheels off the Ground
1. Transfer case in 2
H (4WD
model only).
2. Transmission in Neutral position.
3. Maximum speed 30 mph (50 km/h).
4. Maximum distance 50 miles (80 kilometers).
If you are towing the vehicle at
distances and speeds greater than
shown, disconnect the propeller
shaft from the rear axle carrier.
Safely secure the propeller shaft
so it will not fall and scrape the
ground.
193In Case of Emergency
Rear Wheels off the Ground
1.
Transfer case in 2
H (4WD
model only).
2. Transmission in Neutral
position.
3. Maximum speed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
4. Maximum distance 50 miles
(80 kilometers).
If you need to tow your vehicle by
this method, secure the steering
wheel to keep the front wheels
pointed straight ahead. Do not
rely on the steering column lock;
it is not strong enough to hold the
front wheels straight while
towing. The ignition switch must
be in the
OFF position. If you have electrical problems
without extreme damage to any
electrical parts, check for burned
out fuses, broken wires, poor
connections or poor grounding.
Correct as necessary.
The fuse boxes are located under
the left hand side of the
instrument panel and in the right
hand side of the engine
compartment. (See
“Fuses” on
page 240.)
Replacing a fuse with one that has
a higher rating greatly increases
the chances of damaging the
electrical system. If you do not
have a replacement fuse with the
proper rating for the circuit,
install one with a lower rating.
Inoperative Electrical Devices
195Care and Maintenance
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle
well maintained and to follow
basic maintenance safety
precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules for
normal driving and severe driving
conditions, a Maintenance
Record, and instructions for
simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself.
If you have the skills and tools
required
to perform more complex
maintenance tasks on your Honda,
you may want to purchase the
Service Manual. See page 253 for
information on how to obtain a
copy, or see your Honda dealer. Service Station Information
197
.
Fuel Fill Cap 197
. . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Recommendation 198
. . .
Fuel Tank Capacity 198
. . . . .
Engine Oil
Recommendation 198
. . . . . .
Windshield Washer 198
. . . . .
Tire Inflation Pressures 198
. .
Battery 198
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood Release 199
. . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Dipstick 200
. . . . .
Fuel Requirements 200
. . . . . . . .
Oxygenated Fuels 200
. . . . . .
Maintenance Safety 201
. . . . . . .
Important Safety
Precautions 202
. . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance Schedule 203
. . . . .
Required Maintenance Record 206
Owner Safety Checks 208
. . . . . .
Engine Oil and Filter 211
. . . . . .
Proper Quality Oil 211
. . . . . . Change Interval
211
. . . . . . . .
Oil Change 212
. . . . . . . . . . .
Oil Filter Installation 212
.
Oil Viscosity 213
. . . . . . . . . .
Oil Level Check 213
. . . . . . .
Engine Oil Additives 214
. . .
Air Cleaner Filter 214
. . . . . . . .
Manual Transmission Fluid 215
Automatic Transmission
Fluid 216
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front (4
WD) and
Rear Axles 216
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Cooling System 217
. . .
Other Required Maintenance 219
Brake Master Cylinder 219
. .
Shift-on-the-Fly System 220
.
Front Wheel Bearings 220
. . .
Hood Latch and Hinges 221
.
Air Conditioning 221
. . . . . . .
Body Lubrication 221
. . . . . .
Care and Maintenance
196Care and Maintenance
Front (4
WD Only) and
Rear Propeller Shaft 222
. . .
Exhaust System 222
. . . . . . .
Fuel Line and Fuel
Tank/Cap 222
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive Belt 222
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Timing Belt 222
. . . . . . . . . . .
Valve Clearance 222
. . . . . . . .
Spark Plugs 223
. . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch 223
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid or Lubricant Levels 223
Power Steering 223
. . . . . . . .
Wheel Alignment 224
. . . . . .
Exterior 224 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washing Your Vehicle 224
. .
Polishing and Waxing
Your Vehicle 224
. . . . . . . . .
Protection of Exterior
Bright Metal Parts 224
. . . .
Care of Aluminum Wheels 224Foreign Material Deposits
224
Finish Damage 225
. . . . . . . .
Corrosion Protection 225
. . . .
Sheet Metal Damage 225
. . . .
Underbody Maintenance 225
Interior 226 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Basic Steps
Before Cleaning 226
. . . . . .
Cleaning Fabric 227
. . . . . . . .
Cleaning General Soilage
or Water Spots From
Fabric Trim 227
. . . . . . . .
Spot Cleaning Fabric
With Solvent Cleaner 227
Removal of
Specific Stains 228
. . . . . .
Cleaning Vinyl
or Leather Trim 229
. . . . . . .
Seat Belt Care 229
. . . . . . . . .
Cleaning Glass Surfaces 230
.
•
•Repeated short trips in cold weather
• Driving in dusty areas •
Frequent idling and/or frequent low-speed operation
• Towing a trailer Change engine oil and filter
–Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km)
or 3 months
Change rear axle oil –Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)
205Care and Maintenance
R – Replace L – Lube I – Inspect After inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary.
Service at the interval listed x1 000 il ( k ) ft th tx 1,000 miles7.51522.53037.54552.56067.57582.59097.5105Service at the interval listed x1,000 miles (or km) or after thatnumber of months whicheverx 1,000 km1224364860728496108120132144156168number of months, whichever
comes first.months612182430364248546066727884
Steering and suspension, miscellaneousFront and rear axle oilRRRRPropeller shaft flange torqueIIIIIII
Front and rear propeller shaftsLLLLLLLLLL
Body and chassisLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Front wheel bearingsRepack bearings when replacing front brake pads.Power steering fluidRRR
Tires (inspect and rotate)IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Suspension and steeringIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBrakes/ClutchBrake discs; calipers and padsIIIIIII
Brake drums, wheel cylinders and liningsIIIIIIIBrake lines and hosesIIIIIIIIIIIIIIParking brakeIIIIIIIBrake pedal playIIIIIIIClutch pedal playIIIIIIIClutch pedal spring, bushing and clevis pinLLLLLLL
Clutch lines and hosesIII
Check oil and coolant level at each fuel stop.
Under severe driving conditions, service these items more often. These c\
onditions are: Service for severe driving conditions
208 Care and Maintenance
Promptly take any safety
problems to your Honda dealer
for service advice.
Parking
brake — Park on a fairly
steep hill and hold the vehicle
with the parking brake only. This
checks its holding ability.
Starter safety switch (automatic
transmission) —
Check the safety
switch by trying to start the
engine in each gear. The starter
should work only with the shift
lever in the “P” (Park) or “N”
(Neutral) position.
Starter safety switch (manual
transmission) —
To check the
safety switch, place the shift lever
in “Neutral,” push the clutch
pedal halfway and try to start the
engine. The starter should not
work. The starter should work only when the clutch pedal is fully
depressed.
Transmission shift indicator
(automatic transmission)
—
Check that the indicator points to
the gear chosen.
Steering — Be alert for any
changes in steering action. An
inspection or service is needed
when the steering wheel is harder
to turn or has too much free play,
or if there are unusual sounds
when turning or parking.
Wheel alignment, balance and
tires —
Uneven or abnormal tire
wear, or pulling to the right or left
on a straight and level road may
show the need for a wheel
alignment. A vibration of the
steering wheel or seat at normal
highway speeds means wheel balancing is needed. Check tire
pressures (including the spare) at
least monthly and whenever the
vehicle is serviced (see page 163).
Brakes — Watch for the
“
BRAKE” light coming on. Other
signs of possible brake trouble are
such things as repeated pulling to
one side when braking, unusual
sounds when braking or between
brake applications, or increased
brake pedal travel. If you note one
of these conditions, have the
system checked at once and
repaired if needed.
Owner Safety Checks
220 Care and Maintenance
If the diaphragm inside the
reservoir cap is deformed, return
it to the original (collapsed)
condition, then tighten the cap.
It is normal for the brake fluid
level to go down slightly as the
front brake pads wear. So be sure
to keep the reservoir fluid at the
proper level.
If the reservoir needs frequent
refilling, it may indicate a serious
mechanical problem.
Brake fluid absorbs water from
the air. Never use brake fluid that
has been open to the air for an
extended period. Throw it away
and use new brake fluid from a
sealed container.
Brake fluid can damage your
vehicle’s paint. Thoroughly clean
up any brake fluid spills.
Shift-on-the-Fly System
The fluid level in the system should
be checked at the intervals shown
in the Maintenance Schedule.
FILLER
PLUG
Remove the filler plug and make
sure the fluid level is up to the
edge of the hole. If it is not, add
GL-5 gear oil to bring to that
level. Use the same
GL-5 gear oil
specified for the front axle (see
page 216).
Front Wheel Bearings
Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings whenever the front brake
pads are replaced. Due to the
weight of the tire and wheel
assembly it is recommended that
they be removed from the hub
before lubricating the bearings to
prevent damage to the oil seal.
“Long Fiber” grease should not be
used to lubricate the wheel bearings.
It can cause damage. Clean the old
grease out of the bearings and hubs
before repacking.