
47Driver and Passenger Safety
Your vehicle’
s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain
your vehicle properly. Have the
exhaust system inspected for leaks
whenever:
•The vehicle is raised for an oil
change.
•You notice a change in the
sound of the exhaust.
•The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the
underside.
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
High levels of carbon monoxide
can collect rapidly in enclosed
areas, such as a garage. Do not
run the engine with the garage
door closed. Even with the door
open, run the engine only long
enough to move the vehicle out of
the garage.
With the tailgate glass open, air
flow can pull exhaust gas into the
interior. This can create a
hazardous condition. If you must drive with the tailgate glass open,
open all the windows and set the
heating and cooling system as
shown below.
If you must sit in your parked
vehicle, even in an unconfined
area, with the engine running,
adjust the heating and cooling
system as follows:
1. Slide the lever to .
2. Turn the dial to
mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard

65Instruments and Controls
Low Oil
Pressure Indicator
This light is designed to come on
to provide a “bulb check” when
the key is turned to the “
ON”
position, but should go out after
the engine is started. If the light
fails to come on with the key
turned to the “
ON” position, it
could indicate a burned out bulb
or a blown fuse. Have the system
repaired if the light does not come
on when checking. Occasionally, this light may
flicker momentarily while the
engine is idling, but this will not
harm the system. However, if the
light remains on during normal
engine operation, the engine
should be stopped until the cause
of the trouble can be located and
corrected. The source of the
trouble could be either of the
following:
•Low engine oil level
•Loss of engine oil pressure
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost
immediately. Turn off the engine
as soon as you can safely get the
vehicle stopped.

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
.

198Care and Maintenance
Fuel Recommendation
Use only unleaded gasoline. For
additional information see “Fuel
Requirements” in this section.
Fuel Tank Capacity
19.5 U.S. gallons (75 liters)
Engine Oil Recommendation
Use only SJ quality oil.
The chart shown under “Engine
Oil and Filter” in this section will
serve as a guide for choosing the
proper viscosity oil.
Windshield Washer
Check the reservoir fluid level
regularly. Use a commercially
available windshield washer fluid.
The windshield washer reservoir
is located on the front right side of
the engine compartment.
Tire Inflation Pressures
Check at least monthly, including
the spare. Keep inflated to the
pressure shown on the tire placard
on the driver’s doorjamb.
LABEL
Battery
Your new vehicle has a low
maintenance battery.
CHARGE TEST INDICATOR
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL CHARGING
NECESSARY
OK
BLUE COLORLESS
You will never have to add water.
The hydrometer (test indicator) in
the top of the battery provides
information for testing purposes
only.
WARNING : Battery posts,
terminals and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds.
Wash hands after handling.

200 Care and Maintenance
To Close
1.
Lift the hood slightly to remove
tension from the support rod.
2. Place the support rod in its
retaining clip and lower the
hood.
Always make sure the hood is
securely latched before you begin
driving.
Engine Oil Dipstick
Check the oil level when the
engine is off and the oil is warm,
such as during a fuel stop. See
page 213. Your Honda operates most
effectively on unleaded gasoline
with a pump octane number of 86
or higher. Use of a lower octane
gasoline can cause a persistent,
heavy metallic rapping noise in
the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle
’s emission
controls. This contributes to air
pollution and can void certain parts
of your warranty.
Oxygenated Fuels
Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively referred to as
oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air
Fuel Requirements

202Care and Maintenance
This section includes instructions
for simple maintenance tasks,
such as checking and adding oil.
Any service items not detailed in
this section should be performed
by a Honda technician or other
qualified mechanic.
Some of the most important safety
precautions are given below.
However, we cannot warn you of
every conceivable hazard that can
arise in performing maintenance.
Only you can decide whether or
not you should perform a given
task.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner
’s
manual.
Important Safety Precautions
Before you begin any
maintenance, make sure your
vehicle is parked on level ground
and that the parking brake is on.
Also, be sure the engine is off.
This will help to eliminate several
potential hazards:
•Carbon monoxide poisoning
from engine exhaust.
Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
•Burns from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts.
•Injury from moving parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have
the tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, be careful when
working around gasoline or
batteries. Use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and
all fuel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection
and protective clothing when
working near the battery or when
using compressed air.

•
* 1
* 2Under severe driving conditions, service these items more often. –These fluids: brake, clutch, P/S, battery, ATF,
Using SAE 10W-40 oil, or any viscosity other than those recommended, may reduce engin\
e life and affect the warranty. windshield washer
This service is recommended only. – Tire pressure
204 Care 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
Engine and TransmissionAir cleaner elementRRR
Fuel tank, cap, pipes, hoses and connectionsI
Spark plugsR
•Engine oil and oil filter * 1RRRRRRRRRRRRRREngine drive beltIII
Cooling system, heater hoses, and connectionsIIIIIII•Engine coolantRRR
Timing beltR*
2
Exhaust systemIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Starter safety switchIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Auto cruise control linkage and hoseIIIIIII
Radiator core and A/C condenserI
Manual transmission oil and transfer case oilRRRRAutomatic transmissionSee page 216.
Shift-on-the-fly systemIIIIValve clearanceAdjust only if noisy.
Check oil and coolant level at each fuel stop.Inspect monthly:
Maintenance Schedule