Page 73 of 294

70Instruments and Controls
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Temperature Indicator
The “A/T OIL TEMP” indicator
light warns that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is
high.
The indicator light should turn on
when the ignition switch is turned
to the “
ON” position, but should
go out after a few seconds. If this light comes on while you are
driving, slow down and pull off the
road. Stop the vehicle at a safe
place and put the shift lever in
“
P”
position. With the engine idling,
wait until the light goes off. If the
light goes off, you can drive the
vehicle again. If the light does not
go off, have the automatic
transmission lubricating system
checked as soon as possible by
your Honda dealer.
Driving with the “
A/T OIL TEMP”
light constantly on will cause
serious mechanical damage to the
automatic transmission.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The lever on the right side of the
steering column controls the
windshield wipers. Move the lever
down to select the various
windshield wiper speeds.
In INT, the wipers operate every
few seconds. In
LO and HIGH, the
wipers run continuously.
In
INT, you can vary how often the
Switches
Page 187 of 294

184In Case of Emergency
Do not push or tow your vehicle
to start it. Under some conditions
this may damage the three-way
catalytic converter or other parts
of the vehicle.
If your vehicle has a discharged
battery, it can be started by using
the battery in another vehicle; a
procedure called “jump starting.”
A battery can explode if you
do not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
To jump start your vehicle:
1. Position the vehicle with the
good (charged) battery so that
the jump-starting cables will
reach. Do not allow the vehicles
to touch. Check to see that the
bumpers do not touch.
2. Turn off all electric motors and accessories in both
vehicles. Turn off all lights
except hazard flashers and
lights needed to light up the
work area. Turn off the
ignition, apply the parking
brake firmly, and shift an
automatic transmission to
“
P” (Park) and a manual
transmission to “
N” (Neutral)
in both vehicles.
3. Check fluid level of the battery before attempting to
charge or jump start. (Do not use an open flame to check,
and do not smoke.)
CHARGE
TEST
INDICATOR
UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
CHARGING
NECESSARY
OK
BLUE COLORLESS
If the battery is a sealed type
and if the fluid level is below
the lower level line on the side
of the battery, do not try to
jump start the vehicle or
charge or test the battery. Do
not add fluid. Instead, install a
new battery.
Jump Starting
Page 198 of 294

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
Page 207 of 294

•
* 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
Page 218 of 294

215Care and Maintenance
Never run the engine with the air
cleaner filter removed. If the
engine should backfire, it could
possibly cause an engine
compartment fire.
Be sure to reinstall the air cleaner
filter and assembly correctly. If it
is installed incorrectly, engine
damage could result.
See the Maintenance Schedule to
find out how often the lubricant
level should be checked.
Check that the fluid level reaches
the plug hole by removing the
filler plug on the transmission and
transfer case. If the fluid level is
low, refill the case up to the filler
plug hole.
Use a high-quality engine oil
labeled SG or SF that is of the
correct viscosity for existing
ambient temperatures as follows.
Ambient
TemperatureViscosity
Lubricant
to Be Used
Areas where
ambient
temperatures of
90 F (32 C) and
higher are regularly
encountered.
SAE 15W-40 20W-40
20W-50
Other areasSAE 5W-30
(2WD)
OIL FILL PLUG
DRAIN PLUG
(4WD)
OIL FILL PLUG
DRAIN PLUG
RIGHT SIDE
LEFT SIDE
Manual Transmission Fluid
Page 219 of 294

216Care and Maintenance
Proper Fluid
Kind of Fluid
TransmissionDEXRON III
Transfer
(4WD)SAE 5W-30
(Engine oil)
Have the fluid level in the
automatic transmission checked
during the regularly scheduled
maintenance at your Honda
dealer.
If you suspect an automatic
transmission fluid leak, take the
vehicle to your Honda dealer for
inspection and repair.
Transmission damage could result
if you let the fluid level get too
low.
Drain Intervals
The automatic transmission drain
interval is not time or mileage
dependent. It will vary according
to your driving habits and vehicle
usage.
Your dealer will check the
transmission fluid’s condition and
life expectancy during regularly
scheduled maintenance, and
inform you at what mileage it
should be changed. See the Maintenance Schedule
List to determine how often the
lubricant should be changed. Add
lubricant, if needed, by filling to
the level of the filler plug hole.
Use
GL-5 gear lubricant of the
proper viscosity as shown in the
chart.
If your vehicle is equipped with
the optional limited slip
differential (on the rear axle), use
GL-5 Limited Slip Differential
Gear Lubricant together with
Limited Slip Differential Gear
Lubricant Additive (Part No.
8-01052-358-0) or equivalent.
Use the correct viscosity for the
existing ambient temperatures.
Automatic Transmission FluidFront (4WD)
and Rear Axles
Page 226 of 294

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.
Page 240 of 294
Technical Data237
Manual Transmission and Transfer Case
2WD 4WD
Gear ratio Transmission
Rev.
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Transfer case High
Low
3.873
3.767
2.248
1.404
1.000
0.809
–
–3.873
3.767
2.248
1.404
1.000
0.809
1.000
2.051
Oil capacityTransmission
3.1 U.S. quarts
(2.95 liters)3.1 U.S. quarts
(2.95 liters)
Transfer case–1.5 U.S. quarts
(1.45 liters)
Automatic Transmission and Transfer Case
2WD 4WD
Gear ratio Transmission
Rev.
1st
2nd
3rd
Overdrive
Transfer case High
Low
2.000
2.856
1.618
1.000
0.723
–
–2.000
2.856
1.618
1.000
0.723
1.000
2.051
Gear control
operationFloor control
Fluid CapacityTransmission
Transfer case
9.1 U.S. quarts (8.6 liters)
–9.1 U.S. quarts(8.6 liters)
1.5 U.S. quarts (1.45 liters)
Fuel Tank Capacity
19.5 U.S. gallons (75 liters)