Page 207 of 277

Block the rear wheels.
Disconnect the battery.If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
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.
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 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.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse. 165
154
Maint enance
St oring Your Car
208
Page 220 of 277

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Lift up the tool
box lid and take the jack, wheel
wrench, and extension out of the
tool box.
Thesizedifferencemayalsocause
damage to the rear dif f erential, so do
not mount the compact spare on the
rear. If either rear tire goes f lat,
remove the f ront tire on that same
side, mount the compact spare tire
on the f ront, then mount the f ront
tire on the rear.
Park the car on f irm, level, non-
slippery ground away f rom traf f ic.
Put the transmission in Reverse.
Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have your passenger
get out of the car while you
change the tire.
Thecompactsparetireissmaller
than a standard tire, which will affect
the vehicle’s handling. Drive
cautiously when this spare is
mounted on your vehicle. 3.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Changing a Flat T ire
221
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyoneunderneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
Use the jack that came on your car. If
you try to raise another car by this jack
or use another jack to raise your car,
the car or jack can be damaged.
Page 221 of 277
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of the spare tire
shelf .
Remove the three clips holding
the spare tire cover by pulling
straight up on the rings. Remove
the spare tire cover.
Loosen the f ive wheel nuts 1/2
turn with the wheel wrench.Locate the jacking point nearest
the tire you need to change. It is
pointed to by an arrow molded into
the underside of the body. Place
the jack under the jacking point.
Turn the end bracket clockwise
until the top of the jack contacts
the jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.
4.
5. 6.7.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
222
Page 251 of 277

Î ÎÎ Î
T echnical Inf ormation
Specif ications
252 Engine
Dimensions
Weights
Capacities
162.0 in (4,115 mm)
68.9 in (1,750 mm)
50.6 in (1,285 mm)
94.5 in (2,400 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
59.4 in (1,510 mm) 13.2 US gal (50
, 11.0 Imp gal)
Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs 121.8 cu-in (1,997 cm
)
11.0 : 1 1.72 US gal (6.5
, 1.43 Imp gal)
2.01 US gal (7.6, 1.67 Imp gal)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
Gross vehicle weight rating See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb. Fuel tank
Engine coolant
Engine oil Manual
transmission
fluid
Differential
oil
Windshield
washer
reservoir5.1 US qt (4.8
, 4.2 Imp qt)
4.8 US qt (4.5, 4.0 Imp qt)
5.9 US qt (5.6, 4.9 Imp qt)
1.6 US qt (1.5, 1.3 Imp qt)
1.7 US qt (1.6, 1.4 Imp qt)
0.78 US qt (0.74
,0.65Impqt)
0.81 US qt (0.77,0.68Impqt)
2.7 US qt (2.6, 2.3 Imp qt)
4.4 US qt (4.2, 3.7 Imp qt)
Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
, 0.13 Imp gal)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
3.43 x 3.31 in (87.0 x 84.0 mm)
See the spark plug maintenance
section, page 181 .
FrontRear
1: 2:Change Total
Change Total
ChangeTotal
Change Total
U.S. Cars
Canadian Cars
1 2
Including filter
Without filter
Page 268 of 277

CONT INUED
Accessories.................................
Installation . 128
...............
Accessory Power Socket . 80
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) . 59
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 164
.....................................
Airbag (SRS) . 9
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 178
..............................
Air Conditioning . 84
..............................
Maintenance . 188
............................................
Usage . 84
.........................
Air Outlets (Vents) . 86
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 191
...........................
Alarm, Anti-theft . 116
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 256
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 212
......................................
Antif reeze . 167
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
....................
Indicator Light . 45, 145
...................................
Operation . 143
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 58
..........................
Anti-thef t System . 116
..........................
Appearance Care . 209
......................................
Audio Panel . 80 ..................................
Audio System . 92
................
Automatic Car Washes . 210
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 55
........
Back-up Lamp Replacement . 204
Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 44, 235
............................
Jump Starting . 228
..............................
Maintenance . 183
............................
Specif ications . 253
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 121
..........................................
Belts, Seat . 8
.............................
Beverage Holder . 80
...................................
Body Repair . 217
............................................
Brakes . 142
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 143
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 122
....................
Bulb Replacement . 204
...........................................
Fluid . 176
.........................................
Parking . 79
.........................
System Indicator . 44
..............
Wear Indicators, Disc . 142
.............................
Braking System . 142 ........................
Break-in, New Car . 122
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 52
........................
Brights, Headlights . 51
.........................
Bulb Replacement . 200
..........................
Back-up Lights . 204
..............................
Brake Lights . 204
.................................
Headlights . 200
.................
License Plate Lights . 206
..................
Side Marker Lights . 202
............................
Specif ications . 253
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 202
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen . 200
............................
Capacities Chart . 252
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 39
............................
Cargo, Carrying . 130
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...................................
CD Changer . 106
........................
Certif ication Label . 250
............................................
Chains . 197
Index
B
A
C
I