Page 163 of 277
µ
The numbers on the container’s label
tell you the oil’s viscosity or weight.
Select the oil f or your car according
to this chart.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or conventional motor oil:
energy conserving, a service
classif ication of SJ, and the proper
weightasshownonthechart.When
using synthetic oil, you must f ollow
the oil and f ilter change intervals
given in the maintenance schedule.Your Honda does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives f or
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car’s perf ormance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
An oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 is
pref erred f or optimum f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 5W-40 oil if
the temperature in your area goes
below 0°F ( 20°C).
Engine Oil
Maint enance Synthetic Oil Additives
164
AAmmbbiieennttTTeemmppeerraattuurree
Page 164 of 277

Always change the oil and f ilter
accordingtothetimeanddistance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and f ilter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off. Remove the engine oil f ill cap.
Remove the oil drain bolt from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
instructions that come with it.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lif t f or this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Remove the oil f ilter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the f ilter.
1. 2.
3. 4.
CONT INUED
Changing the Oil and Filter
Engine Oil
Maint enance165
WWAASSHHEERROOIILLDDRRAAIINNBBOOLLTTOOIILLFFIILLTTEERR
Page 165 of 277
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
f ive seconds. If it does not, turn of f
the engine and reinspect your
work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
5. 6. 7. 8.
9.
Engine Oil
Maint enance
166 33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)
5.1 US qt (4.8
, 4.2 Imp qt)
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
Page 169 of 277
Remove the reserve tank f rom its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Apply non-hardening sealant to the
drain bolt threads, put a new
washer on the drain bolt, and
reinstall the bolt in the engine
block. Tighten it securely.
Tightening torque:
Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of
the engine, and remove the
bleeder cap near the engine oil f ill
cap.
5. 6.
7.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance
170
RREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKKCCAAPP
HHOOLLDDEERRRREESSEERRVVEETTAANNKK
BBLLEEEEDDEERRBBOOLLTT
61 lbf·ft (83 N·m , 8.5 kgf·m)
Page 173 of 277

The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG, SH or SJ
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. An SG
grade is pref erred, but an SH or SJ
grade may be used if SG is not
available. However, motor oil does
not contain the proper additives and
continued use can cause stif f er
shif ting. Replace as soon as it is
convenient.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the car sitting on
level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual Transmis-
sion Fluid (MTF) until it starts to
run out of the hole. Reinstall the
f iller bolt and tighten it securely.
Maint enance
6-speed Manual T ransmission Fluid
174
FFIILLLLEERRBBOOLLTT
CCOORRRREECCTTLLEEVVEELL
Page 174 of 277
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole. UseaSAE90viscosityhypoidgear
oil, API service classif ied GL5 or
GL6 only, in the dif f erential.
Maint enance
Dif f erential Fluid
175
FFIILLLLEERRBBOOLLTT
CCOORRRREECCTTLLEEVVEELL33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)
Page 179 of 277
The spark plugs in your car are a
special platinum-tipped design f or
longer lif e. They only need to be
replaced every 7 years or 105,000
miles (168,000 km), whichever
comes f irst.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer. Clean up any dirt and oil that have
collected around the ignition coils.
Remove the four hexagon socket
head cap bolts holding the ignition
coil cover.
1. 2.
ReplacementSpark Plugs
Hood L atch
Maint enance
Hood L at ch, Spark Plugs
180
PPIIVVOOTTSS
Page 180 of 277
Put the new spark plug into the
socket, then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
Remove the bolt holding the
ignition coil and pull the ignition
coil straight up slightly.
Disconnect the ignition coil
connector by pushing the tab and
pulling the connector back.
Pull the ignition coil all the way up.
Remove the spark plug with
a f ive-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
3. 4.
5.
6.
CONT INUED
Spark Plugs
Maint enance181
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)