Page 203 of 277
Open the trunk. Determine which of the f our bulbsis burned out: stop/taillight, back-
up light, turn signal, or side
marker.Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Remove the fasteners from the
trunk lining. To remove a f astener,
push on the center of the head
until it pops in. Then pull it out.
Pull the lining back. Remove the burned out bulb. To
remove the stop/taillight, back-up
or side marker light bulb, pull the
bulb straight out of its socket. To
remove the turn signal light bulb,
push it in and turn it
counterclockwise until it unlocks.
1. 2. 3.
4.
5. 6.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs 204
Page 204 of 277
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Push the socket into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
Install the trunk lining and secure
it with the fasteners. To reinstall a
f astener, reset the f astener by
pushing on the pointed end until it
pops back almost f lush with the
f ingers on the housing. Put the
f astener in the hole of the trunk
lining and push on the center until
it locks (the center is flush with
the head).
7. 8. 9.
10.
Lights
Maint enance205
Page 205 of 277
Insert a flat-tipped screwdriver
between the lef t edge of the lens
and the housing. The lens will
come down.Put the lens back into the light
assembly, right side f irst. Push on
the lef t edge until it snaps into
place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
1.
2. 3. 4.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Rear License Plate Bulb 206
Page 206 of 277
Open the trunk. Pull down the
trunk light cover.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs.
Push the cover back in place.
Removethelensbycarefully
prying on the f ront edge of the
lens near both sides.
Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
1.
2. 3.
4.
1.2.3.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the T runk L ight Bulb
Replacing an Interior L ight Bulb
207
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 209 of 277

Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially f or car washing.
Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt.
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car’s beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the f inish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down bef ore you
start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommendedinthisOwner’s
Manual.
Check the body f or road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
of f immediately so it does not
harm the f inish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest ofthe car does not need waxing.
Do not use harsh chemicals to
remove stains from the
convertible top or rear window.
Use a mild detergent/water
solution with a soft-bristle brush
on the top, and with a sof t cloth on
the rear window.
When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or sof t towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
Make sure the top is completely
drybeforeyoufoldit.
As you dry the car, inspect it f or
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page ).
Wash the car, using the water and
neutral detergent solution and
sponge or sof t cloth. Start at a top
and work your way down. Rinse
f requently.
212
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Washing 210
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.
Page 210 of 277

µµ
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Always wash and dry the whole car
bef ore waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surf ace
in large patches. It should f orm into
beads or droplets af ter waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes A wax coats the finish and
protects it f rom damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.Polishes Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the f inish. You
should use a polish on your Honda if
the f inish does not have its original
shine af ter using a wax.
Exterior Care
Appearance Care
Waxing
211
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.