During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not exceed 5,500 rpm f or the
f irst 600 miles (1,000 km) of
operation.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
If you are unable to f ind premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate f or the
lower octane, but you may notice a
slight decrease in power as a result.
Your Honda is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Gasoline
122
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 150
.
Important Safety Precautions . 151
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 152
...
Required Maintenance Record . 159
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 161
..............................
Fluid Locations . 162
......................................
Engine Oil . 163
..................................
Adding Oil . 163
....................
Recommended Oil . 163
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 164
....................................
Additives . 164
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 165
.............................
Cooling System . 167
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 167
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 169
....................
Windshield Washers . 173
6-speed Manual Transmission
...........................................
Fluid . 174
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid . 175
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 176
................................
Brake Fluid . 176
............................
Brake System . 176
...........................
Clutch System . 177
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 178
....................................
Hood Latch . 180 ....................................
Spark Plugs . 180
..............................
Replacement . 180
............................
Specif ications . 182
...........................................
Battery . 183
.................................
Wiper Blades . 186
..............
Air Conditioning System . 188
..................
DustandPollenFilter .189
.......................................
Drive Belt . 190
...............................................
Tires . 191
......................................
Inf lation . 191
..................................
Inspection . 193
..............................
Maintenance . 194
.............................
Tire Rotation . 194
...................................
Tire Wear . 194
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 195
......................
Wheels and Tires . 196
..........................
Winter Driving . 196
.............................
Snow Tires . 197
............................
Tire Chains . 197
.............................................
Lights . 198
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 200
...........................
Storing Your Car . 208
263
Maintenance
Maint enance
149
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
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
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