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
Ì
Ì Ì Follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if the
severe driving conditions
specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance
Schedule do not apply.
NOTE: If you only
drive under a
‘‘severe’’ condition, you should
f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
OCCASIONALLY
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Maint enance
154 Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
152412
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
304824
609648 105168
84
75
120 60
457236 90
144 72 120192
96
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage) Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect drive belt
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Check tire inflation and condition
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page .
Adjust only if noisy
:153
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
µØ ØØØØØØØØØ Ø ØØØØØØ
Ø Ø Ø ØØ Ø Ø
Ì Ì
Ì
Maint enance155
Canadian owners:
U.S. Owners A, B, C
A B C
Follow the schedule for Severe Conditions.
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time interval.
7,500 mi/12,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
22,500 mi/36,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
37,500 mi/60,000 km
3yrs
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
52,500 mi/84,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
67,500 mi/108,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
82,500 mi/132,000 km
6yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
97,500 mi/156,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
112,500 mi/180,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs Replace engine oil.
Check tire inflation and condition.
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.
Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Replace air cleaner element.
Replace rear differential fluid.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Inspect drive belt.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A. Inspect valve clearance.
Check idle speed.
Replace spark plugs.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60.000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs. Replace transmission fluid.
DoitemsinA,B,C. See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy. :
Note:
148
153Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)
µ
ÎÌ
ÌÌ Î Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your vehicle
under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Driving in mountainous
conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
MAINLY
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Maint enance
156 Visually inspect the following items:Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 months
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page .
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
152412
60964875
120 60 105168
84 120192
96
457236 90
144 72
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles
(96,000 km) or 5 years
Refer to page for replacement information under special driving conditions. 304824
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace air cleaner element
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs
Inspect drive belt
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Check tire inflation and condition
1: :
Adjust only if noisy
189 153
Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions
(1)
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
µµ
Ø ØØØØØØØØ Ø ØØ Ø ØØØØØØØ ØÌ Ì
Î
Î
Ì
CONT INUED
Maint enance 157
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
A, B, C, D, E, F
AB C D EF
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
3,750 mi/6,000 km
7,500 mi/12,000 km
11,250 mi/18,000 km
15,000 mi/24,000 km/1 yr
18,750 mi/30,000 km
22,500 mi/36,000 km
26,250 mi/42,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
33,750 mi/54,000 km
37,500 mi/60,000 km
41,250 mi/66,000 km
45,000 mi/72,000 km/3 yrs
48,750 mi/78,000 km
52,500 mi/84,000 km
56,250 mi/90,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/4 yrs
63,750 mi/102,000 km
67,500 mi/108,000 km
71,250 mi/114,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/5 yrs
78,750 mi/126,000 km Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,E.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,F.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
Replace engine oil and filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check tire inflation and condition.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Replace air cleaner element.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches with
multipurpose grease.
Replace rear differential fluid.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks.
Inspect cooling system hoses and connections.Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Check all lights.
Inspect the underbody.
Inspect drive belt.
Replace dust and pollen filter .
Replace Brake fluid every 3 years (regardless ofmileage).
Replace transmission fluid.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy. See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving
conditions.
Note: 1:
: 156
153
189
1
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)
Ø Ø ØØ ØÎ
Ì
Maint enance
158 See information on maintenance and emissions warranty,
last column, page .
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy. See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement
information under special driving conditions.
1:
:
NOTE: 153189
82,500 mi/132,000 km
86,250 mi/138,000 km
6yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/6 yrs
93,750 mi/150,000 km
97,500 mi/156,000 km
101,250 mi/162,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/7 yrs
108,750 mi/174,000 km
112,500 mi/180,000 km
116,250 mi/186,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/8 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage)
DoitemsinA,B,C,D.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
Inspect valve clearance.
Check idle speed.
Replace spark plugs.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do items in A.
DoitemsinA,B,C,D,E. Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs.
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)
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
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