Page 278 of 374

Your vehicle’s air conditioning is a
sealed system. Any major mainte-
nance, such as recharging, should be
done by a qualif ied mechanic. You
can do a couple of things to make
sure the air conditioning works
ef f iciently.Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it f or at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the ref rigerant.If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Ref rigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specif ications on page
.)
Periodically check the engine’s
radiator and air conditioning
condenser f or leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the f ront surf ace. These
block the air f low and reduce cooling
ef f iciency. Use a light spray f rom a
hose or a sof t brush to remove them. 343
A ir Condit ioning Syst em
Maint enance274
AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
f acility uses a ref rigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
ref rigerant f or reuse. Releasing
ref rigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
The condenser and radiator f ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or sof t-bristle brush to clean them.
Page 279 of 374
To replace it: The dust and pollen f ilter is located
behind the glove box.Remove the dust and pollen f ilter
cover by pushing in on the lock tab,
then pulling the cover toward you.
The dust and pollen f ilter removes
pollen and dust that is brought in
f rom the outside through the heating
andcoolingsystem.
This f ilter should be replaced every
30,000 miles (48,000 km) under
normal conditions. It should be
replaced every 15,000 miles (24,000
km) if you drive primarily in urban
areas that have high concentrations
of soot in the air f rom industry and
diesel-powered vehicles. Replace it
more of ten if air f low f rom the
heating and cooling system becomes
less than usual.
Open the glove box. Remove the
hooks on the side panels by
pushingontheendof eachhook
fromtheinsideof theglovebox.
Pivot the glove box out of the way.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Maint enance
Dust and Pollen Filter
Replacement
275
HOOKS
COVER
TAB
Page 292 of 374

Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.Remove the socket f rom the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Open the hood. The f ront side
marker/turn signal light is next to
the headlight bulb. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working. Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket. Push the new
bulb straight into the socket until
it bottoms.
4.
5.
6.
7.
1.
2.3.
4.
5.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal Light Bulb
288
BULB
Page 293 of 374
Use a wrench to loosen the bolt on
the battery hold-down. Remove
the seven holding clips f rom the
cover by using a flat-tipped
screwdriver. Then pull the
radiator support cover away. To access the parking light bulb: Open the hood. The f ront parking
light is next to the headlight bulb.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Reinstall the radiator support
cover. Lock the holding clips by
pushing on the center of each clip.
Tighten the bolt on the battery
hold-down.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket. Push the new
bulb straight into the socket until
it bottoms.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a Front Parking L ight
Bulb
289
BOLT
BULB
HOLDING
CLIP
COVER
Page 294 of 374
Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on
the edge of the cover. Remove the
covers by caref ully prying on the
edge with a small f lat-tipped
screwdriver.Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the taillight assembly
mounting screw under each cover.
Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight, back-
up light, turn signal, or side
marker.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the taillight assembly out of
the rear pillar.
1.
2.
3.4.
5.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
290
BULBS
SCREW
COVER
Page 295 of 374
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Align the clips on the taillight
assembly with the holes in the
body, then push the taillight
assembly into place. Tighten the
two mounting screws securely and
reinstall the covers.Place a cloth and insert a small
f lat-tipped screwdriver between
the right edge of the lens and the
housing. The lens will come down.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Put the lens back into the light
assembly, lef t side f irst. Push on
the right edge until it snaps into
place.
Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket. Push the new
bulb straight into the socket until
it bottoms.
1.
2.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.
4.
Maint enance
Lights
Replacing a Rear License Plate
Bulb
291
BULB
LENS
Page 296 of 374
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Put the cover back onto the light
assembly. Push it on until it locks
in place.
Open the tailgate. Remove the
light assembly cover by pushing in
on the tabs on both sides and
pulling the cover of f .
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise. Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket. Push the new
bulb straight into the socket until
it bottoms.
1.
2. 3.4.
5.
6.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
Maint enance292
COVER
BULB
Page 299 of 374

If you need to park your vehicle 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 vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘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.
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. To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals. Support the f ront and rear wiper
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield. Disconnect the battery.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic). If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically (pref erably once
amonth).
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months maintenance
schedule (Normal Conditions) 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
vehicle has actually reached that
time or mileage.
249
238
Maint enance
St oring Your Vehicle
295