Page 52 of 280

The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometerreadingintheredzone.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark. If it reaches the red
mark, pull saf ely to the side of the
road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
The Select button switches the
speedometer reading between miles
perhourandkilometerperhour.It
also changes the odometer and trip
meters to read in miles or kilometers
correspondingly. To change the
readings, push the Select button and
hold it until you hear a beep.
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph) or kilometers per hour
(km/h).
229
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
T achometer
Select Button Temperature Gauge
Speedometer
49
TEMPERATURE GAUGE SPEEDOMETERTACHOMETER
SELECT BUTTON
Page 91 of 280
This section covers how to set up the
system controls f or ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidif ying, and
def rosting.
The engine must be running f or the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes bef ore you f eel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
You can adjust the direction of the
air coming from the vents on both
sides of the instrument panel and at
the corner of the dashboard on the
passenger’s side. To adjust the air
flow up and down, move the tab in
the center of each vent up and down.
To adjust it lef t and right, turn the
dial under each vent lef t and right. You can shut off the air flow from
each vent by turning the dial all the
way toward the mark until it
clicks.
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Vent Controls
How to Use the System
88
CENTER VENTSIDE VENT
Page 93 of 280

When the interior has cooled down
to a more comf ortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described f or normal
cooling.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm f rom
beingparkedinthesun,youcancool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way: Start the engine.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is all the way to
the left.
Set the f an to maximum speed.
Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode. Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red mark, turn
of f the A/C until the reading returns
to normal.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
49
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
90
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
FAN CONTROL LEVERMODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
Page 96 of 280
These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior. To shut of f the system temporarily,
turn of f the f an (no lights
illuminated).
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
To Turn Everything Of f
93
Page 122 of 280

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .120
.........................................
Gasoline .120
.........
Service Station Procedures . 121
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
....................
Opening the Hood .122
...............................
Oil Check .123
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 124
...............................
Fuel Economy .125
............................
Car Condition .125
...........................
Driving Habits .125
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 126
................................
Accessories .126
............................
Modif ications .127
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 127
.............................
Carrying Cargo .128
.....................
General Precautions .131
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving119
Page 127 of 280
Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick again andcheck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
3.
4.
161 159165
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
124
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
Page 150 of 280

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 .148
.
Important Safety Precautions . 149
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 150
...
Required Maintenance Record . 157
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 159
..............................
Fluid Locations .160
......................................
Engine Oil .161
..................................
Adding Oil .161
....................
Recommended Oil .161
..............................
Synthetic Oil .162
....................................
Additives .162
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 163
.............................
Cooling System .165
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 165
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 167
....................
Windshield Washers .171
6-speed Manual Transmission ...........................................
Fluid .172
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .173
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 174
............................
Brake System .174
...........................
Clutch System .175
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .176
....................................
Hood Latch .178 ....................................
Spark Plugs .178
..............................
Replacement .178
............................
Specif ications .180
...........................................
Battery .181
.................................
Wiper Blades .184
..............
Air Conditioning System . 186
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 187
.......................................
Drive Belt .188
...............................................
Tires .189
......................................
Inf lation .189
..................................
Inspection .191
..............................
Maintenance .192
.............................
Tire Rotation .192
...................................
Tire Wear .192
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 193
......................
Wheels and Tires .194
..........................
Winter Driving .194
.............................
Snow Tires .195
............................
Tire Chains .195
.............................................
Lights .196
.....................
Headlight Aiming .198
........................
Replacing Bulbs .198
...........................
Storing Your Car .206
267
Maintenance
Maint enance147
Page 155 of 280

µ
Ì
ÌÌ
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 onlydrive 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 enance152
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 1 year
15
24
12
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
30
48
24
60
96
48 105
168
84
75
120 60
45
72
36 90
144 72 120
192
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 .
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
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Adjust only if noisy
:151
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions