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.
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 Malf unction 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.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Gasoline
120
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage).
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation f or your
passenger and possessions. You
should also f ollow these
recommendations:
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of saf ety,
dependability, and emissions control
perf ormance.
Avoidexceedingyourcar’sload
limit.Thisputsexcessstresson
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages. Select the schedule
f or ‘‘Severe Conditions’’ if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, f ollow the schedule
f or ‘‘Normal Conditions.’’
120
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
150
If you are planning to take your
Honda outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Honda will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
theoxygensensorsandthethree
way catalytic converter. These re-
placements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation256
µµ
µ
µ
µ
µ µ
µ µ
a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
coveredfortheusefullifeof the
vehicle.
provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the car.
all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
covers
your new vehicle, except f or the
battery, emissions control systems,
and accessories, against def ects in
materials and workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your car’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details.covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-
ship. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom a Honda dealer.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2003 Honda Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your car f or
precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Honda’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty inf or-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2003 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Muf f ler L if et imeLimited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
New Car Limited Warranty
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarranty Accessory Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
WarrantyU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions265
CONT INUED
...
Closing the Convertible Top . 237
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 232
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 234
..................
Overheated Engine . 229
...........................
Emergency Brake .81
......................
Emergency Flashers .80
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 67
.......................
Emissions Controls .257
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 260
Engine ...........
Check Engine Light . 47,234
Compartment, Checking ......................................
in the .122
.......................................
Coolant .124
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 49
...................................
Drive Belt .188
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .47, 234
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 46,232
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 161
...............................
Overheating .229
............................
Specif ications .250
............................
Speed Limiter .138
.......................................
Starting .135
.........
Engine Cover, Opening the . 122
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .255 ...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 257
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .17
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 208
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .212
.....................................
Fan, Interior .86
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .85
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
Filters ...............................................
Oil .163
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 80
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 219
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .174
.........................................
Clutch .175
..............
Manual Transmission . 172
..................
Windshield Washer . 171
........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 103
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 256
..........................
Four-way Flashers .80 .................................................
Fuel .120
......................
Fill Door and Cap .121
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
...............................
Oxygenated .255
........................
Reserve Indicator .48
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 125
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 121
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .239
..........................................
Gasohol .255
.........................................
Gasoline .120
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 48
...........................................
Gauge .50
................
Octane Requirement . 120
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .255
........................
Tank, Filling the .121
Index
F
G
III