µ
µ
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery. Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 91
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Visibility
Driving T echnique
144
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
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers of ten,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the passenger’s side. Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.
Windshield Washers
Maint enance171
RESERVOIR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antif reeze can damage your car’s paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer f luid.
To replace the blade:Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Look f or signs of cracking in the
rubber, or areas that are getting
hard. Replace the blades if you f ind
these signs, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
1.2.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance184
LOCK TAB
Remove the blade f rom its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull f irmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
f orcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinf orcement
strips f rom the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
3. 4. 5.
6.
7.
Wiper Blades
Maint enance185
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT
Recovery Vehicle, Emergency.......................................
Towing .245
.............................
Reminder Lights .45
.......................
Remote Transmitter .63
Replacement Inf ormation ................................
Air Cleaner .176
..........................
Engine Coolant .167
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 163
..........................................
Fuses .239
................................
Light Bulbs .198
....................................
Schedule .150
................................
Spark Plugs .178
...........................................
Tires .193
.............................
Wiper Blades .184
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .34
...............................
Restraint, Child .19
................................
Rotation, Tire .192
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
............
Safety Defects, Reporting . 266
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 41
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii ...........................................
Seat Belts .8
...............
Additional Information . 33
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 17
.....................................
Cleaning .212
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .33
................................
Maintenance .34
......
Reminder Light and Beeper . 46
...................
System Components . 33
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .69
...............................
Serial Number .248
...........................
Service Intervals .150
.............................
Service Manual .267
.........
Service Station Procedures . 121
Shif ting The 6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .137
Side Marker Lights, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .200
...............................
Signaling Turns .55
6-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 172
................................
Shif ting the .137
.....................................
Snow Tires .195
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 208
..................................
Sound System .94 Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating .218
............................
Specif ications .251
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 178
....................
Specif ications Charts . 250
................................
Speed Control .115
...................................
Speedometer .49
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 36
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 39
How the Automatic Seat Belt ....................
Tensioners Work .34
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .38
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 36
........................
SRS Components .36
..................................
SRS Service .39
..................
SRS Indicator Light . 38,47
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .136
................
With a Dead Battery . 226
..............
State Emissions Testing . 260
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 229
Steering Wheel .............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 60
.....................
Stereo Sound System .94
Index
S
VI
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 41
....................
Warranty Coverages .265
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 171
.....................................
Operation .56
.........................................
Washing .208
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 209
...........................................
Wheels .194
............
Alignment and Balance . 192
......
Cleaning Aluminum Alloys . 210
......................................
Wrench .219
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .213
..................
Operating the Power . 70
Windshield .....................................
Cleaning .213
.....................................
Def roster .91
.......................................
Washers .56
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .184
.....................................
Operation .55
....................................
Worn Tires .191
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 245
Index
W
VIII