This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, and the
braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive . 122
.......................
Starting the Engine . 123
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 124
...........................................
Parking . 126
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 126
.............................
Braking System . 127
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 128
Driving
Driving
121
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The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into Reverse, or shif t into
one of the f orward gears f or a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure the vehicle speed is low
enough that you will not activate the
engine speed limiter in the lower
gear. Make sure the engine speed
will not go into the tachometer’s red
zone in the lower gear bef ore
downshif ting.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
124 Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
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Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb, and put the transmission in
f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and put the transmission in
reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three-way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Driving
Parking Brake
Towing a Trailer
Parking, Towing a Trailer
126
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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
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 .
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 . 130
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 131
....................
Maintenance Record . 135
..............................
Fluid Locations . 137
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 138
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 139
..............................
Engine Coolant . 141
....................
Windshield Washers . 142
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 143
....................................
Brake Fluid . 144
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 144
....................................
Hood Latch . 145
.............................................
Lights . 145
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 153
.....................................
Floor Mats . 153
.................................
Wiper Blades . 154
...............................................
Tires . 157
...................
Checking the Battery . 162
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 163
203
Maintenance
Maint enance
129
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ÌÌ
Ì Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specif ied in the Severe
Conditions Maintenance Schedule on
the next page do not apply.
NOT E: If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Maint enance133
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
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Check inflation and condition once a monthCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
10 16
203230484064 5080609670
112 80
128 100160
90
144
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130 208 140224 150240
((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
((OOrreevveerryy66yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) 120 192
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) 110176
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See information on maintenance and emission warranty on page .
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 160)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brake wear
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
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
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
: 132
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
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ÌÌ Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions:
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop and go driving, such as a taxi or
a commercial delivery vehicle.
Driving with a roof rack, or driving
in mountainous 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.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced
roads.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions.
Maint enance Canadian Owners
134 miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
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((OOrreevveerryy22yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule
except in dusty conditions)
10 16
2032 304840645080 70
112 80
128 100160
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop 130208
140224
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
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((OOrreevveerryy11yyeeaarr,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))
60 96 90
144 120192150240
((OOrreevveerryy33yyeeaarrss,,wwhhiicchheevveerrccoommeessffiirrsstt))Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) 110 176
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) See information on maintenance and
emission warranty on page .
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 160)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brake wear
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system , Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls/vehicle underbody
Inspect drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid :
132Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
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You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals given on the maintenance
schedule.
Your Honda does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect your engine’s or transmission’s
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. The oil
and f ilter collect contaminants that
can damage your engine if they are
not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
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.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Open the hood and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Oil and Filter
139
OIL DRAIN BOLT WASHER
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Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your Honda dealer.
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
143
Correct level
FILLER BOLT
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