Page 98 of 218
To Close the Hood:
Lif t it up slightly to remove the
support rod f rom the hole. Put the
support rod back into its holding clip.
Lower the hood to about a f oot (30
cm) above the f ender, then let it
drop. Make sure it is securely
latched.Pull the support rod out of its clip,
and insert the end into the hole on
theleftsideof thehood.
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its hole. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
3.
3. 1.
2.4.
133
Oil Check
A dding Oil
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving95
CLIPSUPPORT ROD
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
Page 106 of 218

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the seats cannot roll under
the seats and interfere with the
pedals or seat operation.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible.
Tie down items that could be
thrown about the vehicle during a
crash or sudden stop.
Do not stack objects higher than
the tops of the seat-backs. They
could block your view and be
thrown about the vehicle during a
crash or sudden stop.If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
hatch, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
The f loor of the storage box is
made of a sof t plastic material. It is
not strong enough to stand heavy
goods on it.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. 36
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
carbon monoxide
poisoning
103
Page 107 of 218
To secure the cargo, you can use the
f our cargo hooks on the cargo area.
The illustration shows the location of
each cargo hook.The cargo net can be used to help
hold down light items in the cargo
area. The cargo net may not prevent
heavy items f rom being thrown
f orward in a crash or a sudden stop.
Cargo secured with this net should
not exceed 22 lbs (10 kg). Heavy
items should be secured to the cargo
area floor with tie-downs or cinch
straps attached to the cargo hooks.
The air intake f or the IMA battery is
located behind the passenger’s seat.
Do not block this air intake with any
cargo.
Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake and also do not put any small
f oreign objects in it. This may
damage the IMA battery and the
power control unit.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Cargo HooksCargo Net A ir Intake
104
AIR INTAKE
Cargo Hooks and Cargo Net
Page 109 of 218
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Make sure the doors and the
hatch are securely closed and
locked.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ). Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
66
64
1341
Preparing to Drive
Driving106
Page 136 of 218
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
as long as you own it.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
Install the engine oil f ill cap and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes and recheck the oil level. Do
not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
Recommended Engine Oil
133
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Page 143 of 218

Park the vehicle on level ground.
With the A/C of f , let the engine
run until the radiator cooling f an
cycles on and of f twice. Then turn
of f the engine.
NOTE: For accurate results, wait at
least 60 seconds, and no more than
90 seconds, af ter turning of f the
engine to check the f luid level. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks within the HOT range.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(Automatic Transmission Fluid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can af f ect the shif t quality.
Have the transmission flushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
1. 2.
3.
4.5.
U.S. model
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
140
DIP STICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK HOT
Page 144 of 218

To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration. If you
added f luid, return to step 1 to
recheck the f luid level.
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. Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on the level ground.
Remove the black cover under the
engine.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.
6.
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
5-speed Manual Transmission
141
Correct Level
Page 150 of 218
Install the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Tighten the screw securely.Open the hatch.
Pull the cover back.
Loosen the nut holding the rear
light assembly.Remove the two covers. Remove
the two screws holding the rear
light assembly. Remove the light
assembly.
3. 2. 4.
1.
6.
7.
8.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
147
COVER