Page 131 of 208
Fluid Locations
Maint enance128
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICKENGINE OIL FILL CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
(Gray cap)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
COOLANT RESERVOIR
Page 132 of 208
CONT INUED
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. 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.Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.
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.
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
Recommended Engine Oil
129
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Page 133 of 208

µ
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 is
pref erred f or optimum f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 5W-40 oil if
the temperature in your area goes
below 0°F ( 20°C).
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.
1.
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives Changing the Oil and Filter
130
Ambient Temperature
Page 134 of 208
CONT INUED
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
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.
Install the engine oil f ill cap. Start
the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine and check your work.
2.
4. 3.5.
6.
7.
8.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance131
WASHER OIL DRAIN BOLT
OIL FILTER
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)
5.1 US qt (4.8
)
Page 135 of 208

Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil.If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
9.
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
132
NOTICE:
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
Improper disposal of engine
oil can be harmf ul to the environment.
If you change your own oil, please
dispose of the used oil properly. Put it
in a sealed container, and take it to a
recycling center. Do not discard it in a
trash bin or dump it on the ground.
Page 137 of 208

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.Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
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 them.
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. Install
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
Manual T ransmission Fluid, Windshield Washers
Maint enance
Windshield Washers
Manual Transmission Fluid
134
NOTICE:
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially available windshield
washer f luid.
Page 155 of 208

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
If you store your vehicle f or 1 year or
longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 2 years/30,000 miles (48,000 km)
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
123
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
152
Page 156 of 208

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .154
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .155
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 160
................................
Jump Starting .162
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 163
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
..........
Charging System Indicator . 166
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
...............
Brake System Indicator . 168
.......
Closing the Convertible Top . 169
..............................................
Fuses .170
..........
Checking and Replacing . 170
..............................
Fuse Locations .172
..........
If Your Vehicle Gets Stuck . 174
......................
Emergency Towing .176
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed153