Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (black
handle).
Wipe 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 . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
3. 4.
1.
2. 129132
122
Service Station Procedure
Oil Check
A dding OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving103
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
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 .120
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 121
....................
Maintenance Record .125
..............................
Fluid Locations .128
........................
Adding Engine Oil .129
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 130
..............................
Engine Coolant .132
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 134
....................
Windshield Washers .134
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .135
....................................
Hood Latch .135
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 136
.............................................
Lights .137
.......................................
Seat Belts .143
.....................................
Floor Mats .143
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 143
.................................
Wiper Blades .144
...............................................
Tires .145
...................
Checking the Battery . 151
.............................
Vehicle Storage .152
195
Maintenance
Maint enance119
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
..............................
Economy, Fuel .104
............
Emergencies on the Road . 153
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 162
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 155
.....
Charging System Indicator . 166
..................
Checking the Fuses . 170
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
..................
Overheated Engine . 163
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .49
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 55
.......................
Emissions Controls .185
.....................................
Child Saf ety .22
..............................
Booster Seats .31
...................................
Child Seats .26
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................
Larger Children .30
......................
Risk With Airbags .23
.............................
Small Children .26
.......................................
Child Seats .26
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .143
...................................
Seat Belts .143
...................................
Clutch Fluid .136
........................
CO in the Exhaust .185
.........................
Compact .154
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 70
..............................
Convertible Top .61
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 63
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 61
................................
Maintenance .65
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 64
Coolant ........................................
Adding .132
....................................
Checking .103
.........................
Proper Solution .132
...................
Temperature Gauge . 45Crankcase Emission Control
........................................
System .185
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 95
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 42
......................................
Cup Holder .70
Customer Relations ................................
Inf ormation .192
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .38
................
Daytime Running Lights . 48
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .42
.................................
Dead Battery .162
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 194
................
Def rosting the Windows . 77
....................................
Dimensions .180
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 48
Dipstick ..................................
Engine Oil .103
..........................
Directional Signals .48
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 117
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .132
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 118Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 54
..............................
Monitor Light .41
......................
Power Door Locks .54
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 182
Downshif ting, 6-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .114
...........................................
Driving .111
....................................
Economy .104
spare tire
Index
D
E
II
CONT INUED
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 137
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
Headlights ............
Daytime Running Lights . 48
..................
High Beam Indicator . 42
...........................
Reminder Tone .48
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 137
...................................
Turning on .48
.........
Heating and Cooling System . 74
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 48
................
High Speed, Shif ting at . 115
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 188
Engine .......................................
Coolant .132
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 45
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .41, 167
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 40,166
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 129
...............................
Overheating .163
............................
Specif ications .180
............................
Speed Limiter .115
.......................................
Starting .113
...................
Engine, .160
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .100
...
Evaporative Emission Controls . 185
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .34
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .14
.....................................
Fan, Interior .75
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .73
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 101Filters
...............................................
Oil .130
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 49
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 155
Fluids ..........................................
Brake .136
.........................................
Clutch .136
..............
Manual Transmission . 134
..................
Windshield Washer . 134
..........
FM Stereo Radio Reception . 81
..........................
Four-way Flashers .49
.................................................
Fuel .100
......................
Fill Door and Cap .101
...........................................
Gauge .45
................
Octane Requirement . 100
........................
Reserve Indicator .42
........................
Tank, Filling the .101
..............
Fuel Mileage, Improving . 104
..............
Fuel Station Procedures . 101
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .170
.........................................
Gasoline .100
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 42
...........................................
Gauge .45 ................
Octane Requirement . 100
........................
Tank, Filling the .101
.............................................
Gauges .44
...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 45
...............................................
Fuel .45
...............................
Speedometer .44
.................................
Tachometer .44
Gearshif t Lever Positions 6-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .114
if it won’t start
Index
F
GH
III
CONT INUED
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 49
.................................
Parking Brake .67
.................................
Parking Lights .48
.............................
PGM-FI System .186
Power ..................................
Door Locks .54
..............
Engine, Specif ications . 180
.........................................
Mirrors .66
......................................
Windows .59
..........................
Power Door Locks .54
..................
Power Socket Location . 70..............................
Power Windows .59
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 14
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 10
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 14
........................
Protecting Children .22
.....................
General Guidelines .22
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 30
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
..................................
Maintenance .119
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .122
........................................
Record .125
....................................
Schedule .121
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 43
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 41,167
...................
Manual Transmission . 114
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 134
...............................
Meters, Gauges .44
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .66
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 106
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 100
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .115
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 178
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 100
.........................................
Odometer .44 ...............................
Odometer, Trip .44
Oil ........................
Change, How to .130
......................
Change, When to .121
......................
Checking Engine .103
..............
Pressure Indicator . 40,166
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .130
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 53
.........................
Opening the Trunk .54
..............................
Outside Mirrors .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .163
...................
Radiator Overheating . 163
.......................
Radio Sound System .78
...................
Readiness Codes . 167,188
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 141
............................
Rear View Mirror .66
................
Reclining the Seat-backs . 58
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 115
Recovery Vehicle, Emergency .......................................
Towing .176
.............................
Reminder Lights .40
.......................
Remote Transmitter .56
Index
M
N
O P
R
V
Replacement Inf ormation................
Engine Oil and Filter . 130
..........................................
Fuses .170
................................
Light Bulbs .137
....................................
Schedule .121
...........................................
Tires .148
.............................
Wiper Blades .144
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .17
...............................
Restraint, Child .22
................................
Rotation, Tire .148
........................................
Saf ety Belts .8
............
Safety Defects, Reporting . 194
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 35
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
..................................
Satellite Radio .88
...........................................
Seat Belts .8
...............
Additional Information . 15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 14
.....................................
Cleaning .143
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .16
................................
Maintenance .17
......
Reminder Light and Beeper . 40...................
System Components . 15
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 14
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .58
...............................
Serial Number .178
...........................
Service Intervals .121
.............................
Service Manual .195
.........
Service Station Procedures . 101
Shif ting The 6-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission .114
Side Turn Signal, Bulb .........................
Replacement in .140
...............................
Signaling Turns .48
6-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 134
................................
Shif ting the .114
.....................................
Snow Tires .149
..................................
Sound System .78
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .154
............................
Specif ications .181
....................
Specif ications Charts . 180
..................................
Speed Control .95
...................................
Speedometer .44
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 18
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 21....................
Airbag Components . 18
.............................
Airbag Service .21
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .20
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 18
..................
SRS Indicator Light . 20,41
.......................
Starting the Engine .113
................
With a Dead Battery . 162
..............
State Emissions Testing . 188
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 163
Steering Wheel .............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 53
.....................
Stereo Sound System .78
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .152
................................
Stuck Vehicle .174
Supplemental Restraint System ......................................
Servicing .21
.........................
SRS Indicator .20 ,41
...............
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 16
.....................................
Tachometer .44
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 141
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 153
Index
S
T
VI
CONT INUED
Technical Descriptions......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 182
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 185
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .187
.......................
Temperature Gauge .45
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 16
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 187
....................................
Tire Chains .150
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 155
.................................
Tire Labeling .184
...............................................
Tires .145
..............................
Air Pressure .146
...................................
Balancing .148
.........................
Checking Wear .147
.................
Compact Spare Tire . 154
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 182
......................................
Inf lation .146
..................................
Inspection .147
...................................
Replacing .148
......................................
Rotating .148
...........................................
Snow .149
............................
Specif ications .181
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 155
Towing ......................
A Trailer, Do Not .118 ................
Emergency Wrecker . 176
..................
Trailer, Do Not Tow a . 118
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, 6-speed
..........
Manual Transmission . 134
...........................
Fluid Selection .134
..............
Identif ication Number . 178
Shif ting the 6-speed Manual
.........................
Transmission .114
.....................................
Treadwear .182
.......................................
Trip Meter .44
................................................
Trunk .54
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 55
.................................
Opening the .54
...................
Open Monitor Light . 41
....................................
Turn Signals .48
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .153
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 182
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .100
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 132......................
Vehicle Dimensions .180
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 178
.............................
Vehicle Storage .152
.................................................
VIN .178
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .130
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 35
....................
Warranty Coverages .193
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 134
.....................................
Operation .47
...........................................
Wheels .149
............
Alignment and Balance . 148
......................................
Wrench .155
....
Windows, Operating the Power . 59
Windshield .....................................
Def roster .77
.......................................
Washers .47
Index
U V
W
VII