The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your vehicle has been driven.
It measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.The temperature sensor is in the
f ront bumper. Theref ore, the temper-
ature reading can be af f ected by heat
ref lection f rom the road surf ace, en-
gine heat, and the exhaust f rom
surrounding traf f ic. This can cause
an incorrect temperature reading
when your speed is under
19 mph (30 km/h).
The sensor delays the display update
until it reaches the correct outside
temperature. This may take several
minutes.
The odometer and the outside
temperature display use the same
display. To switch the display
between the odometer and the
outside temperature, press the
Select/Reset knob. When you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II), what
you last selected is displayed. This display shows the outside
temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.
models) or Centigrade (Canadian
models). To see the outside
temperature, press and release the
Select/Reset knob until the
temperature is displayed.
On EX-L and EX-V6 models
Odometer
Odometer/Outside T emperature
Display Outside Temperature Display
Gauges
64
TACHOMETER
SPEEDOMETER FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED
INDICATOR
TRIP METER
U.S. model is shown. SELECT/RESET
KNOB
ODOMETER/OUTSIDE
TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.This indicator reminds you that it is
time to take your vehicle in for the
vehicle’s scheduled maintenance
under normal driving conditions. The
indicator does not ref lect severe
maintenance intervals.
Ref er to the Maintenance Schedule
f or Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on page (4-cylinder
models) or page ( 6-cylinder
models).
If your f uel cap is loose or missing, a
‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears as text in the odometer/
outside temperature display af ter
you start the engine. Turn the
engine of f and conf irm the f uel cap is
installed. If it is, loosen the cap, then
retighten it at least 3 clicks. When
you restart the engine, the message appears again. To clear, press and
hold the Trip/Reset button until the
message is replaced by the
odometer/outside temperature
display.
If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel cap, the Malf unction
Indicator Lamp (MIL) comes on.
Turn the engine of f and check or
retighten the f uel cap at least 3 clicks.
The MIL goes out af ter 3 days of
normal driving once the cap is
tightened or replaced. If it does not
go out, have your dealer inspect the
vehicle. For more inf ormation, see
page .
202
204
259
Fuel Gauge
Maintenance Required Indicator
Check Fuel Cap Indicator
(odometer/outside temperature
message)
Gauges
66
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.
Turn of f the engine.
Press and hold the Select/Reset
knob in the instrument panel, then
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Hold the knob f or about 10
seconds until the indicator resets.
Your dealer will reset this indicator
af ter completing the scheduled
maintenance. If this maintenance is
done by someone other than your
dealer, reset the indicator as f ollows. For the f irst 6,000 miles (9,600 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
two seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II).
Between 6,000 miles (9,600 km) and
7,500 miles (12,000 km) this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
10 seconds.
If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
For the f irst 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
af ter the Maintenance Required
Indicator is reset, it will come on f or
2 seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II).
Between 8,000 miles (12,800 km)
and 10,000 miles (16,000 km), this
indicator will light f or two seconds
when you first turn the ignition
switch to ON (II), and then flash for
ten seconds.
If you exceed 10,000 miles (16,000
km) without having the scheduled
maintenance perf ormed, this
indicator will remain on as a constant
reminder.
1.
2.
3.
6-cylinder models
4-cylinder models
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
SELECT/RESET KNOB
Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
You may hear a knocking noise from
the engine if you drive the vehicle at
low engine speed (below about 1,000
rpm) in a higher gear. To stop this,
raise the engine speed by shif ting to
a lower gear. We recommend quality gasoline
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.
On vehicles with manual transmission
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period
Fuel Recommendation
160
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, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
217 201
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedure
166
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
4-cylinder models MIN MAX MAX
RESERVE TANK
6-cylinder models MIN
6-cylinder models
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel. Use the cruise control when
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See
(see page
).
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering and
hard braking use more f uel. The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion. an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. 201
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
167
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 vehicle, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .198
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 199
............
Servicing Your Vehicle . 200
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .201
.....................
4-cylinder Models .202
.....................
6-cylinder Models .204
....................
Maintenance Record .206
..............................
Fluid Locations .210
........................
Adding Engine Oil .212
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 212
..............................
Synthetic Oil .213
................
Engine Oil Additives . 213
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 214
....................
Windshield Washers .216
..............................
Engine Coolant .217
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 217
.......................
Transmission Fluid .219
Automatic .........................
Transmission .219
Manual .........................
Transmission .222
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 223
................................
Brake Fluid .223
...............................
Clutch Fluid .224
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 224....................................
Timing Belt .225
....................................
Hood Latch .225
.............................................
Lights .226
.......................................
Seat Belts .233
.....................................
Floor Mats .233
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 233
.................................
Wiper Blades .234
...............................................
Tires .236
......................................
Inf lation .236
..........................
Tire Inspection .238
.....................
Tire Maintenance .238
.............................
Tire Rotation .239
.........................
Replacing Tires .239
......................
Wheels and Tires .240
..........................
Winter Driving .240
.............................
Snow Tires .240
............................
Tire Chains .241
...................
Checking the Battery . 242
.............................
Vehicle Storage .243
291
Maintenance
Maint enance
197
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and f lames away f rom the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when
working near the battery or
when using compressed air. Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the
engine. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so. Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon Monoxide poison
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
Potential Vehicle Hazards
198
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection,
maintenance recommendations,
and schedules in this owner’s
manual.