When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
trailer maker.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections. Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). 190 191 236
bottom
Pre-T ow Checklist
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Parking
Towing a Trailer
194
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
Ì
Î
ÌÌ
Î
4-cylinder Models
202
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes first
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or every 6 years, whichever comes first Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
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)
Every 20,000 miles (32,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
10
16
20
3230
48 50
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192130
208140
224150
240
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years. 40
64
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 239)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, 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 belt
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
:
: 200
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
Ì
Î
Î
Ì
Ì
Î
Î
4-cylinder Models
203
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Check inflation and condition once a month
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or every 3 years, whichever comes first
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) (Use normal schedule except in dusty conditions) Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or every 2 years, whichever comes firstEvery 20,000 miles (32,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or every 1 year, whichever comes first
Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or every 6 months, whichever comes first
Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years. See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . 10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
80 70
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192130
208140
224150
240
60
96
Check engine oil and coolant
Check tires
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page 239)
Replace engine oil filter
Check front and rear brakes
Lubricate all hinges, locks and latches
Inspect the following items: Tie-rod ends, steering gearbox, 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 belt
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
:
1:
2: 235 200
1
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
Fluid Locations
4-cylinder Models
210
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
RADIATOR CAPCLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission.
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 dealer.
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 stif f er shif ting. 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.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission
222
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only) Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
223
MAX
MIN
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
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.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.
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 an cycles twice).
Pref erably, do this once a month.If you store your vehicle f or 1 year or
longer, have your dealer perf orm the
inspections as soon as you take it out
of storage (see pages and ).
The 6-cylinder model needs the
inspections called f or in the 2 years/
30,000 miles (48,000 km)
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) and the 4-cylinder model
needs the inspections called f or in
the 2 years/40,000 miles (64,000 km)
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions). The replacements
called f or in the maintenance
schedule are not needed unless the
vehicle has actually reached that
time or mileage.
202 204
Vehicle Storage
244