Page 157 of 226
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
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. 3.
4.
1. 2.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
165
DIPSTICK (A/T)
LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK (CVT)
DIPSTICK (A/T)
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Page 158 of 226

If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark (On
CVT model, the HOT side’s upper
mark).
Remove the dipstick and check the
f luid level. There is a HOT side and a
COLD side on the dipstick. It should
be between the upper and lower
marks on the HOT side. 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 final time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. 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 f lushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
5.
6.
On CVT model
Automatic Transmission Fluid
166
UPPER MARK
DIPSTICK (CVT)
LOWER MARK
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Page 159 of 226

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 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 you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Manual T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
167
FILLER BOLT
Correct Level
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Page 161 of 226

µµ
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark. Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
The timing belt should be replaced
at the intervals shown in the
maintenance schedule. Replace the
belt at 60,000 miles (100,000 km) if
you regularly drive your vehicle in
one or more of these conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
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.
Power Steering Fluid
T iming Belt
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Maint enance
169
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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Page 164 of 226
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender, and pull the inner
f ender cover back.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Remove the bulb f rom the socket
bypushingitinandturningthe
bulb counterclockwise until it
unlocks.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
place by pushing on the center.
2.
1.
3.4. 5. 6. 7.
Lights
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ightBulb
172
BULB
SOCKET
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Page 177 of 226

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. 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.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry. 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.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic). Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
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 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.
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.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
Disconnect the battery.
153
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
185
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Page 185 of 226

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Check these things:
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights, and check
their brightness. If the headlights
areverydimordonotcomeonat
all, the battery is discharged. See on page . Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
the f uses are OK, there is
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).209
184
196
196
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
194
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Page 186 of 226
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page . If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
67
135 204
209
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
195
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