Page 186 of 319

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: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.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
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 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol.
We recommend using quality
gasolines containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits. If you drive with the low engine
speed (below than about 1,000 rpm),
you may f eel the engine knocking. In
this case, you can use premium
unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 91 or higher to
prevent the engine f rom knocking.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not tow a trailer. Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
On EX-V6 model with manual
transmission
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
184
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Page 221 of 319

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the
inf ormation display, a maintenance
record, and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself . ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .220
....................
Maintenance Minder .221
....................
Maintenance Record .228
..............................
Fluid Locations .230
........................
Adding Engine Oil .232
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .233
..............................
Engine Coolant .236
....................
Windshield Washers .238
.......................
Transmission Fluid .239
..........
Automatic Transmission .239
..............
Manual Transmission .242
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .243
....................
Power Steering Fluid .245
....................................
Timing Belt .246
.............................................
Lights .246
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .251
.....................................
Floor Mats .251
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .252
.................................
Wiper Blades .252
...............................................
Tires .254
...................
Checking the Battery .260
.............................
Vehicle Storage .262
305
Maintenance
Maint enance
219
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Page 228 of 319

̵
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U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items m arked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance servi ces should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
information display. Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
. Lights
Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See page .
188 189
239 244
256 246
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
226
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Page 229 of 319

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Maintenance
Minder
227
:
If the message ‘‘SERVICE OIL’’ does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance minder display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
226
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie-rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and line (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle
speeds or trailer towing results in higher
transmission and transfer temperatures. This
requires transmission and transfer fluid changes
more frequently than recommended by the
maintenance minder. If you regularly drive your
vehicle under these conditions, have the
transmission and transfer fluid changed at
60,000 miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km). (For A/T only:)
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
(V6 engine only) If you drive regularly in very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures
(under 110°F, 29°C), replace every 60,000 mile
(U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
51
1
Maintenance Minder
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Page 232 of 319
4-cylinder Models
Fluid Locations
230
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
RADIATOR CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop) ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed manual
transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
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Page 233 of 319
6-cylinder Models
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
231
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPRADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR CLUTCH FLUID
(6-speed manual
transmission only)
(Gray cap)
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Page 235 of 319

Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy. 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 shown on the information
display.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. 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.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives Changing the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
233
Ambient Temperature
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Page 244 of 319

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.Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.
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 stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer. Remove the check bolt and look f or
transmission f luid coming out of the
bolt hole. If a small amount of f luid
drips out of the bolt hole, reinstall
the check bolt.
On 4-cylinder models On EX-V6 model
T ransmission Fluid
Manual TransmissionManual Transmission
242
FILLER BOLT
Correct level CHECK BOLT
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT
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