Page 71 of 307
The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
If the system still detects a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap, the malf unction
indicator lamp (MIL) comes on.
Turn the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL goes
out after several 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 information, see page .
209
264
Gauges
Maintenance Minder
Inst rument s and Cont rols
67
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Page 183 of 307
Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .180
.................
Fuel Recommendation .180
.........
Service Station Procedures .181
....................................
Ref ueling .181
Opening and Closing
................................
the Hood .182
...................................
Oil Check .183
.............
Engine Coolant Check .185
...............................
Fuel Economy .185
...
Accessories and Modif ications .186
.............................
Carrying Cargo .188
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
179
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Page 187 of 307

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the lef t until
you f eel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up to release it.
Lif t up the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. Pull the support rod out of its clip
by holding the grip, and insert the
end into the designated hole in the
hood.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly
to remove the support rod f rom
the hole. Put the support rod back
into its holding clip. Lower the
hood to about a f oot (30 cm) above
the fender, then let it drop. Make
sure it is securely latched.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Insert it all the way back in its tube. Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
3. 1.
2.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
Bef ore Driving
183
DIPSTICK
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
LATCH
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX
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Page 188 of 307
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 .
220
4.
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil
184
LOWER MARK UPPER MARK Si
Si DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX
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Page 211 of 307

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf 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 also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder 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 .208
....................
Maintenance Minder .209
....................
Maintenance Record .216
..............................
Fluid Locations .218
........................
Adding Engine Oil .220
.......
Recommended Engine Oil .220
..............................
Synthetic Oil .221
................
Engine Oil Additives .221
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .222
..............................
Engine Coolant .224
....................
Windshield Washers .227
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .228
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .229
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .230
....................
Power Steering Fluid .231
.............................................
Lights .232
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .237
.....................................
Floor Mats .238
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .239
.................................
Wiper Blades .239
...............................................
Tires .241
...................
Checking the Battery .248
.............................
Vehicle Storage .250
291
Maintenance
Maint enance
207
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Page 217 of 307

If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
proper maintenance intervals. This
canleadtoseriousmechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
Press the SEL/RESET button f or
more than 5 seconds. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’ We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their performance and durability.
4.
CONT INUED
Important Maintenance
Precautions
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
213
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Page 218 of 307

µ
µ
µ
µ
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Ì
U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
183
185
228 230
241 232
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
Maintenance Minder
214
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Page 219 of 307

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Ì Î
Maintenance Minder
215
:If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ 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 in the first column
on page .
Independent of the maintenance minder indicator in the information
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: :
214
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive primarily 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
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually 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
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Maintenance Minder
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