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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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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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. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRONIII 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 by
your dealer as soon as it is
convenient.
Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
3.
4.
1.
2. 5.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
228
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
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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.
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.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The automatic transmission should
be drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer. 6.
CONT INUED
Manual Transmission Fluid
A utomatic T ransmission Fluid, Manual T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
229
FILLER BOLT
Correct LevelSiFILLER BOLT
Correct Level
DX, Canadian DX-G, LX, EX
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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.
T
he
manual transmission should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
when this service is indicated by a
maintenance message on the
inf ormation display.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. 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. 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. Replace the brake f luid according to
thetimerecommendationsinthe
maintenance minder schedule. Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly.
Manual Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
230
MAX
MIN
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Brake Fluid
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.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the enginecompartment.
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 f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
Manual Transmission only
All models except Si
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
231
MAX
MIN LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
Turning 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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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .186
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .76
............
Accessory Power Sockets .104
................
Adding Engine Coolant .224
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .221
.......
Adjusting the Steering Wheel .73
.........
Advice f or Pregnant Women .16
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,21
..............
Air Conditioning System .110
.........................................
Usage .113
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .242
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .180
......................................
Antif reeze .224
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .59, 204
...................................
Operation .204
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 172
Anti-thef t Steering Column ..............................................
Lock .76
................................
Audio System .115
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking . 78
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 19
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 175..............
Automatic Transmission . 198
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .278
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 228
.......................................
Shif ting .198
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .198
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 198
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 201
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .57, 263
............................
Jump Starting .259
..............................
Maintenance .248
............................
Specif ications .279
..............................
Bef ore Driving .179
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.........................
Beverage Holders .103
..................................
Booster Seats .47
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 204
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 180
....................
Bulb Replacement .236
...........................................
Fluid .230 .......................................
Parking .101
..........................
System Design .203
.................
System Indicator . 58,265
........................
Wear Indicators .203
.............................
Braking System .203
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 180
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights .70
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .236
..............................
Brake Lights .236
................
Front Parking Lights . 235
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 235
.................................
Headlights .232
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 237
............................
Specif ications .279
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 235
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .232
............................
Capacities Chart .278
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 50
.............................
Carrying Cargo .188
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
I
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................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .3,54
................
Daytime Running Lights .71
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator .61
.................................
Dead Battery .259
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .290
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .72
..............
Def rosting the Windows .114
....................................
Dimensions .278
...............
Dimming the Headlights .70
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .228
..................................
Engine Oil .183
..........................
Directional Signals .70
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .203
.......................................
Disc Care .169
............................
Disc Player .126,146
..................
Display Change Button .64
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of .ii
.........................................
CD Care .169
..........................
CD Changer .131,153
.....
CD Changer Error Messages .133
..............................
CD Player .126,146
.
CD Player Error Messages .132,154
..................................
Ceiling Light .106
........................
Certif ication Label .276
.................................
Chains, Tires .247
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .253
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .222
......................................
When to .209
...
Charging System Indicator .57,263
..............
Check Fuel Cap Indicator .66
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .193
.....................................
Child Saf ety .32
..............................
Booster Seats .47
...................................
Child Seats .39
Important Saf ety
.........................
Reminders .32,35
..........................................
Inf ants .37
............................
Large Children .46
.........................................
LATCH .41
......................
Risks with Airbags .33
.............................
Small Children .38 .........................................
Tethers .45
...........................
Warning Labels .51
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? .33
Child Seats ......................................
Installing .40
...........................
Lower Anchors .41
......................................
Selecting .39
................
Tether Anchor Points .45
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts .237
..............................................
Clock .173
...................................
Clutch Fluid .231
........................
CO in the Exhaust .283
......................................
Coat Hook .104
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .194
......................
Compact Spare Tire .252
.................
Console Compartment .103
.................
Consumer Inf ormation .288
.............
Controls, Instruments and .53
Coolant
........................................
Adding .224
....................................
Checking .185
.........................
Proper Solution .224
...................
Temperature Gauge .66
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .283 ................
Cruise Control Indicator .61
............
Cruise Control Operation .175
...................................
Cup Holders .103
....
Customer Service Inf ormation .288
Index
D
II
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