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 on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .132
....................
Maintenance Minder .133
....................
Maintenance Record .140
..............................
Fluid Locations .142
........................
Adding Engine Oil .143
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .144
..............................
Engine Coolant .146
....................
Windshield Washers .148
........
Manual Transmission Fluid .149
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .150
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid .151
.............................................
Lights .152
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .157
.....................................
Floor Mats .158
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .158
.................................
Wiper Blades .159
...............................................
Tires .160
...................
Checking the Battery .166
.............................
Vehicle Storage .167
209
Maintenance
Maint enance
131
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Maintenance Minder
139
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 lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Check tire inflation and condition
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid
:
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
61
If the message ‘‘SERVICE DUE NOW’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km). Independent of the maintenance minder messages, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
NOTE: 1:
138
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
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).
Driving in mountainous areas results in higher level
of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires
differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the maintenance minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,
have the differential fluid changed every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
Maintenance Minder
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The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 is
pref erred f or optimum f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
vehicle. You may use 5W-40 oil if the
temperature in your area goes below
0°F ( 20°C).
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. 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.
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.
1.
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditivesChanging the Oil and Filter
144
Ambient Temperature
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CONT INUED
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
Install the engine oil f ill cap. Start
the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Check the oil f ilter to make sure
its gasket did not stick to the
engine block. A stuck gasket could
cause an oil leak. Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter): Refill the engine with the
recommended oil. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to: Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of a new oil f ilter.
2. 4. 3.5.
6.
7.
8.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
145
WASHER OIL DRAIN BOLT
OIL FILTER
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m ,4.6 kgf·m)
5.1 US qt (4.8
)
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If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil. Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Always use Honda Long-Lif e
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 %
antif reeze and 50 % water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
9.
10.
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Coolant
146
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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Specif ications
196
Dimensions
Engine WeightsCapacities
162.0 in (4,115 mm)
68.9 in (1,750 mm)
50.6 in (1,285 mm)
94.5 in (2,400 mm)
57.9 in (1,470 mm)
59.4 in (1,510 mm) 13.2 US gal (50)
132 cu-in (2,157 cm
)
11.1 : 1 1.72 US gal (6.5
)
2.01 US gal (7.6)
5.1 US qt (4.8
)
4.8 US qt (4.5)
5.9 US qt (5.6)
1.6 US qt (1.5)
1.7 US qt (1.6)
0.78 US qt (0.74
)
0.81 US qt (0.77)
2.6 US qt (2.5)
6.3 US qt (6.0)
3.43 x 3.57 in (87.0 x 90.7 mm)
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase
Track
See the certification label attached
to the driver’s doorjamb.Water cooled 4-stroke DOHC
VTEC 4-cylinder gasoline engine
Type
BorexStroke
Displacement
Compression ratio
Spark plugs
Spark Plug Gap 0.04 in (1.1 mm) PK22PR-L11S PFR7G-11S Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine
Reserve tank capacity:
0.16 US gal (0.6
)
Excluding the oil remaining in the engine
Gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR)
Fuel tank
Engine coolant
Engine oil
Manual
transmission
fluid
Differential
fluid
Windshield
washer
reservoir
Front
Rear
1:
2:
NGK :
DENSO : Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
Change
Total
U.S. Vehicles
Canadian
Vehicles
0mm
0.1 mm
1
2
Including filter
Without filter
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Changing Oil
........................................
How to .144
......................................
When to .139
...
Charging System Indicator .46,182
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .121
.....................................
Child Saf ety .28
..............................
Booster Seats .37
...................................
Child Seats .33
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders .31
..........................
Larger Children .36
.......................
Risk with Airbags .29
.............................
Small Children .32
.......................................
Child Seats .33
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .157
.................................................
Clock .54
...................................
Clutch Fluid .151
........................
CO in the Exhaust .201
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .122
......................
Compact Spare Tire .170
...............
Consumer Inf ormation .206
.............
Controls, Instruments and .43
..............................
Convertible Top .70
...............
Convertible Top Cover .72
..
Lowering the Convertible Top .70
................................
Maintenance .74
.....
Raising the Convertible Top .73 Coolant
........................................
Adding .146
....................................
Checking .112
.........................
Proper Solution .146
...................
Temperature Gauge .52
Crankcase Emission Control ........................................
System .201
................
Cruise Control Indicator .47
............
Cruise Control Operation .103
......................................
Cup Holder .78
.............
Customer Service Of f ice .206
..............................
Economy, Fuel .112
..................................
Emergencies .169
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .178
...........
Brake System Indicator .184
................
DANGER, Explanation of .ii
...................................
Dashboard .3,44
..............
Dashboard Lower Pocket .79
................
Daytime Running Lights .57
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator .48
.................................
Dead Battery .178
.........
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .208
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .59
................
Def rosting the Windows .85
..........................
Dif f erential Fluid .150
....................................
Dimensions .196 ...............
Dimming the Headlights .57
Dipstick
..................................
Engine Oil .111
..........................
Directional Signals .57
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators .126
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .146
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer .129
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking .63
.......................
Monitor Indicator .47
......................
Power Door Locks .63
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .198
Downshif ting, Manual
.............................
Transmission .123
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety .5
...........................................
Driving .119
....................................
Economy .112
........................
Driving Guidelines .120
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .158
Index
D
E
II
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CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .112
..........................................
Gasohol .108
.........................................
Gasoline .108
...........................................
Gauge .52
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .49
................
Octane Requirement .108
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .109
.............................................
Gauges .51
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .52
...............................................
Fuel .52
.....................................
Fan, Interior .83
...........................................
Features .81
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .109
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen .158
...............................................
Oil .144
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .58
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .171
Fluids
..........................................
Brake .151
.........................................
Clutch .151
..............
Manual Transmission .149
..................
Windshield Washer .148
..........................
Four-way Flashers .58 .................................................
Fuel .108
......................
Fill Door and Cap .109
...........................................
Gauge .52
.....................
Low Fuel Indicator .49
................
Octane Requirement .108
...............................
Oxygenated .108
........................
Tank, Ref ueling .109
...............................
Fuel Economy .112
..............
Fuel Station Procedures .109
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .186
................
Changing a Flat Tire .171
.....
Charging System Indicator .182
..................
Checking the Fuses .186
...
Closing the Convertible Top .185
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers .57
............................
Jump Starting .178
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .182
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .183
..................
Overheated Engine .179
.......................................
Towing .191
...........................
Emergency Brake .76
......................
Emergency Flashers .58
......................
Emergency Towing .191
............
Emergency Trunk Opener .64
.......................
Emissions Controls .201
.............
Emissions Testing, State .204
Engine
............
Adding Engine Coolant .146
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .52
.........................
If It Won’t Start .176
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .47,183
.......................
Oil Lif e Indicator .133
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .46,182
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .143
...............................
Overheating .179 ............................
Specif ications .196
............................
Speed Limiter .124
...............................
Start Button .122
.......................................
Starting .122
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .108
...
Evaporative Emission Controls .201
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .40
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .14
Index
F
G
INDEX
III
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