VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle) After removing the front license plate (or
the bumper cover), securely install the re-
covery hook
q 1
. (Located with jacking
tools.)
Reinstall the license plate on the lower fit-
ting point. WARNING O Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
O Do not spin your tires at high speed. This
could cause them to explode and result
in serious injury. Parts of your vehicle
could also overheat and be damaged.
CAUTION O Tow chains or cables must be attached
only to the vehicle recovery hooks or
main structural members of the vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle body will be dam-
aged.
O Do not use the vehicle tie downs to free a
vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.
Never tow a vehicle using the vehicle tie
downs or recovery hooks.
O Always pull the cable straight out from
the front of the vehicle. Never pull the ve-
hicle at an angle. O Pulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
O Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow,
mud, etc., use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and be-
hind the vehicle is clear of obstruc-
tions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left
to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and
backward.
O Shift back and forth between R (re-
verse) and D (drive) (automatic trans-
mission models) or 1st (low) and R (re-
verse) (manual transmission models).
O Apply the accelerator as little as pos-
sible to maintain the rocking motion.SCE0524
In case of emergency
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EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS Additional information on the following
items with ª*º is found later in this sec-
tion.
Outside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and engine hood: Check that all
doors and the engine hood operate prop-
erly. Also ensure that all latches lock se-
curely. Lubricate hinges and latches if
necessary. Make sure that the secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when
the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrica-
tion frequently.
Lights*: Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights,
stop lights, tail lights, turn signal lights,
and other lights are all operating properly
and installed securely. Also check head-
light aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts): When
checking the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check for any loose
wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
often and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in
all tires, including the spare, to the speci-
fied pressure. Check carefully for damage,
cuts or excessive wear.
Tire rotation*:
Sedan: The tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) to minimize tire
wear variation.
Coupe: The tires cannot be rotated.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance: If the
vehicle should pull to either side while
driving on a straight and level road, or if
you detect uneven or abnormal tire wear,
there may be a need for wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.
O For additional information regarding
tires, refer to ªImportant Tire Safety
Informationº (US) or ªTire Safety Infor-
mationº (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet. Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at
least every six months for cracks or other
damage. Have a damaged windshield re-
paired by a qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe prop-
erly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Inside the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing periodic maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the
pedal does not catch or require uneven
effort. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mecha-
nism: On a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in the P (Park) position without ap-
plying any brakes.
Brake pedal*: Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure it has the proper
distance under it when depressed fully.
Check the brake booster function. Be sure
to keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake*: Check that the pedal/
lever has the proper travel and confirm
that your vehicle is held securely on a
fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied. Seats: Check seat position controls such
as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc.
to ensure they operate smoothly and that
all latches lock securely in every position.
Check that the head restraints move up
and down smoothly and that the locks (if
so equipped) hold securely in all latched
positions.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (For example, buckles, an-
chors, adjusters and retractors) operate
properly and smoothly, and are installed
securely. Check the belt webbing for cuts,
fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive
free play, hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure
that all warning lights and chimes are op-
erating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets prop-
erly and in sufficient quantity when oper-
ating the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak. Under the hood and the vehicle The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically (For example,
each time you check the engine oil or re-
fuel).
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each
cell. It should be between the MAX and
MIN lines. Vehicles operated in high tem-
peratures or under severe conditions re-
quire frequent checks of the battery fluid
level.
Brake and clutch fluid level*: Make sure
that the brake and clutch fluid levels are
between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure that no
belt is frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level location
and turning off the engine. (Wait at least
10 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.)
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
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there is a smell of exhaust fumes, imme-
diately locate the trouble and correct it.
See ªPrecautions when starting and
drivingº in the ª5. Starting and drivingº
section for exhaust gas (Carbon mon-
oxide).
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after
the vehicle has been parked for a while.
Water dripping from the air conditioner
after use is normal. If you should notice
any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evi-
dent, check for the cause and have it cor-
rected immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check the level when the fluid is cold and
the engine is turned off. Check the lines
for proper attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, deterioration or loose connec-
tions.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control
dust. It is very important to remove these
substances, otherwise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines and
around the exhaust system. At the end of
winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being
careful to clean those areas where mud
and dirt may accumulate. For additional
information, see ªCleaning exteriorº in
the ª7. Appearance and careº section.
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that
there is adequate fluid in the tank. When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury
to yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING O Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from
moving. For a manual transmission,
move the shift lever to N (Neutral) posi-
tion. For an automatic transmission
models, move the selector lever to P
(Park).
O Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
O If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
O It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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2. Close the radiator drain plug securely
after the coolant is drained.
3. Fill the radiator slowly with the proper
mixture of antifreeze solution and
demineralized water/distilled water.
Fill the reservoir tank up to the MAX
level. Then install the radiator filler
cap.
4. Start the engine and warm it up until
it reaches normal operating tempera-
ture. Then race the engine 2 or 3 times
under no load. Watch the engine cool-
ant temperature gauge for signs of
overheating.
5. Stop the engine. After it completely
cools down, refill the radiator up to
the filler opening. Fill the reservoir
tank up to the MAX level. Check the
drain plug for any sign of leakage.
6. Check the coolant level again after
driving the vehicle.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operat-
ing temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick
q A
and wipe it
clean. Reinsert it all the way. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check
the oil level. It should be between the
H and L marks
q B
. If the oil level is
below the L mark
q A
, remove the oil
filler cap and pour recommended oil
through the opening. Do not overfill
q C
.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of op-
erating conditions. SDI1386D SDI1781
ENGINE OIL
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O Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
O Check your local regulations.
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench
q B
. Remove the oil filter by
turning it by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting
surface with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber
gasket remaining on the mounting sur-
face of the engine.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with
clean engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a
slight resistance is felt, then tighten
additionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.5 N z m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug
with a new washer. Securely tighten
the drain plug with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N z m)
Do not use excessive force. 9. Refill engine with recommended oil
and install the cap securely.
CAUTION The dipstick must be inserted in place to pre-
vent oil spillage from the dipstick hole while
filling the engine with oil.
See ªCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricantsº in the ª9. Technical
and consumer informationº section for
drain and refill capacity. The drain and
refill capacity depends on the oil tem-
perature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Al-
ways use the dipstick to determine the
proper amount of oil in the engine.
CAUTION When filling oil, do not pull out the dipstick.
10. Start the engine and check for
leakage around the drain plug and
the oil filter. Correct as required. 11. Turn the engine off and wait more
than 10 minutes. Check the oil level
with the dipstick. Add engine oil if
necessary.
After the operation 1. Install the engine undercover into po-
sition as the following steps.
a. Pull the center of the small plastic
clip out.
b. Hold the engine undercover into
position.
c. Insert the clip through the under-
cover into the hole in the frame,
then push the center of the clip in
to lock the clip in place.
d. Install the other bolts that hold the
undercover in place. Be careful not
to strip the bolts or over-tighten
them.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the
ground.
3. Dispose of waste oil and filter prop-
erly.
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WARNINGAntifreeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers out of
the reach of children.
CAUTIONDo not substitute engine anti-freeze coolant
for window washer solution. This may result
in damage to the paint.
O Do not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
O Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer's recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank. Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trateand water. O Keep the battery surface clean and
dry. Any corrosion should be washed
off with a solution of baking soda and
water.
O Make certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
O If the vehicle is not to be used for 30
days or longer, disconnect the (þ)
negative battery terminal cable to pre-
vent discharging it.
Coupe
CAUTION When the battery cable is removed from the
battery terminal, do not close either of front
doors. The automatic window adjusting func-
tion will not work, and the side roof panel
may be damaged.
To disconnect the negative (þ) battery ter-
minal, perform the procedure in the follow-
ing order. Otherwise, the window and the
side roof panel may contact and be dam-
aged.
1. Close the windows.BATTERY
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2. Open the hood.
3. Close and lock all the doors.
4. Disconnect the negative (þ) battery ter-
minal.
5. Securely close the hood.
To connect the negative (þ) battery ter-
minal, perform the procedure in the follow-
ing order. Otherwise, the window and the
side roof panel may contact and be dam-
aged.
1. Unlock and open the driver side door.
Do not close the door.
2. Open the hood.
3. Connect the negative (þ) battery ter-
minal. Then close the hood.
4. Fully open the driver side door window.
5. Close the driver side door and the
window. Sedan and coupe
WARNING O Do not expose the battery to flames or
electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas, gener-
ated by battery fluid, is explosive. Do not
allow battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. After
touching a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash
your hands. If the acid contacts your
eyes, skin or clothing, immediately flush
with water for at least 15 minutes and
seek medical attention.
O Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in
the battery is low. Low battery fluid can
cause a higher load on the battery which
can generate heat, reduce battery life,
and in some cases lead to an explosion.
O When working on or near a battery, al-
ways wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
O Battery posts, terminals and related ac-
cessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling. O Keep the battery out of the reach of chil-
dren.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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