Page 209 of 287

Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to: Make sure to clean of f any dirt
and dust on the connecting
surf ace of a new oil f ilter.Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Replace the engine oil f ill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn of f the
engine, and check your work.
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter 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.
6. 7.
8.
5. 9. 10.
Changing the Oil and Filter
206
OIL FILTER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 4.5 US qt (4.3
)
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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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 reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
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.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
207
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
06/08/08 14:49:47 31SDR620_212
Page 211 of 287
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. 4.
1.
2.
3. 5.
6.
Engine Coolant
208
RADIATOR CAP
06/08/08 14:49:56 31SDR620_213
Page 212 of 287
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal use.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges. Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather. Check the reservoir’s f luid level by
removing the cap and looking at the
level gauge attached to the cap.The low washer level
indicator will come on when the level
is low (seepage). 65
Canadian model:
Windshield Washers
Maint enance
209
LEVEL GAUGE
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
06/08/08 14:50:05 31SDR620_214
Page 213 of 287
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the maintenance minder (see page
).
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature. Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator fan comes on, then
shut of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds
bef ore going to step 2, but don’t
wait longer than 90 seconds. 3.
4.
1.
2.
193
T ransmission Fluid
210
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
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Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the maintenance minder (see page).
To thoroughly f lush the transmission,
the technician should drain and ref ill
it with Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid), then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do this
three times. Then drain and ref ill the
transmission a f inal time.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
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
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 as soon as it is
convenient. 6.
5.
193
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid, Brake Fluid
Brake Fluid
Maint enance
211
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Page 215 of 287

µµ
The timing belt should be replaced
according to the maintenance
minder (see page ).
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicleinanyof thefollowing
conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer.
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.
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.
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.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
193
Timing Belt
Brake Fluid, Timing Belt
212
MAX
MIN
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Page 216 of 287
Your vehicle has two bulbs on each
side, f our in total. Make sure you are
replacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your vehicle uses halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustments
should be perf ormed by your dealer
or other qualif ied mechanic. Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
213
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
06/08/08 14:50:40 31SDR620_218