Page 161 of 293
Look at the  coolant  level in the
radiator  reserve tank. Make  sure it is
between  the MAX  and MIN  lines.  If
it  is  below  the MIN  line, see
on  page  for
info rmation  on adding  the proper
coolan t. Refer 
to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle. 198
208
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
160
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
4-cylinder models MIN MAX MAX
RESERVE TANK
V6 models MIN
V6 models
Service Station Procedures 
     
        
        Page 162 of 293
Always drive in the  highest  gear
possible.
Try  to maintain  a constant  speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed  up, your  vehic le uses  extra
fuel.  Use cruise  control  when
appropriate.
Combine  several short trips into
one.
The  air conditioning  puts an extra
load  on the  engine  which makes  it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation  when possible.
Always 
maintain  your vehicle
according  to the  maintenance
messages  displayed on the
inf ormation display. See on page
.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more f uel. The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion. an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel. 198
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
161 
     
        
        Page 169 of 293
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustmen ts before  you drive
your  vehicle.
Make  sure all windows,  mirrors,
and  outside  lights are clean  and
unobstructed.  Remove frost, snow,
or  ice.
Make sure the doors  are securely
closed  and locked.
Fasten  your seat belt.  Check  that
your  passengers  have fastened
their  seat belts  (see page  ).
Check 
the steering  wheel
ad justment  (see page  ).
Check  that the hood  is fully  closed.
Ch eck  that  the trunk  is fully
closed.
Vi sually  check  the tires.  If a tire
looks  low, use  a gauge  to check  its
pressure.
Check  that any items  you  may  be
carrying  are stored  properly  or
fastened  down securely. Check 
the seat  adjustment  (see
pages  to ).
Check  the adjustment  of the
inside  and outside  mirrors  (see
pages  and ). When 
you start  the engine,  check
the  gauges  and indicato rs in the
instrument  panel (see pages  to
).
3. 2. 1.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
10. 58
16
85 87
90 91 73 66
Preparing to Drive
168 
     
        
        Page 173 of 293

If you are still unable to shif t to
reverse, apply the parking brake,
and turn the ignition key to the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position.
The manual transmission has
lockout so you cannot accidentally
shif t f rom f if th to reverse instead of
sixth while the vehicle is moving. If
you cannot shif t to reverse when the
vehicle is stopped:
With the clutch pedal pressed,
move the shift lever to the first/
second gear side of the neutral
gate, then shif t to reverse.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
If you need to use this procedure to
shif t to reverse, your vehicle may be
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.With the clutch pedal still pressed,
start the engine. Press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
reverse.
The engine speed limiter only works
when you upshif t; engine speed is
not limited during downshif ts.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
1.2.
3.
4.
6-speed manual transmission only
Engine Speed L imiter
Reverse L ockout
Manual T ransmission
172 
     
        
        Page 178 of 293
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral.
Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall
thecover.Makesurethenotchon
the cover is on the lef t side.
Depress the brake pedal and
restart the engine. If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
177
RELEASE
BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT 
     
        
        Page 180 of 293

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels may be disc or drum,
depending on the model. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear. Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, builds up heat,
increases wear and reduces their
ef f ectiveness. It also keeps your
brake lights on all the time,
conf using drivers behind you. The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. On all models, the f ront disc brakes
have audible brake wear indicators.
On all models except the U.S. VP,
U.S. LX and Canadian DX-G, the rear
disc brakes have audible brake wear
indicators. Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
179 
     
        
        Page 185 of 293

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too much tongue
load reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
Towing a Trailer
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
184
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive. 
     
        
        Page 192 of 293

This section  explains  why it is
important  to keep  your vehicle  well
maintained  and how  to follow  basic
maintenance  safety precautions.
This  section  also includes
instructions  on how  to read  the
maintenance  messages,  a
maintenance  record, and instructions
for  simple  maintenance  tasks you
may  want  to take  care of yourself.
If  you  have  the skills  and tools  to
perform  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. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .192
....................
Maintenance Minder . 193
....................
Maintenance Record .200
..............................
Fluid Locations .202
........................
Adding Engine Oil .204
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 204
..............................
Synthetic Oil .205
................
Engine Oil Additives . 205
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 206
..............................
Engine Coolant .208
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 208
....................
Windshield Washers .210
.......................
Transmission Fluid .211
..........
Automatic Transmission . 211
5-speed Manual Transmission. 213
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 215
................................
Brake Fluid .216
...............................
Clutch Fluid .216
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 216
....................................
Timing Belt .217
.............................................
Lights .218
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 224
.....................................
Floor Mats .224
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 225
.................................
Wiper Blades .226 ...............................................
Tires .228
..................
Inf lation Guidelines . 228
Recommended Tire ...............................
Pressures .229
..........................
Tire Inspection .230
.....................
Tire Maintenance .230
.............................
Tire Rotation .231
...........
Replacing Tires Wheels . 232
......................
Wheels and Tires .232
..........................
Winter Driving .233
.............................
Snow Tires .233
............................
Tire Chains .234
...................
Checking the Battery . 235
.............................
Vehicle Storage .236
283
M ai ntenance
Maint enance
191
6-speed Manual Transmission . 214