Page 205 of 293
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
Install the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
204
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
V6 models
4-cylinder models
Page 206 of 293
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
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. Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
205
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
Page 207 of 293

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.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. The oil and f ilter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
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.
Make sure the oil f ilter gasket is
not stuck to the engine block. If it
is, remove it bef ore installing a
new oil f ilter.
3.
2.
1.
Changing the Oil and Filter
206
WASHER
4-cylinder models WASHER
V6 models
OIL DRAIN BOLT
OIL DRAIN BOLT
Page 208 of 293

Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
(4-cylinder models)
(6-cylinder models)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, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
(6-cylinder models) (4-cylinder models) 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.
4.
5. 6.7.
8.
9.
Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
207
OIL FILTER
V6 models
OIL FILTER
4-cylinder models
4.4 US qt (4.2)
4.5 US qt (4.3
)
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m) 33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m) 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.
Page 215 of 293

The fluid 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 filler bolt, and
tighten it securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certification seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASO LINE ENGINES’’ as a
te mporary replaceme nt. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
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 check and
add f luid, contact your dealer. Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.
Remove the check bolt and look for
transmission f luid coming out of the
bolt hole. If a small amount of f luid
drips out of the bolt hole, reinstall
the check bolt.
If no f luid comes out, remove the
f iller bolt. Slowly add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the check bolt
hole. Let the f luid run out until it
stops, then reinstall the check bolt
and the f iller bolt.
193
EX-V6
T ransmission Fluid
6-speed Manual Transmission
214
CHECK BOLT
WASHER
DRAIN BOLT WASHERFILLER BOLT
Page 216 of 293

Pour the fluid into the filler hole
slowly and carefully so you do not
spill. Clean up any spill immediatel y;
it could damage componen ts in the
engine compartm ent.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certification seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASO LINE ENGINES’’ as a
te mporary replaceme nt. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the maintenance minder (see page
).
If you are not sure how to check and
add fluid, contact your dealer. Check
the fluid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:
Replace the brake fluid according to
the maintenance minder (see page ). 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.
Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
193 193
CONT INUED
Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Maint enance
215
Page 237 of 293

If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storag e.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors. Fill
the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
If
your vehicle’s battery is
disconnected, or goes dead, the
audio system will disable itsel f. The
nexttimeyouturnontheradio,you
will see ‘‘ENTER CODE’’ in the
f requency display. Use the preset
buttons to enter the code (see page ).
142
Except U.S. VP, LX, and Canadian DX-GVehicle Storage
Checking the Battery, Vehicle Storage
236
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
technician do the battery
maintenance.
Page 240 of 293

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .240
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .241
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 246
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ............................
Very Slowly .246
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .247
................................
Jump Starting .248
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 251
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 253
..........
Charging System Indicator . 253
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 254
.......................
Readiness Codes .254
...............
Brake System Indicator . 255
..................
Closing the Moonroof . 256
..............................................
Fuses .257
..............................
Fuse Locations .260
......................
Emergency Towing .262
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
239