Page 213 of 293
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.If the level is below the lower
mark, remove the f ill plug, then
add the f luid into the hole to bring
it to the level between the upper
andlowermarksonthedipstick.
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.
3.
5.
4.
T ransmission Fluid
212
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 217 of 293
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.Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
Manual transmission models
Brake Fluid
Clut ch FluidPower Steering Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
216
MAX
MINMAX
MIN UPPER LEVEL
4-cylinder models LOWER LEVEL
Page 218 of 293

Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediatel y; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. 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
vehicle in any of the f ollowing
conditions:
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).193
V6 modelsTiming Belt
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Maint enance
217
LOWER LEVELUPPER LEVEL
V6 models
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Frequently tow a trailer.
µµ
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 247 of 293

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:
You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. Wh
en you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all. Check
these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
au tomatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page .248
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting
246
Page 248 of 293

In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). Do
you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
ch arged or the connections are
co rroded. Check the condition of
the battery connections (see page
). You can then try jump
starting the vehicle from a booster
battery (see page ).
Turn
the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the fuses. If the fuses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified mechanic to
determine the problem (see
on page ). Ifyoufindnothingwrong,youwill
need
a qualified mechanic to find the
problem. See
on page .
169
75 257
262
235 248 262
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine
Emergency T owing Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
247