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