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
Page 199 of 293

U.S. Vehicles:Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the h
eadlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See p age .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See p age .
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. S
ee page
.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the odometer/
trip meter display.
159
160
215 218
211
228
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Minder
198
µ
µµ
µ
µ µ
Ì
Page 200 of 293

Maintenance Minder
199
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Su spension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance
Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
(V6 engine only)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
:
A
B
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Symbol1
1
If
the message ‘‘SERVICE OIL’’ does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is rese t, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km). Independent of the maintenance minder display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
198
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds
or trailer towing results in higher transmission and
transfer temperatures. This requires transmission and
transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed at 60,000
miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
(For A/T only:)
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under 20°F,29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada).
Maintenance Minder
µ
µ
Ì
Î
Ì
Ì Î
Î
Page 201 of 293
Maintenance Record
200
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mimi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
Maintenance
Performed
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345 Signature
Date
Maintenance
Performed
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345
AB12345Signature
Date
Mileage
km
km
km
km
km
km
km Mileage
km
km
km
km
km
km
km
You or the servicing dealer can record all completed maintenance here. When maintenance is performed, record the mileage, circle the coded item(s)
completed, and write in any other non-coded items (such as brake fluid replacement) below the codes. Keep the receipts for all work done on your
vehicle. Maintenance can also be recorded in your Honda service history booklet.
Page 203 of 293
4-cylinder models
Fluid Locations
202
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
RADIATOR CAPCLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed manual
transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
Page 204 of 293
V6 models
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
203
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap) WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap) ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
CLUTCH FLUID
(6-speed manual
transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
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