Page 259 of 352

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
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. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .256
....................
Maintenance Minder .257
....................
Maintenance Record .264
..............................
Fluid Locations .266
........................
Adding Engine Oil .267
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .268
..............................
Engine Coolant .270
....................
Windshield Washers .272
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .273
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .275
....................................
Brake Fluid .275
....................
Power Steering Fluid .276
.............................................
Lights .277
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .283
.....................................
Floor Mats .283
..............................
Audio Antenna .284
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .284
.................................
Wiper Blades .285
...............................................
Tires .288
...........................................
Wheels .293
...................
Checking the Battery .294
.............................
Vehicle Storage .295
337
Maintenance
Maint enance
255
Page 260 of 352

To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air. Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts. Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety PrecautionsPotential Vehicle HazardsCarbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts. Injury f rom moving parts.
256
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
Page 266 of 352

µµµ
µ
µ
Ì
µ
Engine
oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See 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
.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified interval s. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
U.S.
Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
information display.
However,
service at a dealer is not
mandato ry to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
describe d. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet for more
info rmation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactu red to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their perfo rman ce and durability. Lights
Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate light monthly.
See page . 218
218
273 275
288
277
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks 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.
262
Page 267 of 352

Î
Î
Ì Ì
Î
Ì
ÎÎ
Maintenance Minder
263
: See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance items in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
2:
262
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
Suspension 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 If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter 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).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differencial fluid
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
4WD
61
1
2
Maintenance Minder
Page 268 of 352
Maintenance Record
264
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mimi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
mi
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.
Mileage
km
km
km
km
km
km
km Signature
Date
Mileage
km
km
km
km
km
km
km Signature
Date
Maintenance
Performed
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456 Maintenance
Performed
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
AB123456
Page 270 of 352
Fluid Locations
266
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAPPOWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap) ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
Page 279 of 352

4WD model only
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage. 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. 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.
The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. Have your dealer replace the
rear dif f erential f luid.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the maintenance messages shown on
the information display.
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 f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
Use Honda Dual Pump Fluid only.
Do not use automatic transmission
fluid (ATF). Rear Dif f erential Fluid Brake Fluid
Rear Dif f erential Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
275
MAX
MIN
Page 286 of 352
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Align the clips on the taillight
assembly with the holes in the
body, then push the taillight
assembly into place. Tighten the
two mounting screws securely and
reinstall the covers. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on the side edge ofthe cover. Remove the cover by
caref ully prying on the edge with a
small f lat-tip screwdriver and
pulling the cover of f .
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Unlatch the top of the cover by
pulling back on it with hands.
1. 2.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
282