The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page for
more information.
If
your fuel fill cap is loose or
missing, a ‘‘TIGHTEN FUEL CAP’’
message appears on the information
display after you start the engine.
Turn the engine off, and confirm the
fuel cap is installed. If it is, loosen it,
then retighten it until it clicks at least
once. When you restart the engine,
the message appears again. The
message goes off after several days
of normal driving once you tighten
or replace the fuel cap. To scroll to
another message, press the select
button. If
the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle's evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel cap
was not already tightened, turn the
engine off, and check or retighten the
fuel cap until it clicks at least once.
The MIL goes off after several days of
normal driving once the cap is
tightened or replaced. If the MIL does
not go off, have your vehicle inspected 235
Maintenance
Minder Display
Tighten Fuel Cap Message
Gauges
Instrument sand Cont ro ls
73
by a dealer. For more information, see
page 289.
Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .178
.................
Fuel Recommendation .178
.........
Service Station Procedures .179
....................................
Ref ueling .179
Opening and Closing the
.......................................
Hood .181
...................................
Oil Check .182
.............
Engine Coolant Check .182
...............................
Fuel Economy .183
...
Accessories and Modif ications .184
.............................
Carrying Cargo .186
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
177
Wait a few minutes after turning the
engine off before you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe off the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove
the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .Look
at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolan t.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
246 249
241
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil Engine Coolant Check
Oil Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
182
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN
RESERVE TANK
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 .234
....................
Maintenance Minder .235
....................
Maintenance Record .243
..............................
Fluid Locations .245
........................
Adding Engine Oil .246
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .247
..............................
Engine Coolant .249
....................
Windshield Washers .250
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .251
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid .252
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .253
....................................
Brake Fluid .253
....................
Power Steering Fluid .254
....................................
Timing Belt .254
.............................................
Lights .255
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .261
.....................................
Floor Mats .261
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .262
.................................
Wiper Blades .262
...........................................
Wheels .264
...............................................
Tires .265
...................
Checking the Battery .270
.............................
Vehicle Storage .272
315
Maintenance
Maint enance
233
µµµ
µ
µ µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specified interval s. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
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
. Lights
Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and licen se plate lights monthly.
See page .
182 182
251 253
265 255
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
241
Î
Î
Ì Ì
Ì
Î
Maintenance Minder
242
: Maintenance
Sub Items
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission and transfer fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
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 connect ions
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km). 2
3
4
5
Symbol
A
B
Symbol 1
2 Symbol
6
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 or frequently fully loaded. This requires
transmission and transfer fluid changes more frequently
than recommended by the Maintenance Minder.
If you regulary drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high tempera tures (over 110°F,
43°C), in very low temperatures (under-20°F, -29°C), or towing a
trailer, replace every 60,000 mile (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada)
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or
trailer towing results in higher level of me chanical (shear) stress
to fluid or frequently fully loaded. This requires differential fluid
changes more frequently than recommended by the
Maintenance Minder. If you regularly drive your vehicle under
these conditions, have the differential fluid changed at
7,500 miles (12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
1
1
If the message ‘‚SERVICE DUE NOW ’’ does not appear more than 12 months
after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
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.
NOTE: 1:
240
Maintenance Minder
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.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.’’
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.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on 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. Reinstall the engine
oil f ill cap, and tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes, and recheck the
oil level on the engine oil dipstick.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
246
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.Turn of f the engine and let it sit
f or several minutes, then check
the oil level on the dipstick. If
necessary, add more oil.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
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.
Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it. Reinstall 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.9.
8. 7. 6.
4. 5.
3.
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
248
OIL FILTER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
4.5 US qt (4.3
) 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.