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
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
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks. Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
249
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Wh en the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressu re in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. The
coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill imme diately; it
could damage componen ts in the
engine compartm ent.
Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check
the fluid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The washer level indicator will come
on when the level is low (see page ).
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2. 65
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
250
If the temperatu re gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ).
Put the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and watch
the temperatu re gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
4.
5.
6.
7. 8.
10.
11.9.
296 296
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
287
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
..................................
Maintenance .233
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .241 .................................
Record . 243-244
................................
Minder . 235-242
.........................
Minder Indicator .67
..........................................
Saf ety .234
.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp . 62, 289
..............
Manual Seat Adjustments . 98
...............................
Meters, Gauges .70
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .111
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 185
.......................................
Moonroof .108
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 178
.........................................
Odometer .70
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 227
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 228
Oil ........................
Change, How to .247 ......................
Change, When to .235
......................
Checking Engine .182
...........................................
Filter .247
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62, 288
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .246
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 82
............................
Outside Mirrors .111
....................
Overheating, Engine .286
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 241
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .178
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 78
........................
Park Gear Position .198
...........................................
Parking .206
...............................
Parking Brake .109
.................................
Parking Lights .76
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 309
.............................
PGM-FI System .308
Pickup Bed .........................
Carrying Cargo .189
.........................................
Lights .120
..............
Power Seat Adjustments . 100
...............
Power Socket Locations . 116
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement .255
.......................................
Indicator .66
.......................................
Interior .118
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .76
............................
Load Limits .187, 212
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 82
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 82
............................
Fuel Fill Door .179
..................................
Glove Box .115
...............................
In-Bed Trunk .95
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
.................................
Power Door .83
........................
Low Coolant Level .182
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .65
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 288
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 302
...........
Luggage, Storing (Cargo) . 186...................
Neutral Gear Position . 199
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 178
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 300
Index
N
O P
M
VI