Page 116 of 228
Remove the dipstick again, and
ch eck the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page .
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (black
handle).
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the designated hole in the
hood.
3. 4.
1.
2.
3.
146
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil
Oil Check
Bef ore Driving
113
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
CLIP
SUPPORT ROD GRIP
Page 122 of 228
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, the proper operation of the
seats, or proper operation of the
sensors under the seats.
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment Carrying Cargo in the T runk
Bef ore Driving
119
Page 126 of 228
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustmen ts before you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice. Check
that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely. Fasten
your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has fastened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicato rs in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check
the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
1.
2.
12
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
67
75 45
Preparing to Drive
Driving
123
Page 149 of 228
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Oil is major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade
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. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle f or
as long as you own it.
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
146
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Page 155 of 228

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid 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. Install
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer. The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the intervals shown on the
inf ormation display. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient. Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
Manual T ransmission Fluid
152
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT
Page 156 of 228
Use an SAE 90 viscosity hypoid gear
oil, API service classif ied GL5 or
GL6 only.
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt. Tighten
it securely. Tightening torque:
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Check the f luid level with the
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer, and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add f luid
until it starts to run out of the hole. The dif f erential should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the intervals shown on the
inf ormation display.
Dif f erential Fluid
Maint enance
153
CORRECT LEVEL
FILLER BOLT
33 lbf·ft (45 N·m , 4.6 kgf·m)
Page 163 of 228
Install the new bulb into the
socket.
Push the socket into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise
until it locks.Install the trunk lining, and secure
it with the fasteners. To reinstall a
f astener, reset the f astener by
pushing on the pointed end until it
pops back almost f lush with the
f ingers on the housing. Put the
f astener in the hole of the trunk
lining, and push on the center until
it locks (the center is flush with
the head).
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
7.
8.
9.
10. Cleaning the Seat Belts
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts
160
Page 181 of 228
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.
Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
a crisscross pattern. Have the
wheel nut torque checked at the
nearest automotive service f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:
13.
11. 12.
Changing a Flat Tire
178
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)