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 150 of 228

µ
The oil’s viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
Select the oil f or your vehicle
according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 10W-30 is
pref erred f or optimum f uel economy
and year-round protection in your
vehicle. You may use 5W-40 oil if the
temperature in your area goes below
0°F ( 20°C).
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability. You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. The oil and f ilter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1.
CONT INUED
Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
Changing the Oil and Filter
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Oil and Filter
Maint enance
147
Ambient Temperature
Page 151 of 228
Remove the oil f ilter, and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.
Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container. Install a new oil f ilter according to
the instructions that come with it.
Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:
Refill the engine with the
recommended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including f ilter):
Install 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.
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.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
Changing the Oil and Filter
148
WASHER OIL DRAIN BOLT
OIL FILTER
29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)
5.1 US qt (4.8
)
Page 152 of 228

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,
causingthecoolingsystemto
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.
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. Let the engine run f or several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil f ilter f or leaks.
Always use Honda Long-Lif e
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 %
antif reeze and 50 % water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.
9. 8.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
Maint enance
149
RESERVE TANK
MAX MIN
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.
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 158 of 228

The low beam headlight bulbs are a
type of high voltage discharge tube.
High voltage can remain in the
circuit even with the light switch of f
and the key removed. Because of
this, you should not attempt to
examine or change a low beam
headlight bulb yourself . If a low
beam headlight bulb fails, take the
vehicle to your dealer to have it
replaced.Halogen bulbs are used f or the high
beam headlight bulbs. When
replacing a high beam headlight bulb,
handle it by its base, and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment should be done by your
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.
CONT INUED
Headlight A iming
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
155
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
Page 174 of 228

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance
171