Page 291 of 373

CONT INUED
Check the f luid level with the engine 
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but 
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2. Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 
If the level is below the lower 
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration. 
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) 
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. 
Always use Honda ATF-Z1 
(automatic transmission f luid).
1. 2. 
3.5. 
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
287
DIPSTICK
UPPER 
MARK 
LOWER 
MARK
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Check the level on the side of the 
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the 
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL. 
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL. 
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so 
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible. 
A low power steering f luid level can 
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Power Steering Fluid
290
LOWER LEVEL
UPPER LEVEL
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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Insert the socket back into the 
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place. 
Turn on the lights to make sure 
the new bulb is working. 
(Driver’s side) 
Reinstall the coolant reserve tank.
Open the hood. 
To change the turn signal bulb on 
the driver’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its holder. Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 
Pull the bulb straight out of its 
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
1. 2.
3.4. 
5. 
6.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal 
Light Bulb
Maint enance
293
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Fill the f uel tank.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.
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.
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. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors). 
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront and rear wiper 
blade arms with a f olded towel or
ragsotheydonottouchthe
windshield. 
To minimize sticking, apply a 
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.If possible, periodically run the 
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely. 
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe 
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry. 
Leave the parking brake off. Put 
the transmission in Park.
Vehicle Storage
310
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This section covers the more 
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It 
gives you inf ormation about how to 
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. 
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .312
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .313
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .318
................................
Jump Starting .320
..............
If the Engine Overheats .322
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .324
..........
Charging System Indicator .324
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .325
...............
Brake System Indicator .326
..............................................
Fuses .327
..............................
Fuse Locations .330
......................
Emergency Towing .332
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
311
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Diagnosing why the engine won’t 
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the 
ignition switch to the START (III) 
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or 
operates very slowly. 
You can hear the starter motor 
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to 
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock. 
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate. 
Turn the ignition switch to the ON 
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page . Turn the ignition switch to the 
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the 
condition of the f uses. If the f uses 
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will 
need a qualif ied technician to
determine the problem. See
on page .
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is
discharged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).
320 309
320332
Nothing Happens or the Starter 
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
If theEngineWon’tStart
318
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In this case, the starter motor’s 
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the 
ignition switch to the START (III) 
position, but the engine does not run.Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system 
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ). 
Are you using the proper starting 
procedure? Ref er to on page . Do you have f uel? Check the f uel 
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working. 
There may be an electrical 
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill 
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
61 327
332
246
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
319
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µIf the booster battery is in another 
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 
Start your vehicle. If the starter 
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good 
metal-to-metal contact. 
Once your vehicle is running, 
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the 
other end to the stud bolt on the 
engine side as shown. Do not
connect this jumper cable to any
other part of the engine. 6. 
7. 
5.
4.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
321
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