This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the
inf ormation display, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm 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.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .236
....................
Maintenance Minder .237
..............................
Fluid Locations .244
........................
Adding Engine Oil .245
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter .246
..............................
Engine Coolant .248
....................
Windshield Washers .249
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .250
..............................
Dif f erential Oil .251
.............
Transf er Assembly Fluid .251
....................................
Timing Belt .252
....................................
Brake Fluid .252
....................
Power Steering Fluid .253
.............................................
Lights .254
.....................................
Floor Mats .260
.......................
Cleaning Seat Belts .260
.................................
Wiper Blades .261
...........................................
Wheels .263
...............................................
Tires .263
...................
Checking the Battery .269
.............................
Vehicle Storage .270
311
Maintenance
Maint enance
235
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Ì Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability. U.S. Vehicles:
191
192
250 252
264
254
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
242
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Ì
Maintenance Minder
243
Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
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
:
2
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
2:4WD
242
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 connections
A
B
1
2
3
4
5
61
1
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
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 fluid
temperatures. This requires transmission and transfer fluid
changes more frequently than recommended by the Maintenance
Minder. If you regularly 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 temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C),
in very low temperatures (under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer,
replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.) /100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer
towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid.
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).
Symbol
Symbol
Maintenance Minder
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Fluid Locations
244
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap) BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
RADIATOR CAP
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µµThe f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Check the brake f luid level in the
reservoir monthly.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the time recommendation in the
maintenance minder schedule.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
The timing belt should be replaced
according to the maintenance
message shown on the inf ormation
display. Replace the belt at 60,000
miles (100,000 km) if you regularly
drive your vehicle in one or more of
these conditions:
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
Frequently tow a trailer.
Timing Belt, Brake Fluid
Brake Fluid
Timing Belt
252
MIN
MAX
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CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications .196
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .81
............
Accessory Power Sockets .101
...........................
AC Power Outlet .102
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .245
...............
AdvancedAirbagSystem .30
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .11,25
..........
Airbag System Components .25
..............
Air Conditioning System .106
.....................
Rear A/C Control .113
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .264
......................................
Antif reeze .248
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .216
...............................
Indicator .63,217
...................................
Operation .216
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .141
.
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock .81
................................
Audio System .115
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .23
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature .76
.............
Automatic Speed Control .177
..............
Automatic Transmission .206
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .294 ...............
Checking Fluid Level .250
.......................................
Shif ting .206
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator .206
................
Shif t Lever Positions .207
....................
Shif t Lock Release .209
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,282
............................
Jump Starting .278
..............................
Maintenance .269
............................
Specif ications .294
..............................
Bef ore Driving .187
..................................
Belts, Seat .10,21
...........................
Beverage Holders .99
..................................
Booster Seats .54
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .216
.............
Break-in, New Linings .188
....................
Bulb Replacement .258
...........................................
Fluid .252
.........................................
Parking .97
.................
System Indicator .63,284
........................
Wear Indicators .215 .............................
Braking System .215
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .188
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .76
........................
Brights, Headlights .75
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights .258
.....................
Brake Lights .258,259
................
Front Parking Lights .255
........
Front Side Marker Lights .255
.................................
Headlights .254
........
High-mount Brake Lights .259
.................................
Rear Bulbs .258
............................
Specif ications .295
.............
Turn Signal Light .255,258
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .254
............................
Capacities Chart .294
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .57
.............................
Carrying Cargo .198
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
..........................
CD Changer .131,134
.......................................
CD Player .130
Index
A
B
C
INDEX
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...................................
Fan, Interior .106
.........................................
Features .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank .189
Filters
...............................................
Oil .246
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning .77
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a .273 Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission .250
..........................................
Brake .252
..........................
Power Steering .253
................
Windshield Washers .249
...................
Folding the Third Seat .90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .77
.................................................
Fuel .188
...............................
Cap Message .72
......................
Fill Door and Cap .189
...........................................
Gauge .70
................
Octane Requirement .188
........................
Reserve Indicator .67
........................
Tank, Filling the .189
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .285
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .194
.........................................
Gasoline .188
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .67
...........................................
Gauge .70
................
Octane Requirement .188
........................
Tank, Filling the .189
................
Gas Station Procedures .189 Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .71
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .221
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .221
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .206
........................................
Glove Box .99
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .221
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs .254
.................
Hazard Warning Button .77
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .71
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp .62,283
........
Oil Pressure Indicator .62,282
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use .245
...............................
Overheating .280
............................
Specif ications .295
............................
Speed Limiter .208
.......................................
Starting .205
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls .302
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Exhaust Gas Recirculation
........................................
System .303
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
Index
F GH
INDEX
III
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4WD models only
Service Inf ormation Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:Power Steering Fluid:
Brake Fluid:Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Automatic Transmission Fluid: Rear Differential Fluid: 32 psi (220 kPa , 2.2 kgf/cm
)
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ). Compact Spare Tire:
Front/Rear:
API Premium grade 5W-20
detergent oil (see page ).
Oil change capacity (including
filter): 4.5 US qt (4.3
)
Honda ATF-Z1 (Automatic
Transmission Fluid) (see page ).
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
Honda VTM-4 Differential Fluid
(see page ).
245
251 253
252
251
20.34 US gal (77.0)
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