Page 259 of 400

Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Put your f ingers under the f ront
edge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the lef t until
you f eel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up to release it.
Lif t up the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated. 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 fender, then let it drop. Make
sure it is securely latched.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the hole in the hood
designated by an arrow.
3.
1. 2.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
Bef ore Driving
255
DIPSTICK
LATCH SUPPORT RODCLIP
GRIP
DX, DX-G, LX, SE, EX, EX-L
Main Menu
Page 260 of 400
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 .
4.
300
Service Station Procedures
A dding Engine Oil
256
Si
Si UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
LOWER MARK
UPPER MARK
DX, DX-G, LX, SE, EX, EX-L
Main Menu
Page 302 of 400
ÎÎ
Fluid Locations
DX, LX, EX, EX-L, in the U.S., and DX-G, SE, EX, EX-L in the Canada
298
RADIATOR CAP
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
: Except for Canadian DX-G with manual transmission POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
Main Menu
Page 303 of 400
Fluid Locations
Si model
Maint enance
299
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
CLUTCH FLUID
(Light gray cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
Main Menu
Page 304 of 400
Oil is a 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
optimum engine protection.
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.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour 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. Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
300
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Si
DX, DX-G, LX, SE, EX, EX-L
Main Menu
Page 308 of 400
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 distilled
water. Never add straight antif reeze
or plain water.
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, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
9.
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Engine Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
304
Si
RESERVE TANK RESERVE TANK
DX, DX-G, LX, SE, EX, EX-L
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.
Main Menu
Page 353 of 400

Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.
If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1. 2. 3. 4.
255
300
358 Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
349
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
Main Menu
Page 390 of 400

.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 52
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 263
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
.........................................
CD Care . 216
..........................
CD Changer . 139, 179
.....
CD Changer Error Messages . 141
..............................
CD Player . 134, 172
..................................
Ceiling Light . 114
........................
Certif ication Label . 362
............................................
Chains . 331
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 339
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 302
......................................
When to . 291
...
Charging System Indicator . 59, 349
..............
Check Fuel Cap Message . 70
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 269
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 33
..............................
Booster Seats . 49
...................................
Child Seats . 40
Important Saf ety
.........................
Reminders . 33, 36
..........................................
Inf ants . 38
............................
Large Children . 48
.........................................
LATCH . 42
......................
Risks with Airbags . 34 .............................
Small Children . 39
..........................................
Tether . 46
...........................
Warning Labels . 53
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 34
Child Seats ......................................
Installing . 41
.........................................
LATCH . 42
......................................
Selecting . 40
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
Cleaning ...................................
Seat Belts . 319
..............................................
Clock . 222
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 311
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 373
......................................
Coat Hook . 112
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 270
......................
Compact Spare Tire . 338
.................
Console Compartment . 111
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 380
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 55
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 304
....................................
Checking . 257
.........................
Proper Solution . 304
...................
Temperature Gauge . 70 Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 373
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 64
............
Cruise Control Operation . 224
...................................
Cup Holders . 111
....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 380
...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights . 75
Daytime Running Lights
.......................................
Indicator . 65
.................................
Dead Battery . 345
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 382
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 77
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 122
....................................
Dimensions . 364
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 74
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 308
..................................
Engine Oil . 255
..........................
Directional Signals . 74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 279
.......................................
Disc Care . 216
Index
D
II
Main Menu