1997
C
ivic Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................
.........................................
i
A Few Words About Safety.................................................................................................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls.................................................................................................................31
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features .............................................................................................. 67
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving.................................................................................................................................. 89
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving .............................................................................................................................................. 99
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................117
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care..............................................................................................................................171
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................177
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information.....................................................................................................................199
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................211
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................217
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index..................................................................................................................................................... I
Information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Gas Station Information
Owner's Identification
Introduction
Congratulations ! Your selection of a 1997 Honda Civic was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda
dealer's staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to
your Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
information is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Honda, other
property, or the environment.
NOTICE
a
As you read this manual, you will
find information that is preceded by
symbol. This
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A Few Words About Safety
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
vehicle safely is an important
responsibility.
To help you make informed
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other information on labels and in
this manual.
This information alerts you to
potential hazards that could hurt you
or others.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must
use your own good judgement.
You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,
including:
Safety Labels — on the vehicle.
Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.
These signal words mean:
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you
do not follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY HURT if you
do not follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you do not follow instructions.
Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
Safety Section — such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
Instructions — how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information — please read it
carefully.
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Driver and Passenger Safety
This section gives you important
information about occupant protec-
tion. It shows how to use seat belts
properly. It explains the Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it
gives useful information about how
to protect infants and children in
your car.
Your Occupant Protection System.. 4
The Seat Belt System
and How It Works...................... 5
Why Wear Seat Belts.................... 5
Important Safety Reminders........ 5
Seat Belt System Components..... 6
Lap/Shoulder Belt......................... 6
Lap Belt........................................... 7
Wearing Seat Belts Properly........ 7
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7
Wearing the Lap Belt.................. 10
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 11
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 11
Supplemental Restraint System..... 12
SRS Components......................... 12
What Happens In a Crash........... 12
Important Facts About
Airbags...................................... 13
How the Driver's Airbag
Works........................................14
How the Passenger's Airbag
Works........................................15
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 16
System Service............................. 16
System Service Precautions....... 17
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Door Locks................................... 19
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Child Safety...................................... 20
Where Should Children Sit?....... 20
Important Safety Reminders...... 21
General Guidelines
for Restraining Children
Under 40 Ibs (18 kg)............... 22
Restraining
an Infant Who Weighs
Less Than 20 Ibs (9 kg).......... 22
Restraining
a Child Who Weighs Between
20 and 40 Ibs (9 and 18 kg)..... 23
Restraining a Child Who Weighs
Over 40 Ibs (18 kg).................. 24
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Belt........................... 24
Using Child Restraints
with Tethers............................. 25
Storing a Child Seat..................... 26
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 27
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 28
Safety Labels.................................... 29
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your Occupant Protection System
Your Honda is equipped with seat
belts and other features that work
together to protect you and your
passengers during a crash.
Seat belts are the most important
part of your occupant protection
system. When worn properly, seat
belts can reduce the chance of
serious injury or death in a crash.
For added protection during a severe
frontal collision, your Honda has a
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) with airbags for the driver and
a front seat passenger.
Two indicator lights are also part of
your safety system. One reminds you
to make sure you and your passen-
gers wear seat belts. The other
alerts you to a possible problem with
your supplemental restraint system
(see page 16).
The seats, head restraints and door
locks also play a role in occupant
safety. For example, reclining the
seat-back can decrease the effec-
tiveness of your seat belt. Head
restraints can help protect your neck
and head, especially during rear-end
impacts. Door locks help keep your
doors from being accidentally
opened during a crash.
To get the maximum protection from
your occupant protection system,
check the following before you drive
away:
Everyone in the car is wearing a
seat belt properly (see page 7).
Infants and small children are
properly secured in child safety
seats (see page 20).
All doors are closed and locked
(see page 19).
Seat-backs are upright and head
restraints are properly adjusted
(see pages 18 and 57).
There are no loose items that
could be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash or sudden
stop (see page 19).
By following these guidelines, you
can reduce injuries to yourself and
your passengers in many crash
situations. Remember, however, that
no safety system can prevent all
injuries or deaths that can occur in
severe crashes.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Why Wear Seat Belts
Wearing seat belts, and wearing
them properly, is fundamental to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers.
During a crash or emergency stop,
seat belts can help keep you from
being thrown against the inside of
the car, against other occupants, or
out of
the
car.
Of course, seat belts cannot com-
pletely protect you in every crash.
But, in most cases, seat belts reduce
your chance of serious injury. They
can even save your life. That is why
many states and all Canadian pro-
vinces require you to wear seat belts.
Important Safety Reminders
Seat belts are designed for adults
and larger children. All infants and
small children must be properly
restrained in child safely seats (see
page 20).
A pregnant woman needs to wear a
seat belt to protect herself and her
unborn child (see page 11).
Two people should never use the
same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
Do not place the shoulder portion of
a lap/shoulder belt under your arm
or behind your back. This could
increase the chance of serious
injuries in a crash.
Do not put shoulder belt pads or
other accessories on seat belts. They
can reduce the effectiveness of the
belts and increase the chance of
injury.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Not wearing a seat belt
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Seat Belt System Components
Your Honda has seat belts in all five
seating positions. The front seats
and the outside positions of the rear
seat have lap/shoulder belts. The
center position of the rear seat has a
lap belt.
Your seat belt system also includes a
light on the instrument panel to
remind you to fasten your seat belt,
and to make sure your passengers
fasten theirs. This light comes on
when you turn on the ignition if you
have not fastened your seat belt. A
beeper also sounds for several
seconds (see page 34).
The following pages cover more
about the seat belt components and
how they work.
Lap/Shoulder Belt
This style of seat belt has a single
belt that goes over your shoulder,
across your chest, and across your
hips.
Each lap/shoulder belt has an
emergency locking retractor. In
normal driving, the retractor lets you
move freely in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt.
During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the
belt to help restrain your body.
The lap/shoulder belt retractor in
each passenger seating position has
an additional locking mechanism
intended to secure a child seat (see
page 24). If the shoulder part of the
belt is pulled all the way out, this
mechanism will engage. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely. If the belt
feels too tight, unlatch it, let it retract
fully, then pull it out as far as needed.
Driver and Passenger Safety
SHOULDER
PORTION
UPPER
SEAT BELT
ANCHOR
To retractor
LAP
PORTION
BUCKLE
LATCH PLATE
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Lap Belt
The lap belt has one manually-
adjusted belt that fits across the hips.
It is similar to safety belts used in
airplanes.
Wearing Seat Belts Properly
You can increase the effectiveness of
your seat belts if you take a little
time to read the following pages and
make sure you know how to wear
seat belts properly.
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
Before putting on the seat belt, move
the driver's seat as far back as is
practical while still allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
Make sure the seat-back is upright
(see page 18 ). The front seat
passenger should move the seat as
far back as possible.
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Driver and Passenger Safety
Not wearing a seat belt properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
BELT END
BUCKLE
LATCH PLATE
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
1. Pull the latch plate across your
body and insert it into the buckle.
Tug on the belt to make sure the
latch is securely locked.
2. Check that the belt is not twisted.
3. Position the lap portion of the belt
as low as possible across your hips,
not across your stomach. This lets
your strong pelvic bones take the
force of a crash.
4. Pull up on the shoulder part of the
belt to remove any slack. Make
sure the belt goes over your
collarbone and across your chest.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
5. If the belt crosses your neck, you
need to adjust the belt anchor
height or your seating position.
Front seats:
Adjust the belt anchor by squeezing
the two buttons and sliding the
anchor downward (it has four posi-
tions).
Rear seat.
Move toward the center of the seat
until the belt fits over your collar-
bone.
To unlatch the seat belt, push the
red PRESS button on the buckle.
Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar.
After you exit the vehicle, make sure
the seat belt is out of the way and
will not get closed in the door.
Driver and Passenger Safety
RELEASE
BUTTON
RELEASE
BUTTON
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Wearing the Lap Belt
1. Pull the latch plate across your
hips and insert it into the buckle
marked CENTER.
If the belt is too short, hold the
latch plate at a right angle and pull
to extend the belt. Insert the latch
plate into the buckle.
2. Position the belt as low as possible
across your hips and pelvic bones,
not across your stomach. Pull the
loose end of the belt to adjust for a
snug but comfortable fit.
To unlatch the belt, push the red
PRESS button on the buckle.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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The Seat Belt System and How It Works
Advice for Pregnant Women
Protecting the mother is the best
way to protect her unborn child.
Therefore, a pregnant woman should
wear a properly-positioned seat belt
whenever she drives or rides in a car.
If possible, use a lap/shoulder seat
belt, remembering to keep the lap
portion as low as possible (see page
7).
Each time you have a check-up, ask
your doctor if it's okay for you to
drive and how you should position a
lap/shoulder seat belt.
Seat Belt Maintenance
For safety, you should check the
condition of your seat belts regularly.
Pull out each belt fully and look for
frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check
that the latches work smoothly and
the lap/shoulder belts retract easily.
Any belt not in good condition or not
working properly should be replaced.
If a seat belt is worn during a crash,
have your dealer replace the belt and
inspect the anchors for damage.
For information on how to clean your
seat belts, see page 174.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Supplemental Restraint System
Your car is equipped with a Supple-
mental Restraint System (SRS) to
help protect the head and chest of
the driver and front seat passenger
during a severe frontal collision.
This system does not replace your seat
belts. It supplements, or adds to, the
protection offered by seat belts and
other occupant protection features.
SRS Components
Your supplemental restraint system
includes:
One airbag in the steering wheel
for the driver and another in the
dashboard for the passenger.
Sensors that can detect a severe
frontal collision.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors the
sensors, control unit, airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II).
An indicator light on the instru-
ment panel to alert you to a possi-
ble problem with the system.
Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
What Happens In a Crash
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the sensors will detect
rapid deceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the
airbags.
During a crash, your seat belts will
help to restrain your lower body and
torso. The airbags will provide a
cushion to absorb crash energy and
help keep the head and chest of the
driver and front passenger from
striking the interior of the car.
After inflating, the airbags will
immediately deflate. The entire
process, from detection to deflation,
takes a fraction of a second. This
process occurs so quickly that you
may not hear the loud noise created
by the airbag inflators, or realize
what has happened.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Not wearing a seat belt
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
if you have airbags.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
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Supplemental Restraint System
After the crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder from the airbag's surface.
People with respiratory problems
may experience some temporary
discomfort from the chemicals used
by the airbag's activators.
Important Facts About Airbags
Airbags inflate only when needed; in
a severe frontal collision. A severe
collision would be similar to a crash
into a parked vehicle of similar size
and weight at 25 mph (40 km/h).
Airbags will not inflate in a moderate
frontal collision, or during a rear
impact, side impact, or rollover —
even if the impact is severe.
Airbags inflate and deflate only once.
They cannot protect you during any
additional impacts that can occur
during a crash sequence.
Injuries, including fatal injuries, can
occur in a severe collision, even if
seat belts are worn properly and the
airbags inflate. No safety system can
provide complete protection in a
severe crash.
Just from viewing the vehicle
damage after a crash, it is very
difficult to accurately determine if
the airbags should or should not
have inflated. In some cases where
the airbag did not inflate, extensive
visible damage indicated that the car
absorbed much of the crash energy,
and the airbags were not needed. In
other cases, a severe jolt, such as an
impact to the undercarriage, may not
cause extensive body damage but
may still cause the airbags to inflate.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Frontal Collision Range
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Supplemental Restraint System
How the Driver's Airbag Works
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, your airbag will instantly
inflate to help protect your head and
chest.
To do its job, the airbag inflates with
considerable force. So, while it can
reduce serious injuries and even save
your life, the airbag might cause
some facial abrasions or other
injuries. To reduce the possibility of
injury, you should always sit back as
far from the steering wheel as
practical while still maintaining full
vehicle control.
After the bag completely inflates, it
immediately starts deflating so it
won't interfere with your visibility,
ability to steer, or ability to operate
other controls. The total time for
inflation and deflation is a fraction of
a second. You may not even be
aware that the airbag has been fully
inflated.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Supplemental Restraint System
The driver's airbag is stored in the
center of the steering wheel. For
your safety, do not attach any items
to the steering wheel. They could
interfere with the proper operation
of the airbag. Or, if the airbag
inflates, they could be propelled
inside the car and hurt someone.
How the Passenger's Airbag
Works
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the passenger's airbag will
inflate at the same time as the driver's
airbag.
This airbag is quite large and inflates
with considerable force. It can
seriously hurt a front seat passenger
who is not in the proper position and
wearing the seat belt properly.
Front seat passengers should move
the seat as far back as practical and
sit well back in the seat.
We strongly recommend that you do
not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be
dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
If a toddler seat is used in the front
passenger's seat, the vehicle seat
should be moved as far back as
possible. If the passenger's bag
inflates, it could seriously hurt a
toddler who is not in the proper
position or properly restrained.
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Driver and Passenger Safety
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Supplemental Restraint System
The passenger's airbag is stored
near the top of the dashboard, under
a lid marked SRS. Do not place any
objects on top of this lid. If the airbag
inflates, those objects can be
propelled inside the car and possibly
hurt someone.
How the SRS Indicator
Light Works
The purpose of the SRS light on your
instrument panel is to alert you to a
potential problem with your supple-
mental restraint system.
Have the system checked if:
The light does not come on when
you turn the ignition ON (II).
The light stays on after the engine
starts.
The light comes on or flashes
while you are driving.
If you see any of these indications,
the airbag may not work when
needed in an accident. Take the car
to your dealer promptly for diagnosis
and service.
System Service
Your supplemental restraint system
is virtually maintenance-free. The
only scheduled maintenance is an
inspection of the system by the
dealer when the car is ten years old.
For your convenience, the car's
production date is on a label on the
driver's doorjamb.
If either of the following happens,
you must have an authorized Honda
dealer service the system. There are
no parts you can safely service.
If your airbags ever inflate, the
airbags and control unit must be
replaced. Do not try to remove or
discard the airbags yourself. This
must be done by a Honda dealer.
Driver and Passenger Safety
SRS
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Supplemental Restraint System
If the SRS indicator light alerts
you to a problem, have the
supplemental restraint system
inspected as soon as possible. If
you ignore this indication, the
airbags might not inflate when you
need them.
System Service Precautions
Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of the supplemental
restraint system. Modifications could
make the system ineffective.
Do not tamper with the system's
components or wiring. This could
cause the airbags to inflate inadver-
tently, possibly injuring someone
very seriously.
Tell anyone who works on your car
that you have a supplemental
restraint system. Failure to follow
the procedures and precautions in
the official Honda service manual
could result in personal injury or
damage to the system.
Scrapping an entire car that has
uninflated airbags can be dangerous.
Get assistance from a Honda dealer
if your car must be scrapped.
If you sell your car, please be sure to
tell the new owner that the car has a
supplemental restraint system. Alert
them to the information and precau-
tions in this part of the owner's
manual.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Additional Safety Information
The seat belts and airbags are obvi-
ously important parts of your occu-
pant protection system.
In addition, you should know that
sitting upright, adjusting the head
restraints properly, locking the doors,
and stowing things properly can also
increase your safety and possibly
even save your life.
Seat-back Position
The seat-backs should be in an
upright position for you and your
passengers to get the most protec-
tion from the seat belts.
If you recline a seat-back, you reduce
the protective capability of your seat
belt. The farther a seat-back is
reclined, the greater the risk that
you will slide under the belt in a
severe crash and be very seriously
injured.
For information on how to adjust the
seat-back, see page 56.
Head Restraint Position
Head restraints can help protect you
from whiplash and other injuries. For
the best protection, adjust the top of
the restraint so it is even with the
tops of your ears, or as high as possi-
ble. For instructions on adjusting the
head restraints, see page 57.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Additional Safety Information
Door Locks
It is not safe to leave your car doors
unlocked. A passenger, especially a
child, could open a door and acci-
dentally fall out. Also, there is a
greater chance of being thrown out
of the car during a crash when the
doors are not locked.
Storing Cargo Safely
Before you drive, make sure you
first securely store or tie down any
items that could be thrown around
the car and hurt someone, or
interfere with your ability to operate
the controls.
Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf. They can block your view
and they could be thrown about the
car in a crash.
Be sure to keep compartment doors
closed when the car is moving. If a
front passenger hits the door of an
open glove box, for example, he
could injure his knees.
For information on loading cargo,
see page 98.
Driving with Pets
Loose pets can be a hazard while you
are driving. An unrestrained pet can
interfere with your ability to drive
the car. In a crash or sudden stop,
loose pets or cages can be thrown
around inside the car and hurt you or
your passengers. It is also for their
safety that pets should be properly
restrained in your car.
The recommended way to restrain a
medium-sized or larger dog is with a
special traveling harness. This har-
ness can be secured to the rear seat
with a seat belt. Travel harnesses are
available at pet stores.
A small dog, cat, or other small
animal will be safest in a pet carrier
with rigid sides. Choose a style that
allows you to secure it to the car's
seat by routing a seat belt through
the carrier's handle.
For further information, contact your
veterinarian or local animal protec-
tion society.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Child Safety
Children depend on adults to protect
them. To help make sure we do,
every state and Canadian province
has laws requiring infants and young
children to be properly restrained
whenever they ride in a car.
Where Should Children Sit?
According to accident statistics,
children of all sizes and ages are
safer when they are properly
restrained in the rear seat rather
than the front seat.
We recommend that, whenever
possible, you secure your child's
infant or toddler seat in the center
position of the rear seat with the lap
belt.
We strongly recommend that you do
not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be
dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
Driver and Passenger Safety
An infant or child who is not
properly restrained can be killed
or seriously injured in a crash.
Be sure any child too small for
seat belts is properly secured in
a child restraint.
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Child Safety
If a toddler seat is used in the front
passenger's seat, the vehicle seat
should be moved as far back as
possible. If the passenger's bag
inflates, it could seriously hurt a
toddler who is not in the proper
position or properly restrained.
We also recommend that any child
who is too large to use an infant or
toddler seat ride in one of the out-
side positions of the rear seat. The
child should then wear the lap/
shoulder belt properly for protection.
If the child is not large enough to
wear the lap/shoulder belt properly,
you should use a booster seat.
Important Safety Reminders
Never hold a baby or child on your
lap when riding in a car. If you are
wearing your seat belt, the violent
forces created during a crash will
tear the child from your arms. The
child could be seriously hurt or killed.
If you are holding a child and not
wearing a seat belt in a crash, you
could crush the child against the car's
interior.
Never put your seat belt over
yourself and a child. During a crash,
the belt could press deep into the
child, causing serious internal
injuries.
Two children should never use the
same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
If you are driving with small children
in the car, you should use the
childproof door locks to prevent
them from opening the rear doors
(see page 55).
For their safety, do not leave
children alone in your car without
adult supervision.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Child Safety
General Guidelines for
Restraining Children Under
40 Ibs (18 kg)
Use an approved child seat. The seat
must meet Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS-213) or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. Look for the manufac-
turer's statement of compliance on
the box and seat.
Use a seat of the right size. Make sure
the seat fits your child. Check the
seat manufacturer's instructions and
labels for height and weight limits.
Secure the child seat to the car. All
approved child seats are designed to
be secured to the car seat by the lap
belt or the lap belt portion of a lap/
shoulder belt. A child whose seat is
not properly secured to the car can
be endangered in a crash.
To properly route a seat belt through
a child seat, follow the seat maker's
instructions. If you use a lap/
shoulder belt, be sure to follow the
instructions for securing a child seat
with a lap/shoulder belt on page 24.
Secure the child in the child seat. Make
sure the infant or child is firmly
secured to the child seat. Use the
straps provided, and carefully follow
the manufacturer's instructions.
Restraining an Infant Who
Weighs Less Than 20 Ibs
(9kg)
An infant up to about 20 Ibs (9 kg)
must be restrained in an infant seat
or a convertible seat designed for a
baby. Because infants must ride in a
reclining position, be sure the infant
seat always faces the REAR of the
car as shown.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Child Safety
We recommend that, whenever
possible, you put the infant seat in
the center position of the rear seat
and secure it to the car with the lap
belt.
If you decide to put an infant seat in
any other seating position, be sure to
follow the instructions for securing a
child seat with a lap/shoulder belt on
page 24.
We strongly recommend that you do
not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be
dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
Restraining a Child Who Weighs
Between 20 and 40 Ibs
(9 and 18 kg)
Toddler seats are designed for
children who weigh between 20 and
40 Ibs (9 and 18 kg).
The preferred place to put a toddler
seat is in the center position of the
rear seat. Use the car's lap belt to
secure the seat to the car.
If you decide to put a toddler seat in
an outside seating position, be sure
to follow the instructions for
securing a child seat with a lap/
shoulder belt on page 24.
If you are using a toddler seat in the
front passenger's seat, move the
passenger's seat as far back as
possible before installing the child
seat. If the passenger's bag inflates,
it could seriously hurt a toddler who
is not in the proper position or
properly restrained.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Child Safety
Restraining a Child Who Weighs
Over 40 Ibs (18 kg)
We recommend that, whenever
possible, a child who has outgrown a
toddler seat ride in one of the
outside positions of the rear seat and
use a lap/shoulder belt.
Put the lap/shoulder belt on your
child and check its fit. The shoulder
belt should fit over the collarbone
and across the chest. The lap belt
should sit low on your child's hips,
not across the stomach.
If the shoulder belt crosses the neck,
have your child move toward the
center of the rear seat until the belt
fits properly. If the belt still crosses
the child's neck, you should use a
booster seat.
Several styles of booster seats are
available. We recommend a design
that allows the child to use the car's
lap/shoulder belt.
Whichever style you select, follow
the booster seat manufacturer's
instructions.
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Belt
The lap/shoulder belt retractors in
the passenger seating positions have
a built-in locking mechanism in-
tended to secure a child seat. When
you are placing a child seat in one of
these outside seating positions, do
the following:
1. Place the child restraint in the
desired seating position. Route the
lap/shoulder belt through the seat
according to the seat manufac-
turer's instructions.
2. Insert the latch plate into the
buckle. Make sure it is fully
latched.
3. Slowly pull the shoulder portion of
the belt out of the retractor until it
stops.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Child Safety
4. Allow the belt to slowly feed back
into the retractor. You should hear
a clicking noise that indicates the
locking mechanism has engaged.
5. After the belt has retracted fully,
pull up on the shoulder portion to
remove any slack.
6. Push and pull on the child seat to
verify that it is held firmly in place.
If not, unlatch the seat belt, allow
it to retract fully, and repeat these
steps.
To unlatch the seat belt, push the
red PRESS button on the buckle.
Guide the belt across to the door
pillar. If the belt doesn't retract
easily, pull it out and check for twists
or kinks.
Using Child Restraints with
Tethers
Your Honda has three attachment
points for tether-style child seats.
Select the attachment point you want
to use and remove the plug with a
small flat-tipped screwdriver or
fingernail file.
Then install the tether hardware that
came with the child seat.
Tighten the bolt to:
22 N·m (2.2 kgf-m , 16lbf-ft)
If you are not sure how to install the
hardware, have it installed by your
authorized Honda dealer.
If you need an anchor plate and
mounting hardware, contact your
Honda dealer.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Child Safety
The anchor plate and mounting
hardware for a top tether are
supplied with the car. When install-
ing, make sure the toothed washer is
on the bottom of the bolt.
The supplied anchor plate is
designed only for mounting a child
restraint. Do not use it for any other
purpose.
Storing a Child Seat
When you are not using an infant
seat or other child restraint, either
remove it or make sure it is properly
secured so it cannot be thrown
around the car during a crash.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Canadian Models
TOOTHED WASHER
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Alcohol and Drugs
Driving a car requires your full at-
tention and alertness. Traffic condi-
tions change rapidly. You must be
able to react just as rapidly. Alcohol
or drugs directly affect your alert-
ness and ability to react. Even pre-
scription and non-prescription medi-
cines can have this effect.
There are laws that deal with
drunken driving. These laws define
how much alcohol it takes in your
system to be legally "drunk." How-
ever, your judgment and reaction
time get worse with every drink—
even the first one.
The safest thing you can do is never
drink and drive. This can be done if
you plan ahead. If you know you are
going to be drinking, make plans to
ride with a friend who will not be
drinking.
What if you find that you've been
drinking and cannot get a ride from a
friend? Find alternative transpor-
tation. Call a taxi. Take a bus. Many
communities have transportation
services devoted to shuttling people
who have been drinking.
If you have no choice but to drive,
stop drinking and give yourself lots
of time to sober up. Time is the only
thing that can make you sober.
Things like coffee or a cold shower
don't speed up the process.
If you see friends trying to get
behind the wheel after drinking, stop
them. Drive them yourself or
arrange other transportation. If you
think you are interfering, remember
that your interference will keep them
from sharing the road with you.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Main Menu
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Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Your car's exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
for leaks whenever:
The car is raised for an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The car was in an accident that
may have damaged the underside.
High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
car out of the garage.
With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:
1. Select the Fresh Air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
Main Menu
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Safety Labels
These labels are in the locations
shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious
injury. Read these labels carefully
and don't remove them.
If a label comes off or becomes hard
to read, contact your Honda dealer
for a replacement.
Driver and Passenger
Safety
RADIATOR CAP
BATTERY
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Instruments and Controls
Instruments and Controls
This section gives information about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations............................ 32
Indicator Lights................................ 33
Gauges.............................................. 37
Speedometer................................ 37
Tachometer.................................. 37
Odometer...................................... 37
Trip Meter.................................... 37
Fuel Gauge................................... 38
Temperature Gauge.................... 38
Maintenance Required
Indicator.................................... 39
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel........................................40
Headlights.................................... 41
Daytime Running Lights............. 41
Instrument Panel Brightness..... 42
Turn Signals................................. 42
Windshield Wipers...................... 43
Windshield Washers................... 43
Hazard Warning........................... 44
Rear Window Defogger.............. 44
Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 45
Steering Wheel Controls ................ 46
Cruise Control.............................. 46
Keys and Locks................................ 49
Keys...............................................49
Ignition Switch............................. 49
Door Locks................................... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 51
Remote Transmitter.................... 52
Childproof Door Locks............... 55
Trunk............................................ 55
Seat Adjustments............................. 56
Front Seat Adjustments.............. 56
Head Restraints........................... 57
Folding Rear Seat............................ 58
Power Windows............................... 59
Moonroof.......................................... 61
Mirrors.............................................. 61
Adjusting the Power Mirrors..... 62
Parking Brake.................................. 62
Glove Box......................................... 63
Beverage Holder.............................. 64
Accessory Power Socket................ 65
Ashtrays............................................ 65
Interior Light.................................... 66
Main Menu
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Control Locations
MIRROR
CONTROLS
(P.62)
DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
(P.51)
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
(P.59)
FUEL FILL
DOOR RELEASE
(P.92)
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.93)
Instruments and Controls
AUDIO SYSTEM,
DIGITAL CLOCK
(P.76, 81)
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROL
(P.68)
TRUNK RELEASE
HANDLE
(P.55)
Main Menu
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Indicator Lights
The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
information about your car.
Lamp Check
These indicator lights come on when
you turn the ignition switch ON (II),
allowing you to see that they are
working:
SRS Indicator
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Charging System Indicator
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder Light
D
4
Lamp
If an indicator does not light during
this test, it cannot alert you if that
system develops a problem. Have the
dealer check your car for burned-out
bulbs or other problems.
* The U.S. instrument panel is
shown. Differences for the Canadian
model are noted in the text.
CRUISE CONTROL
INDICATOR
Instruments and Controls
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR*
TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR*
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
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Indicator Lights
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP
Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition ON (II). It is a reminder
to you and your passengers to
protect yourselves by fastening the
seat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not fastened your seat belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on the ignition.
* Differences in the indicators for
Canadian models are noted in the
text.
Instruments and Controls
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(Canadian LX model only)
PARKING BRAKE AND
BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR*
TRUNK-OPEN
INDICATOR
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
SEAT BELT
REMINDER LIGHT
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Indicator Lights
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition ON (II). If it comes on at
any other time, it indicates a problem
in the supplemental restraint system.
For complete information, see page
16.
Charging System
Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 190.
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 189.
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you
have not released the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake applied can damage the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release
the parking brake, or comes on
while driving, it can indicate that
the brake fluid level is low. This is
normally due to worn brake pads.
Have your dealer check the
braking system for worn pads or
fluid leaks.
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator
Only on cars equipped with ABS (see
page 111)
This light normally comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the
ignition ON (II), and when the
ignition switch is turned to START
(III). If this light comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
ABS. If this happens, take the car to
your dealer to have it checked. With
the light on, your car still has normal
braking ability but no anti-lock.
Instruments and Controls
SRS
BRAKE
U.S. Canada
U.S
. Canada
ABS
Main Menu
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Indicator Lights
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
See page 191.
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page 163). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should flash.
High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page 41 for
information on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page 41).
Cruise Control Indicator
Only on cars equipped with Cruise
Control System
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page 46 for information
on operating the cruise control.
Instruments and Controls
Trunk-open Indicator
This light comes on if the trunk lid is
not closed tightly.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must refuel soon.
Main Menu
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Gauges
Speedometer
U.S. Models
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
Canadian Models
This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph).
Tachometer
On LX and EX models in U.S., and
EX model in Canada
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.
Odometer
The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under federal law (in the
U.S.) and provincial regulations (in
Canada) to disconnect, reset, or alter
the odometer with the intent to
change the number of miles or
kilometers indicated.
Trip Meter
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it. To
reset it, push the trip meter reset
button.
Instruments and Controls
TACHOMETER
TRIP METER
SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
ODOMETER
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
TRIP METER
RESET BUTTON
Main Menu
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Gauges
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or
hilly roads.
The gauge stays at the same fuel
level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignition
back ON (II).
Temperature Gauge
This shows the temperature of the
engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper blue zone. If it reaches the red
(Hot) mark, pull safely to the side of
the road. Turn to page 187 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine's cooling
system.
Instruments and Controls
TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
TRIP METER
SPEEDOMETER
FUEL GAUGE
ODOMETER
MAINTENANCE
REQUIRED INDICATOR
TRIP METER
RESET BUTTON
Main Menu
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Gauges
Maintenance Required Indicator
U.S. Models
This indicator reminds you that it is
nearing 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
since the last scheduled maintenance.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules
for Normal and Severe Driving
Conditions on pages 122 — 123 .
When the distance driven since the
last scheduled maintenance nears
7,500 miles (12,000 km), the
indicator will turn yellow. If you
exceed 7,500 miles (12,000 km), the
indicator will turn red.
Your dealer will reset the indicator
when he performs the scheduled
maintenance. If someone else
performs the maintenance, reset the
indicator by inserting your key in the
slot beside the indicator.
Instruments and Controls
SLOT
INDICATOR
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
The two levers on the steering
column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The rear window defogger switch is
on the dashboard to the right of the
center air vents.
The controls under the left air vent
are for the moonroof, mirrors, cruise
control and instrument panel
brightness.
The tilt adjustment lever on the
underside of the steering column
allows you to tilt the steering wheel.
Instruments and Controls
CRUISE
CONTROL
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
HAZARD WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
MOONROOF
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/
WASHERS
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
MIRROR
CONTROLS
TILT ADJUSTMENT
HORN
BUTTONS
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Headlights
The rotating switch on the left lever
controls the lights. Turning this
switch to the " " position turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the " "
position turns on the headlights.
If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder beeper when you open the
driver's door.
To change between low beams and
high beams, pull the turn signal lever
until you hear a click, then let go.
The blue high beam indicator will
light (see page 36).
To flash the high beams, pull the
turn signal lever back lightly, then
release it. The high beams will come
on and go off.
The high beams will stay on for as
long as you hold the lever back, no
matter what position the headlight
switch is in.
Daytime Running Lights
(Canadian Models)
With the headlight switch off, the
high beam headlights come on with
reduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and
release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignition
off, even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal
operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Instruments and Controls
Main Menu
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Instrument Panel Brightness
The dial on the dashboard to the left
of the instrument panel controls the
brightness of the instrument panel
lights. Turn the dial to adjust the
brightness.
Turn Signals
Signal a turn or lane change with this
lever. Push down on the lever to
signal a left turn, and up to signal a
right turn. If you push it up or down
all the way, the turn signal continues
to blink even when you release the
lever. It shuts off automatically as
you complete the turn.
To signal a lane change, push lightly
on the turn signal lever in the proper
direction and hold it. The lever will
return to the center position as soon
as you release it.
Instruments and Controls
TURN SIGNAL LEVER
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Windshield Wipers
The right lever controls the wind-
shield wipers and washers. The
rotary switch at the end of the lever
has three positions:
INT: intermittent
: low speed
: high speed
In intermittent, the wipers operate
every few seconds. In low speed and
high speed, the wipers run continu-
ously.
To operate the wipers in mist mode,
push the control lever down. The
wipers run at high speed until you
release the lever. This gives you a
quick way to clear the windshield.
Windshield Washers
To clean the windshield, pull back on
the wiper control lever. The washers
spray until you release the lever.
On Canadian models
The wipers run at low speed while
you're pulling the lever, then
complete one more sweep of the
windshield after you release it.
Instruments and Controls
Main Menu
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Hazard Warning
Push
the red button to the left of the
center vents to turn on the hazard
warning lights (four-way flashers).
This causes all four outside turn
signals and both indicators in the
instrument panel to flash. Use the
hazard warning lights if you need to
park in a dangerous area near heavy
traffic, or if your car is disabled.
Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger will clear
fog, frost, and thin ice from the
window. Push the defogger button to
turn it on and off. The light in the
button lights to show the defogger is
on. If you do not turn it off, the
defogger will shut itself off after
about 25 minutes. It also shuts off
when you turn off the ignition. You
have to turn it on again when you
restart the car.
Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside of
the rear window can be accidentally
damaged. When cleaning the glass,
always wipe side to side.
Instruments and Controls
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Steering Wheel Adjustment
You can adjust the steering wheel
height to suit your preference. Do
this before you begin driving.
1. Adjust the seat so you are a
comfortable distance from the
pedals and can operate them
safely.
2. The lever to tilt the steering wheel
is under the steering column to
the left. Push this lever all the way
down.
3. Move the steering wheel up or
down to the desired position.
Position the wheel so you can see
all the instrument panel gauges
and warning lights. Push the lever
up to lock the steering wheel in
that position.
4. Make sure you have securely
locked the steering wheel in place
by trying to move it up and down.
Instruments and Controls
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
car and be seriously injured in a
crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the car is stopped.
Main Menu
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Steering Wheel Controls
Cruise Control
On LX and EX models in the U.S., and
EX model in Canada
Cruise control allows you to maintain
a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
for cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended for
conditions such as city driving,
winding roads, slippery roads, heavy
rain, or bad weather. You should
have full control of the car under
those conditions.
The cruise control, as it operates,
moves the accelerator pedal. You can
damage your car's accelerator
mechanism by resting your foot under
the pedal and blocking the movement.
Using the Cruise Control
1. Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch to the left of the steering
column. The indicator in the
switch will light.
2. Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).
Instruments and Controls
NOTICE
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
Main Menu
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Steering Wheel Controls
3. Press and hold the SET/decel
button on the steering wheel until
the CRUISE CONTROL light on
the instrument panel comes on.
This shows the system is now
activated.
The set speed may vary slightly,
particularly on hills.
Changing the Set Speed
You can increase the set cruising
speed in either of two ways:
Press and hold the RESUME/
accel button. The car will acceler-
ate slowly. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.
Push on the accelerator pedal. Ac-
celerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/decel
button.
You can decrease the set cruising
speed in either of two ways:
Press and hold the SET/decel
button. The car will decelerate.
Release the button when you
reach the desired speed.
Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your foot. The
CRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will go out.
When the car slows to the desired
speed, press the SET/decel button.
The car will then maintain the
desired speed.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
RESUME/
accel
SET/decel
Main Menu
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Steering Wheel Controls
Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up for passing. After
completing the pass, take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. The car
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your foot on the brake or
clutch pedal will cause the cruise
control to cancel.
Cancelling the Cruise Control
You can cancel the cruise control in
any of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal.
Press the SET/decel and RE-
SUME/accel buttons at the same
time.
Press the Cruise Control Master
Switch.
When you tap the brake or clutch
pedal, or press the SET and RE-
SUME buttons at the same time, the
CRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel will go out and the
car will begin to slow down. You can
use the accelerator pedal in the
normal way.
If you use the brake or clutch pedal
to cancel cruise control, the system
remembers the previously-set
cruising speed. To return to that
speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) and press the RESUME/
accel button until the CRUISE CON-
TROL light comes on. The car will
accelerate to the same cruising
speed as before.
If you cancel cruise control by
pressing the SET and RESUME
buttons at the same time, the
previously-set cruising speed is
erased. To use the cruise control,
accelerate to the desired cruising
speed and press the SET/decel
button.
Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completely
off and erases the previous cruising
speed from memory. To use the
system again, refer to Using the
Cruise Control.
Instruments and Controls
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
Keys
Your vehicle comes with two kinds
of keys: a master key and a valet key.
The master key fits all the locks on
your car:
Ignition
Doors
Trunk
Trunk release handle
Rear seat trunk access
The valet key works only in the
ignition and the door locks. You can
keep the trunk, trunk release handle
and rear seat trunk access locked
when you leave your car and valet
key at a parking facility. (See Trunk,
page 55.)
You should have received a key
number plate with your set of keys.
You will need this key number if you
ever have to get a lost key replaced.
Keep the plate stored in a safe place.
When replacing keys, use only
Honda-approved key blanks.
Remote Transmitter
Standard on the EX model in the U.S.
Optional on the LX model in the U.S.
and EX model in Canada
You
r car also comes with two remote
transmitters; see page 52 for an
explanation of the operation.
Ignition Switch
The ignition switch is on the right
side of the steering column. It has
four positions:
LOCK (0)
ACCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
START (III)
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
KEY
NUMBER
PLATE
VALET
KEY
MASTER
KEY
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
LOCK (0) - You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
When you turn the key from LOCK
to ACCESSORY, you may have to
turn the steering wheel to release
the anti-theft lock. To switch from
ACCESSORY to LOCK, you must
push the key in slightly as you turn it.
If your car has an automatic trans-
mission, it must also be in Park. The
anti-theft lock will lock the steering
column when you remove the key.
ACCESSORY (I) - In this position,
you can operate the audio system
and the accessory power socket.
ON (II) — This is the normal key
position when driving. All features
and accessories on the car are usable.
Several of the lights on the instru-
ment panel come on as a test when
you turn the ignition switch from
ACCESSORY to ON (see page 33).
START (III) - Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key.
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver's door. Remove the key to
turn off the beeper.
Door Locks
Each door has a lock tab on the top.
Push the tab down to lock the door
and pull it up to unlock.
To lock any passenger's door when
getting out of the car, push the lock
tab down and close the door. To lock
the driver's door, pull the outside
door handle and push the lock tab
down. Release the handle, then close
the door.
Instruments and Controls
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
The front doors can be locked and
unlocked from the outside with the
key.
Power Door Locks
On LX and EX models in the U.S., and
EX model in Canada
The master door lock switch allows
control of all door locks from the
driver's door. Push the switch down
to lock all doors, and up to unlock
them.
All doors lock when you push down
the lock tab on the driver's door, or
lock the driver's door from the
outside with the key. Only the driver's
door unlocks when you use the key
or lock tab. To unlock the passen-
gers' doors, use the master door lock
switch or the lock tab on each door.
Instruments and Controls
MASTER DOOR LOCK SWITCH
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
Remote Transmitter
Standard on the EX model in the U.S.
Optional on the LX model in the U.S.
and EX model in Canada
You can lock and unlock your vehicle
with the remote transmitter. When
you push the LOCK button, all doors
lock.
When you push the UNLOCK button
once, only the driver's door unlocks.
The remaining doors unlock when
you push the button a second time.
The interior light (if the interior light
switch is in the center position) will
come on when you press the
UNLOCK button. If you do not open
any door, the light will go out in
about 30 seconds and the doors will
automatically relock. If you relock
the doors with the remote
transmitter before 30 seconds have
elapsed, the light will go off
immediately.
If you installed a non-Honda radio in
your car, the keyless entry system
and the interior light will no longer
work.
You cannot lock or unlock the doors
with the remote transmitter if any
door is not fully closed or the key is
in the ignition switch.
Horn Operation
You can program the remote
transmitter to have the horn beep
when you lock and unlock the doors.
It will beep once when you lock the
doors, and twice when you unlock
them.
To turn this feature on and off, press
the OPTION and LOCK buttons at
the same time for two seconds. If
you are turning the horn on, the
remote transmitter's LED will come
on for one second. If you are turning
the horn off, the LED will blink twice.
Release the buttons after the LED
goes out.
The horn feature will be off after you
install a new battery in the remote
transmitter. Use the above
procedure to turn it on again.
Instruments and Controls
LED
LOCK
BUTTON
UNLOCK
BUTTON
OPTION
BUTTON
PANIC
BUTTON
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
Panic Mode
Panic mode allows you to remotely
sound your car's horn to attract
attention. To activate this mode,
press and hold the PANIC button for
about one second. Your car's horn
will beep for about 30 seconds.
To cancel PANIC mode before 30
seconds, press any button on the
remote transmitter. You can also
turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).
Panic mode will not activate if the
ignition switch is in ACCESSORY (I)
or
ON (II).
Replacing the Battery
When th
e remote transmitter's
battery begins to get weak, it may
take several pushes on the button to
lock or unlock the doors, and the
LED will get dim. Replace the
battery as soon as possible.
Battery type: CR2025
To replace the battery, remove the
round cover on the back of the trans-
mitter by turning it counterclockwise
with a coin.
Remove the old battery and note the
polarity. Make sure the polarity of
the new battery is the same (+ side
facing up), then insert it in the
transmitter.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
Open
Close
ROUND
COVER
CUSHION
RING
BATTERY
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
Reinstall the cushion ring. Align the
mark on the cover with the
mark on the transmitter,
then set the cover in place and turn it
clockwise.
After the battery is changed, the
transmitter must be synchronized
with the main unit. With the doors
and trunk lid closed, press either the
LOCK or UNLOCK button six times.
Transmitter Care
Avoid severe shock to the trans-
mitter, such as dropping or throwing
it. Also, protect it from extreme hot
or cold temperatures.
Clean the transmitter case with a
soft cloth. Do not use strong
cleaners or solvents that could harm
the case. Immersing the transmitter
in any liquid will harm the trans-
mitter and cause it to not function
properly.
Use the ring on the transmitter to
attach it to your main key ring. You
could damage the transmitter if you
try to use its ring as a key ring.
If you lose a transmitter, you will
need to have the replacement
programmed to your car's system by
your Honda dealer. Any other
transmitters you have will also need
to be reprogrammed.
As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
This device complies with DOC rules in
Canada.
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's
authority to operate the equipment.
Instruments and Controls
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks
Childproof Door Locks
The childproof door locks are
designed to prevent children seated
in the rear from accidentally opening
the rear doors. Each rear door has a
lock lever near the edge. With the
lever in the LOCK position, the door
cannot be opened from the inside
regardless of the position of the lock
tab. To open the door, pull the lock
tab up and use the outside door
handle.
Trunk
You can open the trunk in two ways:
Pull the trunk release handle to
the left of the driver's seat.
Use the master key to open the
trunk lock. The valet key does not
work in this lock.
To close the trunk, press down on
the trunk lid.
See page 98 for cargo loading and
weight limit information. Keep the
trunk lid closed at all times while
driving to avoid damaging the lid,
and to prevent exhaust gas from
getting into the interior. See Carbon
Monoxide Hazard on page 28.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
LEVER
TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE
MASTER KEY
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Keys and Locks, Seat Adjustments
To protect items in the trunk when
you need to give the key to someone
else, lock the trunk release handle
with the master key and give the
other person the valet key.
Front Seat Adjustments
Adjust the seat before you start
driving.
To adjust the seat forward and
backward, pull up on the lever under
the seat cushion's front edge. Move
the seat to the desired position and
release the lever. Try to move the
seat to make sure it is locked in
position.
To change the angle of the seat-back,
pull up on the lever on the outside of
the seat bottom. Move the seat-back
to the desired position and release
the lever. Let the seat-back latch in
the new position.
Instruments and Controls
MASTER KEY
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Seat Adjustments
Head Restraints
The front head restraints help
protect you and your passenger from
whiplash and other injuries. They are
most effective when you adjust them
so the top of the restraint is even
with the top of your ears.
The front head restraints adjust for
height. You need both hands to
adjust the restraint. Do not attempt
to adjust it while driving. To raise it,
pull upward. To lower the restraint,
push the release button sideways
and push the restraint down.
To remove a head restraint for
cleaning or repair, pull it up as far as
it will go. Push the release button
and pull the restraint out of the seat-
back.
Instruments and Controls
RELEASE BUTTON
Driving your car without head
restraints can lead to serious
injury to you and your
passenger in a crash.
Make sure the head restraints
are in place and adjusted
properly before driving.
Reclining the seat-back can
decrease the protection you get
from your seat belt in a crash.
You can slide under the seat
belt and be seriously injured.
Adjust the seat-back to an
upright position and sit well
back in the seat.
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Folding Rear Seat
The back of the rear seat folds down
to give you direct access to the
trunk. Each side folds down sepa-
rately. With only half the seat folded,
you can still carry a passenger in the
back seat.
To fold down either side of the seat-
back from inside the car, use the
master key in the lock on the rear
shelf. To fold down the driver's side,
turn the key clockwise, fold down
the seat-back, then release the key.
To fold down the passenger's side,
turn the key counterclockwise and
perform the same procedure.
To release the seat-back from inside
the trunk, pull the release under the
rear shelf. Push the seat-back down,
then let go of the release.
To lock the seat-back upright, push it
firmly against the rear shelf. Make
sure it is latched in place by pulling
on the top of the seat.
Instruments and Controls
MASTER KEY
RELEASE
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Folding Rear Seat, Power Windows
Make sure all items in the trunk, or
items extending through the opening
into the back seat, are tied down.
Loose items can fly forward and
cause injury if you have to brake
hard. See Loading Cargo on page
98.
Never drive with the seat-back
folded down and the trunk lid open.
See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on
page 28.
Power Windows
On LX and EX models in the U.S., and
EX model in Canada
Your car's windows are electrically-
powered. Turn the ignition switch to
ON (II) to raise or lower any window.
Each door has a switch that controls
its window. To open the window,
push the switch down and hold it.
Release the switch when you want
the window to stop. Close the
window by pulling back on the
switch and holding it.
The driver's armrest has a master
power window control panel. To
open any of the passengers' windows,
push down on the appropriate switch
and hold it down until the window
reaches the desired position. To
close the window, pull back on the
window switch. Release the switch
when the window gets to the position
you want.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
MAIN SWITCH
DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH
Closing a power window on a
child's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure your children are
away from the windows before
closing them.
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Power Windows
The master control panel also con-
tains these extra features:
AUTO — To open the driver's
window fully, push the window
switch firmly down and release it.
The window automatically goes all
the way down. To stop the window
from going all the way down, pull
back on the window switch briefly.
To open the driver's window only
partially, push the window switch
down lightly and hold it. The window
will stop as soon as you release the
switch.
The AUTO function only works to
lower the driver's window. To raise
the window, you must pull back on
the window switch and hold it until
the window reaches the desired
position.
The MAIN switch controls power to
the passengers' windows. With this
switch off, the passengers' windows
cannot be raised or lowered. The
MAIN switch does not affect the
driver's window. Keep the MAIN
switch off when you have children in
the car so they do not injure them-
selves by operating the windows
unintentionally.
Instruments and Controls
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Moonroof, Mirrors
Moonroof
On U.S. EX model
Use the switches on the dashboard
under the left vent to operate the
moonroof. The ignition must be ON
(II).
To lift the
rear of the moonroof f
or
ventilation, push the button.
To slide the moonroof back, push
the switch. Hold it until the
moonroof reaches the desired
position, then release the switch.
To close the moonroof, press and
hold the switch.
/
f
you try to open the moonroof in
below-freezing temperatures, or when
it is covered with snow or ice, you can
damage the moonroof panel or motor.
Mirrors
Keep the inside and outside mirrors
clean and adjusted for best visibility.
Be sure to adjust the mirrors before
you start driving.
The inside mirror has day and night
positions. The night position reduces
glare from headlights behind you.
Flip the tab on the bottom edge of
the mirror to select the day or night
position.
CONTINUED
Instruments and Controls
NOTICE
Closing the moonroof on
someone's hands or fingers can
cause serious injury.
Make sure passengers are
clear of the moonroof before
closing it.
TAB
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Mirrors, Parking Brake
Adjusting the Power Mirrors
On LX and EX models in the U.S., and
EX model in Canada
Adjust the outside mirrors with the
adjustment switch on the left side of
the dashboard:
1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
2. Move the selector switch to L
(driver's side) or R (passenger's
side).
3. Push the appropriate edge of the
adjustment switch to move the
mirror right, left, up or down.
4. When you finish, move the
selector switch to the center (off)
position. This turns off the
adjustment switch so you can't
move a mirror out of position by
accidentally bumping the switch.
Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull the
lever up fully. To release it, pull up
slightly, push the button, and lower
the lever. The parking brake light on
the instrument panel should go out
when the parking brake is fully
released (see page 35).
Instruments and Controls
SELECTOR SWITCH
ADJUSTMENT SWITCH
PARKING BRAKE LEVER
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Parking Brake, Glove Box
Driving the car with the parking brake
applied can damage the rear brakes
and axles.
Glove Box
Open the glove box by pulling the
handle. Close it with a firm push.
Instruments and Controls
NOTICE
GLOVE BOX
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passenger
in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Beverage Holder
To open the beverage holder, push
on the top. The beverage holder lid
is spring-loaded and will swing open.
To close it, push it down until it
latches.
Use the beverage holder only when
the car is parked. If you place cups in
the holder while driving, the liquid
may spill when you go over bumps or
around corners.
Be careful when you are using the
beverage holder. A spilled liquid that
is very hot can scald you or your
passengers. Spilled liquids can also
damage the upholstery, carpeting,
and electrical components in the
interior.
Instruments and Controls
Push
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Accessory Power Socket, Ashtrays
Accessory Power Socket
To use the accessory power socket,
pull down the cover. The ignition
switch must be in ACCESSORY (I)
or ON (II).
This socket is intended to supply
power for 12 volt DC accessories
that are rated 120 watts or less (10
amps).
It will not power an automotive type
cigarette lighter element.
Ashtrays
(Optional)
Front and rear ashtrays are available
as options. The front ashtray fits in
the beverage holder.
The rear ashtray fits in the rear of
the center console.
Open the rear ashtray by swinging
the upper edge down. To remove the
ashtray for emptying, open the
ashtray and then lift it up and out.
Use the ashtray only for cigarettes,
cigars, and other smoking materials.
To prevent a possible fire and damage
to your ear, don 't put paper or other
things that can burn in the ashtray.
Instruments and Controls
NOTICE
ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Interior Light
(U.S.: EX)
The interior light has a three-
position switch. In the OFF position,
the light does not come on. In the
center position, the interior light
comes on when you open any door.
In the ON position, the interior light,
stays on continuously.
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
On cars with remote transmitter
The interior light (with the switch in
the center position) also comes on
when you unlock the door with the
remote transmitter (see page 52).
If you installed a non-Honda radio in
your car, the keyless entry system
and the interior light will no longer
work.
Instruments and Controls
DOOR ACTIVATED
OFF
ON
DOOR ACTIVATED
ON
OFF
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Comfort and Convenience Features
The heating and air conditioning*
systems in your Honda provide a
comfortable driving environment in
all weather conditions.
The standard audio system has
many features. This section de-
scribes those features and how to
use them. (If you selected an
optional audio system, refer to the
operating instructions that came
with it.)
* Air conditioning is standard on the
EX and LX models in the U.S. It is
optional on other models.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Heating and Cooling........................ 68
What Each Control Does............ 68
How to Use the System............... 70
To Turn Everything Off............. 75
Audio System................................... 76
Operating the Radio.................... 76
Adjusting the Sound.................... 78
Radio Frequencies....................... 79
Radio Reception........................... 79
Digital Clock.................................81
Operating the Cassette Player... 82
Tape Search Functions............... 82
Caring for the Cassette Player... 84
Operating the Optional
CD player/Changer................ 85
Protecting Compact Discs.......... 87
CD Changer Error Indications... 88
Main Menu
▲
▼
Heating and Cooling
Proper use of the Heating and
Cooling system can make the
interior dry and comfortable, and
keep the windows clear for best
visibility.
If your vehicle does not have air
conditioning, it can be installed at
any time. Your dealer will install a
Genuine Honda air conditioning
system that meets Honda's high
quality standards and is designed to
exactly fit your vehicle. Please
contact your dealer for more
information.
What Each Control Does
Fan Control Lever
Sliding this lever to the right
increases the fan's speed, which
increases air flow.
Temperature Control Lever
Sliding this lever to the right
increases the temperature of the air
flow.
Air Conditioning
(A/C)
Button
This button turns the air condi-
tioning ON and OFF. The indicator
in the button lights when the A/C is
on.
Recirculation Button
This button controls the source of
the air going into the system. When
the indicator in this button is lit, air
from the vehicle's interior is sent
through the system again (Recircula-
tion mode). When the indicator is off,
air is brought in from outside the
vehicle (Fresh Air mode).
Comfort and Convenience Features
MODE BUTTONS
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
FAN CONTROL
LEVER
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL LEVER
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Heating and Cooling
Mode Buttons
Use the MODE buttons to select the
vents the air flows from.
Air flows from the center
and corner vents in the dashboard.
Air flow is divided between
the vents in the dashboard and the
floor vents.
Air flows from the floor
vents.
Air flow is divided between
the floor vents and the defroster
vents at the base of the windshield.
Air flows from the defroster
vents at the base of the windshield.
When you select , the system
automatically switches to Fresh Air
mode and turns on the A/C.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Heating and Cooling
Vent Controls
You can adjust the direction of the
air coming from the dashboard vents
by moving the tab in the center of
each vent up-and-down and side-to-
side.
The vents in the corners of the
dashboard can be opened and closed
with the dials next to them.
How to Use the System
This section covers how to set up the
system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and
defrosting.
The engine must be running for the
heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.
If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on
engine temperature.
Comfort and Convenience Features
CENTER VENT
SIDE VENT
Open
Close
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Heating and Cooling
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions.
Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C off,
can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or
dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears.
The outside air intakes for the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
Ventilation
The flow-through ventilation system
draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it
through vents near the rear window.
1. Slide the temperature control lever
all the way to the left.
Make sure the A/C is off.
2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features
MODE BUTTONS
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL LEVER
FAN CONTROL
LEVER
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Heating and Cooling
To Cool with A/C
1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
should come on.
2. Make sure the temperature
control lever is all the way to the
left.
3. Select and Fresh Air mode.
4. Set the fan to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control lever is all the way to
the left.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select
and Recirculation mode.
When the interior has cooled down
to a more comfortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
38) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red zone, turn
off the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.
Comfort and Convenience Features
MODE BUTTONS
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL LEVER
FAN CONTROL
LEVER
Main Menu
Table of Contents
▲
▼
Heating and Cooling
To Heat
To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine.
2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control lever.
To Heat and Dehumidify with Air
Conditioning
Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Turn on the air conditioning.
3. Select and Fresh Air mode.
4. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the mixture of heated and
cooled air feels comfortable.
This setting is suitable for all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
To Defog and Defrost
To remove fog from the inside of the
windows;
1. Switch the fan on.
2. Select
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control
lever so the air flow from the
defroster vents feels warm.
4. Turn on the rear window defogger
to help clear the rear window.
When you switch to another mode
from , the A/C stays on.
Press the A/C button to turn it off.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Heating and Cooling
To remove exterior frost or ice from
the windshield and side windows
after the car has been sitting out in
cold weather:
1. Start the engine.
2. Select
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
3. Switch the fan and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior frost or
ice from the windshield (on very cold
days), first select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
fogging the windows.
Comfort and Convenience Features
MODE BUTTONS
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL LEVER
FAN CONTROL
LEVER
Main Menu
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Heating and Cooling
These settings direct all the air flow
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
defroster vents. The air flow will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For safety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
before driving away.
To Turn Everything Off
To shut off the system temporarily,
slide the fan speed and temperature
control levers all the way to the left.
You should shut the system com-
pletely off only for the first few
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
AM/FM Stereo Audio System
Your Honda's audio system provides
clear reception on both AM and FM
bands, while the preset buttons allow
you to easily select your favorite
stations.
A cassette player, CD player or CD
changer is available as optional
equipment. The cassette player is
standard on the EX model in Canada.
Operating the Radio
The ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) to
operate the audio system. Turn the
system on by pressing the PWR/
VOL knob or the AM/FM button.
Adjust the volume by turning the
knob.
The band and frequency that the
radio was last tuned to is displayed.
To change bands, press the AM/FM
button. On the FM band, ST will be
displayed if the station is broadcast-
ing in stereo. Stereo reproduction on
AM is not available.
You can use any of three methods to
find radio stations on the selected
band: TUNE, SEEK, or the Preset
buttons.
TUNE — Use the TUNE/SEEK bar
to tune the radio to a desired
frequency. Press the right side ( )
to tune to a higher frequency, or the
left side ( ) to tune to a lower
frequency. The frequency numbers
will start to change rapidly. Release
the bar when the display reaches the
desired frequency. To change the
frequency in small increments, press
and release the TUNE/SEEK bar
quickly.
SEEK — The SEEK function
searches the band for a station with
a strong signal. To activate it, press
the TUNE/SEEK bar until you hear
a beep, then release it. Depending on
which side of the bar you press, the
system scans upward or downward
from the current frequency. It stops
when it finds a station with a strong
signal.
Preset — You can store the fre-
quencies of your favorite radio
stations in the six preset buttons.
Each button will store one frequency
on the AM band, and two on the FM
band.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
To store a frequency:
1. Select the desired band, AM or
FM. FM1 and FM2 let you store
two frequencies with each Preset
button.
2. Use the TUNE or SEEK function
to tune the radio to a desired
station.
3. Pick the Preset button you want
for that station. Press the button
and hold it until you hear a beep.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 to store a total
of six stations on AM and twelve
on FM.
Once a station's frequency is stored,
simply press and release the proper
Preset button to tune to it.
The preset frequencies will be lost if
your vehicle's battery goes dead, is
disconnected or the radio fuse is
removed.
Comfort and Convenience Features
PWR/VOL KNOB
STEREO INDICATOR
AM/FM BUTTON
TUNE/SEEK BAR
PRESET BUTTONS
Main Menu
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Audio System
Adjusting the Sound
Bass, Treble, Balance, and Fader are
each adjustable. You select which of
these you want to adjust by pressing
the MODE button. The mode
changes from BAS to TRE to FAD to
BAL, and then back to VOL each
time you press the button. Each
mode is shown in the display as it
changes.
Balance/Fader — These two
modes adjust the strength of the
sound coming from each speaker.
BAL adjusts the side-to-side strength,
while FAD adjusts the front-to-back
strength.
Select BAL or FAD by pressing the
MODE button. Adjust the Balance or
Fader to your liking by turning the
PWR/VOL knob. The indicator bars
on the display show you the range.
Treble/Bass — Use these modes to
adjust the tone to your liking. Select
TRE or BAS by pressing the MODE
button. Adjust the desired mode by
turning the PWR/VOL knob. The
indicator bars on the display show
you the range.
As you adjust a mode, you will hear a
beep whenever the indicator bar
reaches the center, far left, and far
right of its range. The system will
automatically return the display to
normal mode about seven seconds
after you stop adjusting a mode with
the PWR/VOL knob.
Comfort and Convenience Features
MODE BUTTON
PWR/VOL KNOB
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Audio System
Radio Frequencies
Your Honda's radio can receive the
complete AM and FM bands.
Those bands cover these frequen-
cies:
AM band:
530 to 1,710 kilohertz
FM band:
87.7 to 107.9 megahertz
Radio stations on the AM band are
assigned frequencies at least ten
kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550).
Stations on the FM band are
assigned frequencies at least 0.2
megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3).
Stations must use these exact
frequencies. It is fairly common for
stations to round-off the frequency in
their advertising, so your radio could
display a frequency of 100.9 even
though the announcer may identify
the station as "FM101."
Radio Reception
How well your Honda's radio
receives stations is dependent on
many factors, such as the distance
from the station's transmitter,
nearby large objects, and atmos-
pheric conditions.
A radio station's signal gets weaker
as you get farther away from its
transmitter. If you are listening to an
AM station, you will notice the sound
volume becoming weaker, and the
station drifting in and out. If you are
listening to an FM station, you will
see the stereo indicator flickering off
and on as the signal weakens.
Eventually, the stereo indicator will
go off and the sound will fade
completely as you get out of range of
the station's signal.
Driving very near the transmitter of
a station that is broadcasting on a
frequency close to the frequency of
the station you are listening to can
also affect your radio's reception.
You may temporarily hear both
stations, or hear only the station you
are close to.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
Radio signals, especially on the FM
band, are deflected by large objects
such as buildings and hills. Your
radio then receives both the direct
signal from the station's transmitter,
and the deflected signal. This causes
the sound to distort or flutter. This is
a main cause of poor radio reception
in city driving.
Radio reception can be affected by
atmospheric conditions such as
thunderstorms, high humidity, and
even sunspots. You may be able to
receive a distant radio station one
day and not receive it the next day
because of a change in conditions.
Electrical interference from passing
vehicles and stationary sources can
cause temporary reception problems.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
Digital Clock
The audio system also displays the
time. The ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).
To set the time, press the CLOCK
button. The hour numbers will begin
blinking. Press the Preset 5 button to
get the numbers to count down, or
the Preset 6 button to get the hours
to count up.
Press the CLOCK button again, and
the minutes numbers will begin
blinking. Use the Preset 5 or Preset
6 button to change the minutes to
the correct value.
After you have set the clock, press
the CLOCK button again to return to
the normal display. If you do not, the
system will automatically return to
the normal display about seven
seconds after you stop pressing the
Preset buttons.
Comfort and Convenience Features
TIME DISPLAYED
PRESET 5 BUTTON
PRESET 6 BUTTON
CLOCK BUTTON
Main Menu
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Audio System
Operating the Cassette Player
Standard on EX model in Canada
The cassette system features Dolby
B* noise reduction, automatic
sensing of chromium-dioxide (CrO
2
)
tape, and autoreverse for continuous
play.
* Dolby noise reduction manufactured under
license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpo-
ration. "DOLBY" and the double-1) symbol
are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Make sure the tape opening on the
cassette is facing to the right, then
insert the cassette most of the way
into the slot. The system will pull it
in the rest of the way, and begin to
play.
The tape direction indicator will light
to show you which side of the
cassette is playing. The indicates
the side you inserted facing upward
is now playing. If you want to play
the other side, press the PROG
button.
Dolby B noise reduction turns on
when you insert a cassette. If the
tape was not recorded with Dolby B
noise reduction, turn it off by
pressing the NR button.
When the system reaches the end of
the tape, it will automatically reverse
direction and play the other side. If
you want to remove the cassette
from the drive, press the EJECT
button.
If you turn the system off while a
tape is playing, either with the PWR/
VOL knob or by turning off the
ignition, the cassette will remain in
the drive. When you turn the system
back on, the tape will begin playing
where it left off.
To switch to the radio or optional CD
changer while listening to a tape,
press the AM/FM or CD/TAPE
button. To change back to the
cassette player, press the CD/TAPE
button.
Tape Search Functions
With a cassette playing, you can use
the FF, REW, TMS, or REPEAT
function to find a desired program.
FF/REW - Fast Forward and
Rewind move the tape rapidly. Press
and release the REW side of the
TUNE/SEEK bar to rewind the tape,
or the FF side to fast forward. Press
the PLAY button to take the system
out of rewind or fast forward. If the
system reaches the end of the tape
while in fast forward or rewind, it
automatically stops that function,
reverses direction, and begins to play.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
TMS
- The Tape Music Search
function allows you to find the
beginning of a song or passage. To
activate TMS, press FF or REW until
you hear a beep. You will see TMS
displayed. When the system reaches
the beginning of the next song or
passage (FF), or the beginning of
the song just played (REW), it goes
back to PLAY mode.
REPEAT - The Repeat function
continuously replays the current
song or passage. Press the RPT
button to activate it; you will see RPT
displayed as a reminder. When the
system reaches the end of the song
or passage currently playing, it will
automatically go into rewind. When
it senses the beginning of the same
song or passage, the system returns
to PLAY mode. It will continue to
repeat this same program until you
deactivate REPEAT by pressing the
button again.
The TMS and REPEAT functions
use silent periods on the tape to find
the end of a song or passage. These
features may not work to your
satisfaction if there is almost no gap
between selections, a high noise
level between selections, or a silent
period in the middle of a selection.
Comfort and Convenience Features
TUNE/SEEK
BAR
RPT
BUTTON
PROG
BUTTON
TAPE DIRECTION
INDICATOR
AM/FM
BUTTON
CD/TAPE
BUTTON
NR
BUTTON
CASSETTE
SLOT
PLAY
BUTTON
EJECT BUTTON
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
Caring for the Cassette Player
The cassette player picks up dirt and
oxides from the tape. This contami-
nation builds up over time and
causes the sound quality to degrade.
To prevent this, you should clean the
player after every 30 hours of use.
Your dealer has a cleaning kit
available.
If you do not clean the cassette
player regularly, it may eventually
become impossible to remove the
contamination with a normal
cleaning kit.
Use 100-minute or shorter cassettes.
Cassettes longer than that use
thinner tape that may break or jam
the drive.
Look at the cassette before you
insert it. If the tape is loose, tighten
it by turning a hub with a pencil or
your finger.
If the label is peeling off, remove it
from the cassette or it could cause
the cassette to jam in the player.
Never try to insert a warped or
damaged cassette in the player.
When they are not in use, store
cassettes in their cases to protect
them from dust and moisture. Never
place cassettes where they will be
exposed to direct sunlight, high heat,
or high humidity. If a cassette is
exposed to extreme heat or cold, let
it reach a moderate temperature
before inserting it in the player.
Never try to insert foreign objects
into the cassette player.
If you see the error indication
on the display, press the
EJECT button and remove the
cassette from the unit. Make sure
the tape is not damaged. If the
cassette will not eject or the error
indication stays on after the cassette
ejects, take the car to your Honda
dealer.
If a problem develops in the connec-
tion between the cassete player and
the radio, you will see " " in
the display. Take the car to your
Honda dealer.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
Operating the Optional CD
Player/Changer
A Compact Disc changer is available
through your dealer. It holds up to
six discs, providing several hours of
continuous entertainment. You
operate the CD changer with the
same controls used for the radio.
Your dealer also has an accessory in-
dash single CD player available that
is operated by the radio controls. To
operate this unit, use the instructions
(except for those relating to multiple
discs) in this section.
To operate the CD player or changer,
the ignition must be in ACCESSORY
(I) or ON (II).
CD Player
Insert the disc into the CD slot. Push
the disc in halfway, the drive will pull
it in the rest of the way. Push the
CD/TAPE button and the disc will
start to play.
You will see the track number being
played in the display.
You can also play 3-in (8-cm) discs
without using an adapter ring.
When the system reaches the end of
the disc, it will return to the begin-
ning and play that disc again.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features
PWR/VOL KNOB
REPEAT INDICATOR
AM/FM BUTTON
TUNE/SEEK
BAR
RPT
BUTTON
PRESET BUTTONS
CD/TAPE
BUTTON
Main Menu
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Audio System
Press the EJECT button to remove
the disc from the player.
If you eject the disc, but do not
remove it from the slot, the system
will automatically reload the disc
after 15 seconds and put the CD
player in pause mode. To begin
playing the disc, press the CD button.
CD Changer
Using the instructions that came
with the changer, load the desired
CDs in the magazine, and load the
magazine in the changer.
Press the CD/TAPE button. You will
see "CD" in the display. The system
will start to play the first track of the
first disc. When that disc ends, the
next disc in the magazine is loaded
and played. After the last disc
finishes, the system returns to disc 1.
To select a different disc, press the
appropriate preset button (1 — 6). If
you select an empty slot in the
magazine, the changer will, after
finding that slot empty, try to load
the CD in the next slot. This
continues until it finds a CD to load
and play.
CD Player and Changer
You can use the TUNE/SEEK bar to
select tracks within a disc. If you
press and release the TUNE/SEEK
bar, the system will move to the
beginning of a track. Press the
side to move to the beginning
of the next track, and the side
to move to the beginning of the
current track.
If you press and hold the TUNE/
SEEK bar, you will hear a beep and
the system will continue to move
across tracks. Release the bar when
you think it has reached the desired
place on the disc.
REPEAT - When you activate the
Repeat feature by pressing the RPT
button, the system continuously
replays the current track. You will
see RPT in the display as a reminder.
Press the RPT button again to turn it
off.
To take the system out of CD mode,
press the AM/FM button or insert a
cassette in the player. If a tape is
already in the cassette player, press
the CD/TAPE button. When you
return to CD mode, play will contin-
ue at the same point that it left off.
If you turn the system off while a CD
is playing, either with the PWR/VOL
knob or the ignition switch, play will
continue at the same point when you
turn it back on.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
Protecting Compact Discs
Handle a CD by its edges; never
touch either surface. Contamination
from fingerprints, liquids, felt-tip
pens, and labels can cause the CD to
not play properly, or possibly jam in
the drive.
When a CD is not being played, store
it in its case to protect it from dust
and other contamination. To prevent
warpage, keep CDs out of direct
sunlight and extreme heat.
To clean a disc, use a clean soft cloth.
Wipe across the disc from the center
to the outside edge.
A new CD may be rough on the
inner and outer edges. The small
plastic pieces causing this roughness
can flake off and fall on the re-
cording surface of the disc, causing
skipping or other problems. Remove
these pieces by rubbing the inner
and outer edges with the side of a
pencil or pen.
Never try to insert foreign objects in
the CD player or the magazine.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Audio System
CD Changer Error Indications
If you see an error indication in the
display while operating the CD
changer, find the cause in the chart
to the right. If you cannot clear the
error indication, take the car to your
Honda dealer.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Before Driving
Before you begin driving your Honda,
you should know what gasoline to
use, and how to check the levels of
important fluids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The information in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the information in this
section first.
Break-in Period................................ 90
Gasoline............................................ 90
Oxygenated Fuels........................ 90
Driving in Foreign Countries..... 91
Service Station Procedures............ 92
Filling the Fuel Tank................... 92
Opening the Hood....................... 93
Oil Check.................................. 94
Engine Coolant Check............ 95
Fuel Economy.................................. 96
Vehicle Condition........................ 96
Driving Habits.;............................ 96
Accessories....................................... 97
Loading Cargo.................................. 98
Before Driving
Main Menu
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Break-in Period, Gasoline
Break-in Period
Help assure your car's future
reliability and performance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the first 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:
Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoid hard braking. New brakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use for the first 200 miles (300
km).
You should follow these same re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Gasoline
Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
fuel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car's emission controls.
This contributes to air pollution.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
performance may deteriorate and
the malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer for service.
Oxygenated Fuels
Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively referred to as
oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
fuels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated fuel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Before using an oxygenated fuel, try
to confirm the fuel's contents. Some
states/provinces require this
information to be posted on the
pump.
Before Driving
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Gasoline
The following are the KPA-approved
percentages of oxygenates:
ETHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name "Gasohol."
MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume.
METHANOL (methyl or wood
alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 5 percent methanol by volume as
long as it also contains cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors to protect
the fuel system. Gasoline containing
more than 5 percent methanol by
volume may cause starting and/or
performance problems. It may also
damage metal, rubber and plastic
parts of your fuel system.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or performance
problems resulting from the use of
an oxygenated fuel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
If you are planning to take your
Honda outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to find
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Honda will affect perfor-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your car back into
compliance will require the replace-
ment of several components, such as
the oxygen sensor and the three way
catalytic converter. These replace-
ments are not covered under
warranty.
Before Driving
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Service Station Procedures
Filling the Fuel Tank
1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the
driver's side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling
on the handle to the left of the
driver's seat.
3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel
pump automatically clicks off. Do
not try to "top off" the tank, leave
some room for the fuel to expand
with temperature changes.
5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks. If you do
not properly tighten the cap, the
Malfunction Indicator Lamp may
come on (see page 191).
6. Push the fuel fill door closed until
it latches.
Before Driving
Pull
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Service Station Procedures
Opening the Hood
1. Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.
2. Standing in front of the car, put
your fingers under the front edge
of the hood to the right of center.
Slide your hand to the left until
you feel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle to the left until it
releases the hood. Lift the hood.
3. Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the left side of the hood.
To close the hood, lift it up slightly to
remove the support rod from the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a foot above the fender, then
let it drop.
CONTINUED
Before Driving
HOOD
RELEASE
HANDLE
LATCH
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
Main Menu
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Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the car with fuel. Wait at least
two minutes after turning the engine
off before you check the oil.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
3. Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Before Driving
DIPSTICK
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Table of Contents
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Service Station Procedures
4. 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 Adding Oil on page 128.
Engine Coolant Check
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see Adding
Engine Coolant on page 132 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to Owner Maintenance
Checks on page 126 for information
on checking other items in your
Honda.
Before Driving
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
RESERVE
TANK
MAX
MIN
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the Owner Maintenance
Checks (see page 126). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car's underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion.
Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy.
A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Before Driving
Main Menu
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Accessories
Your Honda dealer has many acces-
sories available to personalize your
car. Some of these are audio systems,
alloy wheels, air conditioning, and
color-coordinated carpet floor mats.
All Genuine Honda Accessories have
been approved by our engineers for
installation and use on your car, and
are covered by warranty.
Some non-Honda accessories you
can buy in the "aftermarket" are
designed for universal applications.
Although they may fit your Honda,
they may not be within factory
specifications. For example, after-
market wheels may not meet Honda's
specifications for width and offset.
They could cause suspension
problems that would not be covered
by your warranty. Improperly-
designed accessories can adversely
affect your car's handling and
stability.
Your car has several computer-
controlled systems, including the
SRS system, the engine's fuel
injection, and the Anti-lock brake
system. Strong electronic inter-
ference can affect their operation.
Electronic communications equip-
ment, such as cellular telephones
and two-way radios are regulated by
the FCC (DOC in Canada) and
should not interfere with your car's
systems. Improper installation, or
using electrical equipment not in-
tended for mobile use may interfere
with your car's operation. If you want
to install a cellular telephone, other
mobile communications equipment
or even add-on stereo amplifiers,
please discuss it first with your
Honda dealer.
In many cases, improper installation
is the real cause of problems with
aftermarket accessories. Have these
accessories installed by qualified
technicians who are familiar with
your Honda. If possible, have your
Honda dealer inspect the final
installation.
Before Driving
Main Menu
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Loading Cargo
The maximum load you can carry in
your Honda is 850 Ibs (395 kg). It
includes the total weight of all
passengers, their belongings and any
accessories. This 850 Ibs (395 kg)
figure is shown as the Vehicle
Capacity Weight on the tire infor-
mation label attached to the driver's
doorjamb.
To figure out how much cargo you
can carry:
Figure the total "occupant weight"
you will be transporting. To do this,
multiply the number of people
(driver and all passengers) by 150
Ibs
(70
kg).
Subtract this number from the
Vehicle Capacity Weight (850 Ibs/
395kg).
This final number is the total weight
of cargo you can load in or on the car.
With five occupants (driver and four
passengers), the maximum recom-
mended weight for cargo is 100 Ibs
(45kg).
Where you store this cargo, and how
well you secure it, are just as
important as how much it weighs.
Make sure you load cargo so it will
not shift while driving. Items stored
in the cargo area should be stored as
far forward as possible.
You could store additional items on
the floor behind the front seats.
Make sure they cannot roll under the
front seat and interfere with the
pedals.
If you must carry large objects that
prevent you from closing the trunk
lid, be aware that exhaust gas can
enter the interior. See Carbon
Monoxide Hazard on page 28.
Never place items on the shelf
behind the back seat. Those items
can fly forward and injure you or
your passengers if you brake hard or
are involved in a collision.
Before Driving
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Driving
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the 5-
speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes impor-
tant information on parking your car,
and the braking system.
Preparing to Drive......................... 100
Starting the Engine........................ 101
Starting in Cold Weather
at High Altitude ..................... 101
5-speed Manual Transmission ..... 102
Recommended Shift Points...... 102
Maximum Speeds...................... 103
Automatic Transmission............... 104
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 104
Shift Lever Positions................. 105
Maximum Speeds...................... 107
Shift Lock Release..................... 108
Parking............................................ 109
The Braking System...................... 110
Brake Wear Indicators.............. 110
Brake System Design................111
Anti-lock Brakes........................111
Important Safety
Reminders.......................... 112
ABS Indicator......................... 113
Driving in Bad Weather................ 114
Towing a Trailer............................ 115
Driving
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Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks
and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or
ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are
fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 56).
6. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page 61).
7. Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page 45 ).
8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 7).
10.Turn the ignition ON (II). Check
the indicator lights in the instru-
ment panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 101).
12. Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page 33).
Driving
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Starting the Engine
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
3. Manual Transmission:
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
Automatic Transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
5. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
6. If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position for no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
Starting in Cold Weather at High
Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/
2,400 meters)
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air found at
high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
1. Turn off all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
2. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
Driving
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5-speed Manual Transmission
The manual transmission is syn-
chronized in all forward gears for
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shifting up or
down, make sure you push the clutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shifting,
do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.
Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause for
a few seconds before shifting into
Reverse, or shift into one of the
forward gears for a moment. This
stops the gears so they won't "grind".
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear. Refer to the Maximum
Speeds chart.
Recommended Shift Points
Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you the best
fuel economy and effective emis-
sions control. The following shift
points are recommended:
Driving
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
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5-speed Manual Transmission
Maximum Speeds
The speeds in this table are the
maximums for the given gears. If
you exceed these speeds, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may feel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
(U.S.: EX)
Driving
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Automatic Transmission
Your Honda's transmission has four
forward speeds, and is electronically
controlled for smoother shifting. It
also has a "lock-up" torque converter
for better fuel economy. You may
feel what seems like another shift
when the converter locks.
Shift Lever Position Indicator
This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which shift position the
shift lever is in.
The "D4" indicator comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-
ation and have the transmission
checked by an authorized Honda
dealer as soon as possible.
Driving
UNLEADED
FUEL ONLY
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Automatic Transmission
Shift Lever Positions
The shift lever has six positions. It
must be in Park or Neutral to start
the engine. When you are stopped in
D
4
, D
3
, 2, N or R, press firmly on the
brake pedal, and keep your foot off
the accelerator pedal.
Park (P) — This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning off or
starting the engine. To shift out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
button on the side of the shift lever
to move it.
Driving
SHIFT LEVER
CONTINUED
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Automatic Transmission
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see Shift Lock Release on page
108.
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop before shifting into
Park. The shift lever must be in Park
before you can remove the key from
the ignition switch.
Reverse (R) — To shift to Reverse
from Park, see the explanation under
Park. To shift to Reverse from
Neutral, come to a complete stop and
then shift. Press the release button
before shifting into Reverse from
Neutral.
Neutral (N) — Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with
the engine idling. Shift to Park posi-
tion if you need to leave the car for
any reason. Press on the brake pedal
when you are moving the shift lever
from Neutral to another gear.
Drive (D
4
) — Use this position for
your normal
driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear for your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shifting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up faster.
Drive (D
3
) —This position is similar
to D
4
, except only the first three
gears are selected. Use D
3
to provide
engine braking when going down a
steep hill. D
3
can also keep the
transmission from cycling between
third and fourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.
For faster acceleration when in D
3
or
D
4
, you can get the transmission to
automatically downshift by pushing
the accelerator pedal to the floor.
The transmission will shift down one
or two gears, depending on your
speed.
Driving
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Automatic Transmission
Second (2) — To shift to Second,
press the release button on the side
of the shift lever. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshift to first gear
when you come to a stop. Second
gives you more power when climbing,
and increased engine braking when
going down steep hills. Use second
gear when starting out on a slippery
surface or in deep snow. It will help
reduce wheelspin.
Whenever you move the shift lever
to a lower gear, the transmission
downshifts only if the engine's
redline will not be exceeded in the
lower gear.
Maximum Speeds
The speeds in this table are the
maximums for the given position. If
you exceed these speeds, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you will feel
the engine cut in and out This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
(U.S.: EX)
Driving
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Automatic Transmission
Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
3. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot next to the shift lever.
4. Push down on the key while you
press the release button and move
the shift lever out of Park to
Neutral.
5. Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot. Depress the
brake pedal and restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shift Lock
Release, it means your car is
developing a problem. Have the car
checked by your Honda dealer.
Driving
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOT
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Parking
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. The indicator
on the instrument panel shows that
the parking brake is not fully
released; it does not indicate that the
parking brake is firmly set. Make
sure the parking brake is set firmly
or your vehicle may roll if it is
parked on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
before you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle from
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission-making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away.
If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the curb.
If you have a manual transmission,
put it in first gear.
If the vehicle is facing downhill turn
the front wheels toward the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in reverse.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Parking Tips
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn off the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Driving
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The Braking System
All Civics are equipped with front
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the effort needed on
the brake pedal.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower
gear and taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving.
Brake Wear Indicators
The front disc brakes on all cars
have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
"screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching".
Driving
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The Braking System
Brake System Design
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the car (the left-front brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If this happens, you will immediately
notice that the brake pedal goes
down much farther and you need to
press on it much harder. A much
longer distance will be needed to
stop the car.
Slow the car by downshifting to a
lower gear and removing your foot
from the accelerator pedal. Pull to
the side of the road as soon as it is
safe. Because of the longer stopping
distance needed, brake system
failure is very hazardous. You should
have your car towed, but if you must
drive the car in this condition, be
extremely cautious. Have your car
repaired as soon as possible.
Anti-lock Brakes
The U.S. EX model has an Anti-lock
Brake System (ABS) as standard
equipment. It is optional on all
Canadian models.
ABS helps to prevent the wheels
from locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retain
steering control.
When the front tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straight ahead even though you turn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and retain steering
control by pumping the brakes
rapidly, much faster than a person
can do
it.
Driving
Front
CONTINUED
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The Braking System
You should never pump the
brake pedal, this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping firm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."
You will feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount of
traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
the brake pedal very hard before you
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the car, it
only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a safe following distance
from other vehicles.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
prudent speed for the road and
weather conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
Driving
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The Braking System
ABS Indicator
The ABS is self-checking. It also
checks itself whenever you use the
brakes.
If anything goes wrong, the ABS
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on (see page 35). This means
the anti-lock function of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system
without anti-lock, providing normal
stopping ability. You should have the
dealer inspect your vehicle as soon
as possible if this light stays on after
you start the engine, or comes on
while driving.
Driving
ABS INDICATOR*
* U.S. indicator shown
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Driving in Bad Weather
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these condi-
tions.
Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills.
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain after a long dry spell. After
months of dry weather, the first
rains bring oil to the surface of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Visibility — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page 73).
Driving
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Driving in Bad Weather, Towing a Trailer
Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully,
they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid.
Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by, other vehicles. The
spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting
can cause you to lose control.
Towing a Trailer
Your car is not designed to tow a
trailer. Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
Driving
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Maintenance
This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules for normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions for simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to per-
form more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page 217 for information on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance Safety....................... 118
Important Safety Precautions.. 119
Maintenance Schedule.................. 120
Maintenance Record..................... 124
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 126
Fluid Locations............................... 127
Engine Oil....................................... 128
Adding Oil................................... 128
Recommended Oil..................... 128
Synthetic Oil............................... 129
Additives..................................... 129
Changing the Oil and Filter......
130
Cooling System..............................
132
Adding Engine Coolant.............
132
Replacing Engine Coolant........
134
Windshield Washers.....................
137
Transmission Fluid........................
138
Automatic
Transmission...............,,,..,,,... 138
5-speed Manual
Transmission.........................
.
139
Brake and
Clutch Fluid.................
139
Brake Fluid.................................
140
Brake System.............................
140
Clutch System............................
140
Power Steering...............................
141
Air Cleaner
Element......................
142
Spark Plugs.....................................
144
Replacement...............................
144
Specifications.............................
145
Battery............................................
146
Windshield Wipers........................
148
Air Conditioning
System...............
150
Drive Belts......................................
151
Timing Belt.....................................
151
Tires................................................
152
Inflation.......................................152
Recommended Tire
Pressures
for Normal
Driving............
153
Inspection...................................
154
Maintenance...............................
154
Tire Rotation..............................
155
Replacing Tires
and Wheels....
156
Wheels and
Tires.......................
157
Winter Driving...........................
157
Snow Tires.............................. 157
Tire Chains.............................
158
Lights..............................................
159
Headlight Aiming......................
159
Replacing Bulbs.........................
161
Storing Your
Car............................
169
Maintenance
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Maintenance Safety
Regularly maintaining your car is the
best way to protect your investment.
Proper maintenance is essential to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers. It will also reward you
with more economical, trouble-free
driving and help reduce air pollution.
This section includes instructions for
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be performed by a Honda
technician or other qualified
mechanic.
Some of the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.
Maintenance
Improperly maintaining this car
or failing to correct a problem
before driving can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner's
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner's
manual.
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Maintenance Safety
Important Safety Precautions
Before you begin any maintenance,
make sure your car is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is on. Also, be sure the engine
is off. This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:
Carbon monoxide poisoning
from engine exhaust. Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Burns from hot parts. Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
before touching any parts.
Injury from moving parts.
Do
not run
the engine unless in-
structed to do so.
Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, be careful when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
nonflammable solvent, not gasoline,
to clean parts. Keep cigarettes,
sparks, and flames away from the
battery and all fuel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance
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Maintenance Schedule
The Maintenance Schedule specifies
how often you should have your car
serviced and what things need
attention. It is essential that you have
your car serviced as scheduled to
retain its high level of safety,
dependability, and emission control
performance.
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
car as normal transportation for
passengers and their possessions.
You should also follow these
recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your car's load
limit. This puts excess stress on
the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your car. The load
limit is shown on the label on the
driver's doorjamb.
Operate your car on reasonable
roads within the legal speed limit.
Drive your car regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page
90).
Which Schedule to Follow:
Service your car according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
following pages. Select the schedule
for "Severe Conditions" if most of
your driving is done under one or
more of the conditions listed on that
page. Otherwise, follow the schedule
for "Normal Conditions."
Maintenance
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Maintenance Schedule
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your car best and can provide
competent, efficient service.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Keep all the
receipts as proof of completion, and
have the person who does the work
fill out the Maintenance Record.
Check your warranty booklet for
more information.
We recommend the use of Genuine
Honda parts and fluids whenever you
have maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high-
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.
U.S. Cars:
Maintenance, replacement or
repair of emission control devices
and systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
"certified" to EPA standards.
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with an asterisk (*) will not void your
emissions warranties. However,
Honda recommends that all mainte-
nance services be performed at the
recommended time or mileage
period to ensure long-term reliability.
Maintenance
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Maintenance Schedule (Normal Conditions)
Follow the Normal Maintenance
Schedule if the severe driving
conditions specified in the
Severe Conditions Maintenance
Schedule on the next page do
not apply.
NOTE: If you only
OCCASIONALLY drive under a
"severe" condition, you should
follow the Normal Conditions
Maintenance Schedule.
Maintenance
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Maintenance Schedule (Severe Conditions)
Follow the Severe Maintenance
Schedule if you drive your
vehicle MAINLY under one or
more of the following condi-
tions:
Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in freezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in hot [over 90° F
(32° C) ] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Driving with a car-top carrier,
or driving in mountainous
conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
For Canadian Owners
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule for Severe Conditions.
* 1 : Refer to page 151 for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Maintenance
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Required Maintenance Record
Have your servicing dealer record all Required Maintenance below. Keep receipts for all work done on your car.
Maintenance
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Non-Scheduled Maintenance Record
Record additional maintenance for severe driving conditions or non-scheduled maintenance on this page (see page 123).
Maintenance
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Owner Maintenance Checks
You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the page given.
Engine oil level — Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page 94.
Engine coolant level — Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page 95.
Windshield washer fluid — Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers frequently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
for fuel. See page 137.
Tires — Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
152.
Lights — Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate lights monthly. See
page 159.
Maintenance
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Fluid Locations
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
Maintenance
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
CLUTCH FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
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Engine Oil
Adding Oil
To add oil, unscrew and remove the
engine oil fill cap on top of the valve
cover. Pour in the oil, and replace the
engine oil fill cap. Tighten it securely.
Wait a few minutes and recheck the
oil level. Do not fill above the upper
mark; you could damage the engine.
Recommended Oil
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine's performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade deter-
gent oil.
You can determine an oil's SAE
viscosity and Service Classification
from the API Service label on the oil
container.
A fuel-efficient oil is recommended
for your Honda. This is shown on the
API Service label by the words
"Energy Conserving " or
"Energy Conserving II." This oil is
formulated to help your engine use
less fuel.
The API Service label also tells you
the service classification of the oil.
Always use an oil that is labeled "API
Service SJ" or "API Service SH."
This service rating may include
Other classifications, such as CD.
These additional classifications are
not a problem, as long as the label
also carries the SJ or SH classifi-
cation. An oil that is only classified
SG is not recommended.
Maintenance
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
API SERVICE LABEL
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Engine Oil
The oil container may also display
the API Certification mark. Make
sure it says "For Gasoline Engines.'
The SAE numbers tell you the oil's
viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
preferred for improved fuel economy
and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20°F(-7°C).
Synthetic Oil
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for conventional motor oil;
energy conserving, a service
classification of SJ or SH, and the
proper weight as shown on the chart.
When using synthetic oil, you must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals given in the maintenance
schedule.
Additives
Your Honda does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost
of operating your car.
Maintenance
Ambient Temperature
API CERTIFICATION MARK
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Engine Oil
Changing the Oil and Filter
Always change the oil and filter
according to the time and distance
(miles/kilometers) recommenda-
tions in the maintenance schedule.
The oil and filter collect contami-
nants that can damage your engine if
they are not removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car should
be raised on a service station-type
hydraulic lift for this service. Unless
you have the knowledge and proper
equipment, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
2. Open the hood and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
3. Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
Honda dealer) is required to
remove the filter.
4. Install a new oil filter according to
instructions that come with it.
Maintenance
OIL DRAIN BOLT
WASHER
OIL FILTER
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Engine Oil
5. Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten it to:
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
44 N·m (4.5 kgf·m , 33 Ibf·ft)
(U.S.: EX)
39 N·m (4.0 kgf·m , 29 Ibf·ft)
6. Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.
Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
3.3 (3.5USqt,2.9lmpqt)
(U.S.: EX)
3.6 (3.8USqt,3.2lmpqt)
7. Replace the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator light should go out within
five seconds. If it does not, turn off
the engine and reinspect your
work.
8. Let the engine run for several
minutes and check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.
9. Turn off the engine, let it sit for
several minutes, then check the oil
level. If necessary, add oil to bring
the level to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmful 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.
Maintenance
NOTICE
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Cooling System
Adding Engine Coolant
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 for leaks.
This coolant should always be a
mixture of 50 percent antifreeze and
50 percent water. Never add straight
antifreeze or plain water.
Always use Genuine Honda anti-
freeze/coolant. If it is not available,
you may use another major-brand
non-silicate coolant as a temporary
replacement. Make sure it is a high-
quality coolant recommended for
aluminum engines. However,
continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malfunction or fail. Have the
cooling system flushed and refilled
with Honda antifreeze/coolant as
soon as possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
1. Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Maintenance
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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Cooling System
2. Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
3. Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.
4. The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
5. Put., the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it fully.
6. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your car's cooling
system. They may not be compatible
with the coolant or engine compo-
nents.
Maintenance
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK
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Cooling System
Replacing Engine Coolant
The cooling system should be
completely drained and refilled with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Genuine Honda antifreeze/coolant.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the car. Unless
you have the tools and knowledge,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
1. Slide the heater temperature
control lever to maximum heat.
Open the hood. Make sure the
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
2. Remove the radiator cap.
3. Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. The
coolant will come out through the
hole in the splash cover.
Maintenance
DRAIN PLUG
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Cooling System
4. Remove the reserve tank from its
holder by pulling it straight up.
Drain the coolant, then put the
tank back in its holder.
5. When the coolant stops draining,
tighten the drain plug in the
bottom of the radiator.
6. Mix the recommended antifreeze
with an equal amount of purified
or distilled water in a clean
container. The cooling system
capacity is:
With 5-speed manual transmission:
3.1
(0.82 US gal, 0.68 Imp gal)
With automatic transmission:
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
3.0
(0.79 US gal, 0.66 Imp gal)
(U.S.: EX)
3.2
(0.85 US gal, 0.70 Imp gal)
7. Pour coolant into the radiator up
to the base of the filler neck.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
RESERVE
TANK
RESERVE
TANK CAP
HOLDER
FILLER NECK
Fill up to here
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Cooling System
8. Start the engine and let it run until
it warms up (the radiator cooling
fan comes on at least twice).
9. Turn off the engine. Check the
level in the radiator, add coolant if
needed. Install the radiator cap,
and tighten it fully.
10. Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Maintenance
RESERVE TANK
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Windshield Washers
Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal usage. In bad weather,
when you use the washers often,
check the level every time you stop
for fuel.
The windshield washer reservoir is
located behind the driver's side
headlight. Check the reservoir's fluid
level by removing the cap and
looking at the level gauge attached
to the cap.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the wind-
shield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your car's paint,
while a vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.
Maintenance
NOTICE
LEVEL GAUGE
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Transmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission
Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
1. Park the car on level ground. Shut
off the engine.
2. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
from the transmission and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
3. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
4. Remove the dipstick and check
the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
5. If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the filler hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Always use Honda Premium For-
mula Automatic Transmission Flu-
id (ATF). If it is not available, you
may use a Dexron® III automatic
transmission fluid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect shift quality. Have
the transmission drained and
refilled with Honda ATF as soon
as it is convenient.
6. Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
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Transmission Fluid, Brake and Clutch Fluid
5-speed Manual Transmission
Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission filler bolt and carefully
feel inside the bolt hole with your
finger. The fluid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Genuine Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the filler bolt and tighten it securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an API service SG or SH
grade motor oil with a viscosity of
SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40 as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Check the fluid level in the reser-
voirs monthly. There are one or two
reservoirs, depending on model.
They are:
• Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
• Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission only)
The brake fluid in the brake system
should be replaced according to the
time and distance recommendations
in the maintenance schedule.
Maintenance
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
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Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake Fluid
Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3
brake fluid. If it is not available, you
should use only DOT 3 or DOT 4
fluid, from a sealed container, as a
temporary replacement. However,
the use of any non-Honda brake fluid
can cause corrosion and decrease
the life of the system. Have the
brake system flushed and refilled
with Honda DOT 3 brake fluid as
soon as possible.
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your car's braking
system and can cause extensive
damage.
Brake System
The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.
Clutch System
The fluid should be between the
MIN and MAX marks on the side of
the reservoir. If it is not, add brake
fluid to bring it up to that level. Use
the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Low fluid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
Maintenance
MIN
MAX
MIN
MAX
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Power Steering
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The fluid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
fluid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Always use Genuine Honda Power
Steering Fluid. If it is not available,
you may use another power steering
fluid as an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Maintenance
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
NOTICE
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Air Cleaner Element
The air cleaner element should be
replaced according to the time and
distance recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Replacement
On DX and LX models in the U.S., and
all models in Canada
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing in the engine
compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the four clips and remove
the air cleaner housing cover.
2. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Clean the inside of the air cleaner
housing with a damp rag.
3. Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
4. Reinstall the air cleaner housing
cover, snap the four clips back into
place.
Maintenance
AIR CLEANER ELEMENT
CLIPS
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Air Cleaner Element
Replacement
On EX model in the U.S.
The air cleaner element is inside the
air cleaner housing on the passenger's
side of the engine compartment.
To replace it:
1. Unsnap the two clips and remove
the air cleaner housing cover.
2. Remove the old air cleaner
element.
Clean the inside of the air cleaner
housing with a damp rag.
3. Place the new air cleaner element
in the air cleaner housing.
4. Align the tabs and reinstall the air
cleaner housing cover, snap the
two clips back into place.
Maintenance
CLIPS
AIR CLEANER
ELEMENT
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Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in your car need to
be replaced every 2 years or 30,000
miles (48,000 km), whichever comes
first.
Replacement
1. Clean up any dirt and oil around
the spark plug caps.
2. Remove the spark plug cap by
pulling it straight out.
3. Remove the spark plug with
a five-eighths inch (16 mm) spark
plug socket.
4. Put the new spark plug into the
socket; then screw it into the hole.
Screw it in by hand so you do not
crossthread it.
Maintenance
SPARK PLUG CAP
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Spark Plugs
5. Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
after it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:
18 N·m (1.8kgf
.
m,13 lbf
.
ft)
Tighten the spark plugs carefully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.
6
. Install the spark plug cap.
7. Repeat
this procedure for the
other three spark plugs.
Specifications:
NGK:
DENSO:
ZFR5F-11
KJ16CR-L11
Spark Plug
Gap:
1.1 mm
(0.04
in)
Maintenance
NOTICE
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Battery
Check the condition of your car's
battery monthly. You should check
the color of the test indicator window,
and for corrosion on the terminals.
Check the battery condition by
looking at the test indicator window
on the battery.
The label on the battery explains the
test indicator's colors.
Check the battery terminals for
corrosion (a white or yellowish
powder). To remove it, cover the
terminals with a solution of baking
soda and water. It will bubble up and
turn brown. When this stops, wash it
off with plain water. Dry off the
battery with a cloth or paper towel.
Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
Maintenance
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
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Battery
If the terminals are severely cor-
roded, clean them with baking soda
and water. Then use a wrench to
loosen and remove the cables from
the terminals. Always disconnect the
negative (
—
) cable first and recon-
nect it last. Clean the battery termi-
nals with a terminal cleaning tool or
wire brush. Reconnect and tighten
the cables, then coat the terminals
with grease.
If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damage to the car's electri-
cal system.
Charging the battery with the cables
connected can seriously damage your
car's electronic controls. Detach the
battery cables before connecting the
battery to a charger.
Maintenance
NOTICE
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.
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Windshield Wipers
Check the condition of the wind-
shield wiper blades at least every six
months. Look for signs of cracking
in the rubber, or areas that are
getting hard. Replace the blades if
you find these signs, or they leave
streaks and unwiped areas when
used.
To replace the blade:
1. Raise the wiper arm off the
windshield.
2. Disconnect the blade assembly
from the wiper arm by pushing in
the lock tab. Hold it in while you
push the blade assembly toward
the base of the arm.
Maintenance
WIPER ARMS
LOCK TAB
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Windshield Wipers
3. Remove the blade from its holder
by grasping the tabbed end of the
blade. Pull firmly until the tabs
come out of the holder.
4. Examine the new wiper blades. If
they have no plastic or metal rein-
forcement along the back edge,
remove the metal reinforcement
strips from the old wiper blade and
install them in the slots along the
edge of the new blade.
5. Slide the new wiper blade into the
holder until the tabs lock.
6. Slide the wiper blade assembly
onto the wiper arm. Make sure it
locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm down against
the windshield.
Maintenance
BLADE
BLADE
REINFORCEMENT
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Air Conditioning System
Optional for U.S. DX, and Canadian LX,
EX models
Your car's air conditioning is a sealed
system. Any major maintenance,
such as recharging, should be done
by a qualified technician. You can do
a couple of things to make sure the
air conditioning works efficiently.
Periodically check the engine's
radiator and air conditioning
condenser for leaves, insects, and
dirt stuck to the front surface. These
block the air flow and reduce cooling
efficiency. Use a light spray from a
hose or a soft brush to remove them.
The condenser and radiator/ins bend
easily. Only use a low-pressure spray
or soft-bristle brush to clean them.
Run the air conditioning at least once
a week during the cold weather
months. Run it for at least ten
minutes while you are driving at a
steady speed with the engine at
normal operating temperature. This
circulates the lubricating oil con-
tained in the refrigerant.
If the air conditioning does not get as
cold as before, have your dealer
check the system. Recharge the
system with Refrigerant HFC-134a
(R-134a). (See Specifications on page
203.)
Whenever you have the air conditioning
system serviced, make sure the service
facility uses a refrigerant recycling
system. This system captures the
refrigerant for reuse. Releasing
refrigerant into the atmosphere can
damage the environment.
Maintenance
NOTICE
AIR CONDITIONING
CONDENSER
NOTICE
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Drive Belts, Timing Belt
Drive Belts
Check the condition of the two or
three drive belts. Examine the edges
of each belt for cracks or fraying.
Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys.
The bells should have the following
"play" or deflection.
Alternator belt:
8.0-10.5 mm (0.31-0.41 in)
Power steering belt:
10.5-14.0 mm (0.41-0.55 in)
On cars with Air Conditioning
Compressor belt:
7.5-9.5 mm (0.30 0.37 in)
If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.
Timing Belt
The timing belt should normally be
replaced at the intervals shown in
the maintenance schedule.
Replace this belt at 60,000 miles (U.S.)
or 100,000 km (Canada) if you regu-
larly drive your car 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).
Maintenance
POWER STEERING
BELT
ALTERNATOR
BELT
COMPRESSOR BELT
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Tires
To safely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,
and correctly inflated. The following
pages give more detailed information
on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Inflation
Keeping the tires properly inflated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread life and riding
comfort. Underinflated tires wear
unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more
likely to fail from being overheated.
Overinflated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to
damage from road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
the same time you check all the
other tires.
Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car
has been parked for at least three
hours. If you have to drive the car
before checking the tire pressure,
the tires can still be considered
"cold" if you drive less than 1 mile
(1.6km).
Maintenance
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
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Tires
If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (the car has been driven
several miles), you will see readings
4 to 6 psi (0.3 to 0.4 kgf/cm
2
, 30 to 40
kPa) higher than the cold reading.
This is normal. Do not let air out to
match the specified cold pressure.
The tire will be underinflated.
You should get your own tire
pressure gauge and use it whenever
you check your tire pressures. This
will make it easier for you to tell if a
pressure loss is due to a tire problem
and not due to a variation between
gauges.
Recommended Tire Pressures for
Normal Driving
The following chart shows the
recommended cold tire pressures for
most normal driving conditions and
speeds. Tire pressures for high
speed driving are shown on page
205.
The compact spare tire pressure is:
420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm
2
, 60 psi)
These pressures are also given on
the tire information label on the
driver's doorjamb.
Tubeless tires have some ability to
self-seal if they are punctured.
However, because leakage is often
very slow, you should look closely
for punctures if a tire starts losing
pressure.
Maintenance
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Tires
Inspection
Every time you check inflation, you
should also examine the tires for
damage, foreign objects, and wear.
You should look for:
Bumps or bulges in the tread or
side of the tire. Replace the tire if
you find either of these conditions.
Cuts, splits, or cracks in the side
of the tire. Replace the tire if you
can see fabric or cord.
Excessive tread wear.
Your car's tires have wear indicators
molded into the tread. When the
tread wears down to that point, you
will see a 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) wide
band running across the tread. This
shows there is less than 1/16 inch
(1.6 mm) of tread left on the tire. A
tire that is this worn gives very little
traction on wet roads. You should
replace the tire if you can see the
tread wear indicator in three or more
places around the tire.
Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. If you find a tire
is worn unevenly, have your dealer
check the wheel alignment.
The tires were properly balanced by
the factory. They may need to be
rebalanced at some time before they
are worn out. Have your dealer
check the tires if you feel a consis-
tent vibration while driving. A tire
should always be rebalanced if it is
removed from the wheel for repair.
Maintenance
INDICATOR
LOCATION
MARKS
TREAD WEAR
INDICATORS
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Tires
Make sure the installer balances the
wheels when you have new tires
installed. This increases riding
comfort and tire life. Your car's
original tires were dynamic or "spin"
balanced at the factory. For best
results, have the installer perform a
dynamic balance.
Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). Move the
tires to the positions shown in the
chart each time they are rotated.
When shopping for replacement
tires, you may find that some tires
are "directional." This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
Maintenance
Front Front
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)
(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
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Tires
Replacing Tires and Wheels
The tires that came with your car
were selected to match the perform-
ance capabilities of the car while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comfort, and long life.
You should replace them with radial
tires of the same size, load range,
speed rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire's sidewall). Mixing radial and
bias-ply tires on your car can reduce
its braking ability, traction, and
steering accuracy.
It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible
or necessary, then replace the two
front tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously affect your car's handling.
The ABS works by comparing the
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the car. Tire size and
construction can affect wheel speed
and may cause the system to work in-
consistently.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel's specifications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your car. Replacement
wheels are available at your Honda
dealer.
Maintenance
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner's manual.
Main Menu
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Tires
Wheels and Tires
Wheels:
14x5J
Tires:
P185/65R1485S
See Tire Information on page 204 for
additional information about tire and
wheel size designations. See page
205 for information about DOT Tire
Quality Grading.
Winter Driving
Tires that are marked "M + S" or
"All Season" on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable for most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed for
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
performance in winter driving.
For the best performance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Snow Tires
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your car's handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car's
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommenda-
tions.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Main Menu
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Tires
Tire Chains
Mount snow chains on your car
when warranted by driving condi-
tions or required by local laws. Make
sure the chains are the correct size
for your tires. Install them only on
the front tires. If metal chains are
used, they must be SAE class "S".
Cable type traction devices can also
be used.
When installing chains, follow the
manufacturer's instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the
body or chassis, stop and tighten
them. If they still make contact, slow
down until it stops. Remove the
chains as soon as you begin driving
on cleared roads.
Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the
chains hitting any part of the car.
Maintenance
NOTICE
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Lights
Check the operation of your car's
exterior lights at least once a month.
A burned out bulb can create an
unsafe condition by reducing your
car's visibility and the ability to
signal your intentions to other
drivers.
Check the following:
Headlights (low and high beam)
Parking lights
Taillights
Brake lights
High-mount brake light
Turn signals
Back-up lights
Hazard light function
License plate light
Side marker lights
Daytime running lights
(Canadian cars)
If you find any bulbs are burned out,
replace them as soon as possible.
Refer to the chart on page 203 to
determine what type of replacement
bulb is needed.
Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed
when your car was new. You should
check their aim if you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk. Each head-
light assembly has horizontal and
vertical adjustment indicators. These
are set to their "0" positions after the
headlights are aimed at the factory.
To check these settings:
1. Make sure the fuel tank is full.
Park the car on level ground.
2. The driver or someone who
weighs the same should be sitting
in the driver's seat for all checks
and adjustments.
Load the trunk with the items you
normally carry.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
Main Menu
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Lights
3. Open the hood.
4. Check the horizontal angle gauge.
The line on the adjustment screw
indicator should line up with the
"0" mark on the gauge.
5. Check the vertical angle gauge.
The bubble should be centered
underneath the longest scribe
mark on the gauge.
6. If either indicator is not aligned
with its "0" mark as described, an
adjustment can be made using a
Phillips-head screwdriver to
realign it with the "0" mark. Please
refer to the illustrations.
Maintenance
VERTICAL ANGLE GAUGE
BUBBLE
HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENT
HORIZONTAL ANGLE GAUGE
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Lights
7. If you cannot get an indicator to
align, have your Honda dealer
inspect the car for body damage or
suspension problems.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your car has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
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.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
1.
Open the hood.
If you
need to change the head-
light bulb on the driver's side,
remove the power steering
reservoir tank by pulling it out of
its holder.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
NOTICE
HOLDERVERTICAL ADJUSTMENT
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Lights
2. Remove the electrical connector
from the bulb by squeezing the
connector on both sides to unlock
the tab. Pull the connector straight
off.
3. Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
4. Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire from its slot. Pivot it out of
the way and remove the bulb.
5. Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
6. Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked 'TOP".
7. Push the electrical connector onto
the tabs of the new bulb. Make
sure it locks in place.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
8. (Driver's side)
Reinstall the power steering
reservoir.
Maintenance
WEATHER SEAL BULB
CONNECTOR
HOLD-DOWN WIRE
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Lights
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking Light
Bulb
1. If you are changing the bulb on
the driver's side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger's side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
2. Use a flat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip from the
inner fender.
3. Pull the inner fender cover off.
4. Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
5. Remove the burned out bulb from
the socket by pushing it in and
turning counterclockwise until it
unlocks.
6. Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
7. Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
8. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
9. Put the inner fender cover in place.
Install the holding clip and tighten
it securely.
Maintenance
HOLDING
CLIP
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Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Fenders)
1. Open the trunk.
Undo the fastener on the side of
the trunk lining by pushing on the
center of the fastener's head until
it pops in. Pull the lining back.
2. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker light or turn signal.
3. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
5. Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
6. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
7. Reinstall the trunk lining.
Maintenance
Main Menu
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Lights
8. Reset the fastener by pushing on
the pointed end until it pops back
almost flush with the fingers on
the housing.
9. Put the fastener in the hole of the
side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is flush with the head).
Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Trunk
Lid)
1. Open the trunk.
2. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the screw from the bulb
holder. Remove the holder from
the taillight assembly.
3. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker or back-up light.
4. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
SCREW
Main Menu
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Lights
5. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
6. Insert the socket back into the
light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
7. Test the lights to make sure the
new bulb is working.
8. Reinstall the bulb holder assembly.
Install the screw and tighten it
securely.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
1. Open the trunk and remove the
socket from the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
2. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
3. Reinstall the socket. Turn it
clockwise until it locks. Make sure
the new bulb is working.
Maintenance
Main Menu
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Lights
Replacing a Rear License Bulb
1. Remove the two screws and
remove the license light assembly.
2. Remove the socket from the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
3. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb in until
it bottoms in the socket.
4. Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
5. Reinstall the socket. Turn it clock-
wise until it locks.
6. Put the license light assembly in
place. Reinstall the two screws and
tighten them securely.
Replacing an Interior Light Bulb
(U.S.: EX)
1. Remove the lens by carefully
prying on the edge of the lens in
the middle with a fingernail file or
a small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housing
around the lens.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
INTERIOR LIGHT
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Lights
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Replacing the Trunk Light Bulb
The trunk light is available on LX and
EX models in the U.S., and all models in
Canada
1. Remove the lens by carefully
prying on the edge of the lens in
the middle with a fingernail file or
a small flat-tip screwdriver. Do not
pry on the edge of the housing
around the lens.
2. Remove the bulb by pulling it
straight out of its metal tabs.
3. Push the new bulb into the metal
tabs. Snap the lens back in place.
Maintenance
INTERIOR LIGHT
TRUNK LIGHT
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Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 130).
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-
speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded 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 car
body wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and trunk
seals.
Cover the car with a "breathable"
car cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once
a month).
If you store your car for 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page 122). The
replacements called for in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
Maintenance
Main Menu
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Appearance Care
Regular cleaning and polishing of
your Honda helps to keep it "new"
looking. This section gives you hints
on how to clean your car and
preserve its appearance: the paint,
brightwork, wheels and interior. Also
included are several things you can
do to help prevent corrosion.
Exterior Care................................1
72
Washing....................................
172
Waxing......................................
173
Paint Touch-up..........................173
Interior Care..................................174
Carpeting...................................174
Fabric.........................................174
Vinyl..........................................
.
174
Seat Belts...................................174
Windows ..................................175
Air Fresheners..........................175
Corrosion Protection....................175
Body Repairs.................................176
Appearance Care
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Exterior Care
Washing
Frequent washing helps preserve
your car's beauty. Dirt and grit can
scratch the paint, while tree sap and
bird droppings can permanently ruin
the finish.
Wash your car in a shady area, not in
direct sunlight. If the car is parked in
the sun, move it into the shade and
let the exterior cool down before you
start.
Only use the solvents and cleaners
recommended in this Owner's
Manual.
Chemical solvents and strong cleaners
can damage the paint, metal, and
plastic on your car.
• Rinse the car thoroughly with cool
water to remove loose dirt.
Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix
in a mild detergent, such as
dishwashing liquid or a product
made especially for car washing.
Wash the car, using the water and
detergent solution and a soft-
bristle brush, sponge, or soft cloth.
Start at the top and work your way
down. Rinse frequently.
Check the body for road tar, tree
sap, etc. Remove these stains with
tar remover or turpentine. Rinse it
off immediately so it does not
harm the finish. Remember to re-
wax these areas, even if the rest, of
the car does not need waxing.
• When you have washed and rinsed
the whole exterior, dry it with a
chamois or soft towel. Letting it
air-dry will cause dulling and water
spots.
As you dry the car, inspect it for
chips and scratches that could allow
corrosion to start. Repair them with
touch-up paint (see page 173).
Appearance Care
NOTICE
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Exterior Care
Waxing
Always wash and dry the whole Car
before waxing it. You should wax
your car, including the metal trim,
whenever water sits on the surface
in large patches. It should form into
beads or droplets after waxing.
You should use a quality liquid or
paste wax. Apply it according to the
instructions on the container. In
general, there are two types of
products:
Waxes — A wax coats the finish and
protects it from damage by exposure
to sunlight, air pollution, etc. You
should use a wax on your Honda
when it is new.
Polishes — Polishes and cleaner/
waxes can restore the shine to paint
that has oxidized and lost some of its
shine. They normally contain mild
abrasives and solvents that remove
the top layer of the finish. You
should use a polish on your Honda if
the finish does not have its original
shine after using a wax.
Cleaning tar, insects, etc. with
removers also takes off the wax.
Remember to re-wax those areas,
even if the rest of the car does not
need waxing.
Paint Touch-up
Your dealer has touch-up paint to
match your car's color. The color
code is printed on a sticker on the
driver's doorjamb. Take this code to
your dealer so you are sure to get
the correct color.
Inspect your car frequently for chips
or scratches in the paint. Repair
them right away to prevent corrosion
of the metal underneath. Use the
touch-up paint only on small chips
and scratches. More extensive paint
damage should be repaired by a
professional.
Appearance Care
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Interior Care
Carpeting
Vacuum the carpeting frequently to
remove dirt. Ground-in dirt will make
the carpet wear out faster.
Periodically shampoo the carpet to
keep it looking new. Use one of the
foam-type carpet cleaners on the
market. Follow the instructions that
come with the cleaner, applying it
with a sponge or soft brush. Keep
the carpeting as dry as possible by
not adding water to the foam.
Fabric
Vacuum dirt and dust out of the
material frequently. For general
cleaning, use a solution of mild soap
and lukewarm water, letting it air dry.
To clean off stubborn spots, use a
commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Test it on a hidden area of the fabric
first, to make sure it does not bleach
or stain the fabric. Follow the
instructions that come with the
cleaner.
Vinyl
Remove dirt and dust with a vacuum
cleaner. Wipe the vinyl with a soft
cloth dampened in a solution of mild
soap and water. Use the same
solution with a soft-bristle brush on
more difficult spots. You can also use
commercially-available spray or
foam-type vinyl cleaners.
Seat Belts
If your
seat belts get dirty, you can
use a soft brush with a mixture of
mild soap and warm water to clean
them. Do not use bleach, dye, or
cleaning solvents. They can weaken
the belt material. Let the belts air-
dry before you use the car.
Dirt build-up in the metal 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.
Appearance Care
METAL LOOP
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Interior Care, Corrosion Protection
Windows
Clean the windows, inside and out,
with a commercially-available glass
cleaner. You can also use a mixture
of one part white vinegar to ten parts
water. This will remove the haze that
builds up on the inside of the
windows. Use a soft cloth or paper
towels to clean all glass and clear
plastic surfaces.
The rear window defogger wires are
bonded to the inside of the glass.
Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires.
When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.
Air Fresheners
If you want to use an air freshener/
deodorizer in the interior of your car,
it is best to use a solid type. Some
liquid air fresheners contain chemi-
cals that may cause parts of the
interior trim and fabric to crack or
discolor.
If you use a liquid air freshener,
make sure you fasten it securely so it
does not spill as you drive.
Corrosion Protection
Two factors normally contribute to
causing corrosion in your car:
1. Moisture trapped in body cavities.
Dirt and road salt that collects in
hollows on the underside of the
car stays damp, promoting
corrosion in that area.
2. Removal of paint and protective
coatings from the exterior and
underside of the car.
Many corrosion-preventive measures
are built into your Honda. You can
help keep your car from corroding
by performing some simple periodic
maintenance:
Repair chips and scratches in the
paint as soon as you discover them.
CONTINUED
Appearance Care
NOTICE
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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Corrosion Protection, Body Repairs
Inspect and clean out the drain
holes in the bottom of the doors
and body.
Check the floor coverings for
dampness. Carpeting and floor
mats may remain damp for a long
time, especially in winter. This
dampness can eventually cause
the floor panels to corrode.
Use a high-pressure spray to clean
the underside of your car. This is
especially important in areas that
use road salt in winter. It is also a
good idea in humid climates and
areas subject to salt air. Cars
equipped with ABS have a sensor
and wiring at each wheel. Be
careful not to damage them.
Have the corrosion-preventive
coatings on the underside of your
car inspected and repaired
periodically.
Body Repairs
Body repairs can affect your car's
resistance to corrosion. If your car
needs repairs after a collision, pay
close attention to the parts used in
the repair and the quality of the
work.
Make sure the repair facility uses
Genuine Honda replacement body
parts. Some companies make sheet
metal pieces that seem to duplicate
the original Honda body parts, but
are actually inferior in fit, finish, and
corrosion resistance. Once installed,
they do not give the same high-
quality appearance.
When reporting your collision to the
insurance company, tell them you
want Genuine Honda parts used in
the repair. Although most insurers
recognize the quality of original
parts, some may try to specify that
the repairs be done with other
available parts. You should investi-
gate this before any repairs are
begun.
Take your car to your authorized
Honda dealer for inspection after the
repairs are completed. He can make
sure that quality materials were used,
and that corrosion-preventive
coatings were applied to all repaired
and replaced parts.
Appearance Care
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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▼
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their cars. It gives
you information 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 find instructions
on getting your car towed.
Compact Spare Tire.......................
178
Changing a Fla
t Tire.....................
179
If Your
Engine Won't Start...........
184
Nothing Happens
or the Starter
Motor Operates Very
Slowly......................................184
The Starter Operates
Normally................................. 185
Jump Starting................................. 185
If Your Engine Overheats............. 187
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 189
Charging System Indicator........... 190
Malfunction Indicator Lamp........ 191
Closing the Moonroof................... 192
Fuses............................................... 193
Checking and Replacing........... 194
Towing............................................ 198
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Compact Spare Tire
Your car has a compact spare tire
that takes up less space. Use this
spare tire as a temporary replace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put back on
your car as soon as you can.
Check the inflation pressure of the
compact spare tire eveiy time you
check the other tires. It should be
inflated to:
420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm
2
, 60 psi)
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
faces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to fit
your car. Do not use your spare
tire on another car unless it is the
same make and model.
The compact spare tire has a shorter
tread life than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
The compact spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed for mounting a regular tire.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
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Changing a Flat Tire
If you have a flat tire while driving,
stop in a safe place to change it.
Stopping in traffic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
get to an exit or an area to stop that
is far away from the traffic lanes.
1. Park the car on firm, level ground
away from traffic. Turn on the
hazard warning lights and turn the
ignition to LOCK (0).
2. Put the transmission in Park
(automatic) or Reverse (manual).
Set the parking brake. Have all of
the passengers get out of the car
while you change the tire.
3. Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
floor by lifting up on the back edge.
4. Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
5. Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
SPARE TIRE TRUNK FLOOR
TOOL KIT
JACK
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Changing a Flat Tire
6. Turn the jack's end bracket
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.
7. Loosen the four wheel nuts 1/2
turn with the wheel wrench.
8. Locate the jacking point nearest
the tire you need to change. It is
pointed to by an arrow molded into
the underside of the body. Place
the jack under the jacking point.
Turn the end bracket clockwise
until the top of the jack contacts
the jacking point. Make sure the
jacking point tab is resting in the
jack notch.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
JACK
WHEEL WRENCH
JACKING
POINT
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Changing a Flat Tire
9. Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the car
until the flat tire is off the ground.
10.Remove the wheel nuts and flat
tire. Temporarily place the flat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface of the wheel facing up.
You could scratch the wheel if you
put it face down.
Do not attempt to forcibly pry the
wheel cover off with a screwdriver or
other tool. The wheel cover cannot
be removed without first removing
the wheel nuts.
11. Before mounting the spare tire,
wipe any dirt off the mounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
WHEEL WRENCH EXTENSION
BRAKE HUB
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Changing a Flat Tire
12.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on finger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is firmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them fully.
13.Lower the car to the ground and
remove the jack.
14.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
facility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to;
108 N·m(11 kgf·m , 80 Ibf·ft)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Changing a Flat Tire
15.Remove the wheel cover or center
cap.
Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
16.Remove the spacer cone from the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
17.Secure the flat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
18.Store the jack in the trunk with the
end bracket on the left side. Turn
the jack's end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tool kit.
19.Store the wheel cover in the trunk.
Make sure it does not get
scratched or damaged.
20.Lower the trunk floor, then close
the trunk lid.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack and tools
securely before driving.
WING BOLT
SPACER
CONE
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If Your Engine Won't Start
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
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
faster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the floor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or Neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
Jump Starting on page 185.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the
electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to
determine the problem. (See
Towing on page 198.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 146). You can
then try jump starting the car from
a booster battery (see page 185).
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting
The Starter Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
Starting the
Engine
on page 101.
Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page 193 ).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See
Towing
on page
198.
Jump Starting
If your car's battery has run down,
you may be able to start the engine
by using a booster battery. Although
this seems like a simple procedure,
you should take several precautions.
You cannot start a Honda with an
automatic transmission by pushing
or pulling it.
To jump start your car, follow these
directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page 146). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
// a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
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Jump Starting
3. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal on the
booster battery. Connect the other
end to the positive (+) terminal
on your Honda's battery.
4. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative (—) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
5. If the booster battery is in another
car, have an assistant start that car
and run it at a fast idle.
6. Start your car. If the starter motor
still operates slowly, check the
jumper cable connections to make
sure they have good metal-to-
metal contact.
7. Once your car is running, discon-
nect the negative cable from your
car, then from the booster battery.
Disconnect the positive cable from
your car, then the booster battery.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
BOOSTER BATTERY
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If Your Engine Overheats
The pointer of your car's tempera-
ture gauge should stay in the mid-
range under most conditions. It may
go higher if you are driving up a long
steep hill on a very hot day. If it
climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
Your car can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming from under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn off the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.
2. If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine.
3. If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid
point then continue driving.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
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If Your Engine Overheats
4. If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn off the engine.
5. Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
Towing
on
page 198 ).
7. If you don't find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
95). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
8. If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, before check-
ing the radiator.
9. Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
10.Start the engine and set the
temperature control lever to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the filler
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and refilled with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
11.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See Towing on
page 198.)
12.1f the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the
ignition is ON (II), and go out after
the engine starts. It should never
come on when the engine is running.
If it starts flashing, it indicates that
the oil pressure dropped very low for
a moment, then recovered. If the
indicator stays on with the engine
running, it shows that the engine has
lost oil pressure and serious engine
damage is possible. In either case,
you should take immediate action.
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut
off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open
the hood and check the oil level
(see page 94). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly
connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during
cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page 128).
4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Towing on
page 198.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
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Charging System Indicator
This indicator should come on when
the ignition is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. If it comes on
brightly when the engine is running,
it indicates that the charging system
has stopped charging the battery.
Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly.
By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles before the
battery is too discharged to keep the
engine running. Drive to a service
station or garage where you can get
technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
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Malfunction Indicator Lamp
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel no difference in your
car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your
car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage.
If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks. Replace
the fuel fill cap if it is missing.
Tightening the cap will not make the
indicator turn off immediately; it
takes three driving trips.
If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
You should also have the dealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn off as you continue driving.
If
you keep driving with the malfunc-
tion indicator lamp on, you can damage
your car's emission controls and engine.
Those repairs may not be covered by
your car's warranties.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
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Closing the Moonroof
If the electric motor will not close
the moonroof, do the following:
1. Check the fuse for the moonroof
motor (see page 194). If the fuse
is blown, replace it with one of the
same or lower rating.
2. Try closing the moonroof. If the
new fuse blows immediately or the
moonroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the
moonroof manually.
3. Get the tool out of the tool kit in
the trunk.
4. Use a screwdriver or coin to
remove the round plug in the
center of the headliner.
5. Insert the moonroof wrench into
the socket behind this plug. Turn
the wrench until the moonroof is
fully closed.
6. Remove the wrench. Replace the
round plug.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
ROUND PLUG
SOCKET
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Fuses
All the electrical circuits in your car
have fuses to protect them from a
short circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in two or three fuse
boxes.
The interior fuse box is underneath
the dashboard on the driver's side.
Remove the fuse box lid by swinging
the lid down and pulling it straight
out of its hinges.
The under-hood fuse box is located
in the engine compartment next to
the battery. To open it, push the tab
as shown.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
TAB
UNDER-HOODINTERIOR
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Fuses
Cars equipped with ABS have a third
fuse box for the ABS. It is in the
engine compartment on the passen-
ger's side.
Checking and Replacing Fuses
If something electrical in your car
stops working, the first thing you
should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages
196 and 197, or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses
control that component. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is
not the cause. Replace any blown
fuses and check the component's
operation.
1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse
box.
3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse box by
looking through the top at the wire
inside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
ABS FUSE BOX
FUSE
BLOWN
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Fuses
4. Check the smaller fuses in the
under-hood fuse box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each fuse with the fuse
puller provided in the interior fuse
box.
5. Look for a burned wire inside the
fuse. If it is burned, replace it with
one of the spare fuses of the same
rating or lower.
If you cannot drive the car without
fixing the problem, and you do not
have a spare fuse, take a fuse of the
same rating or a lower rating from
one of the other circuits. Make sure
you can do without that circuit
temporarily (such as the accessory
socket or radio).
If you replace the blown fuse with a
spare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not
indicate anything wrong. Replace the
fuse with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.
Replacing a fuse with one that has a
higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a replace-
ment fuse with the proper rating for the
circuit, install one with a lower rating.
6. If the replacement fuse of the
same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your car.
Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your car checked
by a qualified technician.
CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected
FUSE PULLER
BLOWN
NOTICE
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▼
Fuses
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
*
: On Canadian cars
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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▼
Fuses
UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
ABS FUSE BOX
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Towing
If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another car with
just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Emergency Towing
There are three popular methods of
towing a car:
Flat-bed Equipment
- The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way of trans-
porting your Honda.
Wheel Lift Equipment
-The tow
truck uses
two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
Sling-type Equipment - The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension
and body can be seriously damaged
if this method of towing is attempted.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed with
the front wheels off the ground. If
due to damage, your car must be
towed with the front wheels on the
ground, do the following:
5-speed Manual Transmission
Release the parking brake.
Shift the transmission to Neutral.
A utomatic Transmission:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper lowing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported on a flat-bed.
It is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep
the speed below 35 mph (55
km/h).
If your car is equipped with a front
spoiler, remove it before towing so
it is not damaged.
Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE
NOTICE
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▼
Technical Information
The diagrams in this section give
you the dimensions and capacities of
your Honda, and the locations of the
identification numbers. The expla-
nations of several electronic and
mechanical systems on your Honda
are for the more technically-oriented
owner.
Identification Numbers................. 200
Specifications................................. 202
Tire Information............................ 204
Tire Size Designation................ 204
Wheel Size Designation............ 204
Tire Speed Ratings.................... 204
Tire Pressure Adjustment For
High Speed Driving............... 205
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 205
Treadwear.............................. 205
Traction.................................. 206
Temperature.......................... 206
Emission Controls......................... 207
The Clean Air Act...................... 207
Crankcase Emission Control
System..................................... 207
Evaporative Emission Control
System..................................... 207
Exhaust Emission Controls...... 208
PGM-FI System..................... 208
Ignition Timing Control
System.................................208
Three Way Catalytic
Converter............................ 208
Replacement Parts..................... 208
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 209
Technical Information
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Identification Numbers
Your car has several identifying
numbers located in various places.
The Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Honda dealer uses to register your
car for warranty purposes. It is also
necessary for licensing and insuring
your car. The easiest place to find
the VIN is on a plate fastened to the
top of the dashboard. You can see it
by looking through the windshield
on the driver's side. It is also on the
Certification label attached to the
driver's doorjamb, and is stamped on
the engine compartment bulkhead.
The VIN is also provided in bar code
on the Certification label.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
CERTIFICATION LABEL
Technical Information
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Identification Numbers
The Engine Number is stamped into
the engine block.
The Transmission Number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
TRANSMISSION NUMBER
ENGINE NUMBER
Technical Information
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Specifications
*
1 : U.S. : DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX
*
2
:
U.S. : EX
*
1 : Including the coolant in the reserve tank and that remaining in the
engine.
Reserve tank capacity: 0.4 (0.11 US gal, 0.09 Imp gal)
*
2 : U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX
*
3:
U.S.:
EX
*
4 : Excluding the oil remaining in the engine.
Technical Information
page 145
Main Menu
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Specifications
Technical Information
*
1 : U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX without ABS
*
2 : Canada: EX without ABS
*
3 : U.S.: EX, Canada: LX with ABS, EX with ABS
*
1 : Without moonroof
*
2 : With moonroof
page 196
page 197
Main Menu
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▲
▼
Tire Information
Tire Size Designation
A tire's sidewall is marked with a tire
size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replace-
ment tires for your car. The follow-
ing explains what the letters and
numbers in the tire size designation
mean.
(Example tire size designation)
P185/65R14 85S
P — Applicable vehicle type (tires
marked with the prefix "P" are
intended for use on passenger cars;
however, not all tires have this
marking).
185 — Tire width in millimeters.
65 — Aspect ratio. The tire's section
height as a percentage of its width.
R — Tire construction code (Radial).
14 Rim diameter in inches.
85 — Load Index, a numerical code
associated with the maximum load
the tire can carry.
S — Speed Rating Symbol. See the
speed rating chart in this section for
additional information.
Wheel Size Designation
Wheels are also marked with
important information that you need
if you ever have to replace one. The
following explains what the letters
and numbers in the wheel size
designation mean.
(Example wheel size designation)
14
x 5 J
14 — Rim diameter in inches.
5 — Rim width in inches.
J — Rim contour designation.
Tire Speed Ratings
The chart below shows many of the
different speed ratings currently
being used for passenger car tires.
The speed rating symbol is part of
the tire size designation on the
sidewall of the tire. This symbol
corresponds to that tire's designed
maximum safe operating speed.
Technical Information
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Tire Information
Tire Pressure Adjustment For
High Speed Driving
Honda strongly recommends that
you not drive faster than posted
speed limits and conditions allow. If
you decide it is safe to drive at high
speeds, be sure to adjust the cold tire
pressures as shown below. If you do
not adjust the tire pressure, exces-
sive heat can build up and cause
sudden tire failure.
Be sure to readjust the pressure for
normal driving speeds. You should
wait until the tires are cold before
adjusting the tire pressure (see page
153).
DOT Tire Quality Grading
(U.S. Cars)
The tires on your car meet all U.S.
Federal Safety Requirements. All
tires are also graded for treadwear,
traction, and temperature perform-
ance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards.
The following explains these
gradings.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one
half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.
CONTINUED
Technical Information
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Tire Information
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are A, B, and C, and they
represent the tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
Warning: The traction grade as-
signed to this tire is based on brak-
ing (straight ahead) traction tests
and does not include cornering
(turning) traction.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading either
separately or in combination, can
cause heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
Technical Information
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Emission Controls
The burning of gasoline in your car's
engine produces several byproducts.
Some of these are carbon monoxide
(CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and
hydrocarbons (HC). Gasoline
evaporating from the tank also
produces hydrocarbons. Controlling
the production of NOx, CO, and HC
is important to the environment.
Under certain conditions of sunlight
and climate, NOx and HC react to
form photochemical "smog." Carbon
monoxide does not contribute to
smog creation, but it is a poisonous
gas.
The Clean Air Act
The United States Clean Air Act*
sets standards for automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emission controls
work and what to do to maintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emission controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
122.
* In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards (CMVSS) for
Emissions valid at the time they are
manufactured.
Crankcase Emission Control
System
Your car has a Positive Crankcase
Ventilation System. This keeps
gasses that build up in the engine's
crankcase from going into the
atmosphere. The Positive Crankcase
Ventilation valve routes them from
the crankcase back to the intake
manifold. They are then drawn into
the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emission Control
System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emission control
canister filled with charcoal adsorbs
the vapor. It is stored in this canister
while the engine is off. After the
engine is started and warmed up, the
vapor is drawn into the engine and
burned during driving.
Technical Information
Main Menu
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Emission Controls
Exhaust Emission Controls
The exhaust emission controls
include three systems: PGM-FI,
Ignition Timing Control and Three
Way Catalytic Converter. These
three systems work together to
control the engine's combustion and
minimize the amount of HC, CO, and
NOx that comes out the tailpipe. The
exhaust emission control systems
are separate from the crankcase and
evaporative emission control
systems.
PGM-FI System
The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport fuel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air Intake,
Engine Control, and Fuel Control.
The Engine Control Module (ECM)/
Powertrain Control Module (PCM-
A/T only) uses various sensors to
determine how much air is going
into the engine. It then controls how
much fuel to inject under all operat-
ing conditions.
Ignition Timing Control System
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount,
of HC, CO and NOx produced.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine's exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO
2
), dinitrogen
(N
2
), and water vapor.
Replacement Parts
The emission control systems are
designed and certified to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Genuine Honda replacement parts or
their equivalent for repairs. Using
lower quality parts may increase the
emissions from your car.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your car. Read your
warranty manual for more informa-
tion.
Technical Information
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Three Way Catalytic Converter
The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without affecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is referred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on fire any com-
bustible materials that come near it.
Park your car away from high grass,
dry leaves, or other flammables.
(U.S.: EX)
A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine's per-
formance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your car's three way catalytic
converter.
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter ineffective.
(U.S.: DX, LX, Canada: LX, EX)
Keep the engine tuned-up.
Have your car diagnosed and
repaired if it is misfiring, back-
firing, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Technical Information
THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER
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Warranty and Customer Relations
Customer Relations
Information................................. 212
U.S. Zone Office Map.................... 213
Canada Zone Office Map.............. 214
Warranty Coverages..................... 215
Reporting Safety Defects
(U.S. Cars).................................. 216
Authorized Manuals...................... 217
Warranty and Customer Relations
Main Menu
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▼
Customer Relations Information
Honda dealership personnel are
trained professionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisfaction, please discuss it with
the dealership's management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in (his way.
If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Zone Office.
Refer to the U.S. and Canadian Zone
Office maps on the following pages.
When you call or write, please give
us this information:
Vehicle Identification Number
(see page 200)
Name and address of the dealer
who services your car
Date of purchase
Mileage on your car
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
car to you
Warranty and Customer Relations
Main Menu
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Warranty Coverages
U.S. Owners
Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
New Car Limited Warranty — covers
your new car, except for the battery,
emissions control systems and
accessories, against defects in
materials and workmanship.
Emissions Control Systems Defects
Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — these two
warranties cover your car's emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
information.
Original Equipment Battery Limited
Warranty — this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat
belt that fails to function properly is
covered for the useful life of the car.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
— all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty —
Genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors.
Please read your warranty manual
for details.
Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty — covers all Genuine
Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-
ship.
Replacement Battery Limited
Warranty — provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from a Honda dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty — provides
coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the car.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
1997 Honda Warranties booklet that
came with your car for precise
information on warranty coverages.
Your Honda's original tires are
covered by their manufacturer. Tire
warranty information is in a separate
booklet.
Canadian Owners
Please refer to the 1997 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.
Warranty and Customer Relations
Main Menu
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▼
Reporting Safety Defects (U.S. Cars)
If you believe that your vehicle has a
defect which could cause a crash or
could cause injury or death, you
should immediately inform the
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition
to notifying American Honda Motor
Co., Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investigation,
and if it finds that a safety defect
exists in a group of vehicles, it may
order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become
involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free
at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in
Washington D.C. area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain
other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
Warranty and Customer Relations
Main Menu
Table of Contents
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▼
Index
Accessories
Installation.................................... 97
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 50
Accessory Power Socket................ 65
Adding
Automatic Transmission
Fluid........................................ 138
Brake Fluid................................. 140
Clutch Fluid................................ 140
Engine Coolant........................... 132
Engine Oil................................... 128
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 139
Power Steering Fluid................. 141
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 137
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Door Locks................................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Additives, Engine Oil..................... 129
Adjustments
Headlights.................................. 159
Head Restraints........................... 57
Mirrors.......................................... 61
Seats.............................................. 56
Steering Wheel............................ 45
Airbag (SRS).................................... 12
Air Cleaner Element...................... 142
Air Conditioning............................... 68
Maintenance............................... 150
Usage............................................. 68
Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 70
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 152
High Speed Driving................... 205
Normal Driving.......................... 153
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 27
Alcohol in Gasoline.......................... 90
Antifreeze....................................... 132
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Indicator Light.....................
35, 113
Operation.................................... 11
1
Anti-theft Steering Column
Lock............................................... 50
Appearance Care........................... 171
Ashtrays (Optional)......................... 65
Audio System................................... 76
Automatic Speed Control................ 46
Automatic Transmission............... 104
Capacity, Fluid........................... 202
Checking Fluid Level................ 138
Shifting........................................ 105
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 104
Shift Lever Positions................. 105
Shift Lock Release..................... 108
Battery
Charging System
Indicator............................
35, 190
Jump Starting.............................
185
Maintenance............................... 146
Specifications............................. 203
Before Driving................................. 89
Belts, Seat........................................... 5
Beverage Holder.............................. 64
Body Repair.................................... 176
CONTINUED
Main Menu
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▼
Index
Brakes
Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 111
Break-in, New Linings................. 90
Fluid ............................................ 140
Light, Burned-out...................... 164
Parking.......................................... 62
System Indicator.......................... 35
Wear Indicators......................... 110
Brakes, ABS
Operation.................................... 111
System Indicator.................. 35,
113
Braking System.............................. 110
Break-in, New Car........................... 90
Brightness Control, Instruments... 42
Brights, Headlights......................... 41
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 165
Brake Lights............................... 164
Front Parking Lights................. 163
Front Side Marker Lights......... 163
Headlights.................................. 161
High-mount Brake Light.......... 166
Interior Light.............................. 167
License Plate Lights.................. 167
Rear Side Marker Lights.......... 164
Specifications............................. 203
Trunk Light................................ 168
Turn Signal Lights..................... 163
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 161
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 185
Capacities Chart............................. 202
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 28
Cargo, Loading................................. 98
Cassette Player
Care............................................... 84
Operation...................................... 82
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer...................................... 85
CD Player.......................................... 85
Certification Label......................... 200
Chains............................................. 158
Change Oil
How to......................................... 130
When to....................................... 122
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 179
Changing Engine Coolant............. 134
Charging System Indicator.... 35,
190
Checking
Automatic Transmissio
n
Fluid........................................ 138
Battery Condition...................... 146
Brake Fluid................................. 140
Clutch Fluid................................ 140
Drive Belts.................................. 151
Engine Coolant............................. 95
Engine Oil..................................... 94
Fuses........................................... 194
Manual Transmission Fluid ..... 139
Power Steering Fluid................. 141
Checklist, Before Driving............. 100
Childproof Door Locks................... 55
Child Safety...................................... 20
Cleaner, Air.................................... 142
Cleaning
Exterior....................................... 172
Interior........................................ 174
Seat Belts.................................... 174
Vinyl............................................ 174
Windows..................................... 175
Clock, Setting the............................ 81
Clutch Fluid.................................... 140
CO in the Exhaust......................... 207
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 101
Main Menu
▲
▼
Index
Compact Spare............................... 178
Consumer Information*................ 212
Controls, Instruments and.............. 31
Coolant
Adding......................................... 132
Checking....................................... 95
Proper Solution.......................... 132
Replacing.................................... 134
Temperature Gauge.................... 38
Corrosion Protection..................... 175
Crankcase Emission Control
System......................................... 207
Cruise Control Operation............... 46
Customer Relations Office........... 212
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 32
Daytime Running Lights................. 41
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 185
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 215
Defogand Defrost........................... 73
Defogger, Rear Window................. 44
Defrosting the Windows................. 73
DEXRON
®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 138
Dimensions..................................... 202
Dimming the Headlights................ 41
Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 138
Engine Oil..................................... 94
Directional Signals........................... 42
Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 198
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 110
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 131
Doors
Locking and Unlocking............... 50
Power Door Locks....................... 51
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 205
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual
Transmission.............................. 102
Drive Belts...................................... 151
Driving.............................................. 99
Economy....................................... 96
In Bad Weather.......................... 114
In Foreign Countries................... 91
Economy, Fuel................................. 96
Emergencies on the Road............. 177
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 185
Changing a Flat Tire................. 179
Charging System Indicator ...... 190
Checking the Fuses................... 193
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 189
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .... 191
Manually Closing Moonroof.... 192
Overheated Engine................... 187
Emergency Brake............................ 62
Emergency Flashers....................... 44
Emission Controls......................... 207
Engine
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 38
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp................................. 36, 191
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 35, 189
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 128
Overheating................................ 187
Specifications............................. 202
Ethanol in Gasoline ......................... 91
Evaporative Emission Controls.... 207
Exhaust Fumes................................ 28
CONTINUED
Main Menu
▲
▼
Index
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
Belts by......................................... 11
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 172
Fabric, Cleaning............................. 174
Fan, Interior...................................... 68
Features, Comfort and
Convenience................................. 67
Filling the Fuel Tank....................... 92
Filters
Air................................................142
Oil................................................ 130
5-speed Manual Transmission
Checking Fluid Level................ 139
Shifting the................................. 102
Flashers, Hazard Warning.............. 44
Flat Tire, Changing a.................... 179
Fluids
Automatic Transmission........... 138
Brake...........................................140
Clutch.......................................... 140
Manual Transmission............... 139
Power Steering........................... 141
Windshield Washer................... 137
FM Stereo Radio
Reception...................................... 76
Folding Rear Seat............................ 58
Foreign Countries, Driving in........ 91
Four-way Flashers........................... 44
Front End, Towing by
Emergency Wrecker................. 198
Fuel....................................................90
Fill Door and Cap......................... 92
Gauge............................................ 38
Octane Requirement................... 90
Oxygenated.................................. 90
Reserve Indicator......................... 36
Tank, Filling the........................... 92
Fuses, Checking the...................... 193
Gas Mileage, Improving.................. 96
Gasohol............................................. 91
Gasoline............................................ 90
Fuel Reserve Indicator................ 36
Gauge............................................ 38
Octane Requirement................... 90
Tank, Filling the........................... 92
Gas Station Procedures................... 92
Gauges
Engine Coolant Temperature .... 38
Fuel................................................ 38
Gearshift Lever Positions
Automatic Transmission........... 105
5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 102
Glass Cleaning............................... 175
Glove Box......................................... 63
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 161
Hazard Warning Flashers............... 44
Headlights
Aiming......................................... 159
Daytime Running Lights............. 41
High Beam Indicator................... 36
High Beams, Turning on............ 41
Low Beams, Turning on ............. 41
Reminder Beeper......................... 41
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 161
Turning on.................................... 41
Head Restraints............................... 57
Heating and Cooling........................ 68
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 101
Main Menu
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▼
Index
High-Low Beam Switch.................. 41
High-mount Brake Light............... 166
Hood, Opening the .......................... 93
Horn...................................................40
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 132
Hydraulic Clutch............................ 140
Hydroplaning.................................. 115
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 200
If Your Car Has to be Towed....... 198
Ignition
Keys............................................... 49
Switch............................................ 49
Timing Control System............. 208
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel..............................................33
Infant Restraint................................ 20
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 152
High Speed Driving................... 205
Normal Driving.......................... 153
Inside Mirror.................................... 61
Inspection, Tire.............................. 154
Instrument Panel............................. 32
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 42
Interior Cleaning............................ 174
Interior Light.................................... 66
Introduction......................................... i
Jacking up the Car......................... 180
Jack, Tire........................................ 180
Jump Starting................................. 185
Keys................................................... 49
Label, Certification........................ 200
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 42
Lap Belt............................................... 7
Lap/Shoulder Belts........................... 6
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 28
Lights
Bulb Replacement..................... 161
Indicator........................................33
Parking.......................................... 41
Turn Signal................................... 42
Loading Cargo.................................. 98
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 50
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 50
Fuel Fill Door............................... 92
Power Door.................................. 51
Trunk............................................ 55
Low Coolant Level........................... 95
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 36
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 102
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 35, 189
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 202
Luggage............................................ 98
Maintenance................................... 117
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 126
Record.................................. 124-125
Required Indicator....................... 39
Safety........................................... 118
Schedule.............................. 122-123
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 36, 191
Manual Transmission.................... 102
CONTINUED
Main Menu
▲
▼
Index
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 139
Maximum Shift Speeds......... 103, 107
Meters, Gauges................................ 37
Methanol in Gasoline...................... 91
Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 61
Moonroof.......................................... 61
Closing Manually....................... 192
Operation...................................... 61
Neutral Gear Position.................... 106
New Vehicle Break-in ..................... 90
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 102
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 200
Occupant Protection System............ 4
Octane Requirement, Gasoline...... 90
Odometer.......................................... 37
Odometer, Trip................................ 37
Oil
Change, How to ......................... 130
Change, When to....................... 122
Checking Engine......................... 94
Pressure Indicator............... 35, 189
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart....................................... 129
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 50
Opening the Hood........................... 93
Opening the Trunk.......................... 55
Operation in Foreign Countries..... 91
Outside Mirrors............................... 61
Overheating, Engine..................... 187
Panel Brightness Control............... 42
Park Gear Position......................... 105
Parking............................................109
Parking Brake.................................. 62
Parking Lights.................................. 41
Parking Over Things that Burn... 109
PGM-FI System.............................. 208
Polishing and Waxing................... 173
Power
Door Locks................................... 51
Mirrors.......................................... 62
Steering....................................... 141
Windows....................................... 59
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 11
Proper Seat Belt Usage..................... 7
Radiator Overheating.................... 187
Radio/Cassette Sound System....... 76
Rear End Towing........................... 198
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 164
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 58
Rear View Mirror............................. 61
Rear Window Defogger.................. 44
Reclining the Seat Backs................ 56
Recommended Shift Speeds ........ 102
Reminder Lights.............................. 33
Remote Transmitter........................ 52
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 142
Coolant........................................ 134
Engine Oil and Filter................. 130
Fuses........................................... 194
Light Bulbs................................. 161
Schedule..................................... 122
Spark Plugs................................. 144
Timing Belt................................. 151
Tires............................................ 156
Main Menu
▲
▼
Index
Wiper Blades.............................. 148
Replacing Seal Belts After a
Crash............................................. 11
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant...... 95
Restraint, Child................................ 20
Reverse Gear Position................... 106
Rotation, Tire................................. 155
Safety Belts......................................... 5
Safety Defects, Reporting* .......... 215
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 29
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belts............................................ 5
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 11
Child Seat Anchor Plate.............. 25
Cleaning...................................... 174
Frayed or Torn............................. 11
Maintenance................................. 11
Reminder Light and Beeper....... 34
Replacement................................. 11
System Components...................... 6
Tether Attachment Points.......... 25
Use During Pregnancy................ 11
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7
Wearing the Lap Belt.................. 10
Seats, Adjusting the......................... 56
Serial Number................................ 200
Service Intervals............................ 122
Service Manual*............................ 217
Service Station Procedures............ 92
Setting the Clock............................. 81
Shifting
The Automatic Transmission .'. 105
The 5-speed Manual
Transmission.......................... 102
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 104
Shift Lock Release......................... 108
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 163
Signaling Turns................................ 42
Snow Tires...................................... 157
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 172
Sound System................................... 76
Spare Tire
Inflating.......................................178
Specifications............................. 203
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 144
Specifications Charts..................... 202
Speed Control................................... 46
Speedometer.................................... 37
SRS Indicator.............................. 16, 35
START (Ignition Key Position)..... 50
Starting the Engine........................ 101
In Cold Weather at High
Altitude................................... 101
With a Dead Battery................. 185
Steam Coming from Engine......... 187
Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 45
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 50
Stereo Sound System...................... 76
Storing Your Car............................ 169
Supplemental Restraint System..... 12
Important Facts............................ 13
Service Precautions..................... 17
Servicing....................................... 16
SRS Indicator.......................... 16, 35
System Components.................... 12
Synthetic Oil................................... 129
Tachometer...................................... 37
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 164
CONTINUED
Main Menu
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Index
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 177
Tape Player....................................... 82
Technical Descriptions
Emission Control Systems........ 207
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 209
Tire Information........................ 204
Temperature Gauge........................ 38
Tether Attachment Points.............. 25
Three Way Catalytic Converter... 209
Time, Setting the............................. 81
Timing Belt..................................... 151
Tire Chains..................................... 158
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 179
Tires................................................ 152
Air Pressure............................... 153
Checking Wear.......................... 154
Compact Spare........................... 178
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 205
Inflation....................................... 152
Inspection................................... 154
Maintenance............................... 154
Replacing.................................... 156
Rotating....................................... 155
Snow............................................ 157
Specifications............................. 203
Technical Information.............. 204
Technical Information................... 199
Tools,Tire Changing.................... 179
Torn Seat Belts................................ 11
Towing
ATrailer....................................
115
Emergency Wrecker.................
198
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,
Automatic............................... 138
Checking Fluid Level,
Manual.................................... 139
Fluid Selection............................ 138
Identification Number............... 201
Shifting the Automatic.............. 105
Shifting the Manual................... 102
Treadwear...................................... 205
Trip Meter........................................ 37
Trunk................................................. 55
Opening......................................... 55
Open Monitor Light.................... 36
Turn Signals..................................... 42
Underside, Cleaning...................... 175
Unexpected, Taking Care
of the........................................... 177
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..... 205
Unleaded Gasoline........................... 90
Upholstery Cleaning...................... 174
Used Oil, How to Dispose of........ 131
Vehicle Capacity Load .................... 98
Vehicle Dimensions....................... 202
Vehicle Identification Number..... 200
Vehicle Storage.............................. 169
Ventilation......................................... 71
VIN .................................................. 200
Vinyl Cleaning................................ 174
Viscosity, Oil................................... 129
Warning Beepers
Headlights on............................... 41
Key in Ignition.............................. 50
Seat Belts...................................... 34
WARNING, Explanation of.............. ii
Warning Labels, Location of.......... 29
Main Menu
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Index
Warranty Coverages*................... 216
Washer, Windshield
Checking the Fluid Level......... 137
Operation...................................... 43
Washing..........................................172
Waxing and Polishing ................... 173
Wheels
Adjusting the Steering................ 45
Alignment and Balance............. 154
Compact Spare........................... 178
Wrench ....................................... 180
Windows
Cleaning...................................... 175
Operating the Power................... 59
Rear, Defogger............................ 44
Windshield
Cleaning........................................ 43
Defroster...................................... 73
Wipers, Windshield
Changing Blades........................ 148
Operation...................................... 43
Worn Tires..................................... 154
Wrecker, Emergency Towing...... 198
* : U.S. and Canada only
Main Menu
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Gas Station Information
Gasoline:
UNLEADED gasoline
Pump octane number of 86 or
higher
Fuel Tank Capacity:
45 l (11.9 US gal, 9.9 Imp gal)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API SJ or SH grade
"Energy Conserving" or
"Energy Conserving II" oil
SAE 5W-30 viscosity
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front:
210 kPa (2.1 kgf/cm
2
, 30 psi)
Rear:
200 kPa (2.0 kgf/cm
2
, 29 psi)
Spare Tire Pressure:
420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm
2
, 60 psi)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Premium Formula Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
Main Menu
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