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Honda Accord Sedan 1997, Reference Owner'S Manual

The Honda Accord Sedan 1997 Reference Owner's Manual is a comprehensive guide providing valuable information for owners of this iconic car model. With clear instructions and detailed diagrams, this manual equips you with the knowledge to maintain, troubleshoot, and operate your Accord. Download it for free at manualshive.com.

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U.S. Zone Office Map

  Western Zone

P.O. Box 2260

700 Van Ness Avenue

Torrance, California

90509-2260

(310) 781-4565

 Northwestern Zone

P.O. Box 20186

12439 N.E. Airport Way

Portland, Oregon 97230

(503) 256-0943
(also includes

Alaska and Hawaii)

 South Central Zone

4529 Royal Lane

Irving, Texas 75063

(972) 929-5481

 Central Zone

101 South Stanfield Road

Troy, Ohio 45373

(937) 332-6250

5 Northeastern Zone

P.O. Box 337

Eastgate Industrial Park

115 Gaither Drive

Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

(609) 235-5533

Includes: NYC Metro area and
Fairfield County, CT area

6 Mid-Atlantic Zone

902 Wind River Ln., Suite 200

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878

(301) 990-2020

 Southeastern Zone

1500 Morrison Parkway

Alpharetta, Georgia 30004

(770) 442-2045

8 North Central Zone

601 Campus Drive, Suite A-9

Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004

(847) 870-5600

 New England Zone

555 Old County Road

Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096

(860) 623-3310

See Zone 5 for: NYC Metro area
and Fairfield County, CT area

West Central Zone

1600 South Abilene Street, Suite D

Aurora, Colorado 80012

(303) 696-3935

Puerto Rico and U.S. V.I.

Bella International

P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816

(787) 250-4318

The above addresses and telephone numbers are subject to change. If you cannot reach your Zone office, ask your Honda dealer
for the current information.

Warranty and Customer Relations

Summary of Contents for Accord Sedan 1997

Page 1: ... and how to load luggage and other cargo Driving 137 The proper way to start the engine shift the transmission and park plus towing a trailer Maintenance 159 The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer Appearance Care 223 Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs Taking Care of the Unexpected 231 ...

Page 2: ...rstand 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 dedicate...

Page 3: ...d 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 ...

Page 4: ...n a Crash 13 Important Facts About Airbags 14 How the Driver s Airbag Works 15 How the Passenger s Airbag Works 16 How the SRS Indicator Light Works 17 System Service 17 System Service Precautions 18 Additional Safety Information 19 Seat back Position 19 Head Restraint Position 19 Door Locks 20 Storing Cargo Safely 20 Driving with Pets 20 Child Safety 21 Where Should Children Sit 21 Important Safe...

Page 5: ... 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 ...

Page 6: ...d for adults and larger children All infants and small children must be properly restrained in child safety seats see page 21 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 o...

Page 7: ... 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 ...

Page 8: ...roperly 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 Driver and Passenger Safety BUCKLE LATCH PLATE 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 ...

Page 9: ...upright see page 19 The front seat passenger should move the seat as far back as possible 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 fo...

Page 10: ...ats Adjust the belt anchor by squeez ing 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 collarbone 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 ...

Page 11: ...ort 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 ...

Page 12: ...or 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...

Page 13: ...tion 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 Driver and Passenger Safety Not wearing a seat belt increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash even if you have a...

Page 14: ... 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...

Page 15: ...e 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 v...

Page 16: ...e 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 ...

Page 17: ...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 struc...

Page 18: ...hile 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 d...

Page 19: ... 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 H...

Page 20: ...he 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 60 Head Restraint Position Head restraints can help protect you from whiplash and ...

Page 21: ...ple he could injure his knees For information on loading cargo see page 135 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 you...

Page 22: ... 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 CONTINUED Dri...

Page 23: ...d 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...

Page 24: ...t 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 25 Secure the child in the child seat Make sure the infant or child is firmly secured to the child sea...

Page 25: ...y 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 instruct...

Page 26: ...ral 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 placi...

Page 27: ...nks Using Child Restraints with Tethers Your Honda has three attachment points for tether style child seat They are located on the rear shelf U S Models Use the dimensions in the above illustration to locate the attachment point you want to use Cut a 7 8 inch 22 mm diameter hole in the rear shelf Canadian Models Select the attachment point you want to use and remove the plug with a small flat tipp...

Page 28: ...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 TOOTHED WASHER ...

Page 29: ...f 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 lot...

Page 30: ... 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 unconfined area with the engine running adjust the he...

Page 31: ...ons 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 RADIATOR CAP Driver and Passenger Safety BATTERY ...

Page 32: ...ons 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 BATTERY Driver and Passenger Safety RADIATOR CAP ...

Page 33: ...r 45 Steering Wheel Adjustment 46 Steering Wheel Controls 48 Cruise Control 48 Keys and Locks 51 Keys 51 Ignition Switch 52 Door Locks 53 Power Door Locks 53 Remote Transmitter 54 Childproof Door Locks 58 Trunk 58 Glove Box 59 Seat Adjustments 60 Front Seat Adjustments 60 Driver s Seat Power Height Adjustment 61 Driver s Seat Power Seat Bottom Adjustments 61 Driver s Seat Full Power Adjustments 63...

Page 34: ... and Controls DOOR LOCK SWITCH P 53 MIRROR CONTROLS P 72 DIGITAL CLOCK P 74 HEATING COOLING CONTROL P 80 AUDIO SYSTEM P 87 HOOD RELEASE HANDLE P 129 TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE P 58 FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE P 128 POWER WINDOW SWITCHES P 69 ...

Page 35: ...mp Monitor 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 Instruments and Controls SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR CHARGING SYSTEM INDI...

Page 36: ... the engine is running For complete information see page 245 Charging System Indicator If this light comes on when the engine is running the battery is not being charged For complete information see page 246 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 t...

Page 37: ...ime 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 Door and Brake Lamp Monitor The appropriate light comes on in this display if the trunk or any door is not closed tightly If a brake light does not work the BRAKE LAMP indicator comes on when you push the brake pedal with the ...

Page 38: ... headlight switch off and the parking brake set It should go off if you turn on the headlights or release the parking brake If it comes on at any other time it means there is a problem with the DRL There may also be a problem with the high beam headlights High Beam Indicator This light comes on with the high beam headlights See page 42 for information on the headlight controls On Canadian models t...

Page 39: ...one 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...

Page 40: ...g 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 Maintenance Required Indicator 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 D...

Page 41: ...gger switch is on the dashboard to the right of the steering column The controls under the left air vent are for the moonroof 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 HEADLIGHTS TURN SIGNALS TILT ADJUSTMENT HORN HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS CRUISE CONTROL MOONROOF SWITCH ...

Page 42: ...lever until you hear a click then let go The blue high beam indicator will light see page 38 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 t...

Page 43: ...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 wi...

Page 44: ...ipers 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 On all models except U S DX model and the Canadian LX model In intermittent the wipers operate every few seconds You can vary how often the wipers sweep the windshield by turning the INT TIME ring next to ...

Page 45: ... 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 ...

Page 46: ...st 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 Instruments and Controls Adjusting the steering wheel position while driving may cause you to lose contro...

Page 47: ...el 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 ...

Page 48: ...winding roads slippery roads heavy rain or bad weather You should have full control of the car under those conditions 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 CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCH Improper use of the cr...

Page 49: ...ach 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 l...

Page 50: ...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 s...

Page 51: ...ugh cover and glove box locked when you leave your car and valet key at a parking facility see Trunk page 58 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 On U S Special Edition model Your car a...

Page 52: ...ition you can operate the audio system and the cigarette lighter 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 35 START III Use this position only to start the engine The switch returns to ON II when you let go of t...

Page 53: ...ll the outside door handle and push the lock tab down Release the handle then close the door The front doors can be locked and unlocked from the outside with the key Power Door Locks On all models except U S DX and Canadian LX models Each front door has a master door lock switch Either switch locks and unlocks all doors Push the switch down to lock all doors and up to unlock them CONTINUED Instrum...

Page 54: ... 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 ceiling light if the ceiling light switch is in the center position will come on when you press the UNLOCK button If you do not open any of the doors the light will...

Page 55: ... LED goes out To turn the audible signal off repeat the above procedure You should see the LED blink twice The audible signal feature will be off after you install a new battery in the remote transmitter Use the above procedure to turn it on again Panic Mode Panic mode allows you to remotely activate your vehicle s security system to attract attention When activated the alarm will sound and the ex...

Page 56: ...he 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 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 Instr...

Page 57: ... mitter and cause it to not function properly 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 rquired by 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 ...

Page 58: ...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 135 for cargo loading and weight limit information Keep the trunk lid closed at all times while driving to avoid damaging the...

Page 59: ... box by pulling the bottom of the handle Close it with a firm push Lock or unlock the glove box with the master key The glove box light comes on only when the instrument panel lights are on Instruments and Controls 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 GLOVE BOX MASTER KE...

Page 60: ...els in the U S and the LX EX and Special Edition models in Canada have manual seat adjust ments see next column The front passenger s seat in all Accord models adjusts manually 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 Tr...

Page 61: ...eather interior in the U S The position of the driver s seat bottom is power adjustable Use the horizontal switch on the outside of the seat bottom To change the seat back angle use the manual adjustment lever on the outside edge of the seat bottom see page 60 Adjust the seat before you start driving CONTINUED Instruments and Controls Reclining the seat back can decrease the protection you get fro...

Page 62: ...pedals Pull up or push down on the front of the switch to move the seat bottom s front edge up or down Pull up or push down on the rear of the switch to move the rear of the seat bottom up or down Pull the center of the switch up to raise the seat Push it down to lower the seat Instruments and Controls ...

Page 63: ... several directions The short vertical switch adjusts the seat back angle Adjust the seat before you start driving Push the horizontal switch forward or backward to adjust the distance to the steering wheel and pedals Pull up or push down on the front of the switch to move the seat bottom s front edge up or down Pull up or push down on the rear of the switch to move the rear of the seat bottom up ...

Page 64: ...eat back angle by pushing the rear switch in the direction you want to move Instruments and Controls 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 ...

Page 65: ...l range 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 restrai...

Page 66: ... seat back can be released from inside the car or inside the trunk To fold down the seat back from inside the car insert the master key in the lock on the rear shelf Turn the key clockwise pull down the top of the seat back then release the key Instruments and Controls MASTER KEY Driving your car without head restraints can lead to serious injury to you and your passenger in a crash Make sure the ...

Page 67: ...h rear shoulder belts are positioned in front of the rear seat back whenever the seat back is in its upright position 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 135 Never drive with the seat back folded down and the trunk lid open See Carbon...

Page 68: ...ough cover can be opened from either side it folds forward onto the center armrest Open the cover by sliding the knob downward and pulling on the cover To close the cover swing it up and push firmly on the top Make sure it latches properly For security this cover can be locked and unlocked only with the master key To lock the cover insert the key and turn it clockwise Never drive with this cover o...

Page 69: ...e switch up 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 push up on the window switch Release the switch when the window gets to the position you want CONTINUED Instruments and Controls Closing a power window on ...

Page 70: ...sengers 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 The power window system has a key off delay function The windows will still operate for up to ten minutes after you turn off the ignition Opening either front door cancel...

Page 71: ...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 Instruments and Con...

Page 72: ...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 Instruments and Controls SELECTOR SWITCH ADJUSTMENT S...

Page 73: ...ght on the instrument panel should go out when the parking brake is fully released see page 36 If you try to drive the car without releasing the parking brake the ABS indicator may come on and ABS may not work properly Driving the car with the parking brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles Instruments and Controls NOTICE PARKING BRAKE LEVER ...

Page 74: ...ns 3 Press and hold the H button until the hour advances to the desired time 4 Press and hold the M button until the numbers advance to the desired time You can use the RESET button to quickly set the time to the nearest hour If the displayed time is before the half hour pressing RESET sets the clock back to the previous hour If the displayed time is after the half hour pressing RESET sets the clo...

Page 75: ...rners The inner liner can be removed if you want to hold a larger cup Be careful when you are using the beverage holder A spilled liquid that is very hot can scald you or your passenger Spilled liquids can also damage the upholstery carpeting and electrical components in the interior Vanity Mirror To use a vanity mirror on the back of the sun visor pull down the cover Some U S models and the Canad...

Page 76: ...g the lid down To remove the ashtray for emptying open the lid then pull the ashtray straight outward The rear ashtray is at the rear end of the center console Open the ashtray by swinging the upper edge of the lid down To remove the ashtray for emptying open it then lift up and out Use the ashtray only for cigarettes cigars and other smoking materials To prevent a possible fire and damage to your...

Page 77: ...transmitter see page 54 On all models except U S DX and Canadian LX models Turn on the spotlight by pushing the button next to each light Push the button again to turn it off You can use the spotlights at all times Courtesy Lights On all models except U S DX and Canadian LX models Each door has a courtesy light This light comes on when you open any door Your car also has a courtesy light in the ig...

Page 78: ...6 Audio System Canadian LX 87 Operating the Radio 88 Adjusting the Sound 90 Operating the Cassette Player 91 Tape Search Functions 92 Audio System Except Special Edition U S DX and Canadian LX 93 Operating the Radio 94 Adjusting the Sound 97 Audio System Lighting 97 Operating the Cassette Player 98 Caring for Cassettes 100 Operating the Optional CD Changer 101 Protecting Compact Discs 103 CD Chang...

Page 79: ...ch increases air flow Temperature Control Dial Turning this dial clockwise increases the temperature of the air flow Air Conditioning A C Button This button turns the air condi tioning ON and OFF The indicator above the button lights when the A C is on Fresh Air Recirculation Button This button controls the source of the air going into the system When you select the side air is brought in from out...

Page 80: ...ner 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 Comfort and Convenience Features ...

Page 81: ...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 r...

Page 82: ...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 Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the left Make sure the A C is off 2 Select and 3 Set the fan to the desired speed CONTINUED Comf...

Page 83: ...ture control dial is all the way to the left 3 Set the fan to maximum speed 4 Open the windows partially Select and 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 40 when driving in stop and go traffic or...

Page 84: ... 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 Turn on the air conditioning 3 Select and 4 Adjust the temperature control dial so the air flow from the defroster vents feels warm 5 Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window CONTINUED Comfort and Conve...

Page 85: ...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 turn the fan speed and temperature control di...

Page 86: ... audio system provides clear reception on both AM and FM bands while the preset buttons allow you to easily select your favorite stations The cassette system features autoreverse for continuous play Comfort and Convenience Features SW VOL BAL KNOB TUNE SEEK BAR AM FM BUTTON PRESET BUTTONS ...

Page 87: ... volume by turning the SW VOL BAL 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 Comfort and Convenience Features SW VOL BAL KNOB TUNE SEEK BAR STEREO INDICATOR AM FM BUTTON PRESET BUTTONS ...

Page 88: ...m scans upward or down ward 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 To store a frequency 1 Select the desired band AM or FM FM1 and FM2 let you store two frequencies with each Preset butto...

Page 89: ...trength Adjust the Fader to your liking by turning the outside ring Adjust the Balance by pulling out the SW VOL BAL knob and turning it Treble Bass Use these controls to adjust the tone to your liking Adjust the Bass by turning the knob Adjust the Treble by pulling out the knob and turning it Radio Frequencies and Reception For information See page 110 Comfort and Convenience Features BALANCE CON...

Page 90: ...how 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 Fast Forward Rewind buttons at the same time 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 Comfort and Conven...

Page 91: ...To take the system out of fast forward press REW briefly 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 Caring for Cassettes Damaged cassettes can jam inside the drive or cause other problems See page 121 for information on cassette care and protection Comfort and Convenience Features FAST FORWARD...

Page 92: ...t your favorite stations The cassette system features Dolby B noise reduction automatic sensing of chromium dioxide CrO2 tape and autoreverse for continuous play Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpo ration DOLBY and the double D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation U S VALUE PACKAGE LX LX V 6 Canada EX U S EX EX V 6 C...

Page 93: ... Preset buttons TUNE Use the TUNE SEEK switch to tune the radio to a desired frequency Push the switch up to tune to a higher frequency and push the switch down to tune to a lower frequency The frequency numbers will start to change rapidly Release the switch when the display reaches the desired frequency To change the frequency in small increments push and release the TUNE SEEK switch quickly SEE...

Page 94: ... 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 U S EX EX V 6 Canada EX R EX R V 6 CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features U S VALUE PACKAGE LX LX V 6 Canada EX ON OFF VOL KNOB CASSETTE S...

Page 95: ...he preset buttons to select those stations If you are in a remote area Auto Select may not find six strong AM stations or twelve strong FM stations If this happens you will see a 0 displayed when you press any preset button that does not have a station stored U S EX EX V 6 Canada EX R EX R V 6 With Auto Select on you cannot manually store any frequencies in the preset buttons If you do not like th...

Page 96: ...ng Push on the controls to get them to pop out Adjust the Bass by turning the outer ring Adjust the Treble by turning the knob Push the controls back in when you are finished so you cannot change the settings by accidentally bumping them Audio System Lighting You can use the Balance control knob to turn off the illumination of the audio system Push the Balance Fader controls so they pop out then p...

Page 97: ... 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 To rewind the tape push the FF REW TMS switch down then release it You will see REW in the display To fast forward the tape push the switch up then release it You will see FF displayed Press the PLAY button to take the system out of rewind or fast forward I...

Page 98: ...he 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 Comfort and Convenience Features U S VALUE PACKAGE LX LX V 6 Canada EX CASSETTE SLOT TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR FF REW TMS SWITCH EJECT BUTTON PROG BUTTON PLAY BUTTON DOLBY BUTTON REPEAT BUTTON U S EX EX V 6 Canada EX R EX RV 6 CASSETTE SLOT TA...

Page 99: ...ring for Cassettes Damaged cassettes can jam inside the drive or cause other problems See page 121 for information on cassette care and protection Comfort and Convenience Features U S VALUE PACKAGE LX LX V 6 Canada EX CASSETTE SLOT TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR FF REW TMS SWITCH EJECT BUTTON PROG BUTTON PLAY BUTTON DOLBY BUTTON REPEAT BUTTON U S EX EX V 6 Canada EX R EX R V 6 CASSETTE SLOT TAPE DIRECTI...

Page 100: ...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 Using the instructions that came with the changer load the desired CDs in the magazine and load the magazine in the changer Comfort and Convenience Features U S VALUE PACKAGE LX LX V 6 Canada EX ON OFF VOL KNOB RPT...

Page 101: ... beginning of the next track and push the switch down to move to the begin ning of the current track If you push and hold the TUNE SEEK switch you will hear a beep and the system will continue to move across tracks Release the switch when you think it has reached the desired place on the disc REPEAT When you activate the Repeat feature by pressing the REPEAT button the system continu ously replays...

Page 102: ...track If you turn the system off while a CD is playing either with the ON OFF VOL knob or the ignition switch play will continue at the same disc and track when you turn it back on Protecting Compact Discs For information on how to handle and protect compact discs see page 115 Comfort and Convenience Features U S VALUE PACKAGE LX LX V 6 Canada EX ON OFF VOL KNOB RPT INDICATOR TUNE SEEK SWITCH CD B...

Page 103: ...ications 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 ...

Page 104: ... bands while the preset buttons allow you to easily select your favorite stations The Anti theft feature will disable the system if it is disconnected from the car s battery To get the system working again you must enter a code number see page 122 Comfort and Convenience Features AM FM 1 2 BUTTON TUNE BAR PRESET BUTTONS SEEK BAR ...

Page 105: ...uency Press the side of the bar to tune to a higher frequency and the 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 bar quickly SEEK The SEEK function searches the band for a station with a strong signal To activate it press th...

Page 106: ...t 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 CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features ...

Page 107: ...se stations If you are in a remote area Auto Select may not find six strong AM stations or twelve strong FM stations If this happens you will see a 0 displayed when you press any preset button that does not have a station stored With Auto Select on you cannot manually store any frequencies in the preset buttons If you do not like the stations found by Auto Select you can use the TUNE and SEEK func...

Page 108: ...utton Adjust the Balance or Fader to your liking by turning the PWR VOL knob The number in the display from 9 to 9 shows you the current setting 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 displayed number from 5 to 5 shows you the current setting The system will automatically re...

Page 109: ...s 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 i...

Page 110: ... 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 r...

Page 111: ...own in the display You can also play 3 inch 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 You can switch to the radio while a CD is playing by pressing the A M FM1 2 button Press the CD button to return to playing the CD The CD will begin playing where it left off Comfort and Convenience Features AM FM...

Page 112: ...the side of the SEEK bar the system skips forward to the beginning of the next track Press the side to skip backward to the beginning of the current track Press it again to skip to the beginning of the previous track REPEAT To activate the Repeat feature press and release the Repeat button You will see RPT in the display The system continuously replays the current track Press the Repeat button aga...

Page 113: ...er finding that slot empty try to load the CD in the next slot This continues until it finds a CD to load and play If you load a CD in the in dash player while the changer is playing a CD the system will stop the changer and begin playing the in dash CD To select the changer again press the CD button Play will begin where it left off Use the CD button to switch between the player and the changer I...

Page 114: ...page 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 edge...

Page 115: ...ications If you see an error indication in the display while operating the CD player 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 ...

Page 116: ...ications 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 ...

Page 117: ...cates 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 ...

Page 118: ... TUNE bar to fast forward the tape or the side to rewind You will see FF or REW flashing in the display To stop fast forward or rewind press the PLAY button 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 CONTINUED Comfort and Convenience Features FAST FORWARD REWIND PROG BUTTON DOLBY ON OFF BUTTON...

Page 119: ...e REPEAT 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 function...

Page 120: ...eak 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 mo...

Page 121: ...o lose the card you must obtain the code number from your Honda dealer To do this you will need the system s serial number If your car s battery is disconnected or goes dead the audio system will disable itself If this happens you will see Code in the frequency display the next time you turn on the system Use the Preset buttons to enter the five digit code If it is entered correctly the radio will...

Page 122: ...next to the clock starts blinking immediately to show you the system is setting itself Once the security system is set opening any door without using the key or remote transmitter or opening the hood will cause it to alarm With the system set you can still open the trunk with the master key without triggering the alarm The alarm will sound if the trunk is opened with the trunk release handle The s...

Page 123: ...ction will help you If you plan to add any accessories to your car please read the information in this section first Break in Period 126 Gasoline 126 Oxygenated Fuels 126 Driving in Foreign Countries 127 Service Station Procedures 128 Filling the Fuel Tank 128 Opening the Hood 129 Oil Check 130 Engine Coolant Check 132 Fuel Economy 133 Vehicle Condition 133 Driving Habits 133 Accessories 134 Loadi...

Page 124: ...ent 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 a...

Page 125: ...ion 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 abo...

Page 126: ...top 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 247 6 Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches Before Driving Pull FUEL FILL CAP...

Page 127: ...r Slide your hand to the left until you feel the hood latch handle Push this handle up until it releases the hood Lift the hood 4 cylinder models 3 Pull the support rod out of its clip and insert the end into the hole on the front of the hood around the center 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...

Page 128: ...ower it to about a foot above the fender then press down firmly with your hands Make sure the hood is fully latched 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 Before Driving 4 cylinder models DIPSTICK 6 cylinder models DIPSTICK ...

Page 129: ...Service Station Procedures 2 Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel 3 Insert it all the way back in its tube CONTINUED Before Driving 4 cylinder models 6 cylinder models ...

Page 130: ...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 176 for information on adding the proper coolant Refer to Owner Maintenance Checks on page 168 for information on checking other items in your Honda Before Driving UPPER MARK LOWER MARK 4 cylinder models MIN RESERVE TANK RESERVE TANK 6 cylinder ...

Page 131: ...ly 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 ...

Page 132: ... 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...

Page 133: ...ber 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 45 kg 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 possibl...

Page 134: ...rive 138 Starting the Engine 139 Starting in Cold Weather at High Altitude 140 5 speed Manual Transmission 141 Recommended Shift Points 141 Maximum Speeds 142 Automatic Transmission 142 Shift Lever Position Indicator 143 Shift Lever Positions 143 Maximum Speeds 146 Shift Lock Release 146 Parking 147 The Braking System 148 Brake Wear Indicators 148 Brake System Design 148 Anti lock Brakes 149 Impor...

Page 135: ...ng with you inside are stored properly or fastened down securely 5 Check the adjustment of the seat see page 60 6 Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors see page 71 7 Check the adjustment of the steering wheel see page 46 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 igni...

Page 136: ...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 al...

Page 137: ...ine 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 5 speed Manual Transmission The manual transmission is syn chronized in all forward gears for smooth o...

Page 138: ...ra 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 ...

Page 139: ... 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 Canada LX EX U S LX U S EX Canada EX R 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...

Page 140: ...s while driving in any shift position it indicates a possible problem in the transmission Avoid rapid accelera tion and have the transmission checked by an authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible Shift Lever Positions The shift lever has seven positions It must be in Park or Neutral to start the engine When you are stopped in D4 D3 2 1 N or R press firmly on the brake pedal and keep your foot ...

Page 141: ...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...

Page 142: ...ide 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 transmissi...

Page 143: ...u 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...

Page 144: ... 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 and will cause the ABS indicator to light Parking Tips Make sure the m...

Page 145: ...ly 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 They are also on the rear brakes of cars equipped with ABS When the brake pads need replacing you will hear a distinctive m...

Page 146: ...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 You should never pump the brake pedal this defeats the purpose o...

Page 147: ...onditions 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 a greater distance betwee...

Page 148: ... 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...

Page 149: ...ear 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 fr...

Page 150: ...toward the front and 40 percent toward the rear Never load the trailer so the back is heavier than the front This takes weight off your car s rear axle and reduces traction The combined weight of the car all passengers and their luggage and tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating The GVWR is printed on the Certification label attached to the driver s doorjamb see page 256 The c...

Page 151: ...ever use a hitch that mounts only to the rear bumper The bumper is not designed to handle that type of load The hitch should bolt to the underbody of the car and distribute the load over a wide area Always have a trailer hitch installed by a qualified technician A trailer hitch that is not adequate for the size of the trailer or a hitch that is improperly installed can cause damage to the undersid...

Page 152: ...ght of 1 000 Ibs 450 kg do not have their own braking system If you are thinking of getting a trailer that does have brakes make sure they are electrically operated There are no provisions in your car to tap into its hydraulic braking system Any attempt to attach the trailer s brakes to your car s hydraulic system no matter how successful it may seem will lower braking effectiveness and create a p...

Page 153: ...t As you are preparing to tow your trailer do the following Measure the trailer s tongue load You can do this with a bathroom scale Verify that the hitch and safety chain are securely fastened Check the condition and air pressure of all tires on the trailer and your car Low tire pressure can seriously affect the handling Also check the spare tire With everything loaded and the trailer connected ch...

Page 154: ...ed and steer straight ahead If there is too much wind buffeting slow down to get out of the other vehicle s air turbulence Towing a trailer puts an extra load on your car You should have your car serviced according to the Maintenance Schedule under severe driving conditions on page 165 This extra load is magnified when you are driving in hilly terrain Watch the temperature gauge closely when climb...

Page 155: ...ls into the curb set the parking brake firmly and put the transmission in 1st or Reverse manual or Park automatic In addition place wheel chocks at each of the trailer s tires Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes practice Drive slowly make small movements with the steering wheel and have someone stand outside to guide you Grip the steering wheel on the bottom rather than the usual posi...

Page 156: ...ner Maintenance Checks 168 Fluid Locations 169 Engine Oil 171 Adding Oil 171 Recommended Oil 171 Synthetic Oil 173 Additives 173 Changing the Oil and Filter 173 Cooling System 176 Adding Engine Coolant 176 Replacing Engine Coolant 178 Windshield Washers 183 Transmission Fluid 184 Automatic Transmission 184 5 speed Manual Transmission 186 Brake and Clutch Fluid 187 Brake Fluid 187 Brake System 187 ...

Page 157: ...fied mechanic Some of the most important safely 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 f...

Page 158: ...e 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 spa...

Page 159: ...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 126 Which Schedule to Follow Servic...

Page 160: ...e 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...

Page 161: ...f 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 1 For 4 cylinder models only Maintenance ...

Page 162: ...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 Trailer towing 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 For4cylindermodelsonly 2 Refer to page 204 for replacement information unde...

Page 163: ...Required Maintenance Record Maintenance Have your servicing dealer record all Required Maintenance below Keep receipts for all work done on your car ...

Page 164: ...Non Scheduled Maintenance Record Record additional maintenance for severe driving conditions or non scheduled maintenance on this page see page 165 Maintenance ...

Page 165: ... fill the fuel tank See page 132 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 183 Tires Check the tire pressure monthly Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects See page 204 Lights Check the operation of the headlights parking lights taillights high mount...

Page 166: ...ansmission only CLUTCH FLUID Gray cap ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK Orange loop ANTI LOCK BRAKE RESERVOIR Gray cap POWER STEERING FLUID Red cap WASHER FLUID Blue cap ENGINE OIL FILL CAP BRAKE FLUID Gray cap COOLANT RESERVOIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK Yellow loop ...

Page 167: ...tenance 6 Cylinder Models BRAKE FLUID Gray cap COOLANT RESERVOIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DIPSTICK Yellow loop ENGINE OIL FILL CAP ANTI LOCK BRAKE RESERVOIR POWER STEERING FLUID Red cap ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK Orange loop ...

Page 168: ...p 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 CONTINUED Maintenance 4 cylinder models ENGINE OIL FILL CAP 6 cylinder models ENGINE OIL FILL CAP ...

Page 169: ...l 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 The oil container may al...

Page 170: ...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 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...

Page 171: ...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 5 Put a new washer on the drain bolt then reinstall the drain bolt Tighten it to 43 N m 4 4 kgf m 32 lbf ft Maintenance DRAIN BOLT WASHER 4 cylinder models WASHER DRAIN BOLT 6 cylinder models OIL FILTER 4 cylinder mode...

Page 172: ...econds 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 oi...

Page 173: ...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 pos...

Page 174: ... remaining in the cooling system 3 Remove the radiator cap by pushing down and turning counterclockwise CONTINUED Maintenance 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 4 cylinder models RADIATOR CAP 6 cylinder models RADIATOR CAP ...

Page 175: ...ooling system They may not be compatible with the coolant or engine compo nents 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 k...

Page 176: ...r are cool to the touch 2 Remove the radiator cap 4 cylinder models 3 Loosen the drain plug on the bottom of the radiator The coolant will drain through the splash guard Remove the drain bolt and washer from the engine block CONTINUED Maintenance 4 cylinder models 6 cylinder models 4 cylinder models DRAIN BOLT DRAIN PLUG ...

Page 177: ...e tank back in its holder 5 When the coolant stops draining tighten the drain plug in the bottom of the radiator Put new washers on the drain bolts then reinstall the drain bolts in the engine block Tighten them securely Tightening torque 4 cylinder models 83 N m 8 5 kgf m 61 Ibf ft 6 cylinder models 10 N m 1 0 kgf m 7 Ibf ft Maintenance DRAIN PLUG 6 cylinder models DRAIN BOLTS RESERVE TANK RESERV...

Page 178: ...gal 1 50 Imp gal 7 Pour coolant into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck 8 Loosen the bleeder bolt on top of the engine Tighten it again when coolant comes out in a steady stream with no bubbles 9 Refill the radiator to the base of the filler neck Start the engine and let it run until it warms up the radiator cooling fan comes on at least twice CONTINUED Maintenance FILLER NECK 4 cylind...

Page 179: ...n the radiator add coolant if needed Install the radiator cap and tighten it fully 11 Fill the reserve tank to the MAX mark Install the reserve tank cap Maintenance BLEEDER BOLT 6 cylinder models RESERVE TANK 4 cylinder models RESERVE TANK 6 cylinder models ...

Page 180: ... level by removing the cap and looking at the float It should be up to the top of the neck If the float is at the bottom of the neck the reservoir is nearly empty 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 Anti...

Page 181: ...evel is below the lower mark add fluid into the tube to bring it to the upper mark Always use Honda Premium Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid 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 d...

Page 182: ...evel is below the lower mark add fluid into the tube to bring it to the upper mark Always use Honda Premium Formula Automatic Transmission Fluid 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 d...

Page 183: ...on 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 ...

Page 184: ...ou 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 Syste...

Page 185: ...n the MIN and MAX marks on the side of the reservoir If it is at or below the MIN mark it indicates a possible problem in the ABS Have the dealer inspect the system as soon as possible Maintenance MAX 6 cylinder models MIN 4 cylinder models MAX MIN 6 cylinder models MAX MIN ...

Page 186: ...n the clutch system Have this system inspected as soon as possible Power Steering You should check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir monthly 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 CONTINUED Maintenance MAX MIN UPPER ...

Page 187: ...nd 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 Air Cleaner Element The air cleaner element should be cleaned or replaced according to the time and distance recommendations in the maintenance schedule Cleaning Severe Conditions Clean the air cleaner element by blowing compressed air throu...

Page 188: ...down bracket and push the bracket away from the air cleaner 3 Loosen the four bolts and remove the air cleaner housing cover 4 Remove the old air cleaner element Clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp rag 5 Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing 6 Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover and the duct tighten the four bolts 7 Reinstall the battery hold down bra...

Page 189: ...cket away from the air cleaner 2 Loosen the four bolts and remove the air cleaner housing cover 3 Remove the old air cleaner element Clean the inside of the air cleaner housing with a damp rag 4 Place the new air cleaner element in the air cleaner housing 5 Reinstall the air cleaner housing cover tighten the four bolts 6 Reinstall the battery hold down bracket and tighten the nuts Maintenance BOLT...

Page 190: ...acement 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 CONTINUED Maintenance SPARK PLUG CAP ...

Page 191: ... torque 18 N m 1 8 kgf 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 ...

Page 192: ...acement 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 CONTINUED Maintenance SPARK PLUG CAP ...

Page 193: ... torque 18 N m 1 8 kgf 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 five spark plugs Specifications NGK DENSO ZFR5F 11 KJ16CR L11 Spark Plug Gap 1 1 mm 0 04 in Maintenance NOTICE ...

Page 194: ...s 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 CONTINUED Maintenance TEST INDICATOR...

Page 195: ...onnect 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 Maintenance 4 cylinder models 6 cylinder models 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 yo...

Page 196: ...system will disable itself The next time you turn on the radio you will see Code in the frequency display Use the Preset buttons to enter the five digit code see page 122 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 ...

Page 197: ...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 ...

Page 198: ...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...

Page 199: ...sure 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 R...

Page 200: ...or deflection Alternator belt On cars without A C 10 5 12 5 mm 0 41 0 49 in On cars with A C 8 0 10 5 mm 0 31 0 41 in 6 cylinder models 14 0 16 5 mm 0 55 0 65 in Power steering belt 13 0 16 0 mm 0 51 0 63 in 6 cylinder models 14 5 17 0 mm 0 57 0 67 in If you see signs of wear or looseness have your dealer adjust or replace the belts Maintenance POWER STEERING BELT 4 cylinder models ALTERNATOR BELT...

Page 201: ...9 C 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 Maintenance Using tires that are excessively worn or improperly inflated...

Page 202: ... 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 If you check the pressure when the tires are hot the car has been driven several m...

Page 203: ...igh speed driving are shown on page 262 The compact spare tire pressure is 420 kPa 4 2 kgf cm2 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 ...

Page 204: ...ess 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 ...

Page 205: ...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 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 be...

Page 206: ...cement wheels are available at your Honda dealer Wheels and Tires Wheel U S DX Canada LX 14 x 5J U S LX EX Canada EX EX R 15 x 5 1 2 JJ U S LXV 6 15 x 6J U S Special Edition EX V 6 Canada Special Edition EX R V 6 15 x 6JJ Tire U S DX Canada LX P185 70R1487S U S LX Special Edition Canada EX Special Edition 185 65R15 88S U S EX Canada EX R 195 60R15 88H U S LX V 6 EX V 6 Canada EX R V 6 205 60R15 91...

Page 207: ...hould drive cautiously even when the roads are clear Check with the tire dealer for maximum speed recommenda tions 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 4 cylinder models If metal chains are used they must be SAE class S Cable type tracti...

Page 208: ...ight 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 259 to determine what type of replacement bulb is needed Replacing a Headlight Bulb Your car has two bulbs on each side four in total Make sure you are replacing the bulb that is burned out Your car uses halogen headlight bulbs When replacing...

Page 209: ...or from the bulb by squeezing the connector to unlock the tab then slide the connector off the bulb 3 Remove the bulb by turning it approximately one quarter turn counterclockwise 4 Insert the new bulb into the hole and turn it one quarter turn clock wise to lock it in place 5 Push the electrical connector back onto the bulb Make sure it is on all the way 6 Turn on the headlights to test the new b...

Page 210: ...ise 4 Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out of its socket 5 Install the new bulb in the socket 6 Push the bulb holder into the turn signal assembly and turn it clockwise until it locks 7 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working 8 Put the turn signal assembly into the bumper Make sure the tabs on the turn signal assembly fit into the bumper slots Tighten ...

Page 211: ...clockwise to remove it from the lens 4 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb straight into the socket until it bottoms 5 Put the bulb holder back into its hole in the lens and turn it clockwise until it locks 6 Turn on the parking lights and check that the new bulb is working 7 Put the side marker assembly back into the body Push on the front edge until it snaps into place Ins...

Page 212: ... or turn signal 3 Remove the socket by turning it one quarter turn counterclockwise 4 Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out of its socket 5 Install the new bulb in the socket 6 Reinstall the socket into the light assembly 7 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working 8 Reinstall the taillight assembly cover Maintenance KNOB COVER ...

Page 213: ...r back up light 3 Remove the socket by turning it one quarter turn counterclockwise 4 Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out of its socket 5 Install the new bulb in the socket 6 Reinstall the socket into the light assembly 7 Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working Maintenance ...

Page 214: ...iding the assembly backwards 3 Remove the socket from the light assembly by turning it counter clockwise 4 Remove the bulb from the socket by pulling it straight out Install the new bulb Turn on the headlights to test the bulb 5 Insert the socket in the assembly Turn it clockwise to lock it in place 6 Reinstall the side marker assem bly in the fender Tighten the mounting screw securely Maintenance...

Page 215: ...b by pulling it straight out of the socket 3 Install the new bulb and reinstall the socket Make sure the new bulb is working Replacing a Rear License Bulb 1 Remove the two screws and remove the license light assembly 2 Remove the lens from the rubber seal and the metal cover 3 Pull the bulb straight out of its socket Push the new bulb in until it bottoms in the socket Maintenance BULB ...

Page 216: ...e the lens by carefully prying on the edge of the lens with a fingernail file or a small flat tip screwdriver Do not pry on the edge of the housing around the lens Door light Not available on the U S DX model and Canadian LX model pry on the top middle of the lens Ceiling light pry on the front edge of the lens in the middle Spotlight Not available on the U S DX model and Canadian LX model 2 Remov...

Page 217: ... and Special Edition models On U S LX LX V 6 EX EX V 6 and Special Edition models and Canadian EX EX R EX R V 6 and Special Edition models On U S LX LX V 6 EX EX V 6 and Special Edition models and Canadian EX EX R EX R V 6 and Special Edition models Maintenance SPOTLIGHT DOOR LIGHT SUN VISOR ...

Page 218: ...ge of the lens 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 Lights Maintenance TRUNK ...

Page 219: ... 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 ...

Page 220: ...arance the paint brightwork wheels and interior Also included are several things you can do to help prevent corrosion Exterior Care 224 Washing 224 Waxing 225 Aluminum Wheels 225 Paint Touch up 225 Interior Care 226 Carpeting 226 Fabric 226 Vinyl 226 Leather 226 Seat Belts 227 Windows 227 Air Fresheners 227 Corrosion Protection 228 Body Repairs 229 Appearance Care ...

Page 221: ...er 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 finis...

Page 222: ...f the wax Remember to re wax those areas even if the rest of the car does not need waxing Aluminum Wheels On the U S EX EX V 6 Special Edition and Canadian EX R EX R V 6 Special Edition models Clean your Honda s aluminum alloy wheels as you do the rest of the exterior Wash them with the same solution and rinse them thoroughly The wheels have a protective clear coat that keeps the aluminum from cor...

Page 223: ...e 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 Leather ...

Page 224: ... 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 and antenna wires are bonded to the inside of the glass Wiping vigorously up and down can dislodge and break these wires When cleaning the rear window use gentle pressure and wipe side to...

Page 225: ... the paint as soon as you discover them 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 us...

Page 226: ...ce 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 ...

Page 227: ...going again If not you will also find instructions on getting your car towed Compact Spare Tire 232 Changing a Flat Tire 233 If Your Engine Won t Start 239 Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates Very Slowly 239 The Starter Operates Normally 240 Jump Starting 240 If Your Engine Overheats 243 Low Oil Pressure Indicator 245 Charging System Indicator 246 Malfunction Indicator Lamp 247 Closing t...

Page 228: ... 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 th...

Page 229: ... 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 spare tire well 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...

Page 230: ...nder Remove the cover by turning the handle clockwise then pulling on the cover 7 Turn the jack s end bracket counterclockwise to loosen it then remove the jack 8 Loosen the four wheel nuts 1 2 turn with the wheel wrench Taking Care of the Unexpected JACK WHEEL NUTS ...

Page 231: ...e the jacking point tab is resting in the jack notch 10 Use the extension and wheel wrench as shown to raise the car until the flat tire is off the ground 11 Remove the wheel nuts and flat tire Temporarily place the flat tire on the ground with the outside surface of the wheel facing up Placing the wheel face down could mar its finish CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected JACKING POINT EXTENSION...

Page 232: ...b with a clean cloth 13 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 14 Lower the car to the ground and remove the jack Taking Care of the Unexpected BRAKE HUB ...

Page 233: ... kgf m 80 lbf ft 16 Special Edition model Remove the center cap before storing the flat tire in the trunk well 17 Place the flat tire face down in the spare tire well 18 Remove the spacer cone from the wing bolt turn it over and put it back on the bolt 19 Secure the flat tire by screwing the wing bolt back into its hole CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected WING BOLT SPACER CONE 4 cylinder model...

Page 234: ...he tool kit 21 Store the wheel cover or center cap in the trunk Make sure it does not get scratched or damaged Taking Care of the Unexpected WING BOLT SPACER CONE 6 cylinder models 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 ...

Page 235: ... 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 240 Turn the ignition switch to START III If the headlights do not dim check ...

Page 236: ...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 197 In very cold weather check the condition of the electrolyte If ...

Page 237: ...ond 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 Taking Care of the Unexpected CONTINUED 4 cylinder models 6 cylinder models 4 cylinder models ...

Page 238: ...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 6 cylinder models 4 cylinder models BOOSTER BATTERY 6 cylinder models BOOSTER BATTERY ...

Page 239: ...e 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...

Page 240: ...unterclockwise 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 dial 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 wat...

Page 241: ... 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 130 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...

Page 242: ...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 stati...

Page 243: ...ce 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...

Page 244: ... 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 Tak...

Page 245: ...in two or three fuse boxes The interior fuse box is underneath the dashboard on the driver s side To open it turn the knob as shown The under hood fuse box is located in the back of the engine compart ment on the passenger s side To open it push the tab as shown CONTINUED Taking Care of the Unexpected INTERIOR KNOB UNDER HOOD TAB ...

Page 246: ... 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 throu...

Page 247: ... the cigarette lighter 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 prop...

Page 248: ...n cars 2 U S EX LX V 6 and EX V 6 Canada EX R EX R V 6 3 U S LX V 6 EX V 6 Canada EX R V 6 4 U S EX LX V 6 and EX V 6 Canada EX R V 6 5 U S EX with Automatic Transmission Canada EX R with Automatic Transmission Taking Care of the Unexpected ...

Page 249: ...Fuses ABS FUSE BOX INTERIOR FUSE BOX Taking Care of the Unexpected ...

Page 250: ...our 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 Automatic Transmission...

Page 251: ...el Size Designation 261 Tire Speed Ratings 261 Tire Pressure Adjustment For High Speed Driving 262 DOT Tire Quality Grading 262 Treadwear 262 Traction 263 Temperature 263 Emission Controls 264 The Clean Air Act 264 Crankcase Emission Control System 264 Evaporative Emission Control System 264 Exhaust Emission Controls 265 PGM FI System 265 Ignition Timing Control System 265 Exhaust Gas Recirculatio...

Page 252: ...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 Technical Information VEHIC...

Page 253: ...ine block It is on the front The Transmission Number is on a label on top of the transmission Technical Information 4 Cylinder Models AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER MANUAL TRANSMISSION NUMBER ENGINE NUMBER 6 Cylinder Models ENGINE NUMBER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER ...

Page 254: ... tank and that remaining in the engine Reserve tank capacity 0 6 0 16 US gal 0 13 Imp gal 2 Excluding the oil remaining in the engine 3 U S EX Canada EX R 4 6cylinder models 6 cylinder models 1 6 cylinder models 2 4 cylinder models Air conditioning is optional on U S DX model ...

Page 255: ...Specifications Technical Information CONTINUED pages 194 and 196 6 cylinder models page 253 page 252 ...

Page 256: ...X Special Edition Canada EX Special Edition 3 U S EX Canada EX R 4 6 cylinder models 5 U S DX and LX without ABS Special Edition Canada LX without ABS EX 6 U S DX and LX with ABS EX Canada LX with ABS Special Edition EX R Technical Information ...

Page 257: ...d 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 design...

Page 258: ...ar 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 ti...

Page 259: ...issipate 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 Gr...

Page 260: ... them This section summarizes how the emission controls work Scheduled maintenance is on page 164 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 ...

Page 261: ...e Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR system takes some of the exhaust gas and routes it back into the intake manifold Adding exhaust gas to the air fuel mixture reduces the amount of NOx produced when the fuel is burned 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 C...

Page 262: ...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 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 con...

Page 263: ...tomer Relations Customer Relations Information 268 U S Zone Office Map 269 Canada Zone Office Map 270 Warranty Coverages 271 Reporting Safely Defects U S Cars 272 Authorized Manuals 273 Warranty and Customer Relations ...

Page 264: ...n this 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 256 Name and address of the dealer who services your car Date of purchase Mileage on your car You...

Page 265: ...902 Wind River Ln Suite 200 Gaithersburg Maryland 20878 301 990 2020 Southeastern Zone 1500 Morrison Parkway Alpharetta Georgia 30004 770 442 2045 8 North Central Zone 601 Campus Drive Suite A 9 Arlington Heights Illinois 60004 847 870 5600 New England Zone 555 Old County Road Windsor Locks Connecticut 06096 860 623 3310 See Zone 5 for NYC Metro area and Fairfield County CT area West Central Zone ...

Page 266: ...55 6161 Central Zone Honda Canada Inc 715 Milner Avenue Scarborough Ontario M1B 2K8 416 299 3400 Western Zone Honda Canada Inc 13240 Worster Court Richmond B C V6V 288 604 278 7121 Atlantic Zone Honda Canada Inc 51 Raddall Avenue Unit 1 Dartmouth N S B3B 1T6 902 468 4416 Warranty and Customer Relations ...

Page 267: ... 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...

Page 268: ...gation 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 800424 9393 or 366 0123 in Washington D C area or write to NHTSA U S Department of Transporta...

Page 269: ...e toll free phone number on the form For manuals prior to the year shown below contact Helm Incorporated P O Box 07280 Detroit Michigan 48207 or call 1 800 782 4356 Valid only for sales within the U S Canadian owners should contact thier authorized Honda dealer By completing this form you can order the materials desired You can pay by check or money order or charge to your credit card Mail to Helm...

Page 270: ...wners to understand Electrical Troubleshooting Manual This manual complements the Service Manual by providing in depth troubleshooting information for each electrical circuit in your car Body Repair Manual This manual describes the procedures involved in the replacement of damaged body parts These publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14 days of ...

Page 271: ...2 Usage 80 Air Pressure Tires 205 Alcohol and Drugs 28 Alcohol in Gasoline 126 Antifreeze 176 Anti lock Brakes ABS Description 149 Indicator L i g h t 37 150 Operation 149 Anti theft Steering Column Lock 52 Anti theft System 122 Appearance Care 223 Ashtray 76 Audio System 87 Automatic Speed Control 48 Automatic Transmission 142 Capacity Fluid 258 Checking Fluid Level 184 Shifting 142 Shift Lever P...

Page 272: ...Explanation of ii CD Changer 101 114 CD Player 112 Certification Label 256 Chains 210 Change Oil How to 173 When to 164 Changing a Flat Tire 233 Changing Engine Coolant 178 Charging System Indicator 36 246 Check Engine Light 37 Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid 184 Battery Condition 197 Brake Fluid 187 Clutch Fluid 189 Drive Belts 203 Engine Coolant 132 Engine Oil 130 Fuses 249 Manual Transmis...

Page 273: ...Quality Grading 262 Downshifting 5 speed Manual Transmission 141 Drive Belts 203 Driving 137 Economy 133 In Bad Weather 151 In Foreign Countries 127 Economy Fuel 133 Emergencies on the Road 231 Battery Jump Starting 240 Changing a Flat Tire 233 Charging System Indicator 246 Checking the Fuses 250 Low Oil Pressure Indicator 245 Malfunction Indicator Lamp 247 Manually Closing Moonroof 248 Overheated...

Page 274: ...k Filling the 128 Fuses Checking the 250 Gas Mileage Improving 133 Gasohol 126 Gasoline 126 Gauge 40 Octane Requirement 126 Tank Filling the 128 Gas Station Procedures 128 Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature 40 Fuel 40 Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission 143 5 speed Manual Transmission 141 Glass Cleaning 227 Glove Box 59 Halogen Headlight Bulbs 211 Hazard Warning Flashers 45 Headlights ...

Page 275: ...5 Parking 42 Turn Signal 43 Loading Cargo 135 LOCK Ignition Key Position 52 Locks Anti theft Steering Column 52 Fuel Fill Door 128 Glove Box 59 Power Door 53 Trunk 58 Low Coolant Level 132 Lower Gear Downshifting to a 141 Low Oil Pressure Indicator 36 245 Lubricant Specifications Chart 258 Luggage 135 Maintenance 159 Owner Maintenance Checks 168 Record 166 167 Required Indicator 40 Safety 160 Sche...

Page 276: ...Waxing 225 Power Door Locks 53 Mirrors 71 Steering 189 Windows 69 Pregnancy Using Seat Belts 11 Proper Seat Belt Usage 7 Radiator Overheating 243 Radio Cassette Sound System 87 Rear End Towing 254 Rear Lights Bulb Replacement 215 Rear Seat Folding 66 Rear View Mirror 71 Rear Window Defogger 45 Reclining the Seat Backs 60 64 Recommended Shift Speeds 141 Reminder Lights 35 Remote Transmitter 54 Repl...

Page 277: ... Tire Inflating 232 Specifications 260 Spark Plugs Replacing 193 195 Specifications Charts 258 Speed Control 48 Speedometer 39 SRS Indicator 17 37 START Ignition Key Position 52 Starting the Engine 139 In Cold Weather at High Altitude 140 With a Dead Battery 240 Steam Coming from Engine 243 Steering Wheel Adjustment 46 Anti theft Column Lock 52 Stereo Sound System 87 Storing Your Car 222 Supplemen...

Page 278: ...als 43 Underside Cleaning 228 Unexpected Taking Care of the 231 Uniform Tire Quality Grading 262 Unleaded Gasoline 126 Upholstery Cleaning 226 Used Oil How to Dispose of 175 Vanity Mirror 75 Vehicle Capacity Load 135 Vehicle Dimensions 258 Vehicle Identification Number 256 Vehicle Storage 222 VIN 256 Vinyl Cleaning 226 Viscosity Oil 171 Warning Beepers Key in Ignition 52 Seat Belts 36 WARNING Expl...

Page 279: ...Wipers Windshield Changing Blades 200 Operation 44 Worn Tires 207 Wrecker Emergency Towing 254 U S and Canada only Index ...

Page 280: ...H grade Energy Conserving or Energy Conserving II oil SAE 5W 30 viscosity Tire Pressure measured cold 4 Cylinder Models Front Rear 220 kPa 2 2 kgf cm2 32psi 6 Cylinder Models Front 220 kPa 2 2 kgf cm 2 32 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 ...

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