check oil HONDA PASSPORT 2000 2.G User Guide

Oi
l Viscosit y

Engine oil viscosity (thickness) has an effect on fuel economy. Lower
viscosity engine oils can provideincreased fuel economy; however,
higher temperature weather
conditions require higher viscosity
engine oils for satisfactory lubrication. To get the best fuel
economy with your vehicle, you should use a fuel-saving engine oil
of the proper viscosity. These oils
can be found in service stations and other retail stores. They are
identified by words such as
"Energy Saving," "Conserves
Gasoline," "Gas Saving,"
"Gasoline Saving," "Friction
Reducing," "Improved Gasoline Mileage" or "Fuel Saving."
The chart lists the recommended
engine oil viscosities for the temperature range you expect
before the next oil change. For temperatures above 0°F (—18°C),
SAE 10W—30 is the preferred viscosity grade. If cold-weather
starting problems are encountered
at temperatures below 0°F
(—18°C), SAE 5W—30 viscosity
oils may be required.
Oi l Leve l Chec k
It is the owner's responsibility to
keep the engine oil at the proper
level. Check the oil level at regular
intervals (such as every other fuel stop) and keep it above the
"minimum" level mark.
Remember, your engine may use more oil when it is new.
The best time to check the engine
oil level is when the oil is warm, such as during a fuel stop. Shut off
the engine and wait about 5 minutes
for the oil to drain back to the oil
pan. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it
clean, and push it back down all the
way. Now pull out the dipstick and

Car e an d Maintenanc e

look at the oil level on the dipstick.
The dipstick has two markings which indicate the minimum and
maximum allowable oil level. If the
oil level is lower than the markedarea, it indicates the need for
additional oil. Push the dipstick
back down all the way after taking the reading. If you check the oil level when
the oil is cold, do not run the
engine first. The cold oil will not drain into the pan fast
enough to give a true reading.

Engin e Oi l Additive s

There are many extra engine oil additives for sale. Your engine
should not need these extra
additives if you use recommended
quality engine oil and change it as suggested. If you think your

engine has an oil-related problem,

talk to your Honda dealer. Ai
r Cleane r Filte r
See your Maintenance Schedule for
change intervals. If the vehicle is operated in dusty areas it will
require more frequent element
replacement. Your Honda dealer
can be of assistance in determining the proper replacement frequency
for the conditions under which you
operate your vehicle.
Do not attempt to clean the air
filter. The filter is designed to
provide normal filtering
efficiency between replacement intervals.
For maximum protection, it is advisable to use genuine Honda air
cleaner filters as replacements.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

Never run the engine with the air
cleaner filter removed. If the
engine should backfire, it could
possibly cause an engine
compartment fire.
Be sure to reinstall the air cleaner
filter and assembly correctly. If it is installed incorrectly, engine
damage could result. Manua
l Transmissio n Flui d
See the Maintenance Schedule to
find out how often the lubricant
level should be checked.
Check that the fluid level reaches
the plug hole by removing the
filler plug on the transmission and transfer case. If the fluid level is
low, refill the case up to the filler
plug hole.
Use a high-quality engine oil
labeled SG or SF that is of the
correct viscosity for existing ambient temperatures as follows.
(2WD)

OIL FIL L PLU G
DRAI N PLU G
DRAI N PLU G

Car e an d Maintenanc e
(4WD)
RIGH
T SID E
LEF T SID E

OIL FIL L PLU G

The engine cooling system is
designed to maintain the engine at
the proper operating temperatures.
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a quality engine
coolant. The engine cooling system is designed to use coolant (a
mixture of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze) rather than plain
water. The engine coolant solutionshould be used year-round. It has
many advantages such as: provides freezing protection as

lowas — 33°F( — 36°C)
provides boiling protection up
to262°F(128°C)
protects against rust and
corrosion in the cooling system maintains the proper engine
temperature for efficient
operation and emission control
allows proper operation of the
engine coolant temperature gaugeSee the Maintenance Schedule in
this section to find out when the
engine coolant must be replaced.

Checkin g th e Coolan t Leve l

Check the engine coolant level at the interval shown in the
Maintenance Schedule unless there
is evidence of leaking or
overheating. The engine coolant
level should be between the
maximum and the minimum level
marks on the radiator reserve tank.

Car e an d Maintenanc e

Recommende
d Lubrican t
Engin
e Coolin g Syste m

(—36°C) to ensure protection
against corrosion and loss of
engine coolant from boiling.
This should be done even if freezing temperatures are not

expected.

Add ethylene glycol-basedantifreeze when antifreeze has
to be added because of engine
coolant loss or if more
protection against freezing at
temperatures lower than —33 °F
(—36°C) is needed. Do not use
an alcohol-based or
methanol-based antifreeze, or
plain water. They boil at a
lower point, and do not provide corrosion protection.
Thermosta
t

The engine coolant temperature is
controlled by a thermostat, which stops engine coolant flow through
the radiator until a preset
temperature is reached. This
thermostat is installed in the
engine coolant inlet on the front of the engine block. The same
thermostat is used in both winter
and summer. Othe
r Require d
Maintenanc e
Brak e Maste r Cylinde r
Check the master cylinder fluid
level in the reservoir every time
you check the engine oil level.
The level should be between the MAX and ADD level line. If the
level is lower than the ADD level
line, fill to the MAX level linewith DOT-3 or DOT-4 fluid.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

If the diaphragm inside the
reservoir cap is deformed, return
it to the original (collapsed)
condition, then tighten the cap.
It is normal for the brake fluid
level to go down slightly as the
front brake pads wear. So be sure
to keep the reservoir fluid at the
proper level.
If the reservoir needs frequent
refilling, it may indicate a serious mechanical problem.
Brake fluid absorbs water from
the air. Never use brake fluid that
has been open to the air for an
extended period. Throw it away and use new brake fluid from a
sealed container.

Brake fluid can damage your vehicle's paint. Thoroughly clean
up any brake fluid spills.
Shift-on-the-Fl
y Syste m
The fluid level in the system should
be checked at the intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedule.
Remove the filler plug and make sure the fluid level is up to the
edge of the hole. If it is not, add
GL-5 gear oil to bring to that level. Use the same GL-5 gear oilspecified for the front axle (see
page 212). Fron
t Whee l Bearing s
Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings whenever the front brake
pads are replaced. Due to the weight of the tire and wheel
assembly it is recommended that
they be removed from the hub
before lubricating the bearings to
prevent damage to the oil seal.
"Long Fiber" grease should not be
used to lubricate the wheel bearings.
It can cause damage. Clean the old
grease out of the bearings and hubs
before repacking.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E
FILLE
R
PLU G

Hoo
d Latc h an d Hinge s

Lubricate the hood latch assembly
and hood hinge assembly as

follows:
1. Wipe off any accumulatio n of
dirt o
r contamination on the
latch parts.
2. Apply multipurpose-type grease (NLGI No. 1 or 2) to
the hood latch pin cam.
3. Apply light engine oil to all pivot points in the release
mechanism.

4. Lubricate hood hinges with multipurpose-type grease
(NLGI No. 1 or 2).

5. Check the hood hinges and
latch mechanism to assure
they are working correctly.
Ai
r Conditionin g

Periodically have your Honda dealer check your air conditioning
system to be sure there has been

no loss in cooling output. See
your Honda dealer if you suspect

that the system is not performing

as it should.

Bod y Lubricatio n

Normal use of a vehicle causes
metal-to-metal movement at certain
points in the body. Noise, wear and improper operation at these points
will result when a protective film of lubricant is not provided.
For exposed surfaces such as door
checks, door lock bolts, lock striker plates, etc., apply a thin
film of light engine oil.
Any lubricant should be used
sparingly. After application, all excess lubricant should be
carefully wiped off.
The seat adjusters and seat track should be lubricated with water-
resistant EP chassis lubricant.
There are other points on the
vehicle body which may occasionally require lubrication.
Window regulators and controls are confined in the space between
the upholstery and the outside
door panel. Easy access to the
working parts may be made by
removing the trim. Door weatherstrips and rubber hood
bumpers should be lightly coatedwith a rubber lubricant.

Car e an d Maintenanc e

Specification
s

These specifications are given here for information only. Before using them, see the cautions and other instructions throughout this manual. For further information, see the Service Manual covering the chassi s or body parts in question.
Your Hond
a dealer may also be able to help.

* Oil capacities shown are approximate refill capacities.
* After refill, recheck oil level.

Technical Dat a

Change Oil

How to ................ 208

When ......... 200, 201, 207
Changing a Flat Tire ....... 182 Lifting Points ........... 183
Changing Engine Coolant .. . 214
Charging System Indicator ... 60
Check Engine Light ......... 61
Checking Battery Condition ....... 194
Brake Fluid ............ 219
Clutch Fluid ............ 219
Engine Belts ............ 218
Engine Coolant ..... 213, 214
Engine Oil ............ 209 5-Speed Manual Transmission Fluid .... 211

Fuses .............
189, 236
Power Steering Fluid .....
219

Radiator Coolan
t ....... 213

Shift-on-the-Fly
System Fluid .......... 216
Tire Pressure ........... 194
Windshield Wipers ..... 205
Checklist, Before Driving ... 152
Children, Protecting .......... 18
Child-Safe Door Locks .... 101
Child Seats, General Guidelines ......... 21
Cigarette Lighter .......... 112
Circuit Breaker, Checking the 104
Cleaner, Air ............. 210
Cleaning Exterior ............... 220
Interior ................ 222Seat Belts .............. 225
Vinyl ................. 225 Clock, Setting the .......... 149
Clutch Fluid .............. 219
CO in the Exhaust ......
44, 245
Consumer Information ...... 242 Control Locations .......... 54
Controls, Instruments and .... 53

Controls Near the Steering Wheel
Hazard Warning .......... 74
Headlights ............. 70

Illumination Control ..... 71
Rear Window Defogger .... 72
Steering Wheel Adjustment 111

Turn Signals ............. 73

Windshield Wiper/Washer . 68
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer ............. 72

Coolant
Adding ................ 214
Capacity ............... 232
Checking ............. 213
Proper Solution ......... 214
Temperature Gauge ....... 58
Corrosion Protection ....... 221 Courtesy Lights ........... 108
Crankcase Emission Control System .......... 246
Cruise Control Operation .... 143
Customer Relations Information ............. 242
DANGER, Explanation of .... iv Dashboard ................ 54
Dead Battery, What to Do ... 180 Defects, Reporting Safety .. . 245
Defogger, Rear Window ..... 72
Defrosting the Windows .... 118

DEXRON III

AutomaticTransmission Fluid ...... 212
Digital Clock ............... 149
Dimensions .............. 239
Dimming the Headlights .... 70
Dipstick, Engine Oil ... 196, 209
Directional Signals .......... 73
Disabled, Towing Your Vehicle If .... 187
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . . 158
Dome Light .............. 107
Door Locks ............... 9 Power ................ 100 Doors, Close and Lock ....... 10

DOT Tire Quality Grading ... 247

Downshifting, 5-Speed

Manual Transmission ....... 82
Drive Belts ............... 218
Driving, On-Road Fuel Economy .......... 166In Bad Weather ......... 164

In Foreign Countries ..... 169
On Slippery Surfaces ..... 158

Economy, Fuel ............ 166 EGR System .............. 247
Emergency Brake ........... 84
Emergency Flashers ......... 74