Contents: Engine oil ⇊ Engine coolant ⇊ Windshield and rear window washer…⇊ Hydraulic fluid for brake and clutch…⇊
Various liquids act as working fluids in lubrication systems, cooling, heating and air conditioning, braking, glass washing, etc.
Since all fluids are subject to dilution and wear over time, and also gradually become contaminated during normal system operation, it is necessary to periodically replace them completely. Before adjusting the level or replacing, check the list of recommended fluid grades for use in your vehicle (see Specifications to this Chapter).
Note: When checking fluid levels, the vehicle must be parked on a level, horizontal surface, preferably with a hard surface.
Engine oil
1. Checking the engine oil level is done using a dipstick inserted into the guide tube and lowered into the engine to the bottom of the oil pan. On all models, the dipstick is located at the front of the engine (see accompanying illustrations).
2. Check the engine oil level before the first trip of the day or at least 15 minutes after stopping the engine. If you check immediately after turning off the engine, the results will not adequately reflect the situation, since some of the oil will be distributed throughout the internal galleries and components of the engine.
3. Remove the dipstick from the guide tube and wipe it dry with a clean rag or paper towel. Insert the dipstick back into the tube until it stops, then remove it again. Inspect the dipstick blade, checking the size of the area wetted with oil. The oil level should be between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick blade (see accompanying illustration). If necessary, add the required amount of oil of the appropriate grade to the engine.
4. It takes about one liter of oil to raise the level from the lower mark on the dipstick to the upper mark. If the level falls below the lower mark, it leads to the development of oil starvation of the engine, which is fraught with serious mechanical damage to the latter. Try not to overfill the oil above the upper mark, as this can lead to spark plugs being thrown or failure of the oil seals of the power unit as a result of excessive pressure increase.
5. In order to fill the engine with oil, it is necessary to remove the threaded filler cap (see accompanying illustration). To minimize oil splashing when adding oil to the engine, use a funnel or a long-nosed oiler. After adding oil, screw on and tighten the filler cap securely, then start the engine and carefully inspect the drain plug and oil filter mating surface for signs of oil leaks. Turn off the engine, wait about 15 minutes for the oil to drain into the sump, and check the level again.
6. Checking the engine oil level is an important preventive maintenance procedure for the engine. A constant decrease in the level indicates the presence of oil leaks due to failure of seals, damage to sealing gaskets, wear of piston rings or valve guides. If the oil is milky in color or consistency, or if there are drops of water in it, this indicates possible damage to the cylinder head gasket or the formation of cracks in the body of the head or block. The check must be done without delay. When measuring the oil level, always also check its condition. Use your thumb and forefinger to remove traces of oil from the dipstick blade - if there are small metal particles in it, the oil must be replaced (see Changing engine oil and oil filter (every 4,800 km or once every three months)).
Engine coolant
Warning! Do not allow antifreeze to come into contact with exposed areas of the body or painted surfaces of the vehicle. If any splashes occur, immediately wash off with plenty of water. Remember that antifreeze is a highly toxic liquid and its ingestion, even in small quantities, can have the most serious consequences, including death. Never leave antifreeze stored in a loosely closed container; immediately collect any coolant spilled on the floor. Remember that the sweet smell of antifreeze can attract the attention of children and animals. Consult with your local authorities about how to dispose of used coolant. Many regions of the world have special collection points for various types of waste. Never pour old coolant down the drain or onto the ground!
Note: Non-toxic antifreeze grades have been developed in recent years, but they must also be disposed of in an organized manner.
All models of cars described in this Manual are equipped with a compensating cooling system operating under excess pressure. The expansion tank of the cooling system, made of white plastic, is located in the engine compartment and is connected by an overflow hose to the filler neck of the radiator. When the engine overheats, the coolant expands, and its excess flows through the valve mounted in the radiator filler cap into the expansion tank. As the liquid cools, it returns through the hose back to the radiator, which allows its level in the system to be constantly maintained at the normal level.
1. The coolant level in the expansion tank is checked regularly and should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the translucent walls of the tank (see accompanying illustration). It should be remembered that the liquid level depends on its temperature, so when cold it should be only slightly above the lower mark, and after the engine warms up, it should rise to the MAX mark. If necessary, make the appropriate adjustment by adding the required amount of fresh mixture to the tank through the neck.
Warning! Do not remove the radiator cap to check the coolant level when the engine is warm! To adjust the coolant level, use only the required mixture of ethylene glycol and distilled water (about 50/50). Remember that frequent use of plain water to adjust the coolant level leads to a gradual dilution of the antifreeze and the loss of the mixture's frost resistance and anti-corrosion properties.
2. A constant drop in coolant level usually indicates that there are leaks developing in the system. Check the radiator, hoses, filler cap, drain plugs and water pump housing for signs of leaks. If no signs of leaks can be found, the radiator cap should be pressure tested at a car service workshop.
Attention! Never remove the radiator/expansion tank cap when the engine is hot!
3. If you need to remove the radiator cap, wait until the engine has cooled down completely, then wrap the neck with a thick layer of rags and slowly unscrew the cap to the first stop. If steam is released, allow the engine to cool down a little more, and only then remove the cap completely.
4. In addition to the level, also check the condition of the coolant - it should be relatively transparent. If the coolant is a reddish-brown rust color, the cooling system should be drained, flushed and filled with a fresh mixture of antifreeze and water. Even if the liquid does not change in appearance, the corrosion inhibitors it contains are subject to wear over time, so the coolant should be replaced regularly in accordance with the vehicle's routine maintenance schedule (see Schedule of current maintenance).
5. Try to avoid antifreeze coming into contact with exposed skin or painted surfaces of body components. Any accidental splashes should be washed off immediately with plenty of water.
Windshield and rear window washer fluid
1. Windshield washer fluid is poured into a special reservoir located in the left front corner of the vehicle's engine compartment (see accompanying illustration). In regions with a moderate climate, clean water can be used as a windshield washer fluid, but do not fill the reservoir more than 2/3 full to compensate for the expansion of water when it freezes during frosts. When operating the car in severe climatic conditions, only patented windshield wipers should be added to the reservoir, which provide an appropriate decrease in the freezing point of the liquid. To avoid freezing of the glass when washing in cold weather, preheat it by blowing air passed through the heater heat exchanger.
Attention! Never use antifreeze used in the cooling system to add to the windshield washer fluid - the latter is aggressive towards the paintwork of the body panels!
Hydraulic fluid for brake and clutch systems
The brake master cylinder (BMC) is mounted on the brake booster servo unit. The clutch hydraulic cylinder is used on models with a manual transmission and is mounted next to the BMC directly on the rear bulkhead of the compartment. On models equipped with ABS, the reservoir of the hydraulic modulator of the anti-lock system is located on the right side of the engine compartment.
Note: Before checking the ABS modulator fluid level on the vehicle, a short (a few minutes) a trip to equalize the pressures. If the fluid level rises significantly above the MAX mark, the car should be taken to a service station for more detailed checks and necessary repairs.
1. The liquid level inside the tanks is clearly visible through the translucent walls of the latter and must be maintained between the two MIN and MAX marks on the walls (see accompanying illustrations).
2. If it is necessary to adjust the fluid level, carefully wipe the cap of the corresponding reservoir and the area around it with a clean cloth to prevent contaminants from entering the system.
3. When pouring fluid into the reservoir, be careful not to splash it onto the surrounding painted surfaces of body parts. Add only the fluid grade specified by regulatory requirements to each system (see Specifications at the beginning of this Chapter). Mixing two different types of liquids is not allowed under any circumstances. When adjusting the liquid level in the master cylinder reservoir, do not bring it to the upper mark by approximately 20 mm – after installing the cap, the level will automatically return to normal.
Warning! Brake fluid is extremely chemically aggressive – do not allow it to come into contact with your eyes or paint on body panels! Do not add hydraulic fluid to the system that has been standing for more than one year or that has been stored in a loosely closed container. Remember that brake fluid is very hygroscopic and has the ability to absorb moisture from the air, after which its effectiveness is significantly reduced!
4. During the level adjustment stage, the condition of the fluid and the inner walls of the tank should be carefully checked. If mud deposits, solid foreign particles or water droplets are detected, the system should be emptied and filled with fresh hydraulic fluid (see Chapter Clutch and drive shafts or Brake system).
5. Once the tank is filled to the required level, place the lid on it tightly.
6. Remember that the hydraulic fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir slowly drops as the brake pads wear down, but this drop is always very small. If the fluid has to be topped up too often, there is a leak in the system, the source of which must be identified and the cause eliminated without delay. Carefully inspect all brake lines and their nipple connections, including the calipers, wheel cylinders and the vacuum booster servo (for more details, see Checking the brake system (every 12,000 km or once every 6 months)). A drop in the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder reservoir indicates the presence of leaks in the clutch master cylinder hydraulic drive system (see Chapter Clutch and drive shafts).
7. If, during the check of the fluid level in the brake master cylinder, it is revealed that its reservoir is almost empty, the brake system must be completely bled (see Chapter Brake system).
(The original can be found on the resource: «HONDABOOK»)