Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Coolant: Service and Repair

Coolant Replacement

1. Start the engine. Set the climate control system to 90°F (32°C) or heater controls to full hot, then turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the engine and the radiator are cool to the touch.
2. Remove the radiator cap.
3. Loosen the drain plug (A), and drain the coolant.





4. Install a rubber hose (A) on the drain bolt (B) located at the rear of the engine block, then loosen the drain bolt.





5. When the coolant stops draining, tighten the drain bolt. Remove the rubber hose.
6. Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.
7. Remove, drain, and reinstall the coolant reservoir.
8. Fill the coolant reservoir to MAX mark (A) with Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2.





9. Pour Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 into the radiator up to the base of the filler neck.





10. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm until it warms up (the radiator fan comes on at least twice). Make sure the thermostat is open.
11. Turn off the engine. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
12. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum cool. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 5 minutes, then turn off the engine.
13. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
14. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum heat. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 5 minutes, then turn off the engine.
15. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
16. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum cool. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes, then turn off the engine.
17. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
18. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum heat. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 1,500 rpm for 3 minutes, then turn off the engine.
19. Check the level in the radiator, and add Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2, if needed.
20. Repeat steps 16 through 19 until the coolant level does not change in the radiator, then install the radiator cap loosely.
21. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum cool. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 2,500 rpm for 1 minute, then let it idle.
22. Set the climate control or heater control panel to maximum heat, and select high speed heat mode on the rear control panel. Measure the temperature of the air from the rear floor vent for 3 minutes. Make sure the temperature is above the standard line of the graph as shown. If the temperature is below the standard line, repeat steps 16 through 19 several more times. Then loosely install the radiator cap and recheck.





23. With the engine idling, make sure you do not hear the sound of water flowing near the rear heater unit. If you hear water flowing, repeat steps 16 through 19 several more times.
24. Securely install the radiator cap.
25. Fill the coolant reservoir with Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 up to the MAX mark, then add an extra 0.4 L (0.11 US gal) coolant.
26. Clean up any spilled engine coolant.
27. Inspect for engine coolant leaks.
28. If the maintenance minder required engine coolant replacement, reset the maintenance minder. If the maintenance minder did not require engine coolant replacement, go to step 29.
29. Connect the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) to the data link connector (DLC).
30. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
31. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the powertrain control module (PCM). If it doesn't communicate, troubleshoot the DLC circuit.
32. Select BODY ELECTRICAL with the HDS.
33. Select ADJUSTMENT in the GAUGE MENU with the HDS.
34. Select RESET in the MAINTENANCE MINDER with the HDS.
35. Select MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM 5 RESET with the HDS.