Honda Accord Coupe L4 (2011 year). Manual

Fluid Locations

V6 models

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ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR

RADIATOR CAP

ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)

WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)

BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)

CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)

ENGINE OIL FILL CAP

AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)

POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)

Main Menu

Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and carefully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.

Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a few
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not fill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.

Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s performance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 0W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certification Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.

Recommended Engine Oil

Adding Engine Oil

350

ENGINE OIL FILL CAP

V6 models

4-cylinder models

Main Menu

Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
affect the engine or transmission
performance and durability.

You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given for a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certification Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
follow the oil and filter change
intervals shown on the information
display.

Honda Motor Oil is the preferred
0W-20 lubricant for your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle for
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certification Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines’’.

The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
0W-20 oil is formulated for year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
fuel economy.

Synthetic Oil

Engine Oil Additives

Adding Engine Oil

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API CERTIFICATION SEAL

Ambient Temperature

Main Menu

Remove the oil filter and let the
remaining oil drain. A special
wrench (available from your
dealer) is required.

Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil fill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer from the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.

Always change the oil and filter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the information
display. The oil and filter collect
contaminants that can damage your
engine if they are not removed
regularly.

Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.

Make sure the oil filter gasket is
not stuck to the contacting surface
of the engine. If it is, remove it
before installing a new oil filter.

Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lift for this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
technician.

Changing the Engine Oil and Filter

352

OIL DRAIN BOLT

WASHER

OIL DRAIN BOLT

WASHER

V6 models

4-cylinder models

Main Menu

Install a new oil filter according to
the instructions that come with it.

Refill the engine with the recom-
mended oil.

Engine oil change capacity
(including filter):

Let the engine run for several
minutes, then check the drain bolt
and oil filter for leaks.

Turn off the engine, let it sit for
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.

Make sure to clean off any dirt
and dust on the contacting surface
of a new oil filter.

Put a new washer on the drain bolt,
then reinstall the drain bolt.
Tighten the drain bolt to:

Reinstall the engine oil fill cap.
Start the engine. The oil pressure
indicator should go out within 5
seconds. If it does not, turn off the
engine, and check your work.

V6 models

4-cylinder models

Changing the Engine Oil and Filter

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OIL FILTER

V6 models

4-cylinder models

4.2 US qt (4.0 )

29 lbf·ft (39 N·m , 4.0 kgf·m)

4.5 US qt (4.3 )

Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.

Main Menu

−

Always use Honda Long-life Anti-
freeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antifreeze and 50 percent distilled
water. Never add straight antifreeze
or plain water.

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.

If Honda antifreeze/coolant 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.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malfunction or fail. Have the cooling
system flushed and refilled with
Honda antifreeze/coolant as soon as
possible.

4-cylinder models only

Adding Engine Coolant

Engine Coolant

354

RESERVE TANK

V6 models

4-cylinder models

If you regularly drive your vehicle
under severe conditions in very low
temperature (under

31°F,

35°C), a

higher concentration of coolant should
be used. Consult your Honda dealer
f or more inf ormation on the proper
coolant.

Main Menu

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the filler neck. Add
coolant if it is low.

Pour the coolant slowly and
carefully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.

Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.

Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to halfway between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.

Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.

If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.

Remove the radiator cap by
pushing it down and turning it
counterclockwise.

Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.

Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.

Engine Coolant

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RADIATOR CAP

V6 models

4-cylinder models

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.

Main Menu

Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer fluid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents freezing in cold weather.

When you refill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer fluid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition the blade edges.

Check the level in the windshield
washer reservoir at least monthly
during normal use.

Check the fluid level by removing
the cap and looking at the level
gauge.

The low washer

level indicator comes on when the
level is low (see page

On Canadian models:

Windshield Washers

356

LEVEL GAUGE

V6 models

4-cylinder models

Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Main Menu

Check the fluid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.

Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator fan comes on, then shut
off the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) before
doing step 2.

Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
from the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.

Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.

CONTINUED

Automatic Transmission

Transmission Fluid

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DIPSTICK

V6 models

4-cylinder models

DIPSTICK

UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK

Main Menu

Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.

Remove the dipstick and check
the fluid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.

If the level is below the lower
mark, add fluid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.

The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the Maintenance Minder

(see

page

If you are not sure how to add fluid,
contact your dealer.

Always use Honda ATF DW-1
(automatic transmission fluid).

Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.

341

Transmission Fluid

358

V6 models

LOWER
MARK

UPPER
MARK

Use only Honda ATF DW-1 (automatic
transmission f luid). Do not mix with
other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda ATF DW-1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
ATF DW-1 is not covered by the Honda
new vehicle warranty.

Main Menu

Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.

Reinstall the under cover and put the
holding clips back in place. Make
sure the under cover is installed
under the edge of the front bumper.

If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certification Seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.

The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the Maintenance Minder

(see

page

If you are not sure how to check and
add fluid, contact your dealer.

Remove the transmission filler bolt,
and carefully feel inside the bolt hole
with your finger.

The fluid level should be up to the
edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
hole. Reinstall the filler bolt, and
tighten it securely.

To check the transmission fluid level,
remove the under cover holding clips
with a flat-tip screwdriver, then
remove the under cover carefully.

341

CONTINUED

4-cylinder models

Transmission Fluid

Manual Transmission

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Correct level

FILLER BOLT

Main Menu

Remove the check bolt and look for
transmission fluid coming out of the
bolt hole. If a small amount of fluid
drips out of the bolt hole, reinstall
the check bolt.

Check the fluid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.

If no fluid comes out, remove the
filler bolt and washer. Slowly add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
check bolt hole.

V6 models

Transmission Fluid

360

FILLER BOLT

WASHER

CHECK BOLT

DRAIN BOLT

Main Menu

Pour the fluid into the filler hole
slowly and carefully so you do not
spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.

The transmission should be drained
and refilled with new fluid according
to the Maintenance Minder

(see

page

If you are not sure how to check and
add fluid, contact your dealer.

Let the fluid run out until it stops,
then reinstall the check bolt and the
filler bolt.
Make sure to put a new washer on
each bolt when reinstalling it.

Reinstall the under cover and put the
holding clips back in place. Make
sure the under cover is installed
under the edge of the front bumper.

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Transmission Fluid

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Main Menu

Check the fluid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:

Brake fluid reservoir (all models)
Clutch fluid reservoir
(manual transmission only)

Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 fluid, from a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.

Using any non-Honda brake fluid can
cause corrosion and decrease the life
of the system. Have the brake
system flushed and refilled with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.

Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.

The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected for leaks or
worn brake pads.

Independent of the Maintenance
Minder information, replace the
brake fluid every 3 years.

Brake and Clutch Fluid

Brake Fluid

362

MAX

MIN

Main Menu

Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The fluid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering fluid to the
UPPER LEVEL.

The fluid level should be between
the MIN and MAX marks on the side
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake fluid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.

A low fluid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.

CONTINUED

Manual transmission only

Power Steering Fluid

Clutch Fluid

Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid

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MAX

4-cylinder models

MIN

UPPER LEVEL

LOWER LEVEL

Main Menu

−

The timing belt should be replaced
according to the Maintenance
Minder

(see page

Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (100,000 km) if you regularly
drive your vehicle in any of the
following conditions:

Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering fluid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system flushed and refilled
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.

A low power steering fluid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the fluid level frequently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.

Pour the fluid slowly and carefully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.

In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under

20°F,

29°C).

If you frequently tow a trailer.

341

V6 models

Timing Belt

Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt

364

UPPER LEVEL

V6 models

LOWER LEVEL

Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Main Menu

Honda Accord Coupe L4 (2011 year). Manual - part 23