HondaDel Sol1997Overview/honda/del-sol/1997/base/

1997 Honda Del Sol

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Del Sol.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Honda Del Sol is a front-wheel-drive convertible that shares its platform with the contemporary Civic, featuring a four-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and it holds the distinction of being Honda's only production targa-top convertible; with EPA fuel economy ratings of 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, plus an oil capacity of 3.5 quarts using 5W-20 API viscosity, the 1997 model represents the fifth year of the Del Sol's production run—a model that has established a reputation for strong reliability throughout its lifecycle, making this particular model year a solid choice for those seeking a dependable used convertible.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy24/32/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-65SR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length157.9 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height49.6 in
Wheelbase93.3 in
Curb weight2414 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 57.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined24 / 32 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Del Sol of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 1995 Civic del Sol VTEC Roadster
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1995Civic del Sol VTEC Roadster 1.6L I-46.40 sec15.10 sec160 hpFWD
1994Civic del Sol VTEC Roadster 1.6L I-47.40 sec15.80 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6MM Bolts: 9 ft-lbs, 8MM Bolts: 14 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings30 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts134 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts88 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 670, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 670, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 670, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.875 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeNippendenso: ND-8, Sanden: SP-10
Oil Capacity4.00-4.33 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38-46 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)28-36 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)40.0-47.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)31.0-36.0 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.060; Rear: 0.060 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5618 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3818 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miClutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E064000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL… Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Del Sol. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Del Sol take?

3.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Del Sol have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Del Sol get?

EPA figures are 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined mpg.