Instruments and Controls
This section gives information
about the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations......................... 30
Indicator Lights.............................. 31
Gauges............................................. 37
Speedometer
.............................
37
Tachometer................................. 37
Odometer
.................................... 37
Trip Meter................................... 37
Fuel Gauge..................................
38
Temperature Gauge
..................
38
Controls Near the
Steering
Wheel
....................................... 39
Headlights................................... 40
Daytime Running Lights.......... 40
Instrument Panel Brightness... 41
Turn Signals................................ 41
Windshield Wipers.....................
42
Windshield Washers.................
42
Steering Wheel Adjustment ....
. 43
Steering Wheel Controls............... 44
Cruise Control............................ 44
Horn ............................................ 47
Keys and Locks.............................. 47
Keys.............................................. 47
Ignition Switch........................... 47
Door Locks.................................. 48
Power Door Locks ..................... 48
Trunk.......................................... 50
Seat Adjustments........................... 51
Rear Seat Access........................ 52
Additional Driver' s
Seat
Adjustments...........................
53
Seat Heaters.................................... 54
Folding Rea r
Seat.......................... 55
Hazard Warning............................ 56
Rear Window Defogger ................ 56
Power Windows.............................. 57
Sunroof ...........................................
58
Mirrors ........................................... 59
Parking Brake................................ .
61
Glove Box........................................
.
62
Digital Clock..................................
.
63
Center Console Compartment .... 64
Vanity
Mirror
..............................
64
Cigarette Lighter
..........................
.
65
Ashtray........................................... 65
Interior Lights...............................
.
66
Instruments an
d
ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Hazard Warning, Rear Window Defogger
Hazard Warning
Push the red button on the center
console to turn on the hazard warn-
ing lights (four-way flashers). This
causes all four outside turn signals and both indicators in the instru-
ment panel to flash. Use the hazard
warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy
traffic, or if your car is disabled. Rear Window Defogger
The rear window defogger will clear fog, frost, and thin ice from
the window. Push the defogger
button to turn it on and off. The light in the button lights to show
the defogger is on. If you do not
turn it off, the defogger will shut itself off after about 25 minutes. It
also shuts off when you turn off the
ignition. You have to turn it on
again when you restart the car. Make sure the rear window is clear
and you have good visibility before
starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside of
the rear window can be acciden-
tally damaged. When cleaning the
glass, always wipe side to side.
Instruments and ControlsProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Mirrors, Parking Brake
Available on all Canadian models
The outside mirrors are heated to
remove fog and frost. Press the
mirror defroster button to turn on
the heaters. The light in the button
comes on as a reminder. Press the
button again to turn the heaters off.
Parking Brake
To apply the parking brake, pull
the lever up fully. To release it, pull
up slightly, push the button, and lower the lever. The parking brake
light on the instrument panel
should go out when the parking
brake is fully released (see page 33).
If you try to drive the car without
releasing the parking brake, the
ABS cannot work properly. Driving the car with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles.
Instruments and Controls
NOTICE
PARKING BRAKE LEVERProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving Technique — Always
drive slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss
of control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious for the first few miles of
driving while you adjust to the change in driving conditions. This
is especially true in snow. A person
can forget some snow-driving tech- niques during the summer months.
Practice is needed to relearn those
skills.
Exercise extra caution when
driving in rain after a long dry spell.
After months of dry weather, the
first rains bring oil to the surface of
the roadway, making it slippery. Visibility — Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are impor-
tant in all weather conditions. This is more difficult in bad weather. To
be seen more clearly during day-
light hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Replace the wind-
shield wiper blades if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioner to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see
page 73).
Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freez-
ing. The road surface can become
covered with areas of water pud-
dles mixed with areas of ice, so
your traction can change without
warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels for a moment and
cause a skid.
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Charging System Indication
The charging system light should
go out after the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly with the engine
running, the alternator is no longer
charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try
not to use other electrically-
operated controls such as the
power windows. Keep the engine
running and take extra care not to
stall it. Starting the engine will discharge the battery rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles before the
battery is too discharged to keep
the engine running. Drive to a
service station or garage where you
can get technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHTProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Index
DANGER, Explanation of.............. ii
Dashboard........................................ 30
Daytime Running Lights.............. 40
Dead Battery, What to Do........... 191
Defects, Reporting Safety ............ 26
Defogger, Rear Window ............... 56
Defrosting the Windows............... 74
DEXRON ®
II Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................. 144
Dimensions.................................... 206
Dimming the Headlight
s .............. 40
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........
144
Engine Oil................................. .
135
Directional Signals........................
.
41
Disabled, Towing Your Car If ... 202
Disc Brake Wear Indicators.......
116
Disposal o f
Used Oil.....................
138
Doors
Locking an
d Unlocking ............ 48
Power Door Locks ..................... 48
DOT Tire Quality Grading......... 161
Downshifting,
5-speed Transmission.............. 111
Driving .......................................... .
107
Economy.................................... 104
In Bad Weather......................... 119
In Foreign Countries................. 99
Economy, Fuel.............................. 104
Emergencies on the Road........... 183 Battery, Jump Starting............ 191
Changing a Flat Tire............... 185
Charging System Light........... 196
Check Engine Light................. 197
Checking the Fuses.................
200
Low Oi l
Pressure Light........... 195
Manually Closing Sunroof...... 198
Overheated Engine.................. 193
Emergency Brake ......................... 61
Emergency Flashers...................... 56
Emission Controls......................... 211
Engine Check Light....................... 34, 197
Coolant Temperature Gauge... 38
Oil Pressure Light............. 33, 195
Oil, What Kind to Use .............
135
Overheating............................... 193
Specifications........................... 206
Ethano l
in Gasoline........................ 98
Evaporative Emission Controls......................................
211
Exhaust Fumes.............................. .
25
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by.................................. 8
Exterior, Cleaning the.................
176
Fabric, Cleaning........................... 179
Fan, Interior.................................... 68
Fan, Radiator.................................. 27
Features, Comfort
and Convenience........................ 67
Filling the Gas Tank.................... 100
Filters
Air
............................................... 149
Fuel............................................. 150
Oil ............................................... 137
First Gear, Shifting...................... 111
5-Speed Transmissio n
Checkin
g Fluid Level..............
145
CONTINUED
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 98
Odometer......................................... 37
Odometer, Trip............................... 37
Oil Change, How to........................ 137
Change, When
to ......................
129
Checking Engine......................
135
Pressure Light............................
33
Selecting Proper Viscosity
Chart.......................................
136
ON (Ignitio n
Key Position)........... 47
Opening the Hood.........................
101
Opening th e
Trunk ........................ 50
Operation in Foreign Countries... 99
Outside Mirrors.............................. 60
Overheating, Engine....................
193
Panel Brightnes s
Control.............. 41
Park Gear Position.......................
113
Parking Brake................................ .
61
Parking Lights................................ 40
Parking Over Things that
Burn............................................ 213
PGM-FI System............................ 212
Polishing and Waxing..................
177
Power
Door Locks.................................
. 48
Mirrors......................................... 60
Steering...................................... 148
Windows.......................................
57
Pregnancy, Usin g
Seat Belts......... 8
Proper Seat Belt Usage................... 6
Radiator Overheating..................
193
Radio/Cassette Sound System
..... 75
Rear En d
Towing.........................
202
Rear Lights, Bulb
Replacement.............................. 169
Rear Seat, Folding ......................... 55
Rear Vie w
Mirror .......................... 59
Rear Window Defogger ................ 56
Reclining the Seat Backs.............. 52
Recommended Shift Speeds....... 111
Reminder Lights............................
.
31
Replacement Information
Air Filter...................................
.
149
Coolant....................................... 140
Engine Oil and Filter............... 137 Fuel Filter..................................
150
Fuses...........................................
200
Ligh
t Bulbs................................ 164
Schedule..................................... 129
Spark Plugs............................... 150
Tires............................................ 161
Wiper Blades............................. 155
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash................................. 9
Reserve Tank, Coolant...............
139
Restraint, Child.............................. .
18
Reverse Gear Position..................
114
Rotation, Tire............................... ..
160
Safety Belts......................................
.
5
Safety Defects, Reporting............ 26
Safety Labels, Location of............ 27
Safety Messages............................... ii
Seat Belts........................................... 5
Advice for Pregnant Women..... 8Child Seat Anchor Plate ........... 21
Cleaning.....................................
179
Frayed o r
Torn............................. 9
Maintenance.................................. 9ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t
Index
Inflation...................................... 158
Inspection................................... 159
Replacing................................... 161
Rotating..................................... 160
Snow........................................... 163
Specifications............................
207
Tools, Tire
Changing ..................
185
Torn Seat
Belts................................. 9
Towing A Trailer....................................
121
Emergency Wrecher............... . 202
Transmission
Checking Flui
d Level,
Automatic..............................
144
Checking Flui d
Level,
5-speed....................................
145
Fluid Selection......................... .
144
Identification Number...........
.
204
Shifting th
e
Automatic ...........
112
Shifting th
e
5-speed.................
111
Treadwear..................................... 161
Trip Meter....................................... 37
Trunk
............................................... 50
Opening the................................ 50
Open Monito r
Light...................
35
Turn Signals.................................... 41
Underside, Cleaning...................
.
176
Unexpected, Takin
g
Care
of the...........................................
183
Uniform Tir e
Quality Grading.. 161
Unleaded Gasoline......................... 98
Upholstery Cleaning....................
179
Used Oil ,
How to Dispose of.......
138
Vanity Mirror.
................................ 64
Vehicle Capacit y
Load................
106
Vehicle Dimensions..................... 206
Vehicle Identification Number.. 204
Vehicle Storage...........................
.
173
Ventilation....................................... 7
1
VIN................................................
.
204
Vinyl Cleaning.............................
.
179
Viscosity, Oil................................
.
136
Warning Beepers
Key in Ignition...........................
. 47
Seat Belts..................................... 33
WARNING, Explanation of........... ii
Warning Labels, Location of........ 27
Warranty Coverages....................
216
Washer, Windshiel d
Checkin
g the Fluid Level.......
155
Operation..................................... 4
2
Washing.........................................
.
176
Waxing an
d
Polishing..................
177
Wheels
Adjusting th
e Steering.............. 43
Alignment and Balance........... 161 Compact Spare.......................... 184
Wrench.......................................
185
Windows Cleaning.....................................
180
Operating the
Power................. 57
Rear, Defogger........................... 56
Windshield
Cleaning....................................... 42
Defroster...................................... 74
Wipers, Windshield Changing Blades.......................
155
Operation..................................... 4 2
Wor
n Tires.....................................
159
Wrecker, Emergenc
y
Towing...
202
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