
Alcohol and Drugs
Driving a car requires your full at-
tention and alertness. Traffic condi-
tions change rapidly. You must be able to react just as rapidly. Alcohol
or drugs directly affect your alert-
ness and ability to react. Even pre- scription and non-prescription medi-
cines can have this effect.
There are laws that deal with drunken driving. These laws define
how much alcohol it takes in your system to be legally "drunk." How-
ever, your judgment and reaction
time get worse with every drink — even the first one. The safest thing you can do is never
drink and drive. This can be done if
you plan ahead. If you know you are
going to be drinking, make plans to ride with a friend who will not bedrinking.
What if you find that you've been drinking and cannot get a ride from a
friend? Find alternative transpor-
tation. Call a taxi. Take a bus. Many communities have transportation
services devoted to shuttling people
who have been drinking. If you have no choice but to drive,
stop drinking and give yourself lots
of time to sober up. Time is the only
thing that can make you sober.
Things like coffee or a cold shower don't speed up the process.
If you see friends trying to get
behind the wheel after drinking, stop
them. Drive them yourself or arrange other transportation. If you
think you are interfering, remember
that your interference will keep them
from sharing the road with you.
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Indicator Lights
Turn Signal andHazard WarningIndicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 178). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on theoutside of the car should flash.
"Daytime Running
Lights" Indicator
Canadian models only
This indicator lights when you turnthe ignition to ON (II) with the
headlight switch off and the parking
brake set. It should go off if you turnon the headlights or release the
parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high beam headlights. See page 42 for
information on the headlight
controls.
Cruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page 48 for information
on operating the cruise control.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon. Shift Lever Position Indicator
This indicator shows which shift position the shift lever is in.
The "D4" indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn theignition switch ON (II). If it flashes
while driving (in any shift position), it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid acceler-
ation and have the transmissionchecked by an authorized Honda
dealer as soon as possible.
Instruments and Controls
CRUISE
CONTROL
DRL
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Gauges
Temperature Gauge This shows the temperature of the engine's coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper white mark. If it reaches the
red "H" (Hot) mark, pull safely to
the side of the road. Turn to page
202 for instructions and precautions on checking the engine's cooling
system.
Fuel Gauge
This shows how much fuel you have. It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly more or less than the actual amount
when you are driving on curvy or hilly roads.
The gauge stays at the same fuel level reading after you turn off the
ignition. When you add fuel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
reading after you turn the ignition
back ON (II). Maintenance Required Indicator
The indicator reminds you when it is time for scheduled maintenance.
When it nears 12,000 km (7,500 miles) since the last maintenance,
the indicator will turn yellow. If you exceed 12,000 km (7,500 miles), the
indicator will turn red. Your dealer
will reset the indicator when he performs the scheduled maintenance.If someone else performs the
maintenance, reset the indicator by
inserting your key in the slot beside
the indicator.
Instruments and Controls
INDICATOR
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Controls Near the Steering Wheel
The rotating switch on the left lever controls the lights. Turning this switch to the first position " " turns
on the parking lights, taillights,
instrument panel lights, side-marker
lights, and rear license plate lights.
Turning the switch to the second position " " turns on the headlights. If you leave the lights on with the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0), you will hear a
reminder chime when you open the driver's door.
To change between low beams and high beams, pull back on the turnsignal lever until you hear a click,
then let go. The blue high beam
indicator will light (see page 38). To flash the high beams, pull back
and hold the turn signal lever.
Release the lever and the high
beams will go off.
The high beams will stay on for as long as you hold the lever, no matter
what position the headlight switch is
in.
Daytime Running Lights(Canadian Models)
With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on withreduced brightness when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) and release the parking brake. They
remain on until you turn the ignitionoff, even if you set the parking brake.
The headlights revert to normal operation when you turn them on
with the switch.
Instruments and Controls
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Engine Oil
The SAE numbers tell you the oil's viscosity or weight. Select the oil for
your car according to this chart.
Ambient Temperature
An oil with a viscosity of 5W-30 is
preferred for improved fuel economy and year-round protection in your
Honda. You may use a 10W-30 oil if
the temperature in your area never
goes below 20° F ( —
7° C).
Additives
Your Honda does not need any oil
additives. Purchasing additives for
the engine or transmission will not
increase your car's performance or
longevity. It only increases the cost of operating your car. Oil and Filter Changes
Always change the oil and filter according to the time and distance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule. The oil and filter collect contaminants that can dam-
age your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from
underneath the car. The car 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
mechanic.
1. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
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Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than 1
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. It is best to store your car indoors if at all
possible.
Fill the fuel tank. Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 148 ). Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry. Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground. Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery. Support the front and rear wiper
blade arms with a folded towel or
rag so they do not touch the
windshield. Apply a silicone spray lubricant to
all door and tailgate seals. Also,
apply wax to the painted surfaces
that mate with the door and
tailgate seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
car cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as plastic sheeting, trap moisture
which can damage the paint. If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/48,000 km (30,000
miles) maintenance schedule (Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 140 ).
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are notneeded unless the car has actually
reached that time or mileage.
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Index
Driver's Seat Power Height Adjustment.................. 57
Folding the Second Seats........... 60
Folding the Third Seats.............. 62
Head Restraints........................... 58
Passenger Seating....................... 56
Reclining the Second Seat.......... 61
Removing the Second Seats....... 59
Third Seat Access........................ 58
Serial Number................................ 216
Service Intervals............................ 140
Service Manual.............................. 233
Service Station Procedures .......... 110
Setting the Clock............................. 68
Shifting the Automatic
Transmission.............................. 120
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 120 Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 178
Signaling Turns................................ 43
Snow Tires...................................... 174
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 184
Sound System................................... 84
Spare Tire
Inflating....................................... 192
Specifications............................. 219
Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 160
Specifications Charts..................... 218
Speed Control...................................
49
Speedometer......................................
39
SRS Indicator...............................
16,
37
START (Ignition
Key Position)..... 52
Starting the Engine........................ 119 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 119
With a Dead Battery ................. 200
Steam Coming from Engine......... 202 Steering Wheel Adjustment................................... 46
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 52
Stereo Sound System...................... 84
Storing Your Car............................ 182
Sunroof.............................................. 65
Closing Manually....................... 207
Operation...................................... 65
Supplemental Restraint System Service Precautions..................... 17
Servicing....................................... 16
SRS Indicator.......................... 16, 37
System Components.................... 12 Tailgate............................................. 55
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 179
Taking Care of the Unexpected .. 191 Tape Player................................. 89, 98
Technical Descriptions Anti-lock Brake System............ 220
Emission Control Systems........ 224
Three Way Catalytic
Converter................................ 226
Tire Information........................ 221
Temperature Gauge........................ 40
Tether Attachment Points.............. 26 Three Way Catalytic Converter... 226Time, Setting the............................. 68
Tire Chains..................................... 174
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 193
Tires................................................ 169 Air Pressure............................... 170
Checking Wear.......................... 171
Compact Spare........................... 192
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 222
Inflation....................................... 169
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