Page 127 of 278
Accessories and Modifications
Modifications Do not remove any original
equipment or modify your vehicle in
any way that would alter its design oroperation. This could make your
vehicle unsafe and illegal to drive.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your vehicle, or install
wheels and tires with a different overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the vehicle's anti-
lock brakes and other systems. In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy.
Do not modify your steering wheelor any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System. Modifications could make the
system ineffective. Additional Safety Precaution
Do not attach or place objects on the
airbag covers. Any object attached toor placed on the covers marked "SRS,
in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard, could
interfere with the proper operation of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the vehicle and hurt
someone.
Before DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 132 of 278
Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your vehicle.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow, or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down securely. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 75).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 83).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 64).
8. Make sure the doors are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastenedtheir seat belts (see page 14). 10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 133).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 51).
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 145 of 278
The Braking System
Your Honda is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the effort neededon the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Put your foot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your foot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, confusing drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds up heat and reduces their effective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshifting to a lower
gear and taking your foot off theaccelerator pedal.
Check your brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they feel normal. If not, apply them gently and
frequently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious and alert in your driving.
Brake Wear Indicators
All four brakes have audible brake wear indicators.
When the brake pads need replacing, you will hear a distinctive metallic "screeching" sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not confuse this with the
brake wear indicators. They make a
very audible "screeching."
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 146 of 278
The Braking System
Brake System Design
The hydraulic system that operates the brakes has two separate circuits.Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking at two wheels.
Anti-lock Brakes
Your vehicle has an Anti-lock BrakeSystem (ABS) as standard
equipment. ABS helps to prevent the
wheels from locking up and skidding during hard braking, allowing you to
retain steering control.
When the front tires skid, you lose steering control; the vehicle
continues straight ahead even
though you turn the steering wheel.
The ABS helps to prevent lock-up and helps you retain steering control
by pumping the brakes rapidly; much
faster than a person can do it. You should never pump the
brake pedal, this defeats thepurpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."
You will feel a pulsation in the brake pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount of traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
the brake pedal very hard before you activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
Driving
FrontProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 147 of 278
The Braking System
Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes to stop the
vehicle, it only helps with steering control during braking. You should
always maintain a safe followingdistance from other vehicles. ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly, such as trying to take a corner too fast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed for the road and
weather conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of stability. Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road. A vehicle with ABS may require a
longer distance to stop on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel orsnow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
Driving
CONTINUEDProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 149 of 278
Active Torque Transfer System
Type SH only
Your Honda is equipped with an
Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS). Under certain driving
conditions, the ATTS enhances the
vehicle's cornering performance by transferring some torque between
the inside and outside front wheelsduring a turn.
Based on steering wheel turn angle,
lateral acceleration, and engine power, the ATTS regulates the
driving force to each drive wheel
through an electronically-controlled
hydraulic system and two sets of clutches and gears.
Important Safety Information
The ATTS cannot prevent
skidding if you enter a corner too
fast. It has almost no effect on
braking and vehicle speed.
It is still your responsibility to driveat reasonable speeds and to leave a
sufficient margin of safety.
ATTS Indicator
The Active Torque Transfer System
(ATTS) is self-checking. If a problem
is detected in the system, the ATTS
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on.
If this happens, take the vehicle to
your dealer to have it checked. With the indicator on, your vehicle willcorner normally, but you will not
have active torque transfer.
Driving
ATTS INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 150 of 278
Driving in Bad Weather
Rain, fog, and snow conditions re-
quire a different driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well- maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control should not be used in these condi-
tions. Driving Technique — Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer to react, even in conditions that mayseem 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 (kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can forget some
snow-driving techniques 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 important in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (see page 98).
DrivingProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
Page 153 of 278
Towing a Trailer
The best way to confirm that your total towing package is within thesespecifications is to get it weighed.
Load the vehicle and trailer as you
normally would while towing, and
take them to a public scale. Have
them check the total weight and the
weight at each axle, then compare the weights to the specifications.
Trailer Hitches
The trailer hitch must be the proper size and construction for your
vehicle and the trailer you intend to tow. Consult with an expert before
you purchase a trailer hitch, andhave it installed by a qualifiedmechanic.
The hitch should bolt to the underbody of the vehicle, anddistribute the load over a wide area.
Never use a hitch that mounts only
to the rear bumper. The bumper is
not designed to handle that type of
load.
A trailer hitch that is not adequate for the size of the trailer, or a hitch that is
improperly installed, can cause damage
to the underside of your vehicle.
Driving
Improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can seriously affect
its steering and braking
performance, causing a crash
in which you can be seriously
injured.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully before starting to drive.
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t
