Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
Steerin g Whee l Adjustmen t
Se e page 17 for important safety
information about how to properly
position the steering wheel.
Mak e an y steerin g whee l adjustmen t
befor e yo u star t driving .
To adjus t th e steerin g whee l upwar d
o r downward :
1 . Pus h th e leve r unde r th e steerin g
colum n al l th e wa y down .
2 . Mov e th e steerin g whee l t o th e
desire d position , makin g sur e th e
whee l point s towar d you r chest ,
no t towar d you r face . Mak e sur e
yo u ca n se e th e instrumen t pane l
gauge s an d th e indicato r lights . 3
. Pus h th e leve r u p to loc k th e
steerin g whee l i n tha t position .
4 . Mak e sur e yo u hav e securel y
locke d th e steerin g whee l i n plac e
b y tryin g to mov e it u p an d down .
Instrument s an d Control s
Adjustin
g th e steerin g whee l
positio n whil e drivin g ma y
caus e yo u t o los e contro l o f th e
ca r an d b e seriousl y injure d in a
crash .
Adjus t th e steerin g whee l onl y
whe n th e ca r i s stopped .
Key
s an d Lock s
Remot e Transmitte r
LE D
UNLOC K
BUTTO N LOC
K
BUTTO N
TRUN K
RELEAS E
BUTTO N
PANI C
BUTTO N
On EX and EX-V6 models
Yo u ca n loc k an d unloc k you r ca r
wit h th e remot e transmitter . Whe n
yo u pus h th e LOC K button , bot h
door s lock . Th e parkin g lights , sid e
marke r lights , an d taillight s flas h
once .
Whe
n yo u pus h th e UNLOC K butto n
once , onl y th e driver' s doo r unlocks .
Th e passenger' s doo r unlock s whe n
yo u pus h th e butto n a secon d time .
Th e parkin g lights , sid e marke r
lights , an d taillight s flas h twice .
Th e ceilin g ligh t (i f th e ceilin g ligh t
switc h is i n th e cente r position ) wil l
com e o n whe n yo u pres s th e
UNLOC K button . I f yo u d o no t ope n
eithe r door , th e ligh t stay s o n fo r
abou t 1 0 seconds , the n fade s out . I f
yo u reloc k th e door s wit h th e remot e
transmitte r befor e 1 0 second s hav e
elapsed , th e ligh t wil l g o of f
immediately .
I f yo u unloc k th e door s wit h th e
remot e transmitter , bu t d o no t ope n
eithe r doo r withi n 3 0 seconds , th e
door s automaticall y reloc k an d th e
securit y syste m sets . Yo
u canno t loc k o r unloc k th e door s
wit h th e remot e transmitte r i f eithe r
doo r i s no t full y close d o r th e ke y is
i n th e ignitio n switch .
Whe n yo u pus h th e LOC K butto n a
secon d tim e withi n 5 second s afte r
yo u hav e locke d th e doors , th e hor n
wil l soun d onc e t o verif y tha t th e
securit y syste m wil l b e set .
T o ope n th e trunk , pus h th e Trun k
Releas e butto n fo r approximatel y
on e second .
Th e trun k wil l no t ope n if th e ke y i s
i n th e ignitio n switch .
Instrument s an d Control s
Securit
y Syste m
Standard on EX and EX-V6 models Optional on LX and LX-V6 models
Th e securit y syste m help s t o protec t
you r ca r an d valuable s fro m theft .
Th e hor n sound s an d a combinatio n
o f headlights , parkin g lights , sid e
marke r light s an d taillight s flashe s i f
someon e attempt s t o brea k int o you r
ca r o r remov e th e radio . Thi s alar m
continue s fo r tw o minutes , the n th e
syste m resets . T o rese t a n alarmin g
syste m befor e th e tw o minute s hav e
elapsed , unloc k eithe r doo r wit h th e
ke y o r th e remot e transmitter .
Th e securit y syste m set s auto -
maticall y fiftee n second s afte r yo u
loc k th e doors , hood , an d trunk . Fo r
th e syste m to activate , yo u mus t loc k
th e door s fro m th e outsid e wit h th e
key , loc k tab , doo r loc k switch , o r
remot e transmitter . Th e securit y
syste m ligh t nex t t o th e driver' s doo r
loc k start s blinkin g immediatel y t o
sho w yo u th e syste m is settin g itself .Onc
e th e securit y syste m is set ,
openin g eithe r doo r (withou t usin g
th e ke y o r th e remot e transmitter) ,
o r th e hood , wil l caus e it t o alarm . I t
als o alarm s i f th e radio is remove d
fro m th e dashboar d o r th e wirin g is
cut . Wit
h th e syste m set , yo u ca n stil l
ope n th e trun k wit h th e maste r ke y
o r th e remot e transmitte r (i f th e
transmitte r i s equippe d wit h a trun k
opener ) withou t triggerin g th e alarm .
Th e alar m wil l soun d i f th e trun k
loc k i s forced , o r th e trun k i s opene d
wit h th e trun k releas e handle .
Th e securit y syste m wil l no t se t i f
th e hood , trunk , o r eithe r doo r i s no t
full y closed . I f th e syste m wil l no t set ,
chec k th e Doo r an d Brak e Lam p
Monito r o n th e instrumen t pane l
(se e pag e 56 ), t o se e if th e door s
an d trun k ar e full y closed . Sinc e it i s
no t par t o f th e monito r display ,
manuall y chec k th e hood .
D o no t attemp t t o alte r thi s syste m
o r ad d othe r device s t o it .
Comfor t an d Convenienc e Feature s
SECURIT
Y SYSTE M LIGH T
Accessorie
s an d Modification s
Modifyin g you r car , o r installin g
som e non-Hond a accessories , ca n
mak e you r ca r unsafe . Befor e yo u
mak e an y modification s o r ad d an y
accessories , b e sur e to rea d th e
followin g information .
Accessorie s
You r deale r ha s Genuin e Hond a
accessorie s tha t allo w yo u t o
personaliz e you r car . Thes e
accessorie s hav e bee n designe d an d
approve d fo r you r car , an d ar e
covere d b y warranty .
Non-Hond a accessorie s ar e usuall y
designe d fo r universa l applications .
Althoug h aftermarke t accessorie s
ma y fi t o n you r car , the y ma y no t
mee t factor y specifications , an d
coul d adversel y affec t you r car' s
handlin g an d stability . (Se e
"Modifications " o n th e pag e 16 9 fo r
additiona l information. ) Whe
n properl y installed , cellula r
phones , alarms , two-wa y radios , an d
low-powere d audi o system s shoul d
no t interfer e wit h you r car' s
computer-controlle d systems , suc h
a s th e SR S an d anti-loc k brak e
system .
However , i f electroni c accessorie s
ar e improperl y installed , o r excee d
you r car' s electrica l syste m capacity ,
the y ca n interfer e wit h th e operatio no
f you r car , o r eve n caus e th e
airbag s t o deploy .
Befor e installin g an y accessory : Mak
e sur e th e accessor y doe s no t
obscure any lights , o r interfer e
wit h prope r ca r operatio n o r
performance .
B
e sur e electroni c accessorie s d o
no t overloa d electrica l circuit s
(se e pag e 296 ). Hav
e th e installe r contac t you r
Hond a deale r fo r assistanc e befor e
installin g an y electroni c accessory .
I f possible , hav e you r deale r inspec t
th e fina l installation .
Befor e Drivin g
Imprope
r accessorie s o r
modification s ca n affec t you r
car' s handling , stabilit y an d
performance , an d caus e a
cras h in whic h yo u ca n b e hur t
o r killed .
Follo w al l instruction s in thi s
owner' s manua l regardin g
accessorie s an d modifications .
Parkin
g
Alway s us e th e parkin g brak e whe n
yo u par k you r car . Th e indicato r o n
th e instrumen t pane l show s tha t th e
parkin g brak e is no t full y released ; i t
doe s no t indicat e tha t th e parkin g
brak e is firml y set . Mak e sur e th e
parkin g brak e is se t firml y o r you r
ca r ma y rol l i f i t i s parke d o n a n
incline .
I f you r ca r ha s a n automati c
transmission , se t th e parkin g brak e
befor e yo u pu t th e transmissio n in
Park . Thi s keep s th e ca r fro m
movin g an d puttin g pressur e o n th e
parkin g mechanis m in th e
transmissio n — makin g it easie r t o
mov e th e shif t leve r ou t o f Par k
whe n yo u wan t t o driv e away . I
f th e ca r i s facin g uphill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s awa y fro m th e curb . I f
yo u hav e a manua l transmission , pu t
i t i n firs t gear .
I f th e ca r i s facin g downhill , tur n th e
fron t wheel s towar d th e curb . I f yo u
hav e a manua l transmission , pu t i t i n
revers e gear .
Mak e sur e th e parkin g brake is full y
release d befor e drivin g away .
Drivin g wit h th e parkin g brake
partiall y se t ca n overhea t o r damag e
th e rea r brakes . Parkin
g Tip s Mak
e sur e th e moonroo f an d th e
window s ar e closed . Tur
n of f th e lights . Plac
e an y packages , valuables , etc. ,
i n th e trun k o r tak e the m wit h you . Loc
k th e doors .
On EX and EX-V6 models
Loc k th e door s wit h th e ke y o r th e
remot e transmitter . Chec k th e
indicato r o n th e driver' s doo r t o
verif y tha t th e securit y syste m is
set .
Neve
r par k ove r dr y leaves , tal l
grass , o r othe r flammabl e
materials . Th e thre e wa y catalyti c
converte r get s ver y hot , an d coul d
caus e thes e material s to catc h o n
fire .
Drivin g
Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Visibilit y — Bein g abl e to se e
clearl y i n al l direction s an d bein g
visibl e t o othe r driver s ar e importan t
i n al l weathe r conditions . Thi s i s
mor e difficul t i n ba d weather . T o b e
see n mor e clearl y durin g dayligh t
hours , tur n o n you r headlights .
Inspec t you r windshiel d wiper s an d
washer s frequently . Kee p th e wind -
shiel d washe r reservoi r ful l o f th e
prope r fluid . Hav e th e windshiel d
wipe r blade s replace d i f the y star t t o
strea k th e windshiel d o r leav e part s
unwiped . Us e th e defroste r an d ai r
conditionin g to kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e
page s 11 5 an d 123 ). Tractio
n — Chec k you r tire s
frequentl y fo r wea r an d prope r
pressure . Bot h ar e importan t i n
preventin g "hydroplaning " (los s o f
tractio n o n a we t surface) . I n th e
winter , moun t sno w tire s o n al l fou r
wheel s fo r th e bes t handling .
Watc h roa d condition s carefully ,
the y ca n chang e fro m momen t t o
moment . We t leave s ca n b e a s slip -
per y a s ice . "Clear " road s ca n hav e
patche s o f ice . Drivin g condition s
ca n b e ver y hazardou s whe n th e
outsid e temperatur e i s nea r freezing .
Th e roa d surfac e ca n becom e
covere d wit h area s o f wate r puddle s
mixe d wit h area s o f ice , s o you r
tractio n ca n chang e withou t warning .
B e carefu l whe n downshifting . I f
tractio n is low , yo u ca n loc k u p th e
driv e wheel s fo r a momen t an d caus e
a skid . B
e ver y cautiou s whe n passing , o r
bein g passe d b y othe r vehicles . Th e
spra y fro m larg e vehicle s reduce s
you r visibility , an d th e win d buffetin g
ca n caus e yo u to los e control .
Drivin g
Towin
g a Traile r
Trailer Brakes
Hond a recommend s tha t an y traile r
havin g a tota l weigh t o f 1,00 0 Ib s
(45 0 kg ) o r mor e b e equippe d wit h
it s ow n electri c o r surge-typ e brakes .
I f yo u choos e electri c brakes , b e
sur e the y ar e electronicall y actuated .
D o no t attemp t t o ta p int o you r
vehicle' s hydrauli c system . N o
matte r ho w successfu l i t ma y seem ,
an y attemp t t o attac h traile r brake s
t o you r vehicle' s hydrauli c syste m
wil l lowe r brakin g effectivenes s an d
creat e a potentia l hazard .
Your ca r ha s a traile r lightin g
connecto r locate d behin d th e lef t
sid e pane l i n th e trunk . Refe r t o th e
drawin g abov e fo r th e wirin g colo r
cod e an d purpos e o f eac h pin .
I f yo u us e a converter , yo u ca n ge t
th e connecto r an d pin s tha t mat e
wit h th e connecto r i n you r ca r fro m
you r Hond a dealer . Sinc
e lightin g an d wirin g var y wit h
traile r typ e an d brand , yo u shoul d
als o hav e a qualifie d technicia n
instal l a suitabl e connecto r betwee n
th e vehicl e an d th e trailer .
CONTINUED
Drivin g
Trailer Lights
BACK-UP LIGH T
(GREEN/BLACK ) LEF
T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/BLUE )
TAILLIGH T
(RED/BLACK )
BRAK
E LIGH T
(GREEN/WHITE )
RIGH
T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/YELLOW )
GROUN
D
(BLACK )
Maintenanc
e
Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r ca r wel l
maintaine d an d to follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f
yourself .
I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 32 3 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc e Safety...................... . 19 8
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 19 9
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 20 0
Maintenanc e Record.................... . 20 7
Owne
r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 20 9
Flui d Locations.............................. . 21 0
Engin e Oil...................................... . 21 2
Addin g Oil.................................. . 21 2
Recommende d Oil.................... . 21 2
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 21 4
Additives.................................... . 21 4
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 21 4
Coolin g System............................. . 21 7
Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 21 7
Replacin g Engin e Coolant........ 219
Windshiel d Washers.................... . 22 4
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 22 5
Automati c
Transmission......................... . 22 5
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 22 7
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 22 8
Brak e System............................ . 22 8
Clutc h System........................... . 22 9
Powe r Steering.............................. . 23 0
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 23 1
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 23 3
Spar k Plug s
(4-cylinde r Models).............. . 23 3
Replacement.............................. . 23 3
Specifications............................
. 23 4
Spar k Plug s
(6-cylinde r Models).............. . 23 5
Replacement.............................. . 23 5
Specifications............................ . 23 7
Battery........................................... . 23 8
Wipe r Blades................................. . 24 1
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 24 3
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 24 4
Driv e Belts..................................... . 24 4
Timin g Belt.................................... . 24 5
Tires............................................... . 24 6
Inflation...................................... . 24 6
Inspection.................................. . 24 7
Maintenance.............................. . 24 8
Tir e Rotation............................. . 24 9
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 24 9
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 25 0
Winte r Driving.......................... . 25 0
Sno w Tires............................. . 25 1
Tir e Chains............................ . 25 1
Lights............................................. . 25 2
Headligh t Aiming..................... . 25 4
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 25 5
Storin g You r Car........................... . 26 6
Maintenanc e