Drivin
g i n Ba d Weathe r
Rain , fog , an d sno w condition s re -
quir e a differen t drivin g techniqu e
becaus e o f reduce d tractio n an d
visibility . Kee p you r vehicl e well -
maintaine d an d exercis e greate r
cautio n whe n yo u nee d t o driv e in
ba d weather . Th e cruis e contro l
shoul d no t b e use d in thes e condi -
tions .
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Alway s driv e
slowe r tha n yo u woul d in dr y
weather . I t take s you r vehicl e longe r
t o react , eve n in condition s tha t ma y
see m jus t barel y damp . Appl y
smooth , eve n pressur e to al l th e
controls . Abrup t steerin g whee l
movement s o r sudden , har d appli -
catio n o f th e brake s ca n caus e los s o f
contro l i n we t weather . B e extr a
cautiou s fo r th e firs t fe w mile s
(kilometers ) o f drivin g whil e yo u
adjus t t o th e chang e in drivin g
conditions . Thi s i s especiall y tru e in
snow . A perso n ca n forge t som e
snow-drivin g technique s durin g th e
summe r months . Practic e is neede d
t o relear n thos e skills .
Exercis e extr a cautio n whe n drivin g
i n rai n afte r a lon g dr y spell . Afte r
month s o f dr y weather , th e firs t
rain s brin g oi l t o th e surfac e o f th e
roadway , makin g it slippery . 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 defroster s 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
pag e 103 ).
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 .
Trailer Lights
GROUN D
(BLACK )
LEF
T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/RED )
RIGH T TUR N SIGNA L
(GREEN/YELLOW )
BRAK
E LIGH T
(GREEN/WHITE )
TAILLIGH
T
(RED/GREEN )
You r vehicl e 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 carg o area . 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 vehicl e
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 .
Drivin g
BACK-U
P LIGH T
(GREEN/BLACK )
Towin
g a Traile r
Additional Trailer Equipment Man y state s an d Canadia n province s
requir e specia l outsid e mirror s whe n
towin g a trailer . Eve n if the y don't ,
yo u shoul d instal l specia l mirror s if
yo u canno t clearl y se e behin d you , o r
i f th e traile r create s a blin d spot .
As k you r traile r sale s o r renta l
agenc y if an y othe r item s ar e
recommende d o r require d fo r you r
towin g situation .
Pre-To
w Checklis t
Whe n preparin g to tow , an d befor e
drivin g away , b e sur e to chec k th e
following : Th
e vehicl e ha s bee n properl y
serviced , an d th e tires , brakes ,
suspension , an d coolin g syste m
ar e in goo d operatin g condition . Al
l weight s an d load s ar e withi n
limit s (se e page s 17 0 an d 171 ). Th
e hitch , safet y chain , an d an y
other attachment s ar e secure . Al
l item s o n an d in th e traile r ar e
properl y secure d an d canno t shif t
whil e yo u drive . Th
e light s an d brake s o n you r
vehicl e an d th e traile r ar e workin g
properly . You
r vehicl e tire s an d spar e ar e
properl y inflate d (se e pag e 22 2 ) ,
an d th e traile r tire s an d spar e ar e
inflate d a s recommende d b y th e
traile r maker .
Driving
Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s
Yo u shoul d chec k th e followin g
item s a t th e specifie d intervals . I f
yo u ar e unsur e o f ho w to perfor m
an y check , tur n to th e pag e given . Engin
e oi l leve l — Chec k ever y
tim e yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e
pag e 143 .
Engin e coolan t leve l — Chec k th e
radiato r reserv e tan k ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e pag e 14 4 .
Windshiel d washe r flui d — Chec k
th e leve l i n th e reservoi r monthly .
I f weathe r condition s caus e yo u t o
us e th e washer s frequently , chec k
th e reservoi r eac h tim e yo u sto p
fo r fuel . Se e pag e 20 6 .
Automati c transmissio n — Chec k
th e flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e
207 .
Brake s an d clutc h — Chec k th e
flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e 21 0 . Tire
s — Chec k th e tir e pressur e
monthly . Examin e th e trea d fo r
wea r an d foreig n objects . Se e pag e
221 .
Light s — Chec k th e operatio n o f
th e headlights , parkin g lights ,
taillights , high-moun t brak e light ,
tur n signals , brak e lights , an d
licens e plat e light s monthly . Se e
pag e 228 .
Maintenanc e
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e
I f yo u hav e a fla t tir e whil e driving ,
sto p in a saf e plac e t o chang e it .
Stoppin g in traffi c o r o n th e shoulde r
o f a bus y roa d is dangerous . Driv e
slowl y alon g th e shoulde r unti l yo u
ge t t o a n exi t o r a n are a t o sto p tha t
i s fa r awa y fro m th e traffi c lanes . TOO
L KI T
JAC K
SPARE TIR E
1 . Par k th e vehicl e o n firm , leve l an d
non-slipper y groun d awa y fro m
traffic . Pu t th e transmissio n i n
Par k (automatic ) o r Revers e
(manual) . Appl y th e parkin g brake .
2 . Tur n o n th e hazar d warnin g light s
an d tur n th e ignitio n switc h t o
LOC K (0) . Hav e al l th e
passenger s ge t ou t o f th e vehicl e
whil e yo u chang e th e tire .
HOO
K
3 . Pul l u p th e carg o are a carpe t an d
ope n th e carg o are a floor . T o kee p
th e carg o are a floo r ou t o f th e way ,
attac h th e hoo k t o th e tailgat e sil l
a s shown .
4 . Th e too l ki t i s i n th e righ t carg o
floo r pocket . Ope n th e cove r an d
tak e ou t th e too l kit .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Th
e vehicl e ca n easil y rol l of f
th e jack , seriousl y injurin g
anyon e underneath .
Follo w th e direction s fo r
changin g a tir e exactly , an d
neve r ge t unde r th e vehicl e
whe n i t i s supporte d onl y b y th e
jack .
Jum
p Startin g
I f you r vehicle' s batter y ha s ru n
down , yo u ma y b e abl e to star t th e
engin e b y usin g a booste r battery .
Althoug h thi s seem s lik e a simpl e
procedure , yo u shoul d tak e severa l
precautions .
You canno t star t a Hond a wit h a n
automati c transmissio n b y pushin g
o r pullin g it . T
o jum p star t you r vehicle , follo w
thes e direction s closely :
1 . Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e
physica l conditio n o f th e batter y
(se e pag e 215 ). I n ver y col d
weather , chec k the conditio n o f
th e electrolyte . I f i t seem s slush y
o r lik e ice , d o no t tr y jum p startin g
unti l i t thaws .
I f a batter y sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2 . Tur n of f al l th e electrica l acces -
sories : heater , A/C , stere o system ,
lights , etc .
Pu t th e transmissio n i n Neutra l o r
Par k an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
A
batter y ca n explod e i f yo u d o
no t follo w th e correc t procedure ,
seriousl y injurin g anyon e
nearby .
Kee p al l sparks , ope n flames ,
an d smokin g material s awa y
fro m th e battery .
Inde
x
Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 14 6
Accessories................................ . 14 0
Additiona l Safel y Precautions. . 14 7
Modifications............................ . 14 7
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 7 0
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 9 2
Addin g
Automati c Transmissio n
Fluid....................................... . 20 7
Drak e Fluid................................ . 21 0
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 21 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 20 1
Engin e Oil.................................. . 19 7
Manua l Transmissio n Fluid.... . 20 8
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 21 1
Rea r Differentia l Fluid............. . 20 9
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 20 0
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 4 2
La p Belt........................................ . 4 3
Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2
Sca t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 3
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2 Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t
You r SR S .......................... . 4 5
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8
Ho w th e Automati c Sea t Bel t
Tensioner s Work.................... . 4 7
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t
Works....................................... . 4 7
Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5
SR S Components........................ . 4 5
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 19 8
Adjustment s
Headlights................................. . 23 0
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 7 9
Mirrors......................................... . 8 6
Seats............................................. . 7 7
Steerin g Wheel........................... . 6 4
Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 21 2
Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 9 8
Maintenance.............................. . 21 9
Usage............................................ . 9 8
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 22 0
Ai r Outlet s (Vents)....................... . 10 0
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 22 1
Norma l Driving......................... . 22 2
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 28 2 Antifreeze......................................
. 20 1
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light.................... 55, 167
Operation................................... . 16 5
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n
Lock.............................................. . 7 0
Appearanc e Care.......................... . 24 1
Ashtrays........................................... . 9 4
Audi o System................................ . 10 6
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 6 6
Automati c Transmission............... 158
Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 27 8
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 20 7
Shifting....................................... . 15 8
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 15 8
Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 15 8
Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 16 2
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... 54, 26 5
Jum p Starting............................ . 26 0
Maintenance.............................. . 21 5
Specifications............................ . 27 9
Befor e Driving.............................. . 13 9
Belts , Seat.......................................... . 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 8 8
Bod y Repair................................... . 24 8
Brakes
Anti-loc k Syste m (ABS)........... . 16 5
Break-in , Ne w Lining s ............. . 14 0
Fluid........................................... . 21 0
Light , Burned-out..................... . 23 4
Parking......................................... . 8 6
Syste m Indicator................. . 54 , 26 7
Wea r Indicators........................ .
164
Brakes , AB S
Operation................................... .
16
5
Syste m Indicator................. 55, 167
Brakin g System............................. . 16 4
Break-in , Ne w Car........................ . 14 0
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 6 1 Brights
, Headlights........................ . 6 0
Built-i n Table................................... . 8 9
Bul b Replacemen t
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 23 4
Brak e Lights.............................. . 23 4
Carg o Are a Light...................... . 23 8
Ceilin g Light.............................. . 23 8
Fron t Parkin g Lights................ . 23 3
Fron t Sid e Marke r Lights........ . 23 3
Headlights................................. . 23 2
High-moun t Brak e Light......... . 23 7
Interio r Light............................. . 23 8
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 23 5
Rea r Sid e Marke r Lights......... . 23 6
Specifications............................ . 27 9
Spotlight..................................... . 23 8
Tur n Signa l Lights.................... . 23 3
Bulbs , Halogen.............................. . 23 2
Cables , Jum p Startin g With......... . 26 0
Capacitie s Chart............................ . 27 8
Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard............. . 4 9
Carg o Are a Light............................ . 9 5
Carg o Floo r Pockets....................... . 9 2 Carg
o Hooks.................................... . 9 3
Carryin g Cargo............................. . 14 8
Cassett e Playe r
Care............................................ . 13 6
Operation........................... . 112 , 13 3
CAUTION , Explanatio n of.............. . i i
C D Changer............................ 115 , 129
C D Player............................... . 115, 127
Cente r Pocket................................. . 9 1
Cente r Table.................................... . 8 7
Certificatio n Label........................ . 27 6
Chains............................................ . 22 7
Chang e Oi l
Ho w to........................................ . 19 9
Whe n to...................................... . 18 8
Changin g a Fla t Tire.................... . 25 0
Changin g Engin e Coolant............ . 20 3
Chargin g Syste m Indicato r ... . 54 , 26 5
Checkin g
Automati c Transmissio n
Fluid....................................... . 20 7
Batter y Condition..................... . 21 5
Brak e Fluid................................ . 21 0
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 21 1
Driv e Belts................................. . 22 0
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 14 4