Preparing to Driv e
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 tailgate 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 100).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 115).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 72).
8. Make sure the doors and tailgate are securely closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastenedtheir seat belts (see page 15). 10. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11. Start the engine (see page 203).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 57).
Drivin g
Parking
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. The indicator on the instrument panel shows that
the parking brake is not fully
released; it does not indicate that the
parking brake is firmly set. Makesure the parking brake is set firmly
or your vehicle may roll if it is
parked on an incline.
Set the parking brake before you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanismin the transmission — making it
easier to move the shift lever out of
Park when you want to drive away. If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the curb.
If the vehicle is facing downhill, turn
the front wheels toward the curb.Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away. Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Parkin
g Tip s
Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn off the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Drivin g
Storing You r Vehicl e
If you need to park your vehicle for
an extended period (more than one
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 vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.Change the engine oil and filter
(see page 241).
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 vehicle 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 vehicle 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.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.
Cover the vehicle with a
"breathable" 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 vehicle for 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perform the inspections called
for in the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000 km) maintenance schedule
(Normal Conditions) as soon as you
take it out of storage (see page 230).
The replacements called for in the maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle hasactually reached that time or mileage.
Maintenanc e
Index
Checklist, Before Driving............. 202
Childproof Door Locks.................. . 85
Child Safety..................................... . 22
Cleaner Element, Air..................... 252
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels.................... 285
Carpeting................................... . 286
Exterior....................................... 284
Fabric.......................................... 286
Interior........................................ 286
Seat Belts.................................... 286
Vinyl........................................... . 286
Windows.................................... . 287
Climate Control System................ 138
Clock, Setting the.......................... 117 Coat Hook....................................... 123
Code, Audio System ..................... 186
CO in the Exhaust ........................ 328
Coin Holder................................... . 122
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 203
Compact Spare............................... 292
Consumer Information*................ 332
Controls, Instruments and.............. 55
Coolant
Adding ........................................ 243
Checking ....................................
193
Proper Solution.......................... 243
Replacing.................................... 245
Temperature Gauge.................... 63
Corrosion Protection..................... 288
Crankcase Emissions Control
System......................................... 328
Cruise Control Operation .............. 73
Customer Relations Office........... 332
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard.................................... 2, 56
Daytime Running Lights................. 67
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 303
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 336
Defogger, Rear Window................. 71 Defrosting the Windows...... 135, 145
DEXRON
® III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 249
Dimensions..................................... 322
Dimming the Headlights................ 66
Dipstick Automatic Transmission........... 249
Engine Oil................................... 192
Directional Signals........................... 68
Disabled, Towing Your
Vehicle If..................................... 317
Disc Brake Wear Indicators ........ 210
Disposal of Used Oil ................... 242
Doors
Locking and Unlocking ............. 79
Lockout Prevention ................... 80
Manual Sliding Doors.................. 88
Monitor Light .............................. 60
Power Door Locks....................... 79
Power Sliding Doors .................. 90
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 324
Drive Belts..................................... 262
Driver and Passenger Safety .......... 5
Driving............................................ 201
Economy.................................... 194
In Bad Weather ....................... 216
In Foreign Countries ............... 327
Economy, Fuel............................... 194
Emergencies on the Road............. 291
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 303
CONTINUED
Index
Leaking of Exhaust into Vehicle ... 53
Light Control Switch..................... 125
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 272
Indicator........................................ 57
Interior........................................ 125
Parking.......................................... 66
Turn Signal................................... 68
Load Limits............................. 198, 218
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 7 8
Locks Anti-theft Steering Column........ 78
Fuel Fill Door............................ . 189
Glove Box.................................... . 87
Lockout Prevention..................... 80
Power Door.................................. 79
Sliding Doors................................ 88
Tailgate......................................... 85
Low Coolant Level......................... 193
Low Fuel Indicator.......................... 61
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 58, 307
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 322
Luggage.......................................... 197 Maintenance...................................
225
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 237
Record.................................. 235-236
Required Indicator...................... . 64
Safety.......................................... . 226
Schedule.............................. 230-234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 58, 309
Manual Sliding Doors...................... 88
Maximum Allowable Speeds........ 207
Meters, Gauges................................ 62
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 326
Mirrors, Adjusting.........................
115
Moving the Second Row Bucket
Seat.............................................. 106
Neutral Gear Position.................... 206
New Vehicle Break-in ................... 188
NOTICE, Explanation of.................... i
Numbers, Identification................ 320
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 188
Odometer.......................................... 62
Odometer, Trip............................... . 63
Oil
Change, How to......................... 241
Change, When to....................... 230
Checking Engine....................... 192
Pressure Indicator............... 58, 307
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 240
ON (Ignition Key Position)............ 79
Opening the Hood......................... 190
Operation in Foreign Countries... 327
Outside Mirrors............................ . 115
Overheating, Engine..................... 305
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 237
Oxygenated Fuels.......................... 327
Paint Touch-up.............................. . 285
Panel Brightness Control............... 67
Park Gear Position......................... 205
Parking............................................ 209
Index
Parking Brake................................ 116
Parking Lights................................. . 66
Parking Over Things that Burn... 209
PGM-FI System.............................. 330
Polishing and Waxing................... 285
Power
Door Locks................................... 79
Mirrors........................................ 115
Seats ........................................... 102
Sliding Doors................................ 90
Steering...................................... . 251
Windows..................................... 112
Power Sliding Doors Indicator................................. . 60, 94
Operation...................................... 90
Switches....................................... . 90
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 20
Protecting Adults............................ . 12
Additional Safety Precautions.... 20
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 20
Protecting Children........................ . 22
Protecting Infants........................ 30
Protecting Larger Children........ 39
Protecting Small Children.......... 35
Using Child Seats with
Tethers...................................... 43
Radiator Overheating.................... 305
Radio/CD Sound System.............. 167
Rear A/C Unit................................ 152
Rear Compartment........................ 122
Rear End Towing........................... 317
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement....................... 274, 275
Rear View Mirror........................... 115
Rear Window Defogger.................. 71
Rear Windows................................ 114
Rear Window Wiper and Washer.. 70
Reclining the Seat Backs...... 101 , 103
Reclining the Second Seats.......... 101
Reclining the Third Seat .............. 101
Reminder Lights.............................. 57
Remote Audio Controls................. 185
Remote Transmitter........................ 81
Removing the Second Seats............................................ 108
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 252 Coolant........................................ 245
Engine Oil and Filter................. 241
Fuses........................................... 310
Light Bulbs................................. 272
Schedule..................................... 228
Spark Plugs................................. 254
Timing Belt................................. 263
Tires............................................ 267
Wiper Blades.............................. 259
Replacing Seat Belts After a Crash............................................. 47
Reserve Tank, Engine Coolant.... 193
Reverse Gear Position................... 206
Rotation, Tire................................. 266
Safety Belts................................... 8, 45
Safety Defects, Reporting*.......... 338
Safety Features.................................. 7
Air bags........................................... 9
Door Locks................................... 10
Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
CONTINUED
Index
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 54
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belt, Additional Information.. 45 Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 45Seat Belt Maintenance................ 47
Seat Belt System Components... 45
Seat Belts..................................... . 8, 45
Cleaning...................................... 286
Maintenance................................ . 47
Reminder Light and Beeper................................. 45, 57
System Components.................... 45
Tether Attachment Points.......... 43 Use During Pregnancy................ 20
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt.... 15
Seats................................................. 99
Adjustments............................... 100
Folding the Third Seat .............. 109
Head Restraints ........................ 104
Passenger Seating....................... 99
Reclining the Second Seat ....... 101
Reclining the Third Seat ........... 101
Removing the Second
Seats........................................ 108
Third Seat Access ...................... 105
Serial Number................................ 320
Service Intervals............................ 230
Service Manual*............................ 337
Service Station Procedures .......... 189
Setting the Clock .......................... 117
Shifting the Automatic Transmission.............................. 205
Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 204 Shift Lock Release......................... 20 7
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 273
Signaling Turns................................ 68
Sliding Doors.................................... 88
Snow Tires...................................... 269
Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 284
Sound System........................ 155, 16 7
Spare Tire Inflating...................................... . 292
Specifications............................. 323
Spark Plugs..................................... 254
Specifications Charts..................... 322
Speed Control................................... 7 3
Speedometer.................................... 62
SRS, Additional Information........... 48 Additional Safety Precautions.... 52How the Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners Work..................... 50
How the SRS Indicator
Works........................................ 50
How Your Airbags Work............ 48
SRS Components ....................... . 48
SRS Service ................................. 51
SRS Indicator ............................. 50, 58
START (Ignition Key Position)..... 79
Starting the Engine........................ 203 In Cold Weather at High
Altitude.................................. . 203
With a Dead Battery................. 303
Steam Coming from Engine......... 305
Steering Wheel Adjustment.................................. . 72
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 78
Stereo Sound System........... 155, 167
Storing Your Vehicle.................... 28 1
Storage Box.................................... 123
Sunglasses Holder......................... 120
Sun Visor......................................... 121
Supplemental Restraint System Servicing...................................... . 51
SRS Indicator......................... 50, 58
System Components.................... 48
Synthetic Oil................................... 240