
Taking Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your vehicle towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 292
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 293
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 302 Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor OperatesVery Slowly......................... 302
The Starter Operates Normally................................ . 303
Jump Starting................................. 303
If Your Engine Overheats............. 305
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.......... 307Charging System Indicator........... 308
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 309
Brake System Indicator................ 310
Fuses............................................... 311 Checking and Replacing........... 312
Emergency Towing....................... 317
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

If You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosing why your engine won't
start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run.
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things:
Your vehicle has the ImmobilizerSystem. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 77).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer systemindicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park or Neutral or the starter will not
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and checktheir brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,the battery is discharged. See
Jum p Startin g on page 303 .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Emergency Towing on page 317.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 257). You can then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page 303).
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

If You r Engin e Won' t Start , Jum p Startin g
The Starte r Operate s Normall y
In this case, the starter motor's speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper startingprocedure? Refer to Startin g th e
Engin e on page 203 .
Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 311).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Emergenc y
Towin g on page 317. Jum
p Startin g
If your vehicle's battery has run
down, you may be able to start the
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
You cannot start a Honda by pushing
or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle, follow
these directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 257). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc. Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTIC E

Jump Startin g
3. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal on the
booster battery. Connect the otherend to the positive (+) terminal
on your Honda's battery. 4. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative (—) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect theother end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, have an assistant startthat vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6. Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
the jumper cable connections to
make sure they have good metal-
to-metal contact.
7. Once your vehicle is running, disconnect the negative cable from
your vehicle, then from the booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable from your vehicle,
then the booster battery.
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
BOOSTER
BATTER Y

Index
Battery
Charging SystemIndicator............................ 58, 308
Jump Starting............................. 303
Maintenance............................... 257
Specifications............................. 323
Before Driving.............................. . 187
Belts, Seat.................................... . 8, 4 5
Beverage Holder............................ 118
Body Repair.................................... 289
Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............
211
Break-in, Ne
w Linings .............. 188
Fluid............................................ 250
Light, Burned-out...................... 274
Parking........................................ 116
System Indicator.................. 58, 310
Wear Indicators......................... 210
Brakes, ABS Operation................................... . 211
System Indicator.................. 59, 212
Braking System............................. . 210
Break-in, New Vehicle .................. 188
Brightness Control, Instruments...
67 Brights, Headlights......................... 66
Bulb Replacement
Back-up Lights........................... 275
Brake Lights............................... 274
Cargo Area Light....................... 278
Front Parking Lights................. 273
Front Side Marker Lights......... 273 Headlights.................................. 272
High-mount Brake Light.......... 276
Individual Map Lights............... 278
License Plate Light.................... 277
Rear Bulbs.......................... 274, 275
Specifications............................. 323
Turn Signal Lights..................... 273
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 272
Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 304
Cancel Button.................................. . 75
Capacities Chart............................. 322
Carbon Monoxide Hazard............. . 53
Cargo Area Light........................... 127
Cargo Net ...................................... 200
Carrying Cargo.............................. 197
Cassette Player
Care............................................. 184
Operation........................... 160, 181
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.......................... 163, 177
CD Player.............................. 163, 175
Center Pocket .............................. . 122
Center Table................................... 117
Certification Label......................... 320
Chains............................................. 269
Change Oil How to ......................................
241
When to ....................................
230
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 293
Changing Engine Coolant............. 245 Charging System Indicator.... 58, 308
Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid....................................... . 249
Battery Condition...................... 257
Brake Fluid................................ . 250
Drive Belts.................................. 262
Engine Coolant........................... 193
Engine Oil................................... 192
Fuses.......................................... 312
Power Steering Fluid................. 251

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
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight
Rating)........................................ 219
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating)........................................ 219
Gearshift Lever Positions............. 205
Glass Cleaning............................... 287
Glove Box........................................ . 87
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating)........................................ 219
Halogen Headlight Bulbs.............. 272
Hazard Warning Flashers.............. . 70
Headlights........................................ . 66
Aiming......................................... 272
Automatic Lighting Off............... 67
Daytime Running Lights............. 67
High Beam Indicator .................. 6 1
High Beams, Turning on
........... 66
Low Beams, Turning on ............
66
Reminder Chime.......................... 66
Replacing Halogen Bulbs ......... 272
Turning on.................................... 66
Head Restraints ............................ 104
Heated Mirror ............................... 116Heating and Cooling .....................
130
High Altitude, Starting at.............. 203
High-Low Beam Switch .................. 66
HomeLink Universal
Transmitter.................................. 95
Hood Latch..................................... 254
Hood, Opening the ........................ 190
Horn.................................................. . 65
Hot Coolant, Warning about........ 243
Hydroplaning.................................. 217
Identification Number, Vehicle.... 320
If Your Vehicle Has to be
Towed ....................................... . 317
Ignition
Keys............................................... 76
Switch........................................... . 78
Timing Control System............. 329
Immobilizer System......................... 77
Important Safety Precautions.......... 6
Indicator Lights, Instrument
Panel............................................. . 57
Individual Map Lights.................. 127
Infant Restraint............................... . 30
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 263
Inside Mirror.................................. 115
Inspection, Tire.............................. 265
Instrument Panel......................... 2, 56
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 67
Interior Cleaning............................ 286
Interior Lights................................ 125
Introduction ....................................... i
Jacking up the Vehicle.................. 296
Jack, Tire........................................ 294
Jump Starting................................. 303
Keys................................................... 76
Label, Certification........................ 320
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 68
Lap/Shoulder Belts................... 15, 45
CONTINUED