2000 HONDA PASSPORT towing

There are no provisions in your
vehicle to tap into its hydraulic
braking system. Any attempt toattach the trailer's brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic braking system, no matter how successfulit may seem, will lower braking
effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.

Equipmen t Chec k

Before operating your vehicle,
check all safety equipment to
ensure safe operation. Be sure
your vehicle is properly serviced
to avoid mechanical failure.
Check that your vehicle remains
level when the loaded or unloadedtrailer is hitched. Do not drive if
the rear end of your vehicle is abnormally higher or lower.
Check for proper tongue weight,
overload, improper weight
distribution, worn suspension, or

other possible causes.

Make sure the trailer load is

properly positione
d and secured

so its does not shift around whil
e

driving.

Chec k
if your rearview mirrors

comply with federal, state and

local regulations. If not, confirm
the proper mirrors required for

towing and have them installed.

Perform an equipment check of

all braking, lighting and safety

equipment to ensure they are working properly.
Your safety depends on proper
operation and installation of
equipment. Never operate a
vehicle with faulty equipment.
Limite
d Sli p Differentia l
Standard on 4WD models

The limited slip differential is
designed to improve traction by limiting wheelspin. If one rear
wheel begins to spin on a slipperysurface, the limited slip
differential will automatically
transmit driving force to the other
rear wheel.
Drivin g Tip s

I
n Cas e o f Emergenc y
This section covers the most
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information on how tosafely evaluate those problems,
with tips to help get you going
again. Lastly, it tells you how to
have your vehicle towed. Jump Starting ............ 180
Changing a Tire .......... 182 Lifting Points .......... 183
Tool Locations ........... 184
Engine Overheating ....... 186
Towing ................ 187 Precautions ........... 187
Towing Tips ........... 188
All Four Wheelson the Ground ...... 188
Front Wheels off the Ground ...... 188
Rear Wheels off the Ground ...... 189
Inoperative Electrical Devices. ............... 189
In Cas e o f Emergenc y

find a leak, it must be repaired
before you can continue
driving. (See
Towing on page
187.)
If you don't find an obvious leak, check the coolant level inthe radiator reserve tank. If the
level is below the MIN mark, add
coolant to halfway between the
MIN and MAX marks.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also
have to add coolant to the
radiator.
Let the engine cool down until
the pointer reaches the middle
of the temperature gauge, orlower, before checking the
radiator. If needed, add coolant to the
radiator to bring the level up to the filler neck, and to the
reservoir up to the level indicated on the reservoir tank. Proper equipment must be used to
prevent damage to vehicles during
any towing. State and local laws
that apply to vehicles in tow must
be followed. Get detailed towing
instructions from your Honda

dealer.

Should it become necessary to
tow your vehicle, follow these

directions.

Precaution s

Before towing, make sure that
the power train, axle,
transmission, wheels and steering system are in good
condition.
If any of these items are
damaged, a flatbed trailer must
be used.
In Cas e o f Emergenc y

Towin
g

Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine andradiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

Use only towing equipment
specifically designed for this
purpose, following the instructions of the equipment
manufacturer. A separate safety
chain system must be used.
For such towing, the parking
brake must be released, thetransmission must be in neutraland the key switch turned to
the "OFF" position (not

"LOCK").

Towing attachments must be made to main structural
members of the vehicle. Do not attach to bumpers or associated

brackets.

Remember that the power brake assist will not beavailable when the engine is

inoperative.
Towin
g Tip s

All Four Wheels on the Ground
1. Transfer case in 2H (4WD model only).
2. Transmission in Neutral
position.

3. Maximum speed 30 mph (50 km/h).
4. Maximum distance 50 miles (80 kilometers).
If you are towing the vehicle at distances and speeds greater thanshown, disconnect the propeller
shaft from the rear axle carrier.
On 4WD models, also disconnect
the front propeller shaft. Safely
secure the propeller shafts so they
will not fall and scrape the

ground.
Front Wheels off the Ground
1. Transfer case in 2H (4WD model only).
2. Transmission in Neutral position.
3. Maximum speed 30 mph (50 km/h).
4. Maximum distance 50 miles (80 kilometers).
If you are towing the vehicle at
distances and speeds greater than shown, disconnect the propeller
shaft from the rear axle carrier.
Safely secure the propeller shaft so it will not fall and scrape the
ground.
I n Cas e o f Emergenc y

Rear Wheels off the Ground
1. Transfer case in 2H (4WD model only).
2. Transmission in Neutral position.
3. Maximum speed 30 mph (50 km/h).
4. Maximum distance 50 miles (80 kilometers).
If you need to tow your vehicle by
this method, secure the steering
wheel to keep the front wheels
pointed straight ahead. Do not
rely on the steering column lock; it is not strong enough to hold the
front wheels straight while
towing. The ignition switch must
be in the OFF position.
Inoperativ
e Electrica l Device s

If you have electrical problems without extreme damage to any
electrical parts, check for burned out fuses, broken wires, poor
connections or poor grounding. Correct as necessary.
The fuse boxes are located under
the left hand side of theinstrument panel and in the right
hand side of the engine compartment. (See "Fuses" on
page 236.)
Replacing a fuse with one that has

a higher rating greatly increases
the chances of damaging the
electrical system. If you do not

have a replacement fuse with the

proper rating for the circuit,
install one with a lower rating.

In Cas e o f Emergenc y

NOTIC
E

R — Replace L — Lube I — Inspect After inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary.
Check oi
l and coolant level at each fuel stop.
Under severe driving conditions, service these items more often. These conditions are: Service for severe driving conditions
Repeated short trips in cold weather Frequent idling and/or frequent low-speed operation Change engine oil and filter - Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) Driving in dusty areas Towing a trailer or 3 months
Change rear axle oil - Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)

Care an d Maintenanc e

Change the oil and oil filter every
3,750 miles (6,000 kilometers) or
every three months if you drive under one or more of these
"severe driving" conditions: Driving in dusty areas
Towing a trailer
Frequent idling or idling for
long periods Frequent short trips (4 miles [6
kilometers] or less) in cold or
freezing weather, where the
engine does not thoroughly
warm up. Change the oil and oil filter as
soon as possible after driving in
a dust storm.
Oi
l Chang e

Changing the oil and filter requires
special tools and access from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-type hydraulic lift for this
service. Unless you have the
knowledge and proper equipment,
you should have this maintenance
done by a skilled mechanic.
1. Warm up the engine. This makes the oil drain faster and
more thoroughly.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug and drain oil fully.
4. Install the drain plug, with a new gasket, and tighten it.
5. Fill the engine with the proper amount of new oil (see
"Specifications"). Oil Filter Installation
1. Remove the old oil filter with the filter wrench.
2. Apply a light coat of engine oil to the oil filter gasket.
3. Hand-tighten the filter until the gasket contacts the sealing

face.

4. Using the filter wrench, tighten the filter one full turn.
5. Run the engine and inspect for
leaks.

6. Shut off the engine. After a couple of minutes, check the
oil level. If necessary, add oilto bring it to the FULL mark.

An improperly installed oil filter can result in severe engine

damage.

Car e an d Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E

Coolant
Adding ................ 214
Capacity ............... 232
Checking ............. 213
Proper Solution ......... 214
Temperature Gauge ....... 58
Corrosion Protection ....... 221 Courtesy Lights ........... 108
Crankcase Emission Control System .......... 246
Cruise Control Operation .... 143
Customer Relations Information ............. 242
DANGER, Explanation of .... iv Dashboard ................ 54
Dead Battery, What to Do ... 180 Defects, Reporting Safety .. . 245
Defogger, Rear Window ..... 72
Defrosting the Windows .... 118

DEXRON III

AutomaticTransmission Fluid ...... 212
Digital Clock ............... 149
Dimensions .............. 239
Dimming the Headlights .... 70
Dipstick, Engine Oil ... 196, 209
Directional Signals .......... 73
Disabled, Towing Your Vehicle If .... 187
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . . 158
Dome Light .............. 107
Door Locks ............... 9 Power ................ 100 Doors, Close and Lock ....... 10

DOT Tire Quality Grading ... 247

Downshifting, 5-Speed

Manual Transmission ....... 82
Drive Belts ............... 218
Driving, On-Road Fuel Economy .......... 166In Bad Weather ......... 164

In Foreign Countries ..... 169
On Slippery Surfaces ..... 158

Economy, Fuel ............ 166 EGR System .............. 247
Emergency Brake ........... 84
Emergency Flashers ......... 74