Protecting Children
Additional Safety Precaution
• Do not leave a child alone in your
car. Leaving a child without adult
supervision is illegal
in most states
and Canadian provinces and can
be very hazardous. For example, a
small child left
in a car on a hot
day can die from heatstroke. A
child left alone with the key in the
ignition can accidentally set the
car
in motion, possibly injuring
themselves
or others.
22 Driver and Passenger Safety
General Guidelines for Using
Child
Seats
As discussed on page 20, because
your car does not have a back seat,
and because
of the passenger's
airbag hazard, we strongly
recommend that you
do not carry a
small child as a passenger
in this car.
However,
if you must carry a small
child
in this car, the child must be
properly restrained in a child seat.
The following pages give general
guidelines for selecting and installing
a child seat.
See page 26 for
additional information.
Selecting a Child Seat
To provide proper protection, a child
seat should meet three
requirements:
1. The child seat should meet safety
standards. The child seat should
meet Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard
213 (FMVSS 213)
or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard
213 (CMVSS 213). Look
for the manufacturer's statement
of compliance on the box and seat.
Seat Belt System Components
Your seat belt system includes lap/
shoulder belts in both seating
positions.
The seat belts are also equipped with
automatic seat belt tensioners.
~ The system also includes a
l±J light on the instrument
panel to remind you and your
passenger to fasten your belts.
If the
driver's seat belt is not fastened
before the ignition is turned
ON (II),
the light will come on and a beeper
will also sound.
The beeper will stop
after a few seconds,
but the light will
stay on until the driver's seat belt is
fastened.
Additional Information About Your Seat Belts
Lap/Shoulder Belt
This seat belt has a single belt that
goes over your shoulder, across your
chest and across your hips.
To fasten the belt, insert the latch
plate into the buckle, then tug on the
belt to make sure the buckle is
latched.
To unlock the belt, push the red
PRESS button on the buckle. Guide
the belt across your body to the door
pillar. After exiting the car, be sure
the belt is out of
the way and will not
get closed in the door.
Both seat belts have an emergency
locking retractor.
In normal driving,
the retractor lets
you move freely
in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt.
During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the
belt to help restrain your body.
The passenger's seat belt has an
additional locking mechanism that
must be activated to secure a child
seat. (See page
27 for instructions on
how to secure a forward-facing child
seat with this type of belt.)
If the shoulder part of the belt is
pulled
all the way out, the locking
mechanism will activate.
The belt
will retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety 33
SRS Components
Your Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) includes:
• Two front airbags. The driver's
airbag is stored
in the center of
the steering wheel; the front
passenger's airbag is stored
in the
dashboard. Both are marked
"SRS
AIRBAG."
•
Automatic seat belt tensioners
that tighten
the front seat belts
during a moderate to severe
frontal collision.
• Sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe frontal
collision.
• A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors the
sensors, control unit, the airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is
ON (II).
Additional Information About Your SRS
• An indicator light on the How Your Airbags Work
instrument panel that alerts you to
a possible problem with the
system (see page
37).
• Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system
is
disconnected in a crash.
If you ever have a moderate to
severe frontal collision, the sensors
will detect rapid deceleration and
signal the control unit to instantly
inflate the airbags and activate the
automatic seat belt tensioners.
CON11NUED
Driver and Passenger Safety 35
How the Automatic Seat Belt
Tensioners Work
Your Honda has automatic seat belt
tensioners for added protection
during a moderate to severe frontal
collision.
If your airbags inflate, the tensioners
immediately tighten the front
seat
belts to help hold the occupants in
place.
The belts will remain tight
until you unbuckle
them in the
normal way.
Additional Information About Your SRS
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works
~ ~he J?Urpose of the SRS
~ hght 1s to alert you to a
potential problem with your
Supplemental Restraint System.
When you turn the ignition
ON (II),
this indicator will light up briefly
then go out. This tells you that the
system is working properly.
However,
if the light comes on at any
other time, you should have the
system checked by your dealer. For
example:
• If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
ON(II).
• If the light stays on after the
engine starts.
• If the light comes on or flashes on
and off while you drive.
If you see any of these indications,
your airbags and
seat belt tensioners
may not deploy when you need them.
See your Acura dealer as soon as
possible.
Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags do not
inflate when needed.
Have your
vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS
light alerts you to a
potential problem.
Driver and Passenger Safety 37
This section gives information about
the controls and displays
that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda.
All the essential
controls are within easy reach.
Control Locations ............................ 42
Indicator Lights ................................ 43
Gauges .............................................. 47
Speedometer ................................ 4 7
Select Button ................................ 4 7
Tachometer .................................. 4 7
Temperature Gauge ....................
47
Fuel Gauge ................................... 48
Odometer ...................................... 48
Trip Meter .................................... 48
Maintenance Required
Indicator ....................................
49
Controls Near the Steering
Wheel ........................................
50
Headlights .................................... 51
Daytime Running Lights ............. 52
Instrument Panel Brightness ..... 52
Turn Signals ................................. 53
Windshield Wipers ...................... 53
Windshield Washers ................... 54
Steering Wheel Controls ................ 55
Cruise Control .............................. 55
Keys and Locks ................................ 58
Keys ............................................... 58
Immobilizer System ..................... 59
Ignition Switch ............................. 60
Instruments and Controls
Power Door Locks ....................... 62
Remote Transmitter .................... 63
Trunk ............................................ 66
Console Compartments .............. 67
Seat Adjustments ............................. 68
Power Windows ............................... 69
Convertible Top ............................... 71
Opening the Convertible Top ..... 71
Closing the Convertible Top ...... 7 4
Convertible Top
Cover.. .............. 76
Maintenance ................................. 77
Hazard Warning ............................... 79
Mirrors .............................................. 79
Adjusting the Power Mirrors ..... 79
Parking Brake .................................. 80
Beverage Holder .............................. 81
Accessory Power Socket ................ 81
Audio Panel. ...................................... 82
Interior Lights .................................. 83
Instruments and Controls 41
Indicator Lights
I ~ I Seat Belt Reminder Light
This indicator flashes for several
seconds when you turn
the ignition
0 N (II). It flashes as a reminder to
you and your passenger to fasten
the
seat belts. A beeper also sounds if
you have not fastened your
seat belt.
If you do not fasten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop after a few
seconds
but the light stays on until
you do. Both
the light and the beeper
stay off if you fasten your seat belt
before turning on
the ignition.
44 Instruments and Controls
~ Low Oil Pressure
~ Indicator
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light flashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
information, see page 226 .
~ Charging System
~ Indicator
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
information, see page 227 .
U.S. Canada
I BRAKE I I ((D) I
Parking Brake and
Brake System Indicator
This light has two functions:
1. It lights as a reminder that you
have not released
the parking
brake. Driving with
the parking
brake applied can damage
the
brakes and tires.
2. If it remains lit after you release
the parking brake while the engine
is running,
or comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in
the brake system. For complete
information,
see page 229 .
~ Supplemen~al Restraint
~ System Indicator
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch
0 N (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem in
the
supplemental restraint system. For
complete information, see page 37.
U.S. Canada
I ABS II@) I
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator
This light normally comes on for a
few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch
ON (II), and when
you push the START button.
If this
light comes on at any other time,
there
is a problem in the ABS. If this
happens, take the car to your dealer
to have it checked. With
the light on,
your car still
has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock.
~ Malfunction Indicator
~Lamp
See page 228 .
I F¥ I Trunk-open Indicator
This light comes on if the trunk lid is
not closed tightly.
[I] Door-open Indicator
This light comes on if either door is
not closed tightly.
Indicator Lights
~ Electric Power Steering
~ (EPS) Indicator
This light normally comes on when
you turn the ignition
ON (II) and
goes off after the engine starts.
If it
comes on at any other time, there is
a problem
in the Electric Power
Steering system. If this happens,
stop the car
in a safe place and turn
off the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the
EPS light. If it does not go off, or
comes back on again while driving,
take the car to your dealer to have it
checked. With the light
on, the EPS
is turned off, making the car harder
to steer.
Instruments and Controls 45
Indicator Lights
lA! I Q I Tum Signal a!ld ~ Hazard Wammg
Indicators
The left or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page
192 ) . Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
When you turn on the Hazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink.
All turn signals on the
outside of the car should flash.
I § D I High Beam Indicator
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights.
See page 51 for
information on the headlight
controls.
46 Instruments and Controls
~ "Daytime Running
~ Lights" Indicator
Canadian models only
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to
ON (ID with
the headlight switch off and the
parking brake set.
It should go off if
you turn on the headlights or release
the parking brake.
If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL.
There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
~ Immobilizer System
~ Indicator
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch
0 N (ID. It will then go off if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key.
If it is not a properly
coded key, the indicator will blink
and
the engine will not start (see
page
59 ). This
indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch from
ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
Cruise Control Indicator
This lights when you set the cruise
control.
See page 55 for information
on operating the cruise control.
[ji] Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must refuel soon.