This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations . 52
...............................
Indicator Lights . 53
.............................................
Gauges . 58
...............................
Speedometer . 58
.................................
Tachometer . 58
.....................................
Odometer . 58
...................................
Trip Meter . 59
...................
Temperature Gauge . 59
..................................
Fuel Gauge . 59
Maintenance Required
...................................
Indicator . 60
Controls Near the Steering
.......................................
Wheel . 61
...................................
Headlights . 62
Automatic Lighting Off
.....................................
Feature . 63
............
Daytime Running Lights . 63 ....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 63
................................
Turn Signals . 64
.....................
Windshield Wipers . 64
..................
Windshield Washers . 66
..........................
Hazard Warning . 66
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 66
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 67
...............
Steering Wheel Controls . 68
.............................
Cruise Control . 68
.............
Remote Audio Controls . 70
...............................
Keys and Locks . 71
..............................................
Keys . 71
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Immobilizer System . 72
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Ignition Switch . 73
..................................
Door Locks . 74
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Power Door Locks . 75
...................
Remote Transmitter . 76
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 80
...........................................
Trunk . 80
..................
Inside Trunk Opener . 82
....................................
Glove Box . 82
......... 83
............................
Seat Adjustments . 88
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 88
Driver’s Seat Manual Height
..............................
Adjustment . 89 Driver’s Seat Power Height
..............................
Adjustment . 89
Driver’s Seat Full Power ............................
Adjustments . 90
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 91
Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments . 92
..........................
Head Restraints . 92
.......................
Folding Rear Seat . 93
......................
Rear Seat Armrest . 94
........
Trunk Pass-through Cover . 95
....................................
Seat Heaters . 96
..............................
Power Windows . 97
.........................................
Moonroof . 98
.............................................
Mirrors . 99
..
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 100
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Parking Brake . 101
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Digital Clock . 102
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Console Compartment . 103
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Coin Box . 103
...........................
Beverage Holder . 104
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Sun Visor . 105
................................
Vanity Mirror . 105
........................
Sunglasses Holder . 106
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Accessory Power Socket . 106
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Interior Lights . 107
HomeLink Universal Transmitter
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols 51
This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f 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 ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This light comes on when the
washer f luid level is low. Add washer
f luid when you see this light come on
(see page ).
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
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.
This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.
On Canadian models, this indicator
comes on with reduced brightness
when the Daytime Running Lights
(DRL) are on (see page ). This lights when you set the cruise
control. See page f or inf ormation
on operating the cruise control.
This light comes on as a reminder
that you must ref uel soon.
72
60
63 68
246
Canadian models only
Only on models equipped with Cruise
Control System
Canadian models only
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols Immobilizer System
Indicator
Washer Level Indicator
‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Cruise Control Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
57
4-cylinder models6-cylinder models
The gauge stays at the same f uel
level reading af ter you turn of f the
ignition. When you add f uel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
readingafteryouturntheignition
switch back ON (II).
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’. Both trip meters will reset if
the vehicle’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper grey zone. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
239
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Trip Meter Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
59
Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period . 178
.........................................
Gasoline . 178
.........
Service Station Procedures . 178
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 178
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Opening the Hood . 180
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Oil Check . 182
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 184
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Fuel Economy . 185
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Vehicle Condition . 185
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Driving Habits . 185
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 186
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 188
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving 177
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
Open the f uel f ill door by pushing
onthehandletotheleftof the
driver’s seat.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
1. 2.
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period Gasoline Filling the Fuel Tank
Break-in Period, Gasoline, Service Station Procedures
178
Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
Your car has an on-board ref ueling
vapor recovery system to help
keep f uel vapors f rom going into
the atmosphere. If the fuel pump
keeps clicking of f even though the
tank is not f ull, there may be a
problem with this system. Consult
your dealer.Screw the f uel f ill cap back on,
tighten it until it clicks several
times. If you do not properly
tighten the cap, the Malfunction
Indicator Lamp may come on (see
page ).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top of f ’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
3. 4.
5. 6.
311
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
179
FFUUEELLFFIILLLLCCAAPP
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
thechanceof corrosion. 231
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving 185
Your Honda’s transmission has f our
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you the best
f uel economy and ef f ective emis-
sions control. The f ollowing shif t
points are recommended:
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th
4th to 5th
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th Normal acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
28 mph (45 km/h)
41 mph (66 km/h)
52 mph (84 km/h)
Cruise acceleration 7mph(11km/h)
22 mph (35 km/h)
33 mph (53 km/h)
48 mph (77 km/h) If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
5-speed Manual T ransmission, A ut omat ic T ransmission
Driving Automatic Transmission
Recommended Shif t Points Engine Speed L imiter
196