Comfort and Convenience Features
The heating and air conditioning* systems in your Honda provide a
comfortable driving environment in
all weather conditions.
* Air conditioning is optional on the
U.S. DX model.
The standard audio system has many features. This section de-scribes those features and how to
use them. (If you selected an optional audio system, refer to the
operating instructions that came
with it.)
On EX and EX-V6 models
The security system helps to dis- courage vandalism and theft of your
Honda.
Heating and Cooling...................... 110
What Each Control Does.......... 110 How to Use the System............. 113
To Turn Everything Off........... 116
Climate Control System................ 117 Fully-automatic Operation........ 119
Semi-automatic Operation........ 120Sunlight Sensor/ Temperature Sensor............. 124
Audio System (DX)....................... 125 Operating the Radio.................. 126Adjusting the Sound.................. 129
Operating the Cassette Player...................................... 130
Caring for Cassettes.................. 132
Operating the Optional CD Changer.................................. 133
Protecting Compact Discs........ 135 CD Changer Error Indications.............................. 136
Audio System (LX and LX-V6)..... 137 Operating the Radio.................. 137Adjusting the Sound..................
141
Operating the CD Player.......... 142
Operating the CD Changer...... 144
CD player Error Indications.............................. 146 CD Changer Error
Indications.............................. 147
Operating the Cassette Player...................................... 148
Tape Search Functions............. 150 Caring for the Cassette Player...................................... 151
Audio System (EX and EX-V6).... 153 Operating the Radio.................. 154
Adjusting the Sound.................. 157
Audio System Lighting............. 158 Radio Frequencies..................... 158
Radio Reception......................... 158
Operating the Cassette Player...................................... 160
Tape Search Functions............. 161 Caring for the Cassette Player...................................... 164
Operating the CD Changer...... 165
Protecting Compact Discs........ 171
CD Changer Error Indications.............................. 172
Remote Audio Controls ............ 173
Theft Protection........................ 174
Security System............................. 175
Comfort and Convenience Features
Heating and Cooling
Except EX-V6 model
Proper use of the Heating and
Cooling system can make the
interior dry and comfortable, and
keep the windows clear for best
visibility.
If your car does not have air
conditioning, it can be installed at
any time. Your dealer can install a
Genuine Honda air conditioning
system that meets Honda's high
quality standards and is designed to
exactly fit your car. Please contact
your dealer for more information.
What Each Control Does
Fan Control Dial
Turning this dial clockwise increases
the fan's speed, which increases air
flow.
Temperature Control Dial
Turning this dial clockwise increases the temperature of the air flow. Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Air Conditioning is optional on the U.S. DX model.
This button turns the air condi- tioning ON and OFF. The indicatorabove the button lights when the
A/C is on.
Rear Window Defogger Button
This button turns the rear window defogger on and off (see page 66). Recirculation Button
This button controls the source of the air going into the system. Whenthe indicator above this button is lit,air from the car's interior is sent
through the system again (Recircula-
tion mode). When the indicator is off, air is brought in from outside the car (Fresh Air mode).
Comfort and Convenience Features
FAN CONTROL DIAL
MODE BUTTONS
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
BUTTON
Heating and Cooling
How to Use the System
This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation,
heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting.
The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to
generate hot and cold air. The heater
uses engine coolant to warm the air.If the engine is cold, it will be several
minutes before you feel warm air
coming from the system.
The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature.
It is best to leave the system in Fresh
Air mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in Recirculation
mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up.
Switch to Recirculation mode when
you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to
Fresh Air mode when the condition
clears.
The outside air intakes for the
heating and cooling system are at
the base of the windshield. Keep
these clear of leaves and other
debris.
Ventilation
The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it
through the interior, then exhausts it through vents near the rear window.
1. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the left.
Make sure the A/C is off. 2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
Comfort and Convenience Features
FAN CONTROL DIAL
MODE BUTTONS
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON
CONTINUED
Heating and Cooling
To Cool with A/C
1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. The light above the buttonshould come on when a fan speed
is selected.
2. Make sure the temperature control dial is set to maximum cool. 3. Select
4. If the outside air is humid, select Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
5. Set the fan to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm from
being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way:
1. Start the engine.
2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the tempera-ture control dial is set to maximum
cool.
3. Set the fan to maximum speed.
4. Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode. When the interior has cooled down
to a more comfortable temperature,close the windows and set the
controls as described for normal
cooling.
Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page 58) when driving in stop-and-go
traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turn
off the A/C until the gauge reads
normally.
Comfort and Convenience Features
FAN CONTROL DIAL
MODE BUTTONS
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
Heating and Cooling
To Heat
To warm the interior:
1. Start the engine. 2. Select and Fresh Air mode.
3. Set the fan to the desired speed.
4. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control dial.
To Heat and Dehumidify with Air
Conditioning
Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.
1. Switch the fan on. 2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select and Fresh Air mode.
4 . Adjust the temperature control
dial so the mixture of heated and
cooled air feels comfortable.
This setting is suitable for all driving conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
To Defog and Defrost
To remove fog from the inside of the
windows:
1. Switch the fan on. 2. Select
When you select the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
3. Adjust the temperature control dial so the air flow from the
defroster vents feels warm.
4. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window.
When you switch to another mode from the A/C stays on.
Press the A/C button to turn it off.
CONTINUED
Comfort and Convenience Features
Climate Control System
Semi-automatic Operation
You can manually select various functions of the Climate Control system when it is in FULL AUTO.
All other features remain auto- matically controlled. Making anymanual selection causes the word
FULL to go out.
Air Conditioning (A/C) Button
Press the A/C button to turn the air
conditioning on and off. You will see
A/C ON or A/C OFF in the display.
When you turn the A/C off, the sys- tem cannot regulate the inside tem-
perature if you set the dial below theoutside temperature. With the A/C
on, use the temperature control dial
to adjust the temperature of the air
flow to a comfortable setting.
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL
RECIRCULATION BUTTON
Comfort and Convenience Features AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON
Fuel Economy
The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte- nance is the Owner Maintenance
Checks (see page 231). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, 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 fuel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion. Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and acceler-ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on
the number of "cold starts," try tocombine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes ituse more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is moderate.
Before Driving
Driving in Bad Weather
Visibility — Being able to see clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important in all weather conditions. This ismore difficult in bad weather. To beseen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers frequently. Keep the wind- shield washer reservoir full of the
proper fluid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the defrosters and air conditioning to keep the windows
from fogging up on the inside (seepage 115). Traction — Check your tires
frequently for wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing "hydroplaning" (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all four
wheels for the best handling.
Watch road conditions carefully, they can change from moment tomoment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. "Clear" roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditionscan be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near freezing.
The road surface can become covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be careful when downshifting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the drive wheels for a moment and cause
a skid. Be very cautious when passing, or
being passed by other vehicles. The spray from large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buffeting can cause you to lose control.
Driving