Page 193 of 372
Carrying Cargo
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on a Roof Rack
Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and as far forward as possible.
If you fold down the back seat, tiedown items that could be thrown
about the car during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions on page 49. If you can cany any items on a
roof rack, be sure the total weightof the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Honda dealer for further information.
Before Driving
Page 195 of 372

Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks and adjustments every day before
you drive your car.
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors, and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
2. Check that the hood and trunk are fully closed.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
4. Check that any items you may be carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened down
securely. 5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 88).
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors (see
page 99).
7. Check the adjustment of the steering wheel (see page 67).
8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page 14 ). 10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
11.Start the engine (see page 193).
12. Check the gauges and indicator lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53).
Driving
Page 205 of 372

Parking
Always use the parking brake when you park your car. The indicator onthe instrument panel shows that the
parking brake is not fully released; itdoes not indicate that the parking
brake is firmly set. Make sure the
parking brake is set firmly or your car may roll if it is parked on an
incline.
If your car has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake before you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the car from
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission — making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the car is facing uphill, turn the
front wheels away from the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put it in first gear.
If the car is facing downhill, turn the
front wheels toward the curb. If you have a manual transmission, put it in
reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving away. Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes. Parking Tips
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn off the lights. Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors with the key or the
remote transmitter.
On EX and EX-V6 models
Check the indicator on the driver's
door to verify that the security
system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other flammable materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Driving
Page 217 of 372
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Lights
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting connector in the trunk. Refer to thedrawing in this page for the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
If you use a converter, you can get
the connector and pins that mate
with the connector in your vehicle from your Honda dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary in
trailer type and brand, you should also have a qualified mechanic install
a suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer.
Driving GROUND
(BLACK)
BACK-UP LIGHT
(GREEN/BLACK) LEFT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/BLUE)
TAILLIGHT(RED/BLACK)
BRAKE LIGHT
(WHITE/BLACK)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL
(GREEN/YELLOW)
Page 279 of 372

Lights
Headlight Aiming
The headlights were properly aimed when your car was new. If youregularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should be performed by a Honda technicianor other qualified mechanic.
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Your car has two bulbs on each side, four in total. Make sure you arereplacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your car uses halogen headlight bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handleit by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
BULB
1. Open the hood. If you need to change a bulb on
the passenger's side (on the driver's side on 6-cylinder models),
remove the radiator reserve tank.
2. Remove the electrical connector from the bulb by squeezing theconnector to unlock the tab, thenslide the connector off the bulb. 3. Remove the bulb by turning it
approximately one-quarter turn
counterclockwise.
4. Insert the new bulb into the hole and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
5. Push the electrical connector back onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
6. Turn on the headlights to test the new bulb.
7. (Passenger's side on 4-cylinder models, driver's side on 6-cylindermodels)
Reinstall the radiator reserve tank.
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
Maintenance
NOTICE
TAB
Page 282 of 372
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs (in Fenders)
1. Open the trunk. Remove the fastener from the side
of the trunk lining by turning it
counterclockwise with a coin. Pull
the lining back. 2. Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight or turn
signal.
3. Remove the socket by turning it one-quarter turn counterclockwise. 4. Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
5. Reinstall the socket into the light assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
6. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
7. Reinstall the trunk lining. Make sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
8. Put the fastener in the hole on the side of the trunk lining and push
on the center until it locks (the
center is flush with the head).
Maintenance
FASTENER
Page 283 of 372
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Trunk Lid)
1. Open the trunk.
2. Determine which of the two bulbs is burned out: taillight or back-up
light.
3. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. Remove the burned out bulb from the socket by pulling it straight outof its socket. 5. Install the new bulb in the socket.
6. Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly.
7. Test the lights to make sure the new bulb is working.
Maintenance
Page 284 of 372
Lights
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
1. Open the trunk and remove the socket from the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
2. Remove the burned-out bulb by pulling it straight out of the socket.
3. Install the new bulb and reinstall the socket. Make sure the new
bulb is working. Replacing a Rear License Bulb
1. Remove the license light assembly by carefully prying on the leftedge of the lens with a flat-tipscrewdriver and pulling the
assembly out. 2. Remove the lens from the bulb
holder by pulling the lens whilesqueezing the tabs on both sides
of the holder.
CONTINUED
Maintenance
BULB