Accessories and Modifications
Modifications
Do not remove any original equipment or modify your car in any
way that would alter its design or operation. This could make your car
unsafe and illegal to drive.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your car, or install
wheels and tires with a different overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the car's anti-lock brakes and other systems. In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy.
Do not modify your steering wheelor any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System. Modifications could make the
system ineffective.
Additional Safety Precaution
Do not attach or place objects on
the front airbag covers. Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked "SRS AIRBAG," in the
center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard, could
interfere with the proper operation of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inflate, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone.
On models equipped with side airbags
Do not attach hard objects on or
near a front door. If a side airbag
inflates, a cup holder or other hard
object attached on or near the door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.
Do not place any objects over the
outside edge of a front seat-back.
Covering the outside edge of a
front seat-back, with a non-Honda seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.
Before Driving
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
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
Storing Your Car
If you need to park your car for an
extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you should do to prepare it for storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your car back on the road. If
possible, store your car indoors.
Fill the fuel tank.
Change the engine oil and filter(see page 235).
Wash and dry the exterior completely.
Clean the interior. Make sure the
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse (5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic).
Block the rear wheels.
If the car is to be stored for a
longer period, it should be supported on jackstands so the
tires are off the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the front wiper blade
arms with a folded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehicle body wax to the painted surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals. Cover the car with a "breathable"
cover, one made from a porous
material such as cotton.
Nonporous materials, such as
plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine for a
while periodically (preferably once a month).
If you store your car for 12 months
or longer, have your Honda dealer
perform the inspections called for in
the 24 months/30,000 miles (48,000
km) maintenance schedule as soon as you take it out of storage (see
page 224). The replacements called
for in the maintenance schedule are not needed unless the car hasactually reached that time or mileage.
Maintenance
Index
Capacities Chart............................. 326
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49
Carrying Cargo.............................. 188
Cassette Player
Care.............................................151
Operation........................... 130, 148
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Changer.......................... 133, 165
CD Player........................................ 142
Certification Label......................... 324
Chains............................................. 273
Changing a Flat Tire ..................... 297 Changing Engine Coolant.............
241
Changing Oil
How to......................................... 235
When to....................................... 224
Charging System Indicator .... 54, 310
Checklist, Before Driving............. 192 Childproof Door Locks................... 79
Child Seats........................................ 27 Tether Anchorage Points........... 38
Cleaner, Air.................................... 253
Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 289 Carpeting.................................... 290
Exterior....................................... 288
Fabric.......................................... 291
Interior........................................ 290
Seat Belts.................................... 292
Vinyl............................................ 291 Window....................................... 292
Climate Control System................ 117
Clock, Setting the .......................... 102
Clutch Fluid.................................... 252
CO in the Exhaust......................... 333
Coin Box......................................... 103
Cold Weather, Starting in............. 194
Compact Spare............................... 296
Console Compartment.................. 103
Consumer Information*................ 340
Controls, Instruments and..............
51
Coolant
Adding......................................... 239Checking..................................... 184
Proper Solution.......................... 239
Temperature Gauge.................... 59
Corrosion Protection..................... 293
Crankcase Emissions Control System......................................... 333
Cruise Control Operation............... 68
Customer Relations Office........... 340
DANGER, Explanation of................. ii Dashboard........................................ 52
Daytime Running Lights................. 63
Defects, Reporting Safety............. 344 Defogger, Rear Window................. 64
Dimensions..................................... 328
Dimming the Headlights................ 62
Dipstick Automatic Transmission . 247, 248
Engine Oil................................... 182
Directional Signals........................... 64
Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 203
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 238 Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 74
Power Door Locks....................... 75
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 329
Downshifting, 5-speed Manual Transmission.............................. 195
Drive Belts...................................... 266
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 5
Index
Label, Certification........................ 324
Lane Change, Signaling.................. 64
Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 40
Lights Bulb Replacement..................... 278
Indicator........................................ 53
Parking.......................................... 62
Turn Signal................................... 64
LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 73
Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 73Fuel Fill Door............................. 178Glove Box..................................... 82
Power Door.................................. 75
Trunk............................................
80
Low Coolant Level......................... 184
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a.... 195
Low Oil Pressure Indicator.... 52, 309
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 326
Luggage.......................................... 188
Maintenance................................... 219
Owner Maintenance Checks.... 231
Record......................................... 229
Required Indicator....................... 60
Safety...........................................220
Schedule............................
224 -
228
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.. 55, 311
Manual Transmission.................... 195
Manual Transmission Fluid ......... 249
Meters, Gauges................................ 57
Methanol in Gasoline.................... 331
Mirrors, Adjusting......................... 100
Moonroof.......................................... 88
Closing Manually....................... 314
Operation...................................... 98
Neutral Gear Position.................... 198
New Vehicle Break-in................... 178
Normal Shift Speeds...................... 196
NOTICE, Explanation of................... ii
Numbers, Identification................ 324
Octane Requirement, Gasoline.... 178
Odometer.......................................... 58
Odometer, Trip................................ 59
Oil Change, How to ......................... 235
Change, When to....................... 224
Checking Engine....................... 182
Pressure Indicator............... 54, 309
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart....................................... 235
ON (Ignition Key Position) ............ 74
Operation in Foreign Countries... 332 Outside Mirrors............................... 99
Overheating, Engine..................... 306
Owner Maintenance Checks........ 231
Oxygenated Fuel........................... 331
Panel Brightness Control............... 63
Park Gear Position......................... 198
Parking............................................ 202
CONTINUED
Index
Parking Brake................................ 101
Parking Lights.................................. 63
Parking Over Things that Burn... 335
PGM-FI System.............................. 334
Polishing and Waxing................... 289
Pre-Drive Safety Checklist............. 11
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts.......... 17
Protecting Adults............................. 12 Additional Safety Precautions.... 18
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 17
Protecting Children......................... 19
Protecting Infants........................ 28
Protecting Larger Children........ 34
Protecting Small Children.......... 31Using Child Seats with
Tethers......................................37
Radiator Overheating.................... 309
Radio/Cassette Sound System.... 125
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement... 281
Rear Seat Armrest........................... 94
Rear Seat, Folding........................... 93
Rear View Mirror............................. 99 Rear Window Defogger.................. 66 Reclining the Seat Backs......... 88, 91
Recommended Shift Speeds ........
196
Reminder Lights.............................. 53
Remote Transmitter........................ 75
Replacement Information
Air Cleaner Element.................. 253Coolant........................................ 241
Engine Oil and Filter................. 235
Fuses...........................................318
Light Bulbs................................. 278
Schedule..................................... 224
Spark Plugs ....................... 256, 258
Tires............................................ 271 Wiper Blades.............................. 263
Replacing Seat Belts After a
Crash.............................................42
Reserve Tank, Coolant.................. 184
Restraint, Child................................
19
Reverse Gear Position................... 198
Rotation, Tire................................. 271
Safety Belts......................................... 8
Safety Defects, Reporting* .......... 344
Safety Features.................................. 7
Airbags............................................ 9Door Locks................................... 10
Head Restraints........................... 10
Seat Belts........................................ 8
Seats & Seat-Backs...................... 10
Safety Labels, Location of.............. 50
Safety Messages................................ ii
Seat Belts............................................ 8
Additional Information................ 40
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners................................ 41
Cleaning...................................... 292
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 40
Maintenance................................. 42
Reminder Light and
Beeper................................. 40, 54
System Components.................... 40 Use During Pregnancy................ 17
Seats, Adjusting the......................... 88
Security System............................. 175
Serial Number................................ 324
Service Intervals............................ 224
Service Manual*............................ 345
Service Station Procedures .......... 178