2001 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN traction control

Your Car at a Glance
INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
(P.
63)
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS

(P.
64,
65,
66) REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER

(P.
66)
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
(P.
66)
CRUISE CONTROLS
(P.
68)

HORN

(P.
61)

TILT ADJUSTMENT

(P.
67)
REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS (P. 70)
(EX with leather and EX-V6 models)

HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS

(P.
62,
64)
CRUISE CONTROL

(P.
68) TRACTION CONTROL
SYSTEM

(P.
206)

MOONROOF SWITCH

(P.
98)

Indicator Lights
TRACTION CONTROLSYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 56)

CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR (P. 58)SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 55)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 58)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMINDICATOR* (P. 55)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
(P. 55)

SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR
(P. 55)

IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 56)

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P. 309)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 310)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P. 311)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
(P. 58)

SEAT BELT REMINDERLIGHT (P. 54)
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR (P. 56)
* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian models are noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

TRACTION CONTROLSYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 56)

CRUISE CONTROLINDICATOR (P. 58)SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 55)
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P. 58)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEMINDICATOR* (P. 55)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*
(P. 55)

SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR
(P. 55)

IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 56)

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P. 309)
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR (P. 310)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (P. 311)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
(P. 58)

SEAT BELT REMINDERLIGHT (P. 54)
DOOR AND BRAKE LAMP MONITOR (P. 56)

Indicator Lights

Traction Control System(TCS) Indicator

On all V6 models

This indicator has three functions:
1. It comes on as a reminder that you have turned off the Traction
Control System.
2. It flashes when the TCS is regulating wheelspin.
3. If it comes on and stays on when the Traction Control System is on,it indicates that there is a problem
in the TCS.
This light also comes on when you turn the ignition ON (II) and goes offafter the engine starts. See page
206 for more information on the

TCS.
Door and Brake Lamp Monitor
The appropriate light comes on in this display if the trunk or any dooris not closed tightly. If a brake light does not work, the BRAKE LAMP
indicator comes on when you push
the brake pedal with the ignition switch ON (II).
A burned out brake light is a hazard when drivers behind you cannot tell
you are braking. Have your brakelights repaired right away.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). Turn Signal and
Hazard WarningIndicators
The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane changeor turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means oneof the turn signal bulbs is burned out (see page 277 ). 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.
Instruments and Controls

TCS

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

The two levers on the steering column contain controls for driving
features you use most often. The left
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.
The controls under the left air vent are for the moonroof and the cruise

control.

The tilt adjustment lever on the underside of the steering columnallows you to tilt the steering wheel.

* To use the horn, press the pad
around the "H" logo.

Instruments and Controls

INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
(P. 63)

WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS

(P.
64, 65, 66) REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER

(P.
66)

MOONROOF

SWITCH
(P.
98)
TRACTION
CONTROLSYSTEM
(P.
206)
CRUISE
CONTROL
(P.
68)
TILT ADJUSTMENT
(P.
67) HORN*

(P.
61)
HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHTS
(P.
66)
CRUISE
CONTROLS
(P.
68)
REMOTE AUDIO CONTROLS (P. 70)
(on EX with leather and EX-V6 models)
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
(P.
62, 64)

Driving

This section gives you tips on starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes important information on parking
your car, the braking system, and facts you need if you are planning to

tow a trailer.
Preparing to Drive......................... 192
Starting the Engine........................ 193
Starting in Cold Weatherat High Altitude ..................... 194
5-speed Manual Transmission..... 195 Recommended Shift Points...... 196
Engine Speed Limiter ............... 196
Automatic Transmission............... 196 Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 197
Shift Lever Positions................. 197
Engine Speed Limiter............... 200
Shift Lock Release..................... 200
Parking............................................ 202
The Braking System...................... 203 Brake Wear Indicators.............. 203
Brake System Design................ 204
Anti-lock Brakes........................ 204
Important SafetyReminders.......................... 205
ABS Indicator......................... 205
Traction Control System............... 206 TCS ON/OFF Switch................ 207
TCS Indicator............................. 207
Driving in Bad Weather................ 209
Towing a Trailer............................ 211
Driving

The Braking System

Brake System Design
The hydraulic system that operates the brakes has two separate circuits.Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the left-front brake is connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Anti-lock Brakes

LX with ABS, EX and all V6 models
have an Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) as standard equipment. It is
optional on other models.
ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retainsteering control.
When the front tires skid, you lose steering control; the car continues
straight ahead even though you turn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much faster than a
person can do it. You should never pump the
brake pedal, this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."

You will feel a pulsation in the brake pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is normal, it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount of traction your tires have. On drypavement, you will need to press on
the brake pedal very hard before you
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.

Driving

Front

Traction Control System
On LX V6 and EX V6 models

Your Honda is equipped with a
Traction Control System (TCS) to assist you in maintaining traction
while driving slowly on loose or slippery surfaces. The TCS assists
only in low-speed, low-traction
conditions; up to approximately 18
mph (30km/h).
The TCS monitors the speed of all four wheels. When it senses a front
wheel losing traction, it applies braking to that wheel. The TCSindicator flashes when this occurs.
Driving with TCS requires no specialskills or technique. The TCS does
not control your vehicle's whole
braking system and cannot prevent skidding if you enter a corner too
fast. It is still your responsibility to
drive at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety. When starting out or driving at low
speeds on a loose or slippery road
surface, you may notice that the
vehicle does not respond to the accelerator in the same way it does
at other times. This is a sign the TCS
is activating. You will see the TCS
indicator light flash. You should still install winter tires on
your vehicle during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with vehicle. Exercise the
same caution in winter driving as you
would if your vehicle was not equipped with TCS.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page 296) may activate the TCS. You should turn off
the system.
If the brakes overheat while the TCS
is activating, the TCS indicator willstop flashing and stay on temporarily.
This indicates that the TCS system has turned off. After the brakes have
cooled down (usually for about 10
minutes), the TCS will turn back onand the indicator will turn off.

Driving
TCS INDICATOR

Traction Control System

TCS ON/OFF Switch

This switch is under the side vent. It lets you turn the Traction ControlSystem on and off. You cannot turn
off the TCS while the TCS indicator
light is flashing. Deactivate the system by pressing
the TCS On/Off switch. The TCS
indicator light comes on as a
reminder. Pressing the switch again
turns the system back on.
The Traction Control System turns on every time you start the engine,
even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle. TCS Indicator
The TCS indicator comes on orflashes under the following condi-tions:
When you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II).
When you manually turn off the

TCS.
It flashes when the TCS is

regulating wheelspin.

If the system's diagnostics senses
a problem in the TCS, the indica-
tor will come on and stay on.
If the brakes overheat, the
indicator will come on.

CONTINUED

Driving