Page 176 of 319

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: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.
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th Normal acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
27 mph (43 km/h)
39 mph (63 km/h)
53 mph (85 km/h)
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th
4th to 5th 9mph(14km/h)
20 mph (32 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, 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
engine speed by upshif ting or
slowing down.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
vehicle speed is low enough that you
will not activate the engine speed
limiter in the lower gear.
Cruise from acceleration
On EX and LX models
On DX model
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving
Recommended Shif t Points Engine Speed L imiter
177
Page 187 of 319

µ
µ Being able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more difficult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windshield wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
shield washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windshield
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windshield or leave parts
unwiped. Use the def rosters and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
page ).
Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions. Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. 111
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving Visibility
Driving T echnique
188
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This indicator should come on when
the ignition switch is ON (II), and go
out af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, it indicates that the
charging system has stopped
charging the battery.By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can
drive several miles (kilometers)
before the battery is too discharged
to keep the engine running. Drive to
a service station or garage where
you can get technical assistance.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
def ogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows.
Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Charging System Indicator
276
CCHHAARRGGIINNGGSSYYSSTTEEMMIINNDDIICCAATTOORR
Page 301 of 319
Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the vehicle coast f or several
seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
If the testing f acility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your Honda dealer.
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
(80to97km/h)foratleast20
minutes. Drive on the highway in
D (A/T) or 5th (M/T). Do not use
thecruisecontrol.Whentraffic
allows, drive f or 90 seconds
without moving the accelerator
pedal. (Vehicle speed may vary
slightly; this is okay.) If you cannot
do this f or a continuous 90
seconds because of traf f ic
conditions, drive f or at least 30
seconds, then repeat it two more
times (for a total of 90 seconds).
T echnical Inf ormation
St at e Emissions T est ing
302
Page 311 of 319

Î
............................
Capacities Chart . 292
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 54
.............................
Carrying Cargo . 169
Cassette Player
............................................
Care . 156
...................
Operation . 120, 132, 153
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 123, 135, 149
......................
CD Player . 123, 135, 147
..................................
Ceiling Light . 103
........................
Certif ication Label . 290
............................................
Chains . 240
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 263
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 211
Changing Oil
........................................
How to . 207
......................................
When to . 194
...
Charging System Indicator . 62, 276
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 174
.....................................
Child Saf ety . 21
Child Seats
.......................
Lower Anchorage . 42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 88 ....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 221
Cleaning
......................................
Exterior . 254
.......................................
Interior . 256
...................................
Seat Belts . 257
...........................................
Vinyl . 257
....................................
Windows . 258
.........
Clock, Setting the . 119, 131, 143
...................................
Clutch Fluid . 219
........................
CO in the Exhaust . 298
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 175
..............................
Compact Spare . 262
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 304
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 57
Coolant
........................................
Adding . 209
....................................
Checking . 165
.........................
Proper Solution . 209
...................................
Replacing . 211
...................
Temperature Gauge . 68
....................
Corrosion Protection . 259
Crankcase Emissions Control
........................................
System . 298
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 76
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 304 ................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard . 2, 58
................
Daytime Running Lights . 71
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 308
........................
Def og and Def rost . 111
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 74
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 111
....................................
Dimensions . 292
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 71
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 216
..................................
Engine Oil . 164
..........................
Directional Signals . 72
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 184
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil . 208
Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 83
......................
Power Door Locks . 84
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 294
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission . 176
.....................................
Drive Belts . 233
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
Index
C D
II