Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
bottom
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing a Trailer
Driving
233
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 236
.
Important Safety Precautions . 237
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 238
...
Required Maintenance Record . 245
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 247
..............................
Fluid Locations . 248
......................................
Engine Oil . 249
..................................
Adding Oil . 249
....................
Recommended Oil . 249
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 250
....................................
Additives . 251
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 251
.............................
Cooling System . 253
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 253
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 255
....................
Windshield Washers . 258
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 259
....................................
Brake Fluid . 260
............................
Brake System . 260
..............................
Power Steering . 261
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 262
....................................
Hood Latch . 264
....................................
Spark Plugs . 264
..............................
Replacement . 264
............................
Specif ications . 266
...........................................
Battery . 267 .................................
Wiper Blades . 269
..............
Air Conditioning System . 271
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 272
.....................................
Drive Belts . 272
....................................
Timing Belt . 273
...............................................
Tires . 273
......................................
Inf lation . 273
..................................
Inspection . 275
..............................
Maintenance . 276
.............................
Tire Rotation . 276
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 277
......................
Wheels and Tires . 278
..........................
Winter Driving . 278
.............................
Snow Tires . 279
............................
Tire Chains . 279
.............................................
Lights . 280
.....................
Headlight Aiming . 282
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 282
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 291
351
Maintenance
Maint enance
235
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. If it is not available, you may
use another power steering f luid as
an emergency replacement.
However, continued use can cause
increased wear and poor steering in
cold weather. Have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Check the level when the engine is
cold. Look at the side of the
reservoir. The f luid should be
between the UPPER LEVEL and
LOWER LEVEL. If it is below the
LOWER LEVEL, add power steering
f luid to the UPPER LEVEL.
Maint enance
Power Steering
261
UUPPPPEERRLLEEVVEELL
LLOOWWEERRLLEEVVEELLT urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
CONT INUED
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s han-dling.
When shopping f or replacement
tires, you may find that some tires
are ‘‘directional.’’ This means they
are designed to rotate only in one
direction. If you use directional tires,
they should be rotated only front-to-
back.
The tires that came with your
vehicle were selected to match the
perf ormance capabilities of the
vehicle while providing the best
combination of handling, ride
comfort,andlonglife.Youshould
replace them with radial tires of the
same size, load range, speed rating,
and maximum cold tire pressure
rating (as shown on the tire’s
sidewall). Mixing radial and bias-ply
tires on your vehicle can reduce its
braking ability, traction, and steering
accuracy.
Tires
Maint enance
Replacing T ires and Wheels
277
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘TOP.’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the air intake cover.
1.
2. 3.
5. 6. 7.8.
CONT INUED
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ightBulb
283
HHOOLLDDIINNGGCCLLIIPP
If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
330
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing. Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 203
................................
Accessories . 203
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 204
............................
Modif ications . 204
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) . 83
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 130
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 251
...............................
Airbag (SRS) . 9, 53
.....................
Air Cleaner Element . 262
.................
Air Conditioning Filter . 272
......
Air Conditioning System . 136, 144
..............................
Maintenance . 271
.....................
Rear A/C Control . 158
.................................
Usage . 136, 144
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 138, 144
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires . 273
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline . 338
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 295
......................................
Antif reeze . 253
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator . 63, 220
...................................
Operation . 219
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 192 .
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 82
..........................
Appearance Care . 293
........................................
Armrests . 109
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 191
........................
Audio System . 161, 173
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 54
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 71
...............
Automatic Speed Control . 77
..............
Automatic Transmission . 212
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .334
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 259
.......................................
Shif ting . 213
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 212
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 213
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 216
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator . 62, 319
............................
Jump Starting . 313
..............................
Maintenance . 267
............................
Specif ications . 335
..............................
Bef ore Driving . 195
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,49 ...........................
Beverage Holder . 124
...................................
Body Repair . 300
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 219
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 196
....................
Bulb Replacement . 284
...........................................
Fluid . 260
.......................................
Parking . 122
.................
System Indicator . 62, 322
........................
Wear Indicators . 218
.............................
Braking System . 218
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 196
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 71
........................
Brights, Headlights . 70
Bulb Replacement
..........................
Back-up Lights . 285
..............................
Brake Lights . 284
......................
Cargo Area Light . 288
................
Front Parking Lights . 283
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 283
.................................
Headlights . 282
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 286
..............
Individual Map Lights . 288
...................
License Plate Light . 287
Index
A
B I
.....................................
Tachometer . 66
............................................
Tailgate . 89
.................................
Opening the . 89
...................
Open Monitor Light . 64 ......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 285
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 301
...........................
Tape Player . 166, 187
Technical Descriptions
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 340
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 338
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 342
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 67
...................
Tensioners, Seat Belts . 54
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 45
............................
Thef t Protection . 192
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 342
..........................
Time, Setting the . 123
....................................
Timing Belt . 273
....................................
Tire Chains . 279
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 303
...............................................
Tires . 273
..............................
Air Pressure . 273
...................................
Balancing . 276
.........................
Checking Wear . 275
..........................
Compact Spare . 302
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 336
......................................
Inf lation . 273
..................................
Inspection . 275
...................................
Replacing . 277 ......................................
Rotating . 276
...........................................
Snow . 279
............................
Specif ications . 335
................................
Tire Chains . 279
Towing .....................................
A Trailer . 226
................
Emergency Wrecker . 329
..
Traction Control System (TCS) . 221
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 259
...........................
Fluid Selection . 259
..............
Identif ication Number . 333
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 213
.....................................
Treadwear . 336
.......................................
Trip Meter . 67
....................................
Turn Signals . 72
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 303
.....................
Underside, Cleaning . 299
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the . 301
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 336
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 196
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning . 296
.......................
Starting the Engine . 211
In Cold Weather at High
..................................
Altitude . 211
................
With a Dead Battery . 313
..............
State Emissions Testing . 343
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 315
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 76
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 82
...........
Stereo Sound System . 161, 173
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 291
...................................
Storage Box . 129
........................
Sunglasses Holder . 126
........................................
Sun Visor . 127
Supplemental Restraint System
......................................
Servicing . 55
.........................
SRS Indicator . 54, 62
...................
System Components . 52
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 250
Index
T U
VIII