I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
Diagnosin g wh y you r engin e won' t
star t fall s int o tw o areas , dependin g
o n wha t yo u hea r whe n yo u pres s
th e ENGIN E STAR T button . Yo
u hea r nothing , o r almos t
nothing . Th e engine' s starte r
moto r doe s no t operat e a t all , o r
operate s ver y slowly . Yo
u ca n hea r th e starte r moto r
operatin g normally , o r th e starte r
moto r sound s lik e i t i s spinnin g
faste r tha n normal , bu t th e engin e
doe s no t star t u p an d run . Nothin
g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
Whe n yo u pres s th e ENGIN E
STAR T button , yo u d o no t hea r th e
norma l nois e o f th e engin e tryin g t o
start . Yo u ma y hea r a clickin g soun d
o r serie s o f clicks , o r nothin g a t all .
Chec k thes e things : You
r ca r ha s th e Immobilize r
System . Yo u shoul d us e a
properly-code d maste r o r vale t ke y
t o star t th e engin e (se e pag e 59 ).
A ke y tha t i s no t properl y code d
wil l caus e th e immobilize r syste m
indicato r i n th e das h pane l t o blin k
rapidly . Tur
n th e ignitio n switc h t o O N (II) .
Tur n o n th e headlight s an d chec k
thei r brightness . I f th e headlight s
ar e ver y di m o r don' t ligh t a t all ,
th e batter y is discharged . Se e
Jum p Startin g o n pag e 22 2. Pres
s th e ENGIN E STAR T button ,
the n releas e it . I f th e headlight s d o
no t dim , chec k th e conditio n o f th e
fuses . I f th e fuse s ar e OK , ther e i s
probabl y somethin g wron g wit h
th e electrica l circui t fo r th e
ignitio n switc h o r starte r motor .
Yo u wil l nee d a qualifie d
technicia n t o determin e th e
problem . (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 241 .)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
I f th e headlight s di m noticeabl y o r
g o ou t whe n yo u tr y t o star t th e
engine , eithe r th e batter y i s dis -
charge d o r th e connection s ar e
corroded . Chec k th e conditio n o f th e
batter y an d termina l connection s
(se e pag e 177 ). Yo u ca n the n tr y
jum p startin g th e ca r fro m a booste r
batter y (se e pag e 222 ). Th
e Starte r Operate s Normall y
I n thi s case , th e starte r motor' s
spee d sound s normal , o r eve n faste r
tha n normal , whe n yo u pres s th e
ENGIN E STAR T button , bu t th e
engin e doe s no t run . Ar
e yo u usin g th e prope r startin g
procedure ? Refe r t o Startin g th e
Engin e o n pag e 131 . D
o yo u hav e fuel ? Tur n th e
ignitio n switc h t o O N (II ) fo r a
minut e an d watc h th e fue l gauge .
Th e lo w fue l leve l warnin g ligh t
ma y no t b e working , s o yo u wer e
no t reminde d t o fil l th e tank . Ther
e ma y b e a n electrica l
problem , suc h a s n o powe r t o th e
fue l pump . Chec k al l th e fuse s
(se e pag e 235 ).
I f yo u fin d nothin g wrong , yo u wil l
nee d a qualifie d technicia n t o fin d
th e problem . Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 241 .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Jum
p Startin g
I f you r car' s batter y ha s ru n down ,
yo u ma y b e abl e t o star t th e engin e
b y usin g a booste r battery . Althoug h
thi s seem s lik e a simpl e procedure ,
yo u shoul d tak e severa l precautions . T
o jum p star t you r car , follo w thes e
direction s closely :
1 . Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e
physica l conditio n o f th e batter y
(se e pag e 17 7). I n ver y col d
weather , chec k th e conditio n o f
th e electrolyte . I f i t seem s slush y
o r lik e ice , d o no t tr y jum p startin g
unti l i t thaws .
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2 . Tur n of f al l th e electrica l acces -
sories : heater , A/C , stere o system ,
lights , etc .
Pu t th e transmissio n in Neutra l
an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E
A
batter y ca n explod e if yo u d o
no t follo w th e correc t procedure ,
seriousl y injurin g anyon e
nearby .
Kee p al l sparks , ope n flames ,
an d smokin g material s awa y
fro m th e battery .
Brak
e Syste m Indicato r
Th e Brak e Syste m Indicato r
normall y come s o n whe n yo u tur n
th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) . I t i s a
reminde r t o chec k th e parkin g brake .
I t come s o n an d stay s li t i f yo u d o no t
full y releas e th e parkin g brake . I
f i t come s o n a t an y othe r time , i t
indicate s a proble m wit h th e car' s
brak e system . I n mos t cases , th e
proble m is a lo w flui d leve l i n th e
brak e flui d reservoir . Pres s lightl y o n
th e brak e peda l t o se e if i t feel s
normal . I f i t does , chec k th e brak e
flui d leve l th e nex t tim e yo u sto p a t a
servic e statio n (se e pag e 17 0). I f th e
flui d leve l i s low , tak e th e ca r t o you r
deale r an d hav e th e brak e syste m
inspecte d fo r leak s o r wor n brak e
pads .
However , i f th e brak e peda l doe s no t
fee l normal , yo u shoul d tak e
immediat e action . Becaus e o f th e
brak e system' s dual-circui t design , a
proble m in on e par t o f th e syste m
wil l stil l giv e yo u brakin g a t tw o
wheels . Yo u wil l fee l th e brak e peda l
g o clow n muc h farthe r befor e th e ca r
begin s t o slo w clown , an d yo u wil l
hav e t o pres s harde r o n th e pedal .
Th e distanc e neede d to sto p wil l b e
muc h longer . Slo
w dow n b y shiftin g to a lowe r
gear , an d pul l t o th e sid e o f th e roa d
whe n it i s safe . Becaus e o f th e
longe r distanc e neede d to stop , i t i s
hazardou s t o driv e th e car . Yo u
shoul d hav e it towed , an d repaire d a s
soo n a s possible .
I f yo u mus t driv e th e ca r a shor t
distanc e in thi s condition , driv e
slowl y an d cautiously .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
BRAK
E SYSTE M INDICATO R
Fuse
s
Th e auxiliar y fus e bo x i s locate d o n
th e driver' s sid e nea r th e brak e flui d
reservoir . T o ope n it , pus h th e ta b o n
eac h sid e an d remov e th e lid . Checkin
g an d Replacin g Fuse s
I f somethin g electrica l i n you r ca r
stop s working , th e firs t thin g yo u
shoul d chec k fo r i s a blow n fuse .
Determin e fro m th e char t o n page s
23 7 an d 23 8 , o r th e diagra m on th e
fus e bo x lid , whic h fus e o r fuse s
contro l tha t component . Chec k thos e
fuse s first , bu t chec k al l th e fuse s
befor e decidin g tha t a blow n fus e is
no t th e cause . Replac e an y blow n
fuse s an d chec k th e component' s
operation .
1 . Tur n th e ignitio n switc h to LOC K
(0) . Mak e sur e th e headlight s an d
al l othe r accessorie s ar e off .
2 . Remov e th e cove r fro m th e fus e
box . 3
. Chec k eac h o f th e larg e fuse s in
th e under-hoo d fus e bo x b y
lookin g throug h th e to p a t th e wir e
inside . Removin g thes e fuse s
require s a Phillips-hea d screw -
driver .
CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
BLOW
N
Stat
e Emission s Testin g
Selec t a nearb y lightl y travele d
majo r highwa y wher e yo u ca n
maintai n a spee d o f 5 0 to 6 0 mp h
fo r a t leas t 2 0 minutes . Driv e o n
th e highwa y in 5th . D o no t us e th e
cruis e control . Whe n traffi c allows ,
driv e fo r 9 0 second s withou t
movin g th e accelerato r pedal .
(Vehicl e spee d ma y var y slightly ;
thi s i s okay. ) I f yo u canno t d o thi s
fo r a continuou s 9 0 second s
becaus e o f traffi c conditions , driv e
fo r a t leas t 3 0 seconds , the n repea t
i t tw o mor e time s (fo r a tota l o f 9 0
seconds) .
The
n driv e i n city/suburba n
traffi c fo r a t leas t 1 0 minutes .
Whe n traffi c condition s allow , le t
th e vehicl e coas t fo r severa l
second s withou t usin g th e
accelerato r peda l o r th e brak e
pedal .
I f th e testin g facilit y determine s th e
readines s code s ar e stil l no t set , se e
you r Hond a dealer .
Technica l Informatio n
Inde
x
Accessorie s
Installation................................. . 12 2
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 8 2
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... 61
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 15 8
Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 17 2
Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 8 6
Maintenance.............................. . 18 2
Usage........................................... 86
Ai r Outlet s (Vents)......................... . 8 8
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 18 5
Alarm , Anti-theft........................... . 11 4
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 25 0
Aluminu m Wheels , Cleaning....... . 20 6
Antifreeze...................................... . 16 1
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light.................... 45, 13 9
Operation................................... . 13 7
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n Loc k . . 6 0
Anti-thef t System.......................... . 11 4
Appearanc e Care.......................... . 20 3
Audi o Panel...................................... . 8 2
Audi
o System.................................. . 9 4
Automati c Ca r Washes................ . 20 4
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 5 5
Back-u p Lam p Replacement........ . 19 8
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator........................... 44, 22 9
Jum p Starting............................ . 22 2
Maintenance.............................. . 17 7
Specifications............................ . 24 7
Befor e Driving.............................. . 11 5
Belts , Seat......................................... 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 8 2
Bod y Repair................................... . 21 1
Brakes............................................ . 13 6
Anti-loc k Syste m (ABS)........... . 13 7
Break-in , Ne w Lining s ............. . 11 6
Bul b Replacement.................... . 19 8
Fluid........................................... . 17 0
Parking......................................... . 8 1
Syste m Indicator......................... . 4 4
Wea r Indicators , Dis c .............. . 13 6
Brakin g System............................. . 13 6 Break-in
, Ne w Car........................ . 11 6
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 5 2
Brights , Headlights........................ . 5 1
Bul b Replacement......................... . 19 4
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 19 8
Brak e Lights.............................. . 19 8
Headlights................................. . 19 4
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 20 0
Sid e Marke r Light s .................. . 19 6
Specifications............................ . 24 7
Tur n Signa l Lights.................... . 19 6
Bulbs , Halogen.............................. . 19 4
Capacitie s Chart............................ . 24 6
Carbo n Monoxid e Hazard............. . 3 9
Cargo , Carrying............................ . 12 4
CAUTION , Explanatio n of............ ii
C D Changer................................... . 10 8
Certificatio n Label........................ . 24 4
Chains............................................ . 19 1
CONTINUED
Inde
x
Changin g Oi l
Ho w to........................................ . 15 9
Whe n to...................................... . 14 6
Changin g a Fla t Tir e .................... . 21 5
Changin g Engin e Coolant............ . 16 3
Chargin g Syste m Indicato r ... 44 , 22 9
Chec k Engin e Eight............... 45, 23 0
Checklist , Befor e Driving............ . 13 0
Chil d Safety.................................... 19
Chil d Seats....................................... . 2 2
Cleaner , Air................................... . 17 2
Cleaning......................................... . 20 3
Aluminu m Wheels.................... . 20 6
Carpeting................................... . 20 7
Exterior...................................... . 20 4
Floo r Mats................................. . 20 7
Interior....................................... . 20 7
Leather....................................... . 20 8
Sea t Belts................................. 20 8
Vinyl........................................... . 20 8
Windows.................................... . 20 9
Clutc h Fluid................................... . 17 1
C O in th e Exhaust........................ . 25 2
Col d Weather , Startin g in............ . 13 2
Compac t Spar e Tire...................... . 21 4
Controls , Instrument s and............. . 4 1 Covertibl
e Top................................ . 7 2
Convertibl e To p Cover............... . 7 7
Eowerin g th e Convertibl e Top.. . 7 2
Maintenance................................ . 7 8
Raisin g th e Covertibl e Top........ . 7 5
Coolan t
Adding........................................ . 16 1
Checking.................................... . 12 0
Prope r Solution......................... . 16 1
Temperatur e Gauge................... . 4 7
Corrosio n Protection.................... . 20 9
Crankcas e Emissio n Contro l
System....................................... 252
Cruis e Contro l Operation.............. . 5 5
Custome r Relation s
Information................................ . 25 8
DANGER , Explanatio n of................ . i i
Dashboard....................................... . 4 2
Daytim e Runnin g Eights................ 52
Defects , Reportin g Safety............ . 26 2
Defrostin g th e Windows................ 91
Dimensions.................................... . 24 6
Dimmin g th e Headlight s ............... . 5 1
Dipstic
k
Engin e Oil.................................. . 11 9
Directiona l Signals.......................... 53
Dis c Brak e Wea r Indicators........ . 13 6
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 16 0
D o No t To w aTrailer................... . 14 1
Door s
Eockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 6 2
Monito r Eight.............................. . 4 5
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 6 2
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 24 8
Downshifting , 6-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 13 4
Driving........................................... . 12 9
Economy.................................... . 12 1
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 14 0
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 25 1
Economy , Fuel.............................. . 12 1
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 21 3
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 22 2
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 21 5
Chargin g Syste m Indicato r ..... . 22 9
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 23 5