Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
inflated as recommended by the
trailer maker.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.225 226 283
Pre-T ow ChecklistAdditional Trailer Equipment
Towing a Trailer
Driving229
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller are than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently between 3rd and 4th
gears while going up a hill, shif t to
D.If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
D is the proper shif t lever position
to use when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain. (See ‘‘ ’’ in the
next column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
3
4
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving230
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.
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.Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
bottom
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up Parking
Towing a Trailer
Driving231
µ
µ
Î
Î
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ÌÌ ÌÎÎ
Î
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Follow the Severe Conditions
Maintenance Schedule if you
drive your car under
one or more of the f ollowing
conditions: Driving less than 5 miles (8
km) per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less
than 10 miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot
[over 90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long
periods of stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a
roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
Driving on muddy, dusty, or
de-iced roads.
Follow the Maintenance
Schedule f or Severe Conditions.
MAINLY
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Maint enance240
Visually inspect the following items:
Service at the indicated
distance or time whichever
comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 3,750 miles (6,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years
Inspect every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (12,000 km)
Every 7,500 miles (12,000 km) or 6 months
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components, Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and conditions of fluids
Cooling system hoses and connections
Exhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody 15
24
12
30
48
2445
72
3660
96
4875
120 60 90
144 72 105
168
84 120
192
96
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Balancer belt applies to 4-cylinder models only. See information on maintenance and
emissions warranty, last column, page
.
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Check engine oil and coolant
Clean ( ) or replace ( ) air cleaner element
Use normal schedule except in dusty
conditions
Inspect valve clearance
Replace spark plugs Replace timing belt , balancer belt , and
inspect water pump
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace transmission fluid
Inspect front and rear brakes
Replace brake fluid
Check parking brake adjustment
Replace dust and pollen filter
Lubricate all hinges, locks, and latches
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition
at least once per month)
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. See timing belt on page for replacement information under special driving conditions. Adjust only if noisy
MT
AT
1:
2:
3: :
237
281
280
60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
11 ,2
3
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
Your car has two bulbs on each side,
four in total. Make sure you are
replacing the bulb that is burned out.
Your car uses halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its plastic case and protect the
glass from contact with your skin or
hard objects. If you touch the glass,
clean it with denatured alcohol and a
clean cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your car was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk or pull a trailer, readjustment
may be required. Adjustment of the
headlights should be perf ormed by a
Honda technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Open the hood.
If you need to change the head-
light bulb on the passenger’s side,
remove the radiator reserve tank
and the air intake duct.
If you need to change the
headlight bulb on the driver’s side,
remove the radiator reserve tank.
1.
4-cylinder models
6-cylinder models
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Lights
Maint enance290
4 4- -c
cy yl liinn d
de
err m
m o
od
de
ellss A
A
I
IRR I
INNT TA
A K
KEE
D
D U
UC CTT
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor by lif ting up on the back edge.
The tools are in the tool box on
the right side of the trunk. Take
the tools out of the tool box.
Park the car on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traffic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the car while
you change the tire.
4. 3.
2. 1.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed313
J JA
A C
CKK
S
SP PA
A R
REE T
TI
IRRE E
T
T
R
RU UN NKK F
FLLOOO ORR T
TO
OO OLL K
KIITT
The car can easily roll off the
jack, seriously injuring anyone
underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the car when it
is supported only by the jack.
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 324
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .73
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 76
...........
Stereo Sound System . 123,138
...........................
Storing Your Car .301
........................................
Sun Visor .103
........................
Sunglasses Holder .100
Supplemental Restraint ..................................
System .9,45
......................................
Servicing .50
.........................
SRS Indicator .48 ,60
...................
System Components . 45
..................................
Synthetic Oil .250
.....................................
Tachometer .63
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 294
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 311
...........................
Tape Player .135, 146
Technical Descriptions .....
Emissions Control Systems . 352
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .350
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .354 .......................
Temperature Gauge .64
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 40
............................
Thef t Protection .179
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 354
..........................
Time, Setting the .109
....................................
Timing Belt .281
....................................
Tire Chains .287
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 313
...............................................
Tires .282
..............................
Air Pressure .282
.........................
Checking Wear .283
..........................
Compact Spare .312
......................................
Inf lation .282
..................................
Inspection .283
..............................
Maintenance .284
...................................
Replacing .285
......................................
Rotating .285
...........................................
Snow .287
....................
Specif ications .345, 347
................................
Tire Chains .287
..........................
Winter Driving .286
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 313
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .225
................
Emergency Wrecker . 338Traction Control System (TCS)
...............................
Indicator .60, 222
...................................
Operation .220
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic .261
...................................
Manual .263
..................
Fluid Selection . 244,263
..............
Identif ication Number . 343
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 211
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 209
.....................................
Treadwear .348
.......................................
Trip Meter .64
................................................
Trunk .82
........
Emergency Trunk Release . 83
.................................
Opening the .82
...................
Open Monitor Light . 61
....................................
Turn Signals .69
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .309
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .311
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 348
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .192
Index
T
U
VIII