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 TCS is
activating. You will see the TCS
indicator light f lash.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page ) may
activate the TCS. You should turn of f
the system.If the brakes overheat while TCS is
activating, the TCS indicator will
stop flashing and stay on temporarily.
This indicates that TCS has turned
off. After the brakes have cooled
down (usually f or about 10 minutes),
TCSwillturnbackonandthe
indicator will turn of f .
This switch is under the side vent. It
letsyouturntheTractionControl
System on and of f . You cannot turn
of f the TCS while the TCS indicator
light is f lashing.
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.
You should still install winter tires on
your car during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with vehicle. Exercise the
samecautioninwinterdrivingasyou
would if your car was not equipped
with TCS.
312
CONT INUED
TCS ON/OFF Switch
Traction Control System
Driving221
T TC
CS S O
ONN//O
OF FFF S
SWWI ITT C
CH H
µµBeing able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights. Check your tires
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘hydroplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tires on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid.
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 roster and air
conditioning to keep the windows
f rom f ogging up on the inside (see
pages and ).
Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control.
113 121
Visibility
Traction
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving224
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. This section explains why it is
important to keep your car well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .234
.
Important Safety Precautions . 235
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 236
...
Required Maintenance Record . 243 .......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 245
..............................
Fluid Locations .246
......................................
Engine Oil .248
..................................
Adding Oil .248
....................
Recommended Oil .248
..............................
Synthetic Oil .250
....................................
Additives .250
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 250
.............................
Cooling System .253
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 253
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 255
....................
Windshield Washers .260
.......................
Transmission Fluid .261
Automatic .........................
Transmission .261
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .263
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 264
............................
Brake System .264
...........................
Clutch System .265
..............................
Power Steering .266
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .267
....................................
Hood Latch .269
Spark Plugs ..............
(4-cylinder Models) . 269
..............................
Replacement .269 ............................
Specif ications .270
Spark Plugs ..............
(6-cylinder Models) . 271
..............................
Replacement .271
............................
Specif ications .273
...........................................
Battery .274
.................................
Wiper Blades .277
..............
Air Conditioning System . 279
.................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 280
.....................................
Drive Belts .280
....................................
Timing Belt .281
...............................................
Tires .282
......................................
Inf lation .282
..................................
Inspection .283
..............................
Maintenance .284
.............................
Tire Rotation .285
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 285
......................
Wheels and Tires .286
..........................
Winter Driving .286
.............................
Snow Tires .287
............................
Tire Chains .287
.............................................
Lights .288
.....................
Headlight Aiming .290
........................
Replacing Bulbs .290
...........................
Storing Your Car .291
361
Maintenance
Maint enance233
´
Wheel: Tires that are marked ‘‘M S’’ or
‘‘All Season’’ on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They
should be suitable f or most winter
driving conditions. Tires without
these markings are designed f or
optimum traction in dry conditions.
They may not provide adequate
perf ormance in winter driving.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheel
that came on your car. Replacement
wheels are available at your Honda
dealer. TheABSworksbycomparingthe
speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the car. Tire size and
construction can af f ect wheel speed
and may cause the system to work
inconsistently.
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading. Tire:
(Special Edition, EX, and the U.S.
LX)
(U.S. LX-V6)
(EX-V6) (Special Edition, EX, and the U.S.
LX)
(U.S. LX-V6)
(EX-V6)348
Tires
Maint enance
Wheels and T ires Winter Driving
286
P205/60R16 91V P205/65R15 92V
P195/65R15 89H 16x61/2JJ 15x61/2JJ
15x6JJ
........
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