Page 119 of 223

The cassette player picks up dirt and
oxides f rom the tape. This contami-
nation builds up over time and
causes the sound quality to degrade.
To prevent this, you should clean the
player af ter every 30 hours of use.
Your dealer has a cleaning kit
available.
If you do not clean the cassette
player regularly, it may eventually
become impossible to remove the
contamination with a normal
cleaning kit.
Use 100-minute or shorter cassettes.
Cassettes longer than that use
thinner tape that may break or jam
the drive.Look at the cassette before you
insert it. If the tape is loose, tighten
it by turning a hub with a pencil or
your f inger.
If the label is peeling of f , remove it
from the cassette or it could cause
the cassette to jam in the player.
Never try to insert a warped or
damaged cassette in the player.
When they are not in use, store
cassettes in their cases to protect
them f rom dust and moisture. Never
place cassettes where they will be
exposed to direct sunlight, high heat,
or high humidity. If a cassette is
exposed to extreme heat or cold, let
it reach a moderate temperature
bef ore inserting it in the player.
Never try to insert f oreign objects
into the cassette player.If you see the error indication
‘‘ ’’ on the display, press
the TAPE EJECT button to remove
the cassette from the unit. Make
sure the tape is not damaged. If the
cassette will not eject or the error
indication stays on after the cassette
ejects, take the car to your Honda
dealer.
U.S. EX, Canada EX-L and all EX V-6
modelsCaring f or the Cassette Player
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures181
Page 122 of 223

Once the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), or
the hood, will cause it to alarm. It
also alarms if the radio is removed
f rom the dashboard or the wiring is
cut.
The security system sets auto-
matically fifteen seconds after you
lock the doors, hood, and trunk. For
the system to activate, you must lock
the doors f rom the outside with the
key, lock tab, door lock switch, or
remote transmitter. The security
system light next to the driver’s door
lock starts blinking immediately to
show you the system is setting itself . With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the master key
or the remote transmitter without
triggering the alarm. The alarm will
sound if the trunk lock is f orced, or
the trunk is opened with the trunk
release handle.
The security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Brake Lamp
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and trunk are f ully closed. Since it is
notpartofthemonitordisplay,
manually check the hood.
The security system helps to protect
your car and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
carorremovetheradio.Thisalarm
continues f or two minutes, then the
system resets. To reset an alarming
system bef ore the two minutes have
elapsed, unlock either f ront door
with the key or the remote
transmitter.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.58
On EX, SE, and EX V-6 models
Security System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures184
SSEECCUURRIITTYYSSYYSSTTEEMMLLIIGGHHTT
Page 123 of 223

Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
conditions such as city driving,
winding roads, slippery roads, heavy
rain, or bad weather. You should
have f ull control of the car under
those conditions.Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch to the lef t of the steering
column. The indicator in the
switch will light.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).Press and release the SET/decel
buttononthesteeringwheel.The
CRUISE CONTROL light on the
instrument panel comes on to
show the system is now activated.
1. 2. 3.
CONT INUED
Except f or DX and Value Package
models in the U.S.
Cruise Control
Using the Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures185
CCRRUUIISSEECCOONNTTRROOLLMMAASSTTEERRSSWWIITTCCHH
CCAANNCCEELL
SSEETT//ddeecceell
RREESSUUMMEE//aacccceell
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
Page 124 of 223

The HomeLink Universal
Transceiver built into your car can
be programmed to operate remotely-
controlled devices around your home,
such as garage doors, lighting, or
home security systems. It can
replaceuptothreeremote
transmitters.
If you have problems with training
the HomeLink Universal Transceiver,
or would like inf ormation on home
products that can be operated by the
transmitter, call (800) 355-3515. On
the Internet, go to www.homelink.
com.Always ref er to the operating
instructions and saf ety inf ormation
that came with your garage door
opener or other equipment you
intend to operate with the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver. If you do not
have this inf ormation, you should
contact the manuf acturer of the
equipment.
While training or using HomeLink,
make sure you have a clear view of
the garage door or gate, and that no
one will be injured by its movement.
The HomeLink transceiver stores
the code in a permanent memory.
There should be no need to retrain
HomeLink if your car’s battery goes
dead or is disconnected.
If your garage door opener was
manuf actured bef ore April 1982, you
may not be able to program
HomeLink to operate it. Garage door
openers manuf actured bef ore that
date do not have a safety feature that
causes them to stop and reverse if an
obstacle is detected during closing,
increasing the risk of injury. If you
have questions, call (800) 355-3515.
If you are training HomeLink to
operate a garage door or gate, it is
recommended that you unplug the
motor f or that device during training.
Repeatedly pressing the remote
control button could burn out the
motor.
On EX V-6 modelImportant Saf ety Precautions
Customer Assistance General Inf ormation
HomeL ink Universal T ransceiver
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures188
Page 127 of 223
Shift to Park or Neutral and set
the parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Standing in f ront of the car, put
your f ingers under the f ront edge
of the hood to the right of center.
Slide your hand to the lef t until
you f eel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up until it
releases the hood. Lif t the hood.If you can open the hood without
lifting the hood latch handle, or the
hood latch handle moves stif f ly or
does not spring back as bef ore, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated (see page ).
1. 2. 272
Opening the Hood
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving196
HHOOOODDRREELLEEAASSEEHHAANNDDLLEELLAATTCCHH
Page 131 of 223

Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ).
Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory.
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation.
Bef ore installing any accessory:
Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.
Your dealer has Genuine Honda
accessories that allow you to
personalize your car. These
accessories have been designed and
approved f or your car, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Honda accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.)
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operationof your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper car operation or
perf ormance.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system. 331
203
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving202
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car’s handling, stability and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
Page 132 of 223
The glove box, and the pockets in
the f ront doors and seat-backs, are
designed f or small, lightweight items.
The trunk is intended f or larger,
heavier items. In addition, the back
seatcanbefoldeddowntoallowyou
to carry more cargo or longer items.
Your car has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your car’s handling, stability and
operation and make it unsafe. Before
carrying any type of cargo, be sure to
read the f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving204
FFRROONNTTDDOOOORRPPOOCCKKEETTCCOONNSSOOLLEECCOOMMPPAARRTTMMEENNTT
GGLLOOVVEEBBOOXXSSEEAATT--BBAACCKKPPOOCCKKEETTTTRRUUNNKK
Page 134 of 223

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
3.2.
1.
4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 11.
12. 10.
82
93 69
15 209
55
Preparing to Drive
Driving208