This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations . 54
...............................
Indicator Lights . 55
.............................................
Gauges . 60
...............................
Speedometer . 60
.................................
Tachometer . 60
.....................................
Odometer . 60
...................................
Trip Meter . 61
...................
Temperature Gauge . 61
..................................
Fuel Gauge . 61
Maintenance Required
...................................
Indicator . 62
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel . 63
...................................
Headlights . 64 Automatic Lighting Off
.....................................
Feature . 65
............
Daytime Running Lights . 65
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 65
................................
Turn Signals . 66
.....................
Windshield Wipers . 66
..................
Windshield Washers . 68
..........................
Hazard Warning . 68
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 68
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 69
...............................
Keys and Locks . 70
..............................................
Keys . 70
....................
Immobilizer System . 71
............................
Ignition Switch . 72
..................................
Door Locks . 73
......................
Power Door Locks . 74
...................
Remote Transmitter . 75
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 79
...........................................
Trunk . 79
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 80
....................................
Glove Box . 81
............................
Seat Adjustments . 82
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 82
Driver’s Seat Manual Height
..............................
Adjustment . 83 Driver’s Seat Power Height
..............................
Adjustment . 83
Driver’s Seat Full Power ............................
Adjustments . 84
...........
Driver’s Lumbar Support . 85
Front Passenger’s Seat
............................
Adjustments . 86
..........................
Head Restraints . 86
.......................
Folding Rear Seat . 87
......................
Rear Seat Armrest . 88
....................................
Seat Heaters . 90
..............................
Power Windows . 91
.........................................
Moonroof . 92
.............................................
Mirrors . 93
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 94
.................................
Parking Brake . 95
....................................
Digital Clock . 96
...................
Console Compartment . 97
..........................................
Coin Box . 97
.............................
Beverage Holder . 98
..........................................
Sun Visor . 99
..................................
Vanity Mirror . 99
........................
Sunglasses Holder . 100
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 100
...............................
Interior Lights . 101
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols53
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine f rom
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.
This shows your speed in miles per
hour (mph). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h).
This shows your speed in kilometers
per hour (km/h). The smaller inner
numbers are the speed in miles per
hour (mph). The odometer shows the total dis-
tance your car has been driven. It
measures miles in U.S. models and
kilometers in Canadian models.
It is illegal under U.S. f ederal law and
Canadian provincial regulations to
disconnect, reset, or alter the
odometer with the intent to change
the number of miles or kilometers
indicated.U.S. Models
Canadian Models
Speedometer Odometer
T achometer
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols60
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MMAAIINNTTEENNAANNCCEERREEQQUUIIRREEDDIINNDDIICCAATTOORROODDOOMMEETTEERR
TTEEMMPPEERRAATTUURREEGGAAUUGGEE
TTRRIIPPMMEETTEERR
TTAACCHHOOMMEETTEERRFFUUEELLGGAAUUGGEE
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4-cylinder models6-cylinder models
The gauge stays at the same f uel
level reading af ter you turn of f the
ignition. When you add f uel, the
gauge slowly changes to the new
readingafteryouturntheignition
switch back ON (II).
The needle returns to the bottom
after you turn off the ignition. The
gauge shows the f uel level reading
immediately af ter you turn the
ignition switch back ON (II).
This meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the Select/
Reset button repeatedly. Each trip
meter works independently, so you
can keep track of two dif f erent
distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press and hold the Select/Reset
button until the number resets to
‘‘0.0’’. Both trip meters will reset if
the vehicle’s battery goes dead or is
disconnected.
This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom white mark to about
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to near
the upper grey zone. If it reaches the
red (Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the
side of the road. Turn to page f or
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
325
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Trip Meter Temperature Gauge Fuel Gauge
61
Use the f ollowing procedure:Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the f loor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) f or more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air f ound at
high altitude above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem.
If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
f loor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
1. 2. 3.
Driving
Starting in Cold Weather at High
A ltitude (A bove 8,000 f eet/
2,400 meters)
Starting the Engine
210
Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the car moving. Push
down the clutch pedal, and pause f or
a f ew seconds bef ore shif ting into
Reverse, or shif t into one of the
f orward gears f or a moment. This
stops the gears so they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear.
The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.
Driving
5-speed Manual T ransmission
211
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
Your Honda’s transmission has f our
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.
Drive in the highest gear that lets
the engine run and accelerate
smoothly. This will give you the best
f uel economy and ef f ective emis-
sions control. The f ollowing shif t
points are recommended:
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th
Shif t up
1st to 2nd
2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th4th to 5th Normal acceleration
15 mph (24 km/h)
28 mph (45 km/h)
41 mph (66 km/h)
52 mph (84 km/h)
Cruise acceleration 7mph(11km/h)
22 mph (35 km/h)
33 mph (53 km/h)
48 mph (77 km/h) If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
5-speed Manual T ransmission, A ut omat ic T ransmission
Driving
Automatic Transmission
Recommended Shif t Points Engine Speed L imiter
212
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.Set the Parking brake.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or small metal plate (neither are
included in the tool kit) to remove
the cover. Caref ully pry of f the
edge of the cover.
1. 2.
3. 4.
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Shif t L ock Release
Engine Speed L imiter
216
µ
CONT INUED
Rain, f og, and snow conditions
require a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your car well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control
should not be used in these
conditions.Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your car longer to
react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew miles
(kilometers) of driving while you
adjust to the change in driving
conditions. This is especially true in
snow. A person can f orget some
snow-driving techniques during the
summer months. Practice is needed
to relearn those skills. Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery.
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving
Driving T echnique
225