Page 174 of 372

To load multiple CDs in one
operation:Repeat this until all six positions
are loaded. The system will then
begin playing the last CD loaded.
If you are not loading CDs into all six
positions, press the Load button
again after the last CD has loaded.
The system will begin playing the
last CD loaded.
If you stop loading CDs bef ore all six
positions are f illed, and you do not
press the Load button, the system
will wait f or ten seconds, then stop
the load operation and begin playing
the last CD loaded. To load a single CD:
Press and release the Load button.
Press and hold the Load button
until you hear a beep and see
‘‘LOAd’’ in the display, then
release the button.
Ontheupperleftsideof the
display, the disc number f or an
empty position will begin blinking
and the green CD Loaded
indicator will come on. The disc number f or an empty
position starts to blink and the
green CD Loaded indicator comes
on.WhenyouseeLOAdinthe
display, insert the disc into the CD
slot. Insert it only about half way,
the drive will pull it in the rest of
the way.
When LOAd appears again in the
display, insert the next disc into
the CD slot. Insert the disc into the CD slot.
Insert it only about halfway, the
drive will pull it in the rest of the
way.YouwillseeBUSYinthe
display. The CD loaded indicator
turns red and blinks as the CD is
loaded. The system will load the CD, and
begin playing it.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
1.
2.
3.
L oading CDs in t he Changer
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures170
Page 180 of 372
When a CD is not being played, store
it in its case to protect it f rom dust
and other contamination. To prevent
warpage, keep CDs out of direct
sunlight and extreme heat.
To clean a disc, use a clean sof t cloth.
Wipe across the disc f rom the center
to the outside edge.AnewCDmayberoughonthe
inner and outer edges. The small
plastic pieces causing this roughness
can f lake of f and f all on the re-
cording surf ace of the disc, causing
skipping or other problems. Remove
these pieces by rubbing the inner
and outer edges with the side of a
pencil or pen.
Never try to insert f oreign objects in
the CD player or the magazine.
Handle a CD by its edges; never
touch either surf ace. Do not place
stabilizer rings or labels on the CD.
These and contamination f rom
f ingerprints, liquids, and f elt-tip pens
can cause the CD to not play
properly, or possibly jam in the drive. Protecting Compact Discs
Audio System
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures176
Page 188 of 372

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
184
Page 189 of 372

Removethefuelfillcapslowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank, leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the vehicle, park
with that side closest to the
service station pumps.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
on the handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard. Your vehicle has an on-board
ref ueling vapor recovery system to
help keep f uel vapors f rom going
into the atmosphere. If the fuel
nozzle keeps clicking of f even
though the tank is not full, there
maybeaproblemwiththissystem.
Consult your dealer.
1.
2. 3.
4.
CONT INUED
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving185
P P
u
ul
lll
F
FUUE EL
L F
FIILLL L C
CAA P
P
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Page 194 of 372

Always maintain your vehicle accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating
condition.You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
The condition of your vehicle and
your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cutdownonairconditioninguse.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle’s underside adds weight
and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your f uel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion. Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the
(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. 245
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving190
Page 196 of 372

Do not remove any original
equipment or modif y your vehicle in
any way that would alter its design or
operation. This could make your
vehicle unsaf e and illegal to drive.
Such modif ications can adversely
af f ect handling, and interf ere with
the operation of the vehicle’s anti-
lock brakes and other systems.In addition, any modif ications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts
striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective.
For example, do not make any
modif ications that would change the
ride height of your vehicle, or install
wheels and tires with a dif f erent
overall diameter.
Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG,’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interf ere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inf late, the objects could be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone. Covering the outside edge of a
f ront seat-back, with a non-Honda
seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.
If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
vehicle and hurt someone.
Only on models equipped with side
airbagsModif ications
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not at t ach or place object s onthe f ront airbag covers. Do not place any object s over t he
outsideedgeof afront seat-back.
Do not at t ach hard object s on or
near a f ront door.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving192
Page 198 of 372

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Besureitemsplacedonthefloor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, or with the proper
operation of the seats.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If the lid is open, a
passenger could injure their knees
during a crash or sudden stop.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs in U.S. models and 395 kg
in Canadian models.
The f inal number is the total weight
of cargo you can carry.
Subtract the total f rom 850 lbs in
U.S. models and 395 kg in
Canadian models. If you are towing a trailer, add the
tongue weight to the number
above. Add up the weight of all occupants.
To f igure out how much cargo you
can carry: This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer. When you load luggage, the total
weight of the vehicle, all passengers,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR). The load
for the front and rear axles also must
not exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). The GVWR and
GAWRareprintedonthetire
information label attached to the
driver’s doorjamb (see page ).
218Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Load Limit
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving194
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
Page 201 of 372

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system,
and f acts you need if you are plan-
ning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .198
........................
Preparing to Drive .199
.......................
Starting the Engine .200
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .201
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 202
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 203
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 203
..............
Automatic Transmission . 204
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 205
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 208
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 209
...........................................
Parking .210
.....................
The Braking System .211
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 211
...............
Brake System Design . 212
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .212
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .213
........................
ABS Indicator .214
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 215
...........................
Towing a Trailer .217
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .224 ..............
Of f -Highway Guidelines . 226
.................
General Inf ormation . 226
Important Saf ety ............................
Precautions .227
...............................
Driving Tips .228
Driving
Driving197