Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’ If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
MET HA NOL MT BE ET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation346
If you are planning to take your
Honda outside the U.S. or Canada,
contact the tourist bureaus in the
areas you will be traveling in to f ind
out about the availability of unleaded
gasoline with the proper octane
rating.
If unleaded gasoline is not available,
be aware that using leaded gasoline
in your Honda will af f ect perf or-
mance and fuel mileage, and damage
its emissions controls. It will no
longer comply with U.S. and
Canadian emissions regulations, and
will be illegal to operate in North
America. To bring your vehicle back
into compliance will require the re-
placement of several components,
such as the oxygen sensors and the
three way catalytic converter. These
replacements are not covered under
warranty.
Driving in Foreign Countries
T echnical Inf ormation347
Î
ÎThe burning of gasoline in your
vehicle’s engine produces several by-
products. Some of these are carbon
monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen
(NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC).
Gasoline evaporating f rom the tank
also produces hydrocarbons. Con-
trolling the production of NOx, CO,
and HC is important to the environ-
ment. Under certain conditions of
sunlight and climate, NOx and HC
react to f orm photochemical ‘‘smog.’’
Carbon monoxide does not contri-
bute to smog creation, but it is a
poisonous gas. The United States Clean Air Act
sets standards f or automobile
emissions. It also requires that
automobile manufacturers explain to
owners how their emissions controls
workandwhattodotomaintain
them. This section summarizes how
the emissions controls work.
Scheduled maintenance is on page
.
In Canada, Honda vehicles comply
with the Canadian Motor Vehicle
Saf ety Standards (CMVSS) f or
Emissions valid at the time they are
manuf actured.
Your vehicle has a Positive
Crankcase Ventilation System. This
keeps gasses that build up in the
engine’s crankcase f rom going into
the atmosphere. The Positive Crank-
case Ventilation valve routes them from the crankcase back to the
intake manif old. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
As gasoline evaporates in the f uel
tank, an evaporative emissions
control canister f illed with charcoal
adsorbs the vapor. It is stored in this
canister while the engine is of f . Af ter
the engine is started and warmed up,
the vapor is drawn into the engine
and burned during driving.
The Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the f uel vapors during ref ueling. The
vapors are adsorbed in a canister
f illed with activated carbon. While
driving, the f uel vapors are drawn
into the engine and burned of f .
238
The Clean Air Act
Crankcase Emissions Control
System Evaporative Emissions Control
System
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor
Recovery
Emissions Cont rols
T echnical Inf ormation348
The three way catalytic converter
contains precious metals that serve
as catalysts, promoting chemical
reactions to convert the exhaust
gasses without af f ecting the metals.
The catalytic converter is ref erred to
as a three-way catalyst, since it acts
on HC, CO, and NOx. A replacement
unit must be an original Honda part
or its equivalent.
The three way catalytic converter
must operate at a high temperature
for the chemical reactions to take
place. It can set on f ire any com-
bustible materials that come near it.
Parkyourvehicleawayfromhigh
grass, dry leaves, or other f lamma-
bles.A defective three way catalytic
converter contributes to air pollution,
and can impair your engine’s per-
f ormance. Follow these guidelines to
protect your vehicle’s three way
catalytic converter.
Always use unleaded gasoline.
Even a small amount of leaded
gasoline can contaminate the
catalyst metals, making the three
way catalytic converter inef f ective. Keep the engine tuned-up.
Have your vehicle diagnosed and
repaired if it is misf iring, back-
f iring, stalling, or otherwise not
running properly.
Three Way Catalytic Converter
T echnical Inf ormation350
T T
H
H R
REEE
E W
WA AY
Y C
CAA T
TA
A L
LYYT TI
ICC C
COON NVVE
ER
RT TE
ER
R
CONT INUED
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 191
................................
Accessories .191
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 192
............................
Modif ications .192
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .87
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 122
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 248
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 54
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .265
..............
Air Conditioning System . 128
..............................
Maintenance .274
.........................................
Usage .128
.......................
Air Outlets (Vents) .130
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .278
..................
High Speed Driving . 279
.........................
Normal Driving .279
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .346
......................................
Antif reeze .251
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .68, 214
...................................
Operation .212
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 178Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .87
..........................
Appearance Care .297
................................
Audio System .137
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 52
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 179
..............
Automatic Transmission . 204
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .342
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 260
.......................................
Shif ting .205
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 205
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 209
Battery Charging System ...........................
Indicator .66, 326
............................
Jump Starting .320
..............................
Maintenance .269
............................
Specif ications .343
..............................
Bef ore Driving .183
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,50
.........................
Beverage Holders .116
.................................
Body Repairs .305 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 212
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 184
....................
Bulb Replacement .290
...........................................
Fluid .263
.........................................
Parking .82
.................
System Indicator . 66,329
........................
Wear Indicators .211
.............................
Braking System .211
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 184
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 77
........................
Brights, Headlights .76
.................................
Built-in Table .117
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .290
..............................
Brake Lights .290
......................
Cargo Area Light .293
..............................
Ceiling Light .293
................
Front Parking Lights . 289
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 288
.................................
Headlights .287
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 292
...........................
Interior Lights .293
...................
License Plate Light . 291
Index
A
B
I
CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .190
............
Emergencies on the Road . 307
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 320
...........
Brake System Indicator . 329................
Changing a Flat Tire . 308
.....
Charging System Indicator . 326
..................
Checking the Fuses . 332
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 325
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 327
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 330
..................
Overheated Engine . 323
...........................
Emergency Brake .82
......................
Emergency Flashers .81
......................
Emergency Towing .337
.......................
Emissions Controls .348
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 351
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 74
...................................
Drive Belt .277
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 203,208
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .66, 327
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,325
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 247
...............................
Overheating .323
............................
Specif ications .342
.......................................
Starting .200
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .346
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 348
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .60 Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by .21
..................
Exterior,Cleaningthe .298
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .302
...................................
Fan, Interior .128
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .127
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 185
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .265
.........................
Dust and Pollen .275
...............................................
Oil .249
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 261
................................
Shif ting the .202
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 81
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 308
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission . 260
..................................
Engine Oil .188
..........................
Directional Signals .77
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 211
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .250
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 88
......................
Power Door Locks .88
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .202
.......................................
Drive Belt .277
...........................................
Driving .197
....................................
Economy .190
.........................
In Bad Weather .215
................
In Foreign Countries . 347
........................
Driving Guidelines .198
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 275
Index
E F
III
Fluids..........
Automatic Transmission . 260
..........................................
Brake .263
.........................................
Clutch .264
..............
Manual Transmission . 261
..........................
Power Steering .264
.......................
Rear Differential .262
..................
Windshield Washer . 258
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .161
.........................
Folding Rear Seat .104
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 347
..........................
Four-way Flashers .81
............................
Front Airbags .10, 54
.................................................
Fuel .184
......................
Fill Door and Cap .185
...........................................
Gauge .74
................
Octane Requirement . 184
...............................
Oxygenated .346
........................
Reserve Indicator .69
........................
Tank, Filling the .185
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .331
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 190..........................................
Gasohol .346
.........................................
Gasoline .184
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 69
...........................................
Gauge .74
................
Octane Requirement . 184
........................
Tank, Filling the .185
................
Gas Station Procedures . 185
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 74
...............................................
Fuel .74
...............................
Speedometer .72
.................................
Tachometer .72
Gearshif t Lever Positions ..........
Automatic Transmission . 204
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .203
..............................
Glass Cleaning .303
........................................
Glove Box .96
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 287
.....................................
Hatch Glass .94
..............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 81
Headlights ........................................
Aiming .287 ............
Daytime Running Lights . 77
..................
High Beam Indicator . 69
........................
Reminder Beeper .76
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 287
...................................
Turning on .76
..............................
Head Restraints .99
.....................
Heating and Cooling .128
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 201
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 76
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 292
....................................
Hood Latch .266
.......................
Hood, Opening the .186
..............................................
Horn .3,75
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .264
.................................
Hydroplaning .216
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 340
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .84
...........................................
Switch .86
............
Timing Control System . 349
........................
Immobilizer System .85
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 65
Index
G H
I
IV
CONT INUED
.......................
Label, Certif ication .340
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 77
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17,50
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 48
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .287
.......................................
Indicator .65
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .77
.....................................
Load Limit .194
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 87
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 87
............................
Fuel Fill Door .185
....................................
Glove Box .96
.................................
Power Door .88
........................................
Tailgate .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .189
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .69
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,325
................................
Lower Anchors .48
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 342
.........................................
Luggage .193 ..................................
Maintenance .233
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 245
.................................
Record .243-244
......................
Required Indicator .70
..........................................
Saf ety .234
.............................
Schedule .238-242
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 66,327
...................
Manual Transmission . 202
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 261
.........................
Meters, Gauges .65, 72
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 346
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .114
.......................................
Moonroof .113
......................
Closing Manually .330
...................................
Operation .113
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .34
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 48
...........................
Lower Anchors .48
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 278
.................
High Speed Driving . 279
.........................
Normal Driving .279
.................................
Inside Mirror .114
.............................
Inspection, Tire .280
............................
Instrument Panel .65
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
...........................
Interior Cleaning .301
...............................
Interior Lights .124
........................................
Introduction .i
..................................................
Keys .84
..................
Jacking up the vehicle . 312
.......................................
Jack, Tire .309
................................
Jump Starting .320
Index
LM
K J
V