You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your car is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and
your passenger always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly.
(See page ).
Since all children are saf est in the
back seat of a car, and your car does
not have a back seat, we recommend
that you do not carry a child
passenger.If a small child who
must be restrained in a f orward-
f acing child seat, or a larger child,
must ride in this car, be sure to
f ollow all instructions and saf ety
warnings in this manual. (See pages and .)
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page .)
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
15 26 29
7 156
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat Belt
Your Car is Not Recommended
f or Child PassengersBe Aware of Airbag Hazards
Don’t Drink and DriveControl Your Speed
K eep Your Car in Saf e Condition
Due t o t he passenger’sairbag hazard, you should never
carry an inf ant in a rear-f acing childseat in t his car.
6
We recommend that you visually
check your tires every day. If you
think a tire might be low, check it
immediately with a tire gauge.
To saf ely operate your car, your tires
must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,
and correctly inf lated. The f ollowing
pages give more detailed inf ormation
on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Keeping the tires properly inf lated
provides the best combination of
handling, tread lif e and riding
comf ort. Underinf lated tires wear
unevenly, adversely af f ect handling
and f uel economy, and are more
likely to f ail f rom being overheated.
Overinf lated tires can make your car
ride more harshly, are more prone to
damage f rom road hazards, and wear
unevenly.
Use a gauge to measure the air
pressure at least once a month. Even
tires that are in good condition may
lose one to two psi (10 to 20 kPa, 0.1
to 0.2 kgf /cm ) per month.
Remember to check the spare tire at
thesametimeyoucheckallthe
other tires.Check the pressure in the tires when
they are cold. This means the car
has been parked f or at least three
hours. If you have to drive the car
bef ore checking the tire pressure,
the tires can still be considered
‘‘cold’’ if you drive less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
If you check the pressure when the
tires are hot (the car has been driven
several miles), you will see readings
4 to 6 psi (30 to 40 kPa, 0.3 to 0.4
kgf /cm ) higher than the cold
reading. This is normal. Do not let
air out to match the specified cold
pressure. The tire will be
underinf lated.
Inf lation
Maint enance
Tires
190
Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding tire
inflation and maintenance.
´
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, then replace the two
f ront tires or the two rear tires as a
pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously af f ect your car’s handling.
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. Wheels:
Tires:
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading.
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.
244
Tires
Maint enance
Wheels and Tires
Winter Driving
194
14x51/2JJ
P165/65R14 78S
Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
Mount snow chains on your vehicle
when warranted by driving condi-
tions or required by local laws. Make
sure the chains are the correct size
f or your tires. Install them only on
the front tires. If metal chains are
used, they must be SAE class ‘‘S.’’
Cable type traction devices can also
be used.
When installing chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the
body or chassis, stop and investigate.
Make sure the chains are installed
tightly, and that they are not
contacting the brake lines or
suspension. Remove the chains as
soon as you begin driving on cleared
roads.
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as the original tires. Mount snow
tiresonallfourwheelstobalance
your car’s handling in all weather
conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car’s
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
areclear.Checkwiththetiredealer
f or maximum speed recommenda-
tions.
Snow T ires
T ire Chains
Tires
Maint enance195
Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car’s brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the
chains hitting any part of the car.
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There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing:
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
CONT INUED
5-speed Manual Transmission
Automatic Transmission
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda. This is the best way to transport
your Honda. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed237
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission, your car must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
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Specif ications
T echnical Inf ormation243
Air Conditioning Alignment
Tires
Battery
Fuses Lights HFC-134a (R-134a)
17.6 19.4 oz (500 550 g) SP-10
12 V 60/55 W (HB2) 0.00 in (0.0 mm)
0.12 in (3.0 mm)
0°1°
2°
P165/65R14 78S
T115/70D14 88M
Refrigerant type
Charge quantity
Lubricant type
Toe-in
Camber
Caster
Size
Pressure
12 V 21 W
12 V 5 W
12 V 12 V
21/5 W
21 W
12 V 18 W
12 V
12 V 5W
5W
12 V
12 V
5W
3.4 W
12V 27Ah/5HR
Capacity
Interior
Under-hood 30 Ah/5 HR
12 V
See page 234or the fuse label
attached to the inside of the fuse
box door under the dashboard.
See page 235or the fuse box
cover.
Headlights (HI/LO)
Front turn signal lights
Front parking lights
Side marker lights
Rear turn signal lights
Stop/Taillights
Back-up lights
Trunk light
License plate light
Interior light
Front
Rear
Front
Rear
Front
Front/Rear
Spare
Front
Rear
Spare
38 psi (260 kPa)
35 psi (240 kPa)
60 psi (420 kPa)
U.S. model M/T
CVT
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Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom a Honda dealer.
a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
covered f or the usef ul lif e of the
vehicle.
covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-
ship. Genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details. all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
covers
your new vehicle, except f or the
battery, emissions control systems
and accessories, against def ects in
materials and workmanship. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the car.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation.
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2002 Honda Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your car f or
precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Honda’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty inf or-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2002 Warranty
Manual that came with your car.
Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty
Accessory Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
New Car Limited Warranty
Replacement Muf f ler L if et imeLimited Warranty
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect s Warrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarrantyU.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions255
Î
Î...................
Radiator Overheating . 225
......
Radio/Cassette Sound System . 98
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 201
............................
Rear View Mirror .79
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 65
....................
Rear Window Washer .65
.......................
Rear Window Wiper .65
...............
Reclining the Seat Backs . 76
Replacement Inf ormation .................
Air Cleaner Element . 181
..........................
Engine Coolant .171
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 167
..........................................
Fuses .231
................................
Light Bulbs .198
....................................
Schedule .154
...................................
Drive Belt .189
...........................................
Tires .193
.............................
Wiper Blades .185
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .35
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .123, 171
...............................
Restraint, Child .19
................................
Rotation, Tire .193 ..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 34
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 256
.................................
Saf ety Features .7
...........................................
Airbags .9
..................................
Door Locks .10
..........................
Head Restraints .10
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
.....................
Seats & Seat-Backs .10
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 41
...............................
Saf ety Messages . ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 34
...............
Additional Information . 34
.....................................
Cleaning .209
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .34
................................
Maintenance .35
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .34, 46
...................
System Components . 34
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 17
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 15
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .76
...............................
Serial Number .240
...........................
Service Intervals .154
...........................
Service Manual .257 .........
Service Station Procedures . 119
..........................
Setting the Clock .103
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 138
........................
Shif t Lock Release .142
...............................
Signaling Turns .63
.....................................
Snow Tires .195
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 207
..................................
Sound System .98
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .214
............................
Specif ications .243
....................
Specif ications Charts . 242
...................................
Speedometer .50
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 36
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 39
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .38
...........
How Your Airbags Work . 36
........................
SRS Components .36
..................................
SRS Service .39
.............................
SRS Indicator .34 ,46
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 70
.......................
Starting the Engine .133
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .133
................
With a Dead Battery . 222
Index
RS
VI