2002 HONDA PASSPORT catalytic converter

LOW FUEL
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS
LOW OIL
PRESSURE
INDICATOR
REDUCED
POWER
INDICATOR
63Instruments and Controls
overheating of the engine could
result. Have the system checked
as soon as possible.
Malfunction Indicator
Lamp
The indicator light should turn on
when the key is turned to the
“
ON” position, but should go out
after the engine is started. (The
light will stay on a short time after
the engine starts.)
If the light stays on, or comes on
while driving, it indicates a
problem in the engine emissions
control system. Have your Honda
dealer inspect the system and
correct the problem.
If this indicator starts flashing as
you drive, engine misfiring has
been detected. Misfiring can
damage the catalytic converter

155Driving Tips
Before Driving156
. . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the Engine157 . . . . .
New Vehicle Break-In 158 . . . . .
Parking 158 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brakes 159 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires 163 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inflation 164 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inspection 165 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance 166 . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Rotation 166 . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Tires
and Wheels 166 . . . . . . . . . .
Wheels and Tires 167 . . . . . .
Traction 168 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire Chains 168 . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Replacement
Considerations 169 . . . . . . .
Fuel Economy 170 . . . . . . . . . . .
Three-Way Catalytic
Converter 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Operation in
Foreign Countries 173
. . . . . . .
Accessories & Modifications173
Carrying Cargo175 . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer Towing 178 . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer Hitches 180 . . . . . . . .
Safety Chain181 . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer Lights181 . . . . . . . . . .
Tires181 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer Brakes181 . . . . . . . . .
Equipment Check182 . . . . . .
Limited Slip Differential 182 . . .
Driving Tips

159Driving Tips
•If your vehicle is equipped with
an automatic transmission, set
the parking brake before you
leave the driver’s seat. If the
vehicle is parked on a grade
and the transmission shift lever
is placed in “P” (Park) position
before you set the parking
brake, the weight of the vehicle
may exert so much force on the
transmission that you may have
difficulty moving the shift
lever out of “P” (Park)
position. To prevent this, apply
the parking brake
BEFORE
moving the shift lever to “P”
(Park). When you want to drive
away, move the shift lever out
of the “P” (Park) position
BEFORE releasing the parking
brake. It is good driving
practice to set the parking
brake first, then place the
transmission in “
PA R K” position, even on level
surfaces.
•If the parking brake does not
seem to hold the vehicle as
well as before, have the vehicle
serviced by your Honda dealer.
•Do not park your vehicle over
high grass, dry leaves or other
combustible materials. The
catalytic converter gets very
hot and could set fire to these
materials.
Anti-Lock Brakes
Your vehicle has an Anti-lock
Brake System (
ABS) as standard
equipment.
ABS helps to prevent
the wheels from locking up and
skidding during hard braking,
allowing you to retain steering
control.
When the front tires skid, you
lose steering control; the vehicle
continues straight ahead even
though you turn the steering
wheel. The
ABS helps to prevent
lock-up and retain steering control
by pumping the brakes rapidly;
much faster than a person can do it.
You should never pump the
brake pedal, this defeats the
purpose of the
ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping
firm, steady pressure on the brake
pedal as you steer away from the
Brakes

172 Driving Tips
The
three-way catalytic converter
is an emissions control device
added to the exhaust system to
reduce exhaust gas pollutants. The
converter contains a ceramic
material coated with noble metal
catalysts. To prevent
contamination of the catalysts,
unleaded gasoline must be used.
Unleaded gasoline also reduces
combustion chamber deposits and
exhaust system corrosion.
The three-way catalytic converter
requires the use of unleaded
gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline
will cause the converter to lose its
effectiveness.
To Help Prevent Damage
1. Keep your engine properly
maintained. Engine
malfunctions involving the electrical,
electronic fuel
injection or ignition systems
may result in unusually high
converter and exhaust system
temperatures. Do not keep
driving your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire,
noticeable loss of performance,
or other unusual operating
conditions. Have it serviced
promptly. A properly
maintained engine will
minimize malfunctions that
could damage the converter. It
will also help provide good
emissions control and fuel
economy. (See the
Maintenance Schedule on page
204 for info rmation on
inspecting and maintaining the
engine, exhaust system and
other components.) 2. Do not push or tow your
vehicle to start it. This could
damage the converter.
3. Do not park your vehicle over high grass, dry leaves or other
combustible materials. The
catalytic converter gets very
hot and could set fire to these
materials.
Three-Way Catalytic Converter

converter. These replacements
are not covered under warranty.
173Driving Tips
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 find 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 affect performance 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 replacement of several
components, such as the oxygen
sensor and the three-way catalytic
Modifying your vehicle, or
installing some non-Honda
accessories, can make your vehicle
unsafe. Before you make any
modifications or add any
accessories, be sure to read the
following information.
Accessories
Your dealer has Genuine Honda
accessories that allow you to
personalize your vehicle. These
accessories have been designed and
approved for your vehicle, and are
covered by warranty.
Non-Honda accessories are
usually designed for universal
applications. Although
aftermarket accessories may fit on
your vehicle, they may not meet
factory specifications, and could
adversely affect your vehicle
’s
handling and stability. (See “Modifications” on the next page
for additional information.)
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect
your vehicle’
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.
When properly installed, car
phones, alarms, two-way radios,
and low-powered audio systems
should not interfere with your
vehicle’ s computer-controlled
Operation in
Foreign CountriesAccessories & Modifications

184In Case of Emergency
Do not push or tow your vehicle
to start it. Under some conditions
this may damage the three-way
catalytic converter or other parts
of the vehicle.
If your vehicle has a discharged
battery, it can be started by using
the battery in another vehicle; a
procedure called “jump starting.”
A battery can explode if you
do not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
To jump start your vehicle:
1. Position the vehicle with the
good (charged) battery so that
the jump-starting cables will
reach. Do not allow the vehicles
to touch. Check to see that the
bumpers do not touch.
2. Turn off all electric motors and accessories in both
vehicles. Turn off all lights
except hazard flashers and
lights needed to light up the
work area. Turn off the
ignition, apply the parking
brake firmly, and shift an
automatic transmission to
“
P” (Park) and a manual
transmission to “
N” (Neutral)
in both vehicles.
3. Check fluid level of the battery before attempting to
charge or jump start. (Do not use an open flame to check,
and do not smoke.)
CHARGE
TEST
INDICATOR
UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
CHARGING
NECESSARY
OK
BLUE COLORLESS
If the battery is a sealed type
and if the fluid level is below
the lower level line on the side
of the battery, do not try to
jump start the vehicle or
charge or test the battery. Do
not add fluid. Instead, install a
new battery.
Jump Starting

209Care and Maintenance
Sit in the driver
’s seat and
perform these checks:
1. With the engine stopped,
depress the brake pedal several
times; the travel distance and
effective pedal stroke should
remain unchanged.
2. Start the engine with the brake pedal fully depressed.
The brake pedal should go down
a little as the engine starts.
3. Depress the brake pedal, stop the engine and hold the pedal
depressed for about 30
seconds; the brake pedal
should remain in position
without rising or going down.
4. Restart the engine and run it for about a minute, then turn it
off and depress the brake
pedal firmly several times; the
brake pedal travel should decrease each time the brake
pedal is depressed.
If the brakes do not operate
normally, have them checked and
corrected by your Honda dealer.
Exhaust system — Be alert to any
changes in the sound of the exhaust
system or any smell of fumes.
These are signs the system may be
leaking or overheating. Have the
system checked and/or repaired at
once if these conditions exist. (Also
see “Carbon Monoxide Hazard” in
the “Driver and Passenger Safety ”
section and “ Three-Way Catalytic
Converter ” in the “Driving Tips ”
section.)
Windshield wipers and
washers —
Check the operation
and condition of the wiper blades.
Check the flow and aim of the
washer spray.
Defrosters — Check performance
by moving the controls to the
defrost setting and noting the
amount of air directed against the
windshield.
Rear view mirrors and sun
visors —
Check that the friction
joints hold the mirrors and sun
visors firmly in place.
Horn — Blow the horn now and
then to be sure it works.
Lap and shoulder belts — Check
the belt system, including
webbing, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, guide loops and
anchors for proper operation and
damage.
Seat adjusters — When adjusting
a seat, be sure the seat adjusters
latch securely by pushing the seat
forward and backward.

249Owner Assistance
maintain
them. This section
summarizes how the emissions
controls work. Scheduled
maintenance is on page 204.
Crankcase Emissions
Control System
Your vehicle has a Positive
Crankcase Ventilation System.
This keeps gasses that build up in
the engine ’s crankcase from going
into the atmosphere. The Positive
Crankcase Ventilation valve routes
them from the crankcase back to
the intake manifold. They are then
drawn into the engine and burned.
Evaporative Emissions
Control System
As gasoline evaporates in the fuel
tank, an evaporative emission
control canister filled with
charcoal adsorbs the vapor. It is
stored in this canister while the engine is off. After the engine is
started and warmed up, the vapor
is drawn into the engine and
burned during driving.
Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery
The Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery (ORVR) system captures
the fuel vapors during refueling.
The vapors are adsorbed in a
canister filled with activated
carbon. While driving, the fuel
vapors are drawn into the engine
and burned off.
Exhaust Emissions Controls
The exhaust emission controls
include four systems: Fuel
Injection, Ignition Timing Control,
Exhaust Gas Recirculation, and
Three-Way Catalytic Converter.
These four systems work together
to control the engine
’s combustion and minimize the amount of HC,
CO, and NOx that comes out the
tailpipe. The exhaust emission
control systems are separate from
the crankcase and evaporative
emission control systems.
Fuel Injection System
The Fuel Injection System uses
sequential multiport fuel injection.
It has three subsystems: Air
Intake, Engine Control, and Fuel
Control. The Engine Control
Module (
ECM) uses various
sensors to determine how much
air is going into the engine. It then
controls how much fuel to inject
under all operating conditions.
Ignition Timing Control System
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO and NOx produced.