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70Instruments and Controls
Automatic Transmission
Fluid Temperature Indicator
The “A/T OIL TEMP” indicator
light warns that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is
high.
The indicator light should turn on
when the ignition switch is turned
to the “
ON” position, but should
go out after a few seconds. If this light comes on while you are
driving, slow down and pull off the
road. Stop the vehicle at a safe
place and put the shift lever in
“
P”
position. With the engine idling,
wait until the light goes off. If the
light goes off, you can drive the
vehicle again. If the light does not
go off, have the automatic
transmission lubricating system
checked as soon as possible by
your Honda dealer.
Driving with the “
A/T OIL TEMP”
light constantly on will cause
serious mechanical damage to the
automatic transmission.
Windshield Wiper/Washer
The lever on the right side of the
steering column controls the
windshield wipers. Move the lever
down to select the various
windshield wiper speeds.
In INT, the wipers operate every
few seconds. In
LO and HIGH, the
wipers run continuously.
In
INT, you can vary how often the
Switches
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71Instruments and Controls
wipers sweep the windshield by
turning the
INT TIME ring. The
interval can be adjusted within a
range of approximately 3 to 17
seconds.
Windshield Washer Operation
To operate the windshield
washers, pull back on the
windshield wiper control lever.
The washers will spray, and the
wipers will run at low speed, for
as long as you hold the lever. The
wipers will continue to run for a
short time after you release the
lever. Windshield Washer Fluid
•Check the washer fluid level
regularly. Do it more often
during poor weather
conditions.
•Use windshield washer fluid to
prevent freezing and for better
cleaning.
Do not use engine antifreeze or
a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage your
vehicle’ s paint, while a
vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer
pump. Use only commercially
available windshield washer fluid.
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72 Instruments and Controls
In cold weather, warm the
windshield with the defrosters
before using the washers. This
will help prevent icing of the
windshield that may block your
vision.
Headlights
The rotating switch on the left
lever controls the lights. Rotating
this switch to the
position
turns on the instrument panel
lights and all exterior lights
except the headlights. Rotating
the switch to the
position turns
on the headlights.
To change between low beams
and high beams, pull back on the lever until you hear a click, then
let go. The high beam indicator
will light (see page 62) when the
high beams are selected.
To flash the high beams, pull the
lever back about half way and
then let it go. The high beams will
stay on for as long as you hold the
lever back, no matter what
position the headlight switch is in.
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73Instruments and Controls
Headlights-On Reminder
You will hear a continuous tone
when the key is out of the ignition
switch and the driver
’s door is
opened with the headlight switch
in the “
ON” position. This will
remind you to turn the headlights
off. Never leave the headlights on
when the engine is not running.
They can rapidly discharge the
battery.
Fog Lights
EX model only
When fog or heavy mist reduces
your forward vision, push this
switch to turn the fog lights on.
The indicator light in the switch
turns on. Push the switch again to
turn off the fog lights.
The fog lights operate only when
the headlight low beams are in
use.
Illumination Control
The instrument panel lights turn
on when the light switch is on.
Brightness of the instrument panel
lights is controlled by turning the
illumination control knob
clockwise for brighter or
counterclockwise for dimmer.
DIMMER
BRIGHTER
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74Instruments and Controls
Rear Window and Mirror
Defoggers
With the ignition “ON,” push the
defogger switch to use the rear
window and mirror defoggers.
The indicator light in the switch
lights to show the defogger is on.
The defogger will shut itself off
after 10 minutes. If the rear
window or mirrors are not
completely clear, press the switch again to turn on the defogger for
another 10 minutes. It also shuts
off when you turn off the ignition.
You have to turn it on again when
you restart the vehicle.
Make sure the rear window is
clear and you have good visibility
before starting to drive.
The defogger wires on the inside
of the rear window can be easily
damaged. When cleaning the
glass, always wipe side to side.
Do not use any abrasive cleaners.
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
To operate the rear window wiper,
press the wiper button. The wiper
runs in intermittent mode until
you press the button again.
To wash the rear window, push
and hold the rear window washer
button. The washer and wiper will
run until you release the button.
REAR WIPER
BUTTON
REAR WASHER
BUTTON
The rear window wiper cannot be
operated when the rear window is
not latched.
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75Instruments and Controls
Turn Signal Lever
Push the lever fully up to signal a
right turn. Push it fully down to
signal a left turn. Lights on the
front and rear of the vehicle will
flash.
The turn signal will cancel itself as
the turn is completed. In some
driving maneuvers, such as
changing lanes on an expressway,the steering wheel is not turned
back sufficiently after completing
the turn to automatically cancel the
turn signal. In such maneuvers the
driver should manually return the
lever to the neutral or canceled
position when the turn is
completed.
Lane Change Signal
In some turns, such as changing
lanes, the steering wheel is not
turned far enough to cancel the
turn signal. For convenience, you
can flash the turn signal by
moving the lever part way (to the
first stop) and holding it there.
The lever will return to the
horizontal position when you
release it.
A green light on the instrument
panel flashes to indicate proper
operation of the front and rear
turn signal lights. If the green
light remains on, but does not
flash, check for defective bulbs
If the green light does not light
when the lever is moved, check
the fuse and indicator bulb.
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76Instruments and Controls
Hazard Warning Flasher
Push the button to turn on the
hazard warning lights (four-way
flashers). All four outside turn
signal lights and both indicators in
the instrument panel will flash.
Push the button again to turn them
off.
The turn signals do not work
when the hazard warning lights
are on.
Use the hazard warning lights to
warn other drivers that your
vehicle is a potential road hazard.
Avoid stopping on the roadway if
possible.
Cruise Control
Refer to page 147 for operation of
this system.
The shift lever position indicator
is in the instrument panel. The
appropriate letter or number
illuminates to show what position
the shift lever is in.
The 4-speed automatic
transmission shift lever is
arranged with “P” (Park) position
at one end, followed in sequence
by “R” (Reverse), “N” (Neutral)
Automatic Transmission
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77Instruments and Controls
and the forward driving ranges.
The shift lever can be shifted
freely into any position indicated
by the arrow “
”. The lever
cannot be shifted into any position
indicated by the arrow “
”
without pushing the button
located on the end of the shift
lever.
PARK
REV
NEUT
DRIVE
3RD
2ND
1ST
In this 4-speed automatic
transmission, the following three
modes can be selected by pressing
the “
POWER” or “WINTER”
switch on the floor console, with
the key switch in the “
ON”
position:
•NORMAL mode
•POWER mode
•WINTER mode
P (Park)
— Used to lock the
transmission when the vehicle is
parked or while starting the
engine. Never move the shift lever
to Park until your vehicle is fully
stopped. Use this position
together with the parking brake.
The shift lever can be moved from
PARK position if the regular brake
is applied.
Refer to “Starting” in this section. R (Reverse)
— Used for backing
the vehicle. Bring your vehicle to
a complete stop before shifting to
Reverse.
N (Neutral) — The out-of-gear
position. You may restart a stalled
engine while the vehicle is still
moving with the selector in
Neutral. Refer to “Starting” in this
section. This position is also used
when towing the vehicle. See “In
Case of Emergency ” for towing
information.
D (Drive) (First to Fourth
Gear)
— This position is for all
normal forward driving. For
normal driving, we recommend
that you put the shift lever in the
“
D” range. This will reduce
vehicle noise and improve fuel
economy.