2002 HONDA PASSPORT automatic transmission

79Instruments and Controls
1. Check that the parking brake
is fully applied.
2. Turn the key switch to “
ACC”
position.
3. Move the shift lever from “P”
to “
N” position, depress the
brake pedal, and start the
engine again.
4. Operate the shift lever.
Have the transmission checked by
your Honda dealer as soon as
possible.
Driving Tips
Before going down a steep or long
grade, reduce speed and shift the
transmission into a lower gear or
range to control the vehicle ’s
speed. This will provide engine
braking to help slow the vehicle.
Try not to hold the brake pedal
down too long or too often. This
could cause the brakes to get hot
and not work properly.
Downshifting to a lower gear is
especially important when towing
a trailer in mountainous terrain.
Do not hold the vehicle on a hill
by pressing on the accelerator. Do
not press on the accelerator pedal
and brake pedal at the same time.
Either of these actions can
overheat the automatic
transmission and cause damage. Always keep your foot off the
accelerator pedal when shifting
from “P” or “N” to another gear.
Do not shift to “P” (Park) when
the vehicle is moving; you could
damage the automatic
transmission. Always come to a
complete stop.
Be careful that you do not exceed
the following maximum allowable
speeds when accelerating. mph (km/h)
RangeAutomatic TransmissionRange“L”“2”“3”
“2H”35 (56)65
(105)–
“4H”35 (56)65
(105)65
(105)
“4L”15 (24)30 (48)50 (81)

81Instruments and Controls
Shifting the Transfer Control
Lever
4H
↔ 4L: Stop the vehicle. Place
the transmission lever in
“N” (Neutral) position.
Then move the transfer
control lever from 4H to
4L, or 4L to 4H.
Move the transfer control lever
quickly and securely between
positions. Do not stop midway.
The transfer gear box can be
damaged if the control lever is not
firmly in gear. Some noise is
normal when shifting.
Always stop the vehicle before
shifting between low and high
range (4H
4L or 4L
4H).
If the 4WD indicator continues to
blink rapidly, it indicates that the
system was shifted out of
sequence. Stop the vehicle, select
4WD with the 4WD-2WD switch, shift the lever from 4L to 4H, then
select 2WD. Drive in a straight
line to reset the system. If the
indicator continues to blink, see
your Honda dealer.
Do not use 4-wheel drive for
driving on dry pavement. This
causes noise and wear, and taking
tight turns can damage the
transfer case and driveshafts. It
also reduces fuel economy.
Be careful that you do not exceed
the following maximum allowable
speeds when accelerating.
mph (km/h)
RangeAutomatic TransmissionRange“L”“2”“3”
“2H”35 (56)65
(105)–
“4H”35 (56)65
(105)65
(105)
“4L”15 (24)30 (48)50 (81)
Driving Pattern Selector
You can select a driving pattern
suitable for existing driving
conditions.
When neither “POWER” nor
“
WINTER” lights are illuminated,
the normal driving program for
general driving conditions is
operative.

86Instruments and Controls
Operation
To set the parking brake, fully
pull up on the handle between the
seats. To release the parking
brake, pull upward slightly. Then
depress the pushbutton and push
down all the way.
RELEASE
To help remind you, the brake
system warning light is designed
to come on if the parking brakecontrol is not fully released when
the key is on.
Always pull the parking brake
lever as far up as possible to make
sure it sets fully. If the parking
brake is not fully set, the vehicle
could roll if it is parked on an
incline.
Parking Tips
Never drive away with the
parking brake still set. This may
overheat the rear brakes, reducing
their effectiveness and causing
excessive wear or damage.
Always apply the parking brake
whenever you leave the vehicle,
whether it is equipped with a
manual or automatic transmission.
If your vehicle is equipped with
an automatic transmission, you
should set the parking brake
whenever you leave the driver
’s
seat. If the vehicle is parked on a
grade and the shift lever is placed
in “P” (Park) position before the
parking brake is set, the weight
of the vehicle may exert so much
force on the parking mechanism
in the transmission that you may
have difficulty moving the shift
lever out of “P” (Park).
To prevent this, apply the parking
brake
BEFORE you move the
shift lever to “P” (Park) position.
When preparing to drive away,
move the shift lever out of the
“P” (Park) position
BEFORE you
release the parking brake. It is
good driving practice to set the
Parking Brake

101Interior Features
Your Passport comes with two
keys.
METAL PLATE
WITH KEY CODE
The key code number is stamped
on the metal plate attached to the
key ring.
For vehicle security:
•Record the key code number.
•Keep the key code number
plate in a safe place,
NOT IN
THE VEHICLE
. If the original keys are lost,
duplicates can be made using the
key code number. Contact any
Honda dealer or a locksmith.
Steering Column
Lock/Ignition Switch
The ignition switch, on the right
side of the steering column, has
five positions:
LOCK
— The normal parking
position. This locks the steering
and prevents normal use of the
steering wheel.
The key can be removed only
when the ignition is in this
position. On automatic
transmission models, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to the
“
LOCK” position unless the shift
lever has first been placed in the
“P” position. The shift lever is
then locked.
ACC (Accessory)—In this
position, you can use some
electrical accessories when the
engine is not running.
ON—The normal driving
position.
START—This position starts the
engine. The switch returns to
ON
when you release the key.
Keys and Ignition

102Interior Features
The anti-theft steering column
lock is not interconnected with the
parking brake. You must always
set the parking brake when
leaving the vehicle.
To prevent discharging the battery,
avoid use of electrical accessories
with the engine shut off.
For easier key operation when
unlocking, rotate the steering
wheel slightly to relieve pressure
on the steering lock.
Key Removal
Manual Transmission
With the vehicle fully stopped,
remove the key from the switch
by turning it to the “
LOCK”
position and removing it.
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.
Automatic Transmission
With the vehicle fully stopped, place
the automatic transmission shift
lever in “P” (Park) position. Turn
the key to the “
LOCK” position.
Key Reminder
The key reminder circuit causes a
beeper to sound when the door is
held open with the key left in the
ignition switch. This is to help
prevent accidentally locking the
key inside the vehicle. The beeper stops when the door is
closed or when the key is removed.
Guard Against Theft
Your new Passport has features to
help prevent theft of the vehicle,
its equipment, and its contents.
These anti-theft features work
depending on how well you use
them.
•Park in a well-lighted area
whenever possible.
•Lock the steering column and
take the key with you.
–
Turn the ignition switch to
“
LOCK” and remove the key.
This locks both the ignition
switch and steering control.

149Comfort and Convenience Features
Tap Down (While Cruise Control
System Is in Use)
Quickly pressing and releasing the
“
SET/COAST”
button with the
cruise control engaged allows you
to “tap down” the preset cruising
speed. Each depression decreases
the preset cruising speed by one
mile per hour (1.6 km/h). The
preset cruising speed can be
decreased to a minimum of 25
miles per hour (40 km/h) in this
manner.
Disengaging
Disengage the cruise control
system by depressing the brake
pedal, or the clutch pedal on
manual transmission vehicles.
You can also turn off the system
by turning the knob to
“CANCEL,”
then releasing it, or by pressing the
CRUISE ON/OFF button.
Clearing the System
The cruise control system will be
canceled when any of the
following conditions apply:
1. When the brake pedal is depressed. 2. When the clutch pedal is
depressed (manual
transmission) or when the
automatic transmission is
shifted to the “
N” position.
3. When cruising speed reaches approximately 16 mph (26
km/h) or lower.
4. When cruising speed is lower than preset speed by 12 mph
(19 km/h) or more.
5. When you depress the
CRUISE ON/OFF button.
6. When the ignition switch is turned to the “
OFF” position.

157Driving Tips
switch is turned to the “
ON”
or “
START” position.
5. Check all gauges (including the fuel gauge).
6. Release the parking brake (and make sure the “
BRAKE”
light turns off).
See related topics in this manual if
you find any problems.
Starting the Engine
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Manual Transmission: Press
the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the transmission to
the Neutral position. Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor while
you are starting the engine. A
starter safety switch keeps the
starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully
depressed. Automatic Transmission:
Place the shift lever in “P”
or “N” position (“P” is
preferred). A starter safety
switch prevents the starter
from operating if the shift
lever is in any drive position.
If it is necessary to restart the
engine with the vehicle
moving, place the shift lever
in “N” (never in “P”).
3. Do not touch the accelerator pedal. Start the engine by
turning the ignition switch to
“
START.”
If the engine does not start in
10 seconds, wait 15 seconds to let
the starter cool down. Then crank
the engine at wide open throttle
for a maximum of 10 seconds. If
the engine still does not start, wait
another 15 seconds and repeat the
entire procedure. Do not crank the engine for more
than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 15
seconds before trying again.
4. Return the ignition switch to
the “
ON” position as soon as
the engine starts.
5. Apply the regular brakes and shift into the proper gear.
Release the parking brake and
brake pedal and drive off.
In models with an automatic
transmission, you cannot shift
from “P” (Park) position to
any other position unless the
brake pedal is applied.

158Driving Tips
You may drive your new vehicle
from its very first mile/kilometer
without following a formal
“break-in” schedule. However,
there are things you can do during
the first few hundred miles/
kilometers of driving that will add
to the future performance and
economy of your vehicle.
It is recommended that your speed
during the first 500 miles (800
kilometers) be limited to a
maximum of 55 mph (90 km/h)
and that you do not drive for long
periods at any one constant speed,
either fast or slow. During this
period, avoid full-throttle starts
and, if possible, avoid hard stops;
especially during the first 200
miles (320 kilometers) of driving.
Always drive at moderate speed
until the engine has completely
warmed up.
When leaving your vehicle
unattended:
•Set the parking brake.
•Place the shift lever in
“P”
(Park) position for automatic
transmission.
•When parking a vehicle equipped
with a manual transmission on an
upward slope, or on a level
surface, place the shift lever in
the “1st” position.
•When parking a vehicle
equipped with a manual
transmission on a downward
slope, place the shift lever in
the “
R” (Reverse) position.
•Turn the key to the “LOCK”
position.
•Remove the key. The beeper
will remind you.
•Close all windows and lock all
doors.
•Check to make certain the
lights are turned off. The
beeper will remind you.
•If your vehicle is equipped with
a transfer case (4
WD), make
sure the shift lever is in 4
H or
4
L.
Parking Tips
•Never drive the vehicle with
the parking brake set. This can
overheat the rear brakes,
reducing their effectiveness and
causing excessive wear or
damage.
•Always apply the parking brake
whenever you leave the vehicle,
whether it is equipped with a
manual or automatic transmission.
New Vehicle Break-InParking