2002 HONDA PASSPORT check engine

68Instruments and Controls
Check Automatic
Transmission Indicator
The indicator light comes on for a
few seconds when the ignition
switch is turned to the “
ON”
position.
If the light flashes, it means the
computer controlling the
transmission has found a problem.
Have the automatic transmission checked by your Honda dealer as
soon as possible. You can safely
drive the vehicle while the light is
flashing, but the computer may
put the transmission into its
“backup mode.”
In the backup mode, the
transmission may not shift
automatically. If the transmission
does not shift automatically, you
must move the shift lever to
change gears. This chart shows
the shift lever position and the
gear range that will result.
“L” position
First gear
“2” position
Third gear
“3” position
Fourth gear
“
D” position
Fourth gear When the transmission is in
backup mode and does not shift
automatically, you should move
the selector lever to the
appropriate position for your
driving needs, as follows:
Select “
3” or “D” for high speed
driving (over 50 mph, 80 km/h).
Select “2” for moderate speed
driving (between 15 mph [25
km/h] and 50 mph [80 km/h]).
Select “L” when starting from a
stop, driving up or down a steep
hill, or for engine braking when
towing a trailer downhill.
Do not exceed 65 mph (45 mph if
towing a trailer).

69Instruments and Controls

Depending on the type of problem,
the “
CHECK TRANS” light will
flash but the transmission may
continue to shift automatically. If
the transmission is shifting
normally, you do not have to
choose gears with the shift lever.
However, continued operation of
the vehicle with this light flashing
can cause serious mechanical
damage. You should have the
vehicle serviced by your Honda
dealer as soon as possible.
Winter Drive Indicator
Automatic Transmission only
The “Winter Drive” light will
come on when you push the
Winter Drive button with the
engine running and the
transmission lever in the “
D”
range. It also comes on for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition switch
to the “ON” position.
Refer to “Driving Pattern
Selector” later in this section.
Power Drive Indicator
Automatic Transmission only
The “Power Drive” light will
come on when you push the
Power Drive button with the
engine running.
It also comes on for a few seconds
when you turn the ignition switch
to the “ON” position.
Refer to “Driving Pattern
Selector” later in this section.

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

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.

78Instruments and Controls
3 (Third) — When operating your
vehicle on slippery roads, on a
long descending slope, or on a
road with many sharp curves, you
will want to use engine braking.
At this time, put the shift lever
into this range.
2 (Second) — You may choose this
position when traveling down a
moderate grade where you want to
slow down a little without using
the brake itself. Change back to
the “
D” position to return to
normal driving. With the shift
lever in “2, ” the vehicle will start
in first gear and automatically shift
to second gear.
L (First) — This position may be
selected for maximum braking
down severe grades. Return the
selector lever to the “
D” position
to resume normal driving. It is
possible to move the lever into first gear at any speed. However,
the transmission will not actually
shift to first gear until vehicle
speed is below 35 mph (Power
Mode) or 25 mph (Normal Mode).
When starting out in “L,” the
transmission will not upshift.
Starting — Start the engine with
the lever in the “P” or “N”
position. It will not start in any
other position. If it does, have
your vehicle checked by your
Honda dealer.
Always apply the foot brake
before shifting into any driving
position. This prevents the vehicle
from creeping.
Do not press the accelerator pedal
while shifting from “
P” or “N” to
any driving position.
Shift Lock — As a safety measure
for vehicles with an automatic
transmission, you cannot shift
from “
P” (Park) position into any
other position unless the brake
pedal is depressed when the key
switch is in the “
ON” position or
the engine is running.
The shift lever may not move if
the pushbutton on the shift lever is
pressed before the brake pedal is
depressed. In this case, release
the pushbutton, press the brake
pedal and try again.
If the shift lever won’ t move from
the “
P” position even when these
instructions are followed, perform
the following steps:

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)

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

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.