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55Instruments and Controls
This section explains the controls
and displays that contribute to the
daily operation of your Honda.
All the essential controls are
within easy reach.
Control Locations56
. . . . . . . . .
Indicators and Gauges 57 . . . . . .
Gauges 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 58 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer/
Reset Knob 58 . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Gauge 59 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 60 . . . .
Indicator Lights 61 . . . . . . . . . . .
Switches70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper/Washer 70
Headlights 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination Control 73 . . . . .
Rear Window Defogger 74 . .
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals75 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Warning Flasher 76 . . Automatic Transmission76
. . . .
Transfer Control
(4WD Models)80 . . . . . . . . .
5-Speed Manual Transmission 83 Transfer Control
(4WD Models)84 . . . . . . . . .
Parking Brake 86 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accelerator Pedal87 . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch Pedal 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instruments and Controls
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57Instruments and Controls
Indicators and Gauges
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGEANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
A/T OIL TEMP
INDICATOR LIGHT
(A/T only)
CHECK TRANS
INDICATOR LIGHT
(A/T only) SRS INDICATOR LIGHT
CHECK ENGINE
INDICATOR LIGHT
TACHOMETER
TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT
4-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
INDICATOR LIGHT
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT
SPEEDOMETER
ODOMETER TRIP ODOMETER
RESET KNOB
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR LIGHT BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR LIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT
FUEL GAUGE
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT
CRUISE SET
INDICATOR LIGHT
WINTER DRIVE
INDICATOR LIGHT
POWER DRIVE
INDICATOR LIGHT
TRIP ODOMETER
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR LIGHT
REDUCED POWER
INDICATOR LIGHT
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TACHOMETERSPEEDOMETER
ODOMETER TRIP ODOMETER
RESET KNOB
TRIP ODOMETER
58Instruments and Controls
Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine
speed in revolutions per minute
(rpm). To protect the engine from
damage, never drive with the
tachometer needle in the red zone.
Speedometer
The speedometer shows vehicle
speed in miles per hour (mph).
Odometer
The odometer indicates the total
distance your vehicle has been
driven.
Trip Odometer/Reset Button
There are two trip odometers.
Each odometer works
independently, so you can keep
track of two different distances.
Switch between them and the
Gauges
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ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGEFUEL GAUGE
59Instruments and Controlsodometer by repeatedly pressing
and releasing the reset button.
To reset a trip odometer, display
it, then press and hold the reset
button until the odometer clears to
zero.
Fuel Gauge
The fuel gauge will register the
approximate fuel level in the tank
when the key is in the “
ON”
position. The following conditions
may be considered normal:
•Gas station pumps may shut off
before the fuel gauge indicates
“
F” (FULL).
•The amount of fuel required for
a fill-up may not exactly
correspond to the gauge.
•The needle may not move away
from “
F” (FULL) until some
time after fill-up.
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60 Instruments and Controls
• The needle may move during
turning, stopping and
acceleration.
Gauge
ReadingRe maining Amount
Approx. Gallons (Liters)
F19.5 (75.0)
1/210.8 (41.0)
E3.6 (13.5)
Fuel Door
This is a reminder that the fuel fill
door is on the left side of the
vehicle. Always park with that
side closest to the service station
pumps.
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge
When the key is in the “ON”
position, the engine coolant
temperature gauge indicates the
temperature of the engine coolant.
The letters “
C” and “H” on the
gauge represent “Cold” and
“Hot,” respectively.
NORMAL RANGE OVERHEATING
The gray area indicates the
normal engine coolant
temperature.
If the pointer reaches the
“
H”
mark, pull safely to the side of the
road. Turn to page 217 for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine ’s cooling
system.
Driving with the temperature
gauge pointer at “
H” can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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62Instruments and Controls
the system repaired if the light
does not come on when the key is
turned to the “
ON” position
without the engine running or
when the parking brake is set.
This light does not eliminate the
need for brake inspection and
maintenance. The brake fluid
level must be checked regularly.
See the maintenance section of
this manual for other brake
checks.
If the light remains on after
engine start up with the parking
brake released, or comes on
during operation of the vehicle, it
may mean that there is something
wrong with the brake system.
What to do?
1. Check to see if the parking brake has been fully released. 2. If it has, pull off the road and
stop carefully. Remember that:
•Stopping distances may be
longer.
•You may have to push
harder on the pedal.
•The pedal may go down
farther than normal.
3. Have the vehicle towed to the nearest Honda dealer for
repair.
Do not continue to drive with the
brake system light on. There may
be a serious problem with the
braking system. Driving under
this condition is hazardous and
could lead to an accident.
The brake system light does not
indicate that the parking brake is
fully set. When applying the
parking brake, always pull it up as
far as possible.
High Beam
The headlight high beam indicator
lights up when the headlights are
on high beam.
Charging System
This light should come on when
the key is turned to the “
ON”
position and the alternator is not
charging. The light may stay on at
engine idle; however, it should go
off and stay off above the normal
engine idle speed. If the light
comes on while driving, the
charging system should be
checked at once so the battery will
not completely discharge. Stop the
engine, and check for a broken
drive belt. If it is broken, or if the
drive belt is not responsible for
the trouble, have your Honda
dealer inspect and correct the
fault. If the drive belt is broken,
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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
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64Instruments and Controls
and the engine. Stop as soon as it
is safe, turn off the engine, and
call for assistance.
If you keep driving with the
malfunction indicator lamp on,
you can damage your vehicle ’s
emissions controls and engine.
Those repairs may not be covered
by your vehicle’ s warranties.
Reduced Power
Indicator
This light comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the key to
the “ON” position
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that there is a problem in
the throttle “drive-by-wire”
system. With the light on, your
vehicle goes into “limp home” mode — the engine runs on three
cylinders, and the accelerator
pedal no longer controls engine
speed.
As soon as it is safe, pull off the
road and turn off the engine.
Restart the engine to reset the
system. If the light remains on, or
comes on again while driving,
have the vehicle towed to your
Honda dealer for repair.
Turn Signal
Indicators
A green light flashing on the
instrument panel lets you know
that the front and rear turn signal
lights are working. If the light
stays on and does not flash, check
for a burned out bulb. If there is
no light when the lever is moved,
check the fuse and bulb.
Whenever the Hazard Warning Flasher Switch is on, both turn
signals will flash.
Low Fuel Indicator
This light comes on when the tank
becomes nearly empty. Fill up the
tank as soon as possible.
If the low fuel indicator light
comes on when the fuel tank is
not nearly empty, have the fuel
tank sensing unit and related
components inspected and
repaired by your Honda dealer.
Driving on a road with many
sharp curves may cause the fuel
indicator light to blink
intermittently. This is normal.