190In Case of Emergency
Reverse this procedure to store
the spare tire. Connect the spare
tire to the bracket with the outside
of the wheel facing up. Make sure
the tire does not catch on any part
of the underbody of the vehicle as
you are raising it, and that the
spare tire is stored securely before
driving.
If the engine overheats:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge pointer will move up to
the
“
H” or higher.
•Engine “ping” will become
excessive.
•Loss of engine power will be
noticed.
•Either steam or boiling water
will squirt out of the radiator.
If you find that the engine is
overheating:
•Stop the vehicle, and turn on
the hazard warning lights.
•If you see or hear steam or
coolant coming from the
engine compartment, turn off
the engine immediately.
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
•
If you do not see or hear steam
or spray, turn off the
A/C (if
on) and run the engine at a
speed slightly higher than idle
speed (about 1,500 rpm) for
several minutes. Watch the
coolant temperature gauge. If it
remains at the “
H” mark, turn
off the engine.
•Open the hood only after all
signs of steam or hot coolant
spray have stopped. Look for
signs of an obvious leak, such
as a split radiator hose. If you
Engine Overheating
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.
217Care and Maintenance
Recommended Lubricant
Ambient
TemperatureLubricant Viscosity to Be Used
Rear
AxleFront Axle
Below 50F(10 C)
SAE 80
or SAE80W-90
SAE
75W-90
synthetic
0 F to 90hF(–18 C to
32 C)
SAE 90
or SAE
80W-90
SAE
75W-90
synthetic
Above 50 F(10C)
consistentlySAE
140SAE
80W-90
or SAE
80W
-140
The engine cooling system is
designed to maintain the engine at
the proper operating temperatures.
The cooling system was filled at
the factory with a quality engine
coolant. The engine cooling system
is designed to use coolant (a
mixture of water and ethylene
glycol antifreeze) rather than plain
water. The engine coolant solution
should be used year-round. It has
many advantages such as:
•provides freezing protection as
low as –33F (–36C)
• provides boiling protection up
to 262F (128C)
•protects against rust and
corrosion in the cooling system
• maintains the proper engine
temperature for efficient
operation and emission control
•allows proper operation of the
engine coolant temperature gauge See the Maintenance Schedule in
this section to find out when the
engine coolant must be replaced.
Checking the Coolant Level
Check the engine coolant level at
the interval shown in the
Maintenance Schedule unless there
is evidence of leaking or
overheating. The engine coolant
level should be between the
maximum and the minimum level
marks on the radiator reserve tank.
Engine Cooling System
258
Emergency Flashers76. . . . . . . .
Emergency, In Case of
183. . . . . .
Charging System Indicator
62
Check Engine Light63. . . . . .
Checking the Fuses
193. . . . . .
Engine Overheating
190. . . . . .
Jump Starting
184. . . . . . . . . . .
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
63
Oil Pressure Indicator65. . . .
Emissions Controls
248. . . . . . . .
Engine Belts
222. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break-in
158. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Check Light
63. . . . . . . . . . . .
Coolant Temperature Gauge
60
Identification Number232. . . .
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
63
Oil Capacity
235. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommendation
198. . . . . . Oil Pressure Indicator
65. . . .
Specifications
235. . . . . . . . . .
Starting
157. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ethanol in Gasoline
201. . . . . . . .
Evaporative Emissions Controls
249. . . . . . .
Exhaust Fumes
47. . . . . . . . . . . .
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by
16. . . . . .
Exterior, Cleaning the
224. . . . . .
F
Fabric, Cleaning. See Interior Cleaning
Fan Control Lever
121. . . . . . . . .
Features, Comfort and Convenience
119. .
Filling the Fuel Tank
197. . . . . . . Filters
Air
214. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil
212. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5-Speed Manual Transmission Checking Fluid Level
215. . . .
Shifting
83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flashers, Hazard Warning
76. . .
Flat Tire, Changing a
186. . . . . . .
Fluids Automatic Transmission
216. .
Capacity
237. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake
219. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch
223. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5-Speed Manual Transmission
215. . . . . . . . . .
Capacity
237. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Steering
223. . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Washer
71. . . . . .
FM Stereo Radio Reception
136. . . . . . . . .
Folding the Rear Seat
94. . . . . . .
259
Foreign Countries, Operation in
173. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Filling the Fuel Tank
197. . . . .
Fuel Fill Cap
197. . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Gauge
59. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low Fuel Indicator
64. . . . . .
Octane Requirement
200. . . . .
Oxygenated
200. . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommendation
198. . . . . . . .
Tank Capacity
198, 237. . . . . .
Fuel Injection System
249. . . . . .
Fuses Checking the
193, 240. . . . . . .
Locations
240. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G
Gas Mileage, Improving170. . . . Gasohol
200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gasoline
200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
See also Fuel
Octane Requirement
200. . . . .
Tank, Filling the
197. . . . . . . . . . . .
Gas Station Procedures
197. . . . .
Gauges Engine Coolant Temperature
60. . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel
59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer
58. . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer
58. . . . . . . . . . . .
GAWR (Gross Axle
Weight Rating)
233. . . . . . . . . . .
Gearshift Lever Positions Automatic Transmission
76. .
5-Speed Transmission
83. . . .
Glass Cleaning
230. . . . . . . . . . . . Glove Box
114. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating)
233. . . . . . . . . .
H
Halogen Headlight Bulbs243. . . .
Hazard Warning Flasher
76. . . .
Head Restraints
8, 12, 93. . . . . . .
Headlights
72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High Beam Indicator
62. . . . .
High Beams
72. . . . . . . . . . . .
On, Reminder
73. . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Halogen Bulbs
243.
Turning on
72. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heating and Cooling
120. . . . . . .
High-Low Beam Switch
72. . . .
Hood Release
109, 199. . . . . . . . .
Horn
115. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydroplaning
168. . . . . . . . . . . . .
261
Low Coolant Level217. . . . . . . .
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
65. .
Lower Gear, Downshifting to a
84
Lubricant Specifications Charts
235. . . . . .
Luggage, Loading
175, 233. . . . .
Luggage Light
110. . . . . . . . . . . .
M
Maintenance195. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic Checks. See Owner Safety Checks
Record
206, 207. . . . . . . . . . . .
Safety
201. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule
203, 204, 20. . . . . .
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
63.
Map Light
112. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meters, Gauges
58. . . . . . . . . . . Methanol in Gasoline
201. . . . . . .
Mirror Adjusting the
105. . . . . . . . . . .
Defogger
74. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vanity
106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moonroof
112. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N
Neutral Gear Position77. . . . . . .
New Vehicle Break-In
158. . . . . .
Normal Shift Speeds
84. . . . . . .
NOTICE, Explanation of
i. . . . . .
Numbers, Identifications
232. . . .
O
Octane Requirement, Gasoline
200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer, Trip
58. . . . . . . . . . . . Off-Road Driving. See the
Off-Road Driving Information
booklet in your owner’s packet.
Oil ChangeHow to
212. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When to
204, 205, 211. . . . .
Checking Engine
213. . . . . . . .
Front and Rear Axle
216. . . . .
Pressure Indicator
65. . . . . . .
Selecting Proper Viscosity Chart
213. . . . . . . .
ON (Ignition Key Position)
101. .
Opening the Hood
109. . . . . . . . .
Opening the Tailgate
108. . . . . . .
Opening the Windows
107. . . . . .
Operation in Foreign Countries
173. . . . . . . .
Ordering Service Parts
232. . . . . .
Overheating, Engine
190. . . . . . .
262
Owner Assistance245. . . . . . . . .
Owner Safety Checks
208. . . . . . .
P
Panel Brightness Control73. . . .
Park Gear Position
77. . . . . . . . .
Parking Brake and Brake System Light
61, 86. . . . .
Parking Over Things That Burn
159. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Polishing and Waxing
224. . . . . .
Power Drive Indicator
69, 81. . . .
\b\f
\b 117
\b\b\b\b\b
Power Steering Belt.
See Drive Belts
!"\b
\b\
9
\b\b\b\b\b
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts16.
Proper Seat Belt Usage
13. . . . .
\b\f
10
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\
\b
\b \f
17
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b
Adjust the Front Seat10
. . . . . .
Adjust the Head Restraints12 .
Adjust the Seat-Backs11
. . . . .
Adjust the
Steering Wheel
15
. . . . . . . . . .
Advice for Pregnant Women16
Close and Lock the Doors1 #
. .
Fasten and
Position the Seat Belt
s $%
. . . .
Protecting Children18
. . . . . . . . . .
Additional
Safety Precaution
s21 . . . . . . .
All Children
Must Be Restrained
18
. . . . . .
Children Should
Sit in the Back Seat
19
. . . . . .
General Guidelines for
Using Child Seats
22
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b
If a Child Requires
Close Attention
21
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b
If You Must Drive
With Several Children
20
. . . .
Passenger ’s Airbag Poses
Serious Risks to Childre
19
\b
Protecting Infants26
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b
Protecting Larger Children34
\b
Protecting Small Children31
\b\b
Using Child Seats
With Tethers
38
\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\b\
R
Radiator Overheating190. . . . . . .
Radio/Cassette Sound System
125. . . . . . . . . . .
Radio/Cassette/CD Sound System
133. . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement
243. . . . . . . .
First (manual transmission),
then
turn the engine off. See
that any passengers carefully
get
out and clear of the vehicle,
then go get help.
Before
driving down a hill, as
wit
h driving up a hill, you need to
evaluate whether you can
make it safely to the bottom and away
from the slope. Ask:
Is the hill too steep to maintainspeed
and steering control?
Is the surface too rough or too slippery?
Ca
n you drive straight down
withou
t turning?
Is there a safe exit when you
reach
the bottom of the hill? If you decide you can safely
descend a hill:
Shift
into a low gear. This lets
engine compression (or engine
braking) help control speed and keep your brakes from
overheating.
Hol
d the steering wheel firmly
and
drive straight down the
hill.
Gentl
y apply the brakes to help
control speed, but do not "ride"
the brakes. If you smell hotbrakes
or feel brake fade, shift
to a lower gear or stop and let the
brakes cool down.
Try not to brake hard. If you do apply
the brakes hard, do not
pump
the brake pedal. Pumping
does
not allow the anti-lock
brake system to work as
Driving
Down a Hill
Off-Road Driving Information