Page 76 of 294
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
Page 77 of 294

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.
Page 78 of 294

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.
Page 79 of 294
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
Page 84 of 294

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.
Page 86 of 294
83Instruments and Controls
The transmission has five fully
synchronized forward speeds. The
gear shift pattern is provided on
the transmission lever knob. The
backup lights turn on when
shifted into the reverse gear.
Driving Tips
Always depress and release the
clutch pedal fully when shifting.
Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving; this can
cause the clutch to slip, resulting
in damage to the clutch.
When you are stopped on an
upgrade, do not hold the vehicle
in place by letting the clutch pedal
up part-way. Use the foot brake or
the parking brake.
Never shift into reverse gear until
the vehicle is completely stopped.
Do not
“over-speed ” the engine
when shifting down to a lower gear.
The shift lever cannot be shifted
directly from fifth gear into
Reverse. When shifting into
Reverse gear from fifth gear,
depress the clutch pedal and shift
completely into Neutral position,
then shift into Reverse gear.
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Page 87 of 294

MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT SPEED CHART
Transmission Type
5-Speed Manual First to
Second Second to
Third Third to
Fourth Fourth to
Fifth
15 mph
(25 km/h) 25 mph
(40 km/h) 40 mph
(65 km/h) 45 mph
(70 km/h)
84Instruments and Controls
Shift Speed Chart
The lower gears of the
transmission are used for normal
acceleration of the vehicle to the
desired cruising speed. The
highest gear of the transmission is
used to maintain the desired
speed. The fifth gear is
recommended for use in
maintaining highway cruising
speeds. Use of the fifth gear in
city traffic is not recommended.
The shift speed chart shows the
speeds at which each upshift of
the transmission should be made
to get the best vehicle
performance and fuel economy. For cruising, choose the highest
gear for that speed (cruising speed
is defined as a relatively constant
speed operation).
The upshift indicator (
U/S) lights
to show recommended upshift
points. (Refer to “Indicator
Lights.”)
If the engine is “lugging” (the
speed you are traveling at is too
slow for the gear the transmission
is in), downshift to the next lower
gear. You may need to downshift
two or more gear positions to
keep the engine from “lugging” or
to keep the performance at a
satisfactory level.
Transfer Control
4WD Models
The “4WD” indicator light
illuminates when 4WD is engaged
with the 4WD-2WD switch.
“2H” (High Range, 2-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for normal driving on dry
pavement. This position gives
greater economy, quieter ride and
least drivetrain wear.
Page 102 of 294

99Interior Features
Keys and Ignition
100
. . . . . . . . .
Steering Column Lock/
Ignition Switch101 . . . . . . .
LOCK101
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACC101
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ON101
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
START101
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key Removal102 . . . . . . . . . .
Key Reminder102 . . . . . . . . .
Guard Against Theft102 . . . .
Locks103 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Door Locks104 . . . . . .
Child-Safe Door Locks105 . .
Mirrors105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Mirror105 . . . . . . . . .
Power Mirrors105 . . . . . . . . .
Vanity Mirrors106 . . . . . . . . . Power Windows107
. . . . . . . . . .
Checking the Circuit
Breaker108 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tailgate 108 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation108 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hood Release109 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior Lights110 . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage Light110 . . . . . . . . .
Dome Light111 . . . . . . . . . . .
Courtesy Lights112 . . . . . . . .
Map Lights112 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Moonroof112 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conveniences113
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Beverage Holder 113 . . . . . . .
Sun Visor114 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Glove Box114 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assist Grip115 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn Button115 . . . . . . . . . . .
Tilt Steering Wheel 115 . . . . .
Cigarette Lighter116 . . . . . . .
Ashtrays116 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessory Power Outlets117 .
Interior Features