133Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM/Cassette/CD
Changer Stereo
Audio System
For EX-L model
Your Honda’s audio system
provides clear reception on both
AM and FM bands, while the
preset buttons allow you to easily
select your favorite stations.
The CD changer holds up to six
discs, providing several hours of
continuous entertainment.
The cassette system features
Dolby B* noise reduction,
automatic sensing of chromium-
dioxide (CrO
2) tape, and
autoreverse for continuous play.
* Dolby noise reduction manufactured under
license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation. “
DOLBY” and the symbol
are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.
Operating the Radio
The ignition switch must be in
ACCESSORY or ON. Turn the
system on by pressing the
PWR/VOL knob. Adjust the
volume by turning the PWR/VOL
knob.
The band and frequency that the
radio was last tuned to is
displayed. To change bands, press
the AM or FM button. Press the
FM button again to switch
between FM1 and FM2. On the
FM band, ST will be displayed if
the station is broadcasting in
stereo. Stereo reproduction on
AM is not available.
You can use any of four methods
to find radio stations on the
selected band: TUNE, SEEK,
SCAN , or the Preset buttons.
TUNE – Use the TUNE bar to
tune the radio to a desired frequency. Press the right side
(
) to tune to a higher frequency,
or the left side (
) to tune to a
lower frequency. The frequency
numbers will start to change
rapidly. Release the bar when the
display reaches the desired
frequency. To change the
frequency in small increments,
press and release the TUNE bar
quickly.
SEEK – The SEEK function
searches the band for a station
with a strong signal. To activate it,
press and release the
SEEK/SCAN button. The system
scans up the band from the current
frequency. It stops when it finds a
station with a strong signal.
SCAN – The SCAN function
samples all the stations with
strong signals on the selected
band. To activate it, press and
hold the SEEK/SCAN button until
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
160Driving Tips
hazard. This is sometimes referred
to as “stomp and steer
.”
You will feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal when the
ABS
activates, and you may hear some
noise. This is normal, it is the
ABS rapidly pumping the brakes.
Activation varies with the amount
of traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press
on the brake pedal very hard
before you activate the
ABS.
However, you may feel the
ABS
activate immediately if you are
trying to stop on snow or ice.
Important Safety Reminders
ABS does not reduce the time
or distance it takes to stop the
vehicle, it only helps with steering
control during braking. You
should always maintain a safe following distance from other
vehicles.
ABS will not prevent a skid that
results from changing direction
abruptly, such as trying to take a
corner too fast or making a
sudden lane change. Always drive
at a safe, prudent speed for the
road and weather conditions.
ABS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard.
Severe or sharp steering wheel
movement can still cause your
vehicle to veer into oncoming
traffic or off the road.
A vehicle with
ABS may require
a longer distance to stop on
loose or uneven surfaces, such as
gravel or snow, than a vehicle
without anti-lock. Slow down and allow a greater distance between
vehicles under those conditions.
ABS Indicator
The
ABS is self-checking. You
may feel a slight movement of the
brake pedal just after you start the
engine. This is the
ABS performing
a check. It also checks itself
whenever you use the brakes.
161Driving Tips
If anything goes wrong, the
ABS
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on (see page 67). This
means the anti-lock function of
the braking system has shut down.
The brakes still work like a
conventional system without
anti-lock, providing normal
stopping ability. You should have
the dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible if this light stays
on after you start the engine, or
comes on while driving.
Driving With Wet Brakes
Driving through deep water may
get the brakes wet and reduce
their effectiveness. As a result, the
vehicle may not slow down
normally or may pull in one
direction or the other.
If you drive through deep water,
apply the brakes lightly to see if
the water has affected them. To
dry the brakes quickly, press
lightly on the brake pedal while
maintaining the same speed with
the accelerator pedal. Continue
this until the brakes operate
normally.
Power Brakes
The braking system uses engine
vacuum to provide power assist. If
the power assist fails because of a
stalled engine or other reason, the
reserve vacuum in the system will
usually allow you to apply the
brakes at least one time.
The reserve vacuum is partly used
up each time the brake pedal is
applied and released. Do not
pump the brakes when the power
assist has been lost, except when
needed to maintain steering
control on slippery surfaces.
You can still stop the vehicle
without the power assist by pushing
harder on the brake pedal.
However, the stopping distance
may be longer, even though the
brakes themselves remain fully
operational.
170Driving Tips
Driving for Best Fuel
Economy
How, where, and when you drive
all affect how many miles/
kilometers you can get from a
gallon/liter of fuel. The careful
attention you give your vehicle as
far as maintenance and repairs
will also help fuel economy.
Fuel Selection
Use only unleaded gasoline
meeting federal government
regulations. The federal
government specifies the
minimum octane rating number of
unleaded gasoline. Unleaded
gasoline must be used for proper
emissions control system
operation. It will also minimize
spark plug fouling. The use of
leaded gasoline can damage the
emissions control system andcould result in loss of warranty
coverage.
“Jackrabbit” Starts
You can save fuel (and prolong
engine and tire life) by avoiding
fast starts away from lights and
stop signs.
Stop-and-Go Driving
Frequent stop-and-go driving
during a trip will cut down on
your miles per gallon (kilometers
per liter). Plan even your short
shopping trips to take advantage
of through streets to avoid traffic
lights. Pace your driving to avoid
unplanned stops.
Excessive Idling
An idling engine uses fuel, too. If
you’re faced with more than a few
minutes wait and you
’re not intraffic, it is better to turn off the
key and start the engine again
later.
Repetitive Harsh Stopping
Harsh stops can also waste fuel;
instead of moving the vehicle, the
energy is wasted as heat in
braking. Energy in the form of
fuel is also needed to accelerate
back to driving speed.
Lubricants
A well-lubricated vehicle means
less friction between moving
parts. This manual lists the proper
lubrication intervals in the
“Care
and Maintenance ” section.
Air Cleaner
Your vehicle gets its power from a
mixture of fuel and air. The air is
taken into the engine through the
Fuel Economy
186 In Case of Emergency
6.
Start the engine of the vehicle
that has the discharged battery.
7. Remove the battery cables by
reversing the above sequence
exactly. Start by removing the
last clamp first; that is,
remove the jumper cable from
the engine of the vehicle with
the discharged battery as the
first step. If you have a flat tire while
driving, stop in a safe place to
change it. Stopping in traffic or on
the shoulder of a busy road is
dangerous. Drive slowly along the
shoulder until you get to an exit or
an area to stop that is far away
from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by
the jack.
1.
Park on a level surface and set
the parking brake firmly. Turn
on the hazard warning flasher,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK.
2. Set the automatic transmission
in “Park” (the manual
transmission in “Reverse”)
and transfer case in gear if it
is a four-wheel drive vehicle.
3. Have your passengers get out
of the vehicle.
4. Remove the jacking tools (see
page 188) and spare tire from
their stowage areas.
Changing a Tire
•
* 1
* 2Under severe driving conditions, service these items more often. –These fluids: brake, clutch, P/S, battery, ATF,
Using SAE 10W-40 oil, or any viscosity other than those recommended, may reduce engin\
e life and affect the warranty. windshield washer
This service is recommended only. – Tire pressure
204 Care and Maintenance
R – Replace L – Lube I – Inspect After inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary.Service at the interval listed x1 000 il ( k ) ft th tx 1,000 miles7.51522.53037.54552.56067.57582.59097.5105Service at the interval listed x1,000 miles (or km) or after thatnumber of months whicheverx 1,000 km1224364860728496108120132144156168number of months, whichever
comes first.months612182430364248546066727884
Engine and TransmissionAir cleaner elementRRR
Fuel tank, cap, pipes, hoses and connectionsI
Spark plugsR
•Engine oil and oil filter * 1RRRRRRRRRRRRRREngine drive beltIII
Cooling system, heater hoses, and connectionsIIIIIII•Engine coolantRRR
Timing beltR*
2
Exhaust systemIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Starter safety switchIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Auto cruise control linkage and hoseIIIIIII
Radiator core and A/C condenserI
Manual transmission oil and transfer case oilRRRRAutomatic transmissionSee page 216.
Shift-on-the-fly systemIIIIValve clearanceAdjust only if noisy.
Check oil and coolant level at each fuel stop.Inspect monthly:
Maintenance Schedule
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.