2002 HONDA PASSPORT tow

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

156 Driving Tips
Driving Guidelines
Your Honda has higher ground
clearance than a passenger car
designed for use only on
pavement. Higher ground
clearance has many advantages
for off-road driving. It allows you
to travel over bumps, obstacles,
and rough terrain. It also provides
good visibility so you can
anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some
cost. Because your vehicle is
taller and rides higher off the
ground, it has a high center of
gravity. This means that your
vehicle can tip or roll over if you
make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly
higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. To prevent rollover or loss of
control:
•
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a
passenger car.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in
any way that would raise the
center of gravity (see page 174).
•Do not carry heavy cargo on
the roof (see page 177).
For off-road driving guidelines,
see the Off-Road Driving
Information booklet that came
with your vehicle.
Before Entering the Vehicle
1. Check that the windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors
are clean and unobstructed. 2. Check the tires to see if they
are low or flat. You will need
a pressure gauge to tell if tires
are properly inflated.
3. Check that all lights work.
4. Check for fluid leaks.
5. Be sure everything is properly stowed.
6. Check the area behind the vehicle if you are about to
back up.
Before Driving the Vehicle
1. Lock all doors.
2. Adjust the seat and anymovable head restraints.
3. Adjust the inside and outside mirrors.
4. Check that all the indicator lights work when the key
Before Driving

172 Driving Tips
The
three-way catalytic converter
is an emissions control device
added to the exhaust system to
reduce exhaust gas pollutants. The
converter contains a ceramic
material coated with noble metal
catalysts. To prevent
contamination of the catalysts,
unleaded gasoline must be used.
Unleaded gasoline also reduces
combustion chamber deposits and
exhaust system corrosion.
The three-way catalytic converter
requires the use of unleaded
gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline
will cause the converter to lose its
effectiveness.
To Help Prevent Damage
1. Keep your engine properly
maintained. Engine
malfunctions involving the electrical,
electronic fuel
injection or ignition systems
may result in unusually high
converter and exhaust system
temperatures. Do not keep
driving your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire,
noticeable loss of performance,
or other unusual operating
conditions. Have it serviced
promptly. A properly
maintained engine will
minimize malfunctions that
could damage the converter. It
will also help provide good
emissions control and fuel
economy. (See the
Maintenance Schedule on page
204 for info rmation on
inspecting and maintaining the
engine, exhaust system and
other components.) 2. Do not push or tow your
vehicle to start it. This could
damage the converter.
3. Do not park your vehicle over high grass, dry leaves or other
combustible materials. The
catalytic converter gets very
hot and could set fire to these
materials.
Three-Way Catalytic Converter

175Driving Tips
Your vehicle has several
convenient storage areas so you
can stow cargo safely.
The glove box, the console
compartment, and the pockets in
the front doors, seat-backs, and
cargo area are designed for small,
lightweight items. The cargo area
is intended for larger, heavier
items. In addition, the back seat
can be folded down to allow you
to carry more cargo or longer
items.
However, carrying too much
cargo, or improperly storing it,
can affect your vehicle
’s handling,
stability, and operation and make
it unsafe. Before carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
following pages.
Carrying Cargo

176Driving Tips
Load Limit
The maximum load for your
vehicle is:
LX 2WD
manual trans: 895 lb (407 kg)
automatic trans: 840 lb (382 kg)
LX 4WD
manual trans: 905 lb (411 kg)
automatic trans: 850 lb (386 kg)
EXmanual trans: 930 lb (423 kg)
automatic trans: 875 lb (398 kg)
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer. To figure out how much cargo
you can carry:
•Add up the weight of all
occupants.
•If you are towing a trailer, add
the tongue weight to the
number above.
•Subtract the total from the
maximum load figure.
The final number is the total
weight of cargo you can carry.
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling
and stability and cause a
crash in which you can be
hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and
other loading guidelines in
this manual.

178Driving Tips
Your Honda vehicle is designed
for passenger and cargo
transportation. With the proper
equipment installed, your vehicle
can also tow a trailer under certain
conditions, as detailed in this
section. Be sure to read this entire
section and follow all
requirements.
Towing a trailer will have an
effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability and fuel
consumption.
Improperly loading your
vehicle and trailer can
seriously affect the steering
and braking performance,
causing a crash in which you
can be seriously injured.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.
Honda recommends that you do
not tow a trailer with a new
Honda vehicle or one with a new
powertrain component (engine,
transmission, differential) for the
first 500 miles.
For your safety and the safety
of others, use equipment
specifically designed for your
vehicle. Improper towing
equipment and improper
installation of same can cause
damage to your vehicle and may
also result in personal injury.
Additional care and cautious
driving habits are essential to
trailer towing.
Do not exceed 45 mph or the
posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower. Higher speed
may cause loss of vehicle control.
Trailer Towing

179Driving Tips
Follow the recommendations in
this manual and ask your Honda
dealer for further details before
you tow a trailer with your
Passport.
Towing a trailer affects vehicle
maintenance requirements due
to the additional load. More
frequent maintenance intervals
will be required to assure
continued satisfaction with
your vehicle. Consult your
Honda dealer for recommended
maintenance and service.
The gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus cargo load) must
never exceed 4,500 lb.
Additional equipment will be
required, depending on the
specific model/load combination.
See “Trailer Hitches” in this
section.
Exceeding the weight limit will
cause damage to your vehicle and
possibly result in personal injury.
•The Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (
GVWR) is the
combined weight of the
unloaded vehicle, passengers,
cargo, trailer hitch, trailer
tongue load, and optional
equipment. This value is
indicated on the
F.M.V.S.S.
Certification Label on the
driver ’ s doorjamb.
•The Gross Combined Weight
Rating (
GCWR) equals the
combined weight of your
vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) plus the total trailer
load. The following limits
apply.
2WD: 8,700 lb
4WD: 8,950 lb
•The Gross Axle Weight Rating
(
GAWR) is also indicated on
the Certification Label. The
load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution
of the gross vehicle weight on
both axles must not exceed the
values listed. Remember to
account for additional
equipment and tongue load.

180Driving Tips
•Tongue load should be between
9 percent and 11 percent of the
total trailer weight. However, it
should never exceed 450 pounds.
•Never load a trailer with more
weight in the rear than in the
front. The front should be
loaded with approximately
60 percent and the rear with
approximately 40 percent of
the total trailer load.
•Never exceed the maximum
weight limits of the trailer
or trailer towing equipment.
Improper loading can result in
damage to your vehicle and
possible personal injury.
•Check the vehicle and trailer
loading and the weights on
each axle at a commercial scale
or a highway patrol office
equipped with a scale.
Trailer Hitches
A Class 3 hitch kit (up to
4,500 lb) is available from your
Honda dealer.
Use a trailer equipped with
electric brakes and a “Weight
Distributing Hitch Attachment”
when the gross trailer weight
exceeds 3,500 pounds.
A special attachment that replaces
the draw bar/ball assembly is used
to distribute the proper weight to
the front axle. It uses a pair of
spring bars that are adjusted to
accomplish the distribution of the
weight.
Consult your trailer’s
manufacturer for assistance with
selecting the proper weight
distributing hitch attachment. Check with a recreational vehicle
dealer for additional required
equipment. Have this equipment
installed by a trained mechanic.
Improper equipment or installation
can damage your vehicle and
cause personal injury.
Do not use axle-mounted hitches
or equipment not designed for
your vehicle.
Do not make any modifications to
the vehicle’
s exhaust, braking, or
electrical system other than those
that are shown in the instructions
for the Honda Trailer Hitch Kit.
Improper modifications can affect
vehicle durability.
Periodic inspection of all added-
on trailer towing equipment is
necessary to assure continued safe
operation.