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150Comfort and Convenience Features
7. If you press the
“
SET/COAST” button at the
same time as you turn the
knob to the
“
RESUME/ACCEL” position.
8. When trouble develops in the system.
9. When the knob is turned to the “
CANCEL” position.
On steep upgrades, the vehicle
may not be able to maintain the
preset speed. This may cause the
cruise control system to cancel. Recovering the Set Speed
If the cruise control is cancelled
as described by items 1 thru 4
above, the originally set cruise
speed can be recovered by quickly
turning and releasing the knob at
the “
RESUME/ACCEL” position.
Your current speed must be
approximately 25 mph (40 km/h)
or higher. Keep the
CRUISE ON/OFF button
“
OFF” unless you are using the
system.
Page 154 of 294

151Comfort and Convenience Features
(Standard on the
EX model)
LOCK
UNLOCK
PANIC
You can lock and unlock your
vehicle with the remote
transmitter. When you push the
LOCK button, all the doors and
the tailgate lock. The parking
lights, taillights, and license plate
light will flash once. If you press
the LOCK button a second time,
the horn will honk to confirm that
everything locked. When you push the
UNLOCK
button once, only the driver
’s
door unlocks. Push the button a
second time, within three seconds,
to unlock the remaining doors and
the tailgate. The parking lights,
taillights, and license plate light
will flash twice when you push
the
UNLOCK button the first
time.
The dome light will come on (if
the dome light switch is in the
center position) when you press
the
UNLOCK button. If you do
not open any of the doors or the
hatch glass, the light will go out in
about 30 seconds, the doors and
tailgate automatically relock, and
the anti-theft system sets.
You cannot lock or unlock the
vehicle with the remote transmitter if any door, the
tailgate, or the hood is not fully
closed, or the key is in the ignition
switch. When you push the LOCK
button, the horn will beep six
times to notify you that something
is ajar.
You cannot lock or unlock the
vehicle with the remote
transmitter if the key is in the
ignition switch.Panic Mode
Panic mode allows you to
remotely sound the vehicle’
s horn
to attract attention. To activate
this mode, press and hold the
PA N I C button for about one
second. Your vehicle ’s horn will
sound for about 30 seconds.
Keyless Entry
Page 155 of 294
152Comfort and Convenience Features
To cancel panic mode before 30
seconds, press any button on the
remote transmitter. You can also
turn the ignition switch to
ACCESSORY.
The anti-theft system is designed
to protect your vehicle and its
contents from theft. Any attempt
to forcibly open any door, the
tailgate, or the hood without using
the key or the remote transmitter
will cause the system to alarm.
The horn sounds and the
headlights flash for approximately
three minutes. The starter motor
circuit is disabled so the engine
cannot be started. After three
minutes, the system resets.Activating the System
The system activates
automatically when all the doors,
the tailgate, and the hood are fully
closed and locked.
Lock the doors with the key, the
remote transmitter, or the door
lock button/knob. The anti-theft
system indicator will come on to
show that it is activating. After
about 10 seconds, the light will
Anti-Theft System
Page 156 of 294
153Comfort and Convenience Features
begin blinking rapidly to indicate
the system is active.
Deactivating the System
Unlocking the doors or the
tailgate with the key or the remote
transmitter turns off the system.
You can also turn the ignition
switch to the
ACCESSORY
position.
Doing any of the above will also
reset an alarming system before
the three minutes have elapsed.
The digital clock displays the time
at all times, regardless of ignition
switch position.
HOURMINUTE
To set the time:
•Press and hold the H button to
set the hours. The numbers will
advance rapidly. Release the
button when the desired time is
reached.
•Press and hold the M button to
set the minutes. The numbers
will advance rapidly. Release
the button when the desired
time is reached.
Digital Clock
Page 157 of 294
Page 158 of 294

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
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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
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157Driving Tips
switch is turned to the “
ON”
or “
START” position.
5. Check all gauges (including the fuel gauge).
6. Release the parking brake (and make sure the “
BRAKE”
light turns off).
See related topics in this manual if
you find any problems.
Starting the Engine
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Manual Transmission: Press
the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the transmission to
the Neutral position. Hold the
clutch pedal to the floor while
you are starting the engine. A
starter safety switch keeps the
starter from operating if the
clutch pedal is not fully
depressed. Automatic Transmission:
Place the shift lever in “P”
or “N” position (“P” is
preferred). A starter safety
switch prevents the starter
from operating if the shift
lever is in any drive position.
If it is necessary to restart the
engine with the vehicle
moving, place the shift lever
in “N” (never in “P”).
3. Do not touch the accelerator pedal. Start the engine by
turning the ignition switch to
“
START.”
If the engine does not start in
10 seconds, wait 15 seconds to let
the starter cool down. Then crank
the engine at wide open throttle
for a maximum of 10 seconds. If
the engine still does not start, wait
another 15 seconds and repeat the
entire procedure. Do not crank the engine for more
than 10 seconds at a time. Wait 15
seconds before trying again.
4. Return the ignition switch to
the “
ON” position as soon as
the engine starts.
5. Apply the regular brakes and shift into the proper gear.
Release the parking brake and
brake pedal and drive off.
In models with an automatic
transmission, you cannot shift
from “P” (Park) position to
any other position unless the
brake pedal is applied.