2002 HONDA PASSPORT steering

101Interior Features
Your Passport comes with two
keys.
METAL PLATE
WITH KEY CODE
The key code number is stamped
on the metal plate attached to the
key ring.
For vehicle security:
•Record the key code number.
•Keep the key code number
plate in a safe place,
NOT IN
THE VEHICLE
. If the original keys are lost,
duplicates can be made using the
key code number. Contact any
Honda dealer or a locksmith.
Steering Column
Lock/Ignition Switch
The ignition switch, on the right
side of the steering column, has
five positions:
LOCK
— The normal parking
position. This locks the steering
and prevents normal use of the
steering wheel.
The key can be removed only
when the ignition is in this
position. On automatic
transmission models, the ignition
switch cannot be turned to the
“
LOCK” position unless the shift
lever has first been placed in the
“P” position. The shift lever is
then locked.
ACC (Accessory)—In this
position, you can use some
electrical accessories when the
engine is not running.
ON—The normal driving
position.
START—This position starts the
engine. The switch returns to
ON
when you release the key.
Keys and Ignition

102Interior Features
The anti-theft steering column
lock is not interconnected with the
parking brake. You must always
set the parking brake when
leaving the vehicle.
To prevent discharging the battery,
avoid use of electrical accessories
with the engine shut off.
For easier key operation when
unlocking, rotate the steering
wheel slightly to relieve pressure
on the steering lock.
Key Removal
Manual Transmission
With the vehicle fully stopped,
remove the key from the switch
by turning it to the “
LOCK”
position and removing it.
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.
Automatic Transmission
With the vehicle fully stopped, place
the automatic transmission shift
lever in “P” (Park) position. Turn
the key to the “
LOCK” position.
Key Reminder
The key reminder circuit causes a
beeper to sound when the door is
held open with the key left in the
ignition switch. This is to help
prevent accidentally locking the
key inside the vehicle. The beeper stops when the door is
closed or when the key is removed.
Guard Against Theft
Your new Passport has features to
help prevent theft of the vehicle,
its equipment, and its contents.
These anti-theft features work
depending on how well you use
them.
•Park in a well-lighted area
whenever possible.
•Lock the steering column and
take the key with you.
–
Turn the ignition switch to
“
LOCK” and remove the key.
This locks both the ignition
switch and steering control.

115Interior Features
Assist Grip
An assist grip is located above
each window.
Horn Button
To sound the horn, press the
center of the steering wheel
airbag.
HORN AREA
Tilt Steering Wheel
See page 15 for important
information about how to properly
position the steering wheel.
The release lever for the tilt
steering wheel is on the left side
of the steering column.
To adjust the height of the
steering wheel, push up on the
lever. The steering wheel has six

11 6Interior Features
positions. Move the steering
wheel to the desired position, then
release the lever. Try to move the
steering wheel up and down to
make sure it is locked in position.
Make sure the steering wheel does
not block your view of any of the
instrument panel gauges or
indicators.
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of
the vehicle and be seriously
injured in a crash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Cigarette Lighter
The cigarette lighter is on the
instrument panel. The ignition
switch must be in
ACCESSORY
or ON for the cigarette lighter to
work. To operate, push it in.
When it heats, it automatically
pops out ready for use. Avoid
holding the lighter in by hand
while it is heating, as damage to
the heating element may result.
Ashtrays
To open either ashtray, pull it out.
To remove the front ashtray for
cleaning, open it, then remove the
inner part of the ashtray by lifting
up on both sides near the front.

159Driving Tips
•If your vehicle is equipped with
an automatic transmission, set
the parking brake before you
leave the driver’s seat. If the
vehicle is parked on a grade
and the transmission shift lever
is placed in “P” (Park) position
before you set the parking
brake, the weight of the vehicle
may exert so much force on the
transmission that you may have
difficulty moving the shift
lever out of “P” (Park)
position. To prevent this, apply
the parking brake
BEFORE
moving the shift lever to “P”
(Park). When you want to drive
away, move the shift lever out
of the “P” (Park) position
BEFORE releasing the parking
brake. It is good driving
practice to set the parking
brake first, then place the
transmission in “
PA R K” position, even on level
surfaces.
•If the parking brake does not
seem to hold the vehicle as
well as before, have the vehicle
serviced by your Honda dealer.
•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.
Anti-Lock Brakes
Your vehicle has an Anti-lock
Brake System (
ABS) as standard
equipment.
ABS helps to prevent
the wheels from locking up and
skidding during hard braking,
allowing you to retain steering
control.
When the front tires skid, you
lose steering control; the vehicle
continues straight ahead even
though you turn the steering
wheel. The
ABS helps to prevent
lock-up and retain steering control
by pumping the brakes rapidly;
much faster than a person can do it.
You should never pump the
brake pedal, this defeats the
purpose of the
ABS. Let the ABS
work for you by always keeping
firm, steady pressure on the brake
pedal as you steer away from the
Brakes

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.

162Driving Tips
Self-Adjusting Brakes
The brakes on this vehicle are
self-adjusting. They have been
designed so that periodic brake
adjustment is not needed.
The brakes adjust themselves each
time you firmly apply them.
Thus, if the brake pedal goes down
farther than normal due to a lack of
adjustment, drive backward and
forward a few times. Apply the
brakes intermittently.
See your Honda dealer if the
brake pedal height does not return
to normal or if there is a rapid
increase in pedal travel. Either is a
sign of other brake trouble. Also,
see your Honda dealer if the
parking brake needs adjustment.
Braking Tips
Control your vehicle’s speed on a
steep or long downhill grade by
shifting the transmission to a
lower gear. Constantly using the
brakes can cause them to overheat
and lose effectiveness.
Resting your foot on the brake
pedal when you are not intending
to brake (“riding the brakes”) can cause them to overheat. This
reduces their effectiveness, wears
them out faster, and can reduce
fuel mileage. It also causes your
brake lights to stay on all the time,
confusing drivers behind you.
Brake Wear Indicators
The front and rear brakes have
built-in wear indicators. These make a high-pitched squealing or
cricket-like warning sound when
the brake pads or linings are worn
to the point of replacement. The
sound may come and go or be
heard all the time when the vehicle
is moving, but may stop when the
brake pedal is pushed down firmly.
Expensive damage can result if
pads or linings are not replaced
immediately when needed.
Driving on Slippery Surfaces
Driving, steering, and braking
traction are reduced when the
road is coated with water, snow,
ice, gravel, or other materials.
Slow down and adjust your
driving to such conditions. It is
important to slow down when it is
slippery because stopping