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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.
Page 122 of 294

11 9Comfort and Convenience Features
The heating and air conditioning
system in your vehicle provides a
comfortable driving environment
in all weather conditions.
The audio system has many
features. This section describes
those features and how to use
them.
Heating and Cooling 120
. . . . . .
Ventilation 122 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio System125 . . . . . . . . . . . .
AM/FM/Cassette Stereo
Audio System (LX, EX)125 Operating the Radio 125 . .
Adjusting the Sound 127 . .
Operating the
Cassette Player 128 . . . . .
Caring for the
Cassette Player 130 . . . . .
Operating the Optional
CD Changer131 . . . . . . . .
AM/FM/Cassette/
CD Changer Stereo
Audio System (EX-L)133 . .
Operating the Radio 133 . .
Adjusting the Sound 135 . .
Radio Frequencies 136 . . .
Operating the
Cassette Player 138 . . . . .
Caring for the
Cassette Player 141 . . . . . Operating the
CD Changer142
. . . . . . . .
Protecting
Compact Discs146 . . . . . .
Cruise Control 147 . . . . . . . . . . .
Keyless Entry 151 . . . . . . . . . . .
Anti-Theft System 152 . . . . . . . .
Digital Clock 153 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comfort and Convenience Features
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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
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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 159 of 294

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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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
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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