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55Instruments and Controls
This section explains the controls
and displays that contribute to the
daily operation of your Honda.
All the essential controls are
within easy reach.
Control Locations56
. . . . . . . . .
Indicators and Gauges 57 . . . . . .
Gauges 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tachometer 58 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer 58
. . . . . . . . . . .
Odometer 58 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trip Odometer/
Reset Knob 58 . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel Gauge 59 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 60 . . . .
Indicator Lights 61 . . . . . . . . . . .
Switches70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper/Washer 70
Headlights 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination Control 73 . . . . .
Rear Window Defogger 74 . .
Rear Window Wiper/
Washer 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn Signals75 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard Warning Flasher 76 . . Automatic Transmission76
. . . .
Transfer Control
(4WD Models)80 . . . . . . . . .
5-Speed Manual Transmission 83 Transfer Control
(4WD Models)84 . . . . . . . . .
Parking Brake 86 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accelerator Pedal87 . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch Pedal 87 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instruments and Controls
Page 60 of 294
57Instruments and Controls
Indicators and Gauges
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGEANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
A/T OIL TEMP
INDICATOR LIGHT
(A/T only)
CHECK TRANS
INDICATOR LIGHT
(A/T only) SRS INDICATOR LIGHT
CHECK ENGINE
INDICATOR LIGHT
TACHOMETER
TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT
4-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
INDICATOR LIGHT
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR LIGHT
SPEEDOMETER
ODOMETER TRIP ODOMETER
RESET KNOB
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR LIGHT BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR LIGHT TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT
FUEL GAUGE
SEAT BELT
REMINDER
LIGHT
CRUISE SET
INDICATOR LIGHT
WINTER DRIVE
INDICATOR LIGHT
POWER DRIVE
INDICATOR LIGHT
TRIP ODOMETER
LOW FUEL
INDICATOR LIGHT
REDUCED POWER
INDICATOR LIGHT
Page 69 of 294
Automatic TransmissionManual Transmission
UPSHIFT INDICATOR LIGHT
4-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)
INDICATOR LIGHT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
66Instruments and Controls
Upshift Indicator
Manual transmission only
A
“
U/S” (upshift) light will come
on to indicate that you can get
better fuel economy by shifting to
the next higher gear if conditions
permit. Best fuel economy can be
achieved by accelerating slowly
and shifting to the next higher gear
when the “
U/S” light comes on.
Safe operation of the vehicle may
require a different shifting
schedule than indicated by the
“
U/S” light to adapt to weather,
road, or traffic conditions. The
“
U/S” light should be ignored
when downshifting or when hard
acceleration is required for
satisfactory performance.
For the best compromise between
vehicle performance and fuel
economy, upshift the transmission
Page 70 of 294

67Instruments and Controls
as indicated by the “
U/S” (upshift)
light on the instrument panel.
If vehicle speed drops below
20 mph (30 km/h), or if the
engine is not running smoothly,
you should downshift to the next
lower gear. You may need to
downshift two or more gears to
keep the engine running smoothly
or for satisfactory performance.
This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the “ON”
position.4-Wheel Drive
(4WD) Indicator
4WD models only
This indicator lights when the
4-Wheel Drive system is engaged.
With the 4WD-2WD switch in the
“
OFF” or 2WD position, this light
will come on to provide a “bulb
check” when the key is turned to
the “
ON” position, but should go
out after the engine is started.
If the 4WD-2WD switch is in the
“
ON” or 4WD position, this light
will come on when the key is
turned to the “
ON” position and
remain on after the engine is
started.
Anti-Lock Indicator
This light will come on and go out
when the ignition switch is turned
to the “
ON” position. (If the light
does not come on, see your Honda
dealer to have the system
repaired.)
If the light remains on after
engine start-up or comes on
during operation of the vehicle,
stop as soon as possible and turn
the key off. Then start the engine
to reset the system. If the light
stays on, or it comes on again
while you’re driving, the anti-lock
brake system should be checked
at your Honda dealer.
Until you get it fixed, you ’ll have
normal brakes, but you won ’t
have anti-lock.
Page 83 of 294

80Instruments and Controls
Transfer Control
4WD Models
The “4WD” indicator light
illuminates when 4WD is engaged
with the 4WD-2WD switch.
“2H” (High Range, 2-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for normal driving on dry
pavement. This position gives
greater economy, quieter ride and
the least drivetrain wear.
“4H” (High Range, 4-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for normal driving on
gravel, wet, icy or snow-covered
roads. This position provides
greater traction than two-wheel
drive. Top speed is limited to 65
mph (105 km/h).
“4L” (Low Range, 4-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for maximum power and
traction. Top speed is limited to 65 mph (105 km/h). Use
“4L” for
climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard
pulling in sand, mud or deep
snow.
Operating the 4WD-2WD Switch
2H 4H: To shift between
ranges, push the switch
with the vehicle going in
a straight line at any
speed below 65 mph
(105 km/h). The 4WD
indicator will blink for a
short time as the system
completes the shift.
Taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal for a
moment will help to
engage the new range.
If the vehicle is stopped,
you should let it roll
forward slightly to
complete the shift.
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81Instruments and Controls
Shifting the Transfer Control
Lever
4H
↔ 4L: Stop the vehicle. Place
the transmission lever in
“N” (Neutral) position.
Then move the transfer
control lever from 4H to
4L, or 4L to 4H.
Move the transfer control lever
quickly and securely between
positions. Do not stop midway.
The transfer gear box can be
damaged if the control lever is not
firmly in gear. Some noise is
normal when shifting.
Always stop the vehicle before
shifting between low and high
range (4H 4L or 4L 4H).
If the 4WD indicator continues to
blink rapidly, it indicates that the
system was shifted out of
sequence. Stop the vehicle, select
4WD with the 4WD-2WD switch, shift the lever from 4L to 4H, then
select 2WD. Drive in a straight
line to reset the system. If the
indicator continues to blink, see
your Honda dealer.
Do not use 4-wheel drive for
driving on dry pavement. This
causes noise and wear, and taking
tight turns can damage the
transfer case and driveshafts. It
also reduces fuel economy.
Be careful that you do not exceed
the following maximum allowable
speeds when accelerating.
mph (km/h)
RangeAutomatic TransmissionRange“L”“2”“3”
“2H”35 (56)65
(105)–
“4H”35 (56)65
(105)65
(105)
“4L”15 (24)30 (48)50 (81)
Driving Pattern Selector
You can select a driving pattern
suitable for existing driving
conditions.
When neither “POWER” nor
“
WINTER” lights are illuminated,
the normal driving program for
general driving conditions is
operative.
Page 87 of 294

MANUAL TRANSMISSION SHIFT SPEED CHART
Transmission Type
5-Speed Manual First to
Second Second to
Third Third to
Fourth Fourth to
Fifth
15 mph
(25 km/h) 25 mph
(40 km/h) 40 mph
(65 km/h) 45 mph
(70 km/h)
84Instruments and Controls
Shift Speed Chart
The lower gears of the
transmission are used for normal
acceleration of the vehicle to the
desired cruising speed. The
highest gear of the transmission is
used to maintain the desired
speed. The fifth gear is
recommended for use in
maintaining highway cruising
speeds. Use of the fifth gear in
city traffic is not recommended.
The shift speed chart shows the
speeds at which each upshift of
the transmission should be made
to get the best vehicle
performance and fuel economy. For cruising, choose the highest
gear for that speed (cruising speed
is defined as a relatively constant
speed operation).
The upshift indicator (
U/S) lights
to show recommended upshift
points. (Refer to “Indicator
Lights.”)
If the engine is “lugging” (the
speed you are traveling at is too
slow for the gear the transmission
is in), downshift to the next lower
gear. You may need to downshift
two or more gear positions to
keep the engine from “lugging” or
to keep the performance at a
satisfactory level.
Transfer Control
4WD Models
The “4WD” indicator light
illuminates when 4WD is engaged
with the 4WD-2WD switch.
“2H” (High Range, 2-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for normal driving on dry
pavement. This position gives
greater economy, quieter ride and
least drivetrain wear.
Page 88 of 294

85Instruments and Controls
“4H” (High Range, 4-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for normal driving on
gravel, wet, icy or snow-covered
roads. This position provides
greater traction than two-wheel
drive. Top speed is limited to 65
mph (105 km/h).“4L” (Low Range, 4-Wheel
Drive)
Use this for maximum power and
traction. Top speed is limited to
65 mph (105 km/h). Use
“4L” for
climbing or descending steep
hills, off-road driving, and hard
pulling in sand, mud or deep
snow.
Operating the 4WD-2WD Switch
2H 4H: To shift between
ranges, push the switch
with the vehicle going in
a straight line at any
speed below 65 mph
(105 km/h). The 4WD
indicator will blink for a
short time as the system
completes the shift.
Taking your foot off the
accelerator pedal for a
moment will help to
engage the new range. Shifting the Transfer Control
Lever
4H
↔ 4L: Stop the vehicle.
Depress the clutch, then
move the transfer control
lever from 4H to 4L, or
4L to 4H.
Move the transfer control lever
quickly and securely between
positions. Do not stop midway.
The transfer gear box can be
damaged if the control lever is not
firmly in gear. Some noise is
normal when shifting.
If the 4WD indicator continues to
blink rapidly, it indicates that the
system was shifted out of
sequence. Stop the vehicle, select
4WD with the 4WD-2WD switch,
shift the lever from 4L to 4H, then
select 2WD. Drive in a straight
line to reset the system. If the
indicator continues to blink, see
your Honda dealer.