166Driving Tips
indicator in three or more places
around the tire.
Maintenance
In addition to proper inflation,
correct wheel alignment helps to
decrease tire wear. You should get
your vehicle’
s suspension parts
inspected often, and aligned when
needed.
The tires were properly balanced
at the factory. They may need to
be rebalanced at some time before
they are worn out. Have your
dealer check the tires if you feel a
consistent vibration while driving.
A tire should always be
rebalanced if it is removed from
the wheel for repair.
Make sure the installer balances
the wheels when you have new
tires installed. This increases riding comfort and tire life. Your
vehicle’
s original tires were
dynamic or “spin” balanced at the
factory. For best results, have the
installer perform a dynamic
balance.
Tire Rotation
To help increase tire life and
distribute wear more evenly, you
should have the tires rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km).
FRONT
4 WHEEL 5 WHEEL
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the diagram each time
they are rotated.
Replacing Tires and Wheels
The tires that came with your
vehicle were selected to match its
performance capabilities while
providing the best combination of
handling, ride comfort, and long
life. You should replace them with
radial tires of the same size, load
range, speed rating, and maximum
cold tire pressure rating (as shown
on the tire’ s sidewall). Mixing
radial and bias-ply tires on your
vehicle can reduce its braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy.
182Driving Tips
There are no provisions in your
vehicle to tap into its hydraulic
braking system. Any attempt to
attach the trailer
’s brakes to your
vehicle’ s hydraulic braking
system, no matter how successful
it may seem, will lower braking
effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
Equipment Check
Before operating your vehicle,
check all safety equipment to
ensure safe operation. Be sure
your vehicle is properly serviced
to avoid mechanical failure.
Check that your vehicle remains
level when the loaded or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive if
the rear end of your vehicle is
abnormally higher or lower.
Check for proper tongue weight,
overload, improper weight distribution, worn suspension, or
other possible causes.
Make sure the trailer load is
properly positioned and secured
so its does not shift around while
driving.
Check if your rearview mirrors
comply with federal, state and
local regulations. If not, confirm
the proper mirrors required for
towing and have them installed.
Perform an equipment check of
all braking, lighting and safety
equipment to ensure they are
working properly.
Your safety depends on proper
operation and installation of
equipment. Never operate a
vehicle with faulty equipment.
Standard on 4WD models
The limited slip differential is
designed to improve traction by
limiting wheelspin. If one rear
wheel begins to spin on a slippery
surface, the limited slip
differential will automatically
transmit driving force to the other
rear wheel.
Limited Slip Differential
•
•Repeated short trips in cold weather
• Driving in dusty areas •
Frequent idling and/or frequent low-speed operation
• Towing a trailer Change engine oil and filter
–Every 3,750 miles (6,000 km)
or 3 months
Change rear axle oil –Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km)
205Care and Maintenance
R – Replace L – Lube I – Inspect After inspection, clean, adjust, repair or replace if necessary.
Service at the interval listed x1 000 il ( k ) ft th tx 1,000 miles7.51522.53037.54552.56067.57582.59097.5105Service at the interval listed x1,000 miles (or km) or after thatnumber of months whicheverx 1,000 km1224364860728496108120132144156168number of months, whichever
comes first.months612182430364248546066727884
Steering and suspension, miscellaneousFront and rear axle oilRRRRPropeller shaft flange torqueIIIIIII
Front and rear propeller shaftsLLLLLLLLLL
Body and chassisLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Front wheel bearingsRepack bearings when replacing front brake pads.Power steering fluidRRR
Tires (inspect and rotate)IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Suspension and steeringIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBrakes/ClutchBrake discs; calipers and padsIIIIIII
Brake drums, wheel cylinders and liningsIIIIIIIBrake lines and hosesIIIIIIIIIIIIIIParking brakeIIIIIIIBrake pedal playIIIIIIIClutch pedal playIIIIIIIClutch pedal spring, bushing and clevis pinLLLLLLL
Clutch lines and hosesIII
Check oil and coolant level at each fuel stop.
Under severe driving conditions, service these items more often. These c\
onditions are: Service for severe driving conditions
224Care and Maintenance
Wheel Alignment
Proper wheel alignment improves
tire mileage. Your vehicle’s
suspension parts should be
inspected often and aligned when
needed (see the “Technical Data”
section). Improper alignment will
cause the front tires to roll at an
angle that will result in faster tire
wear.
Proper tire balancing provides the
best riding comfort and helps
reduce tire tread wear.
Out-of-balance tires can cause
annoying vibration and uneven
tire wear such as cupping and flat
spots.
Washing Your Vehicle
The best way to preserve your
vehicle ’s finish is to keep it clean by
frequent washings. Wash the vehicle
with lukewarm or cold water.
Do not use hot water or wash in
direct sunlight. Do not use strong
soap or chemical detergents. All
cleaning agents should be promptly
flushed from the surface and not
allowed to dry on the finish.
Polishing and Waxing
Your Vehicle
Polishing is recommended to
remove accumulated residue and
eliminate any “weathered”
appearance.
Your Honda dealer offers several
polishes and cleaners that have
proven to maintain the original
finish appearance and durability.
Protection of Exterior
Bright Metal Parts
Bright metal parts should be cleaned
regularly to keep their luster.
Washing with water is all that is
usually needed. However, chrome
polish may be used on chrome or
stainless steel trim, if necessary. A
coating of wax, rubbed to a high
polish, is recommended for all bright
metal parts.
Care of Aluminum Wheels
Aluminum wheels have a
clear-coat finish similar to paint.
Use a chamois skin, sponge or
other soft material when washing
the wheels.
Foreign Material Deposits
Calcium chloride and other salts,
ice melting agents, road oil and
tar, tree sap, bird droppings,
Exterior
233Technical Data
equipment on the vehicle when it
was shipped from the factory. Be
sure to provide this information to
your authorized Honda dealer
when it is necessary to order
parts.
Vehicle Loading Information
The components of your vehicle
are designed to provide
satisfactory service only if the
vehicle is not loaded in excess of
either the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (
GVWR) or the maximum
front and rear Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (
GAWRs). These ratings
are listed on the Vehicle
Certification Label located on the
left door lock pillar.
Your Honda dealer can advise you
of the proper loading conditions
for your vehicle. The use of
selected heavier suspension
components for added durability
purposes does not increase any of
the weight ratings printed on the
Vehicle Certification Label.
Maximum Front and Rear
Axle Weight
The weight of the cargo load must
be properly distributed over both
the front and rear axles. The
Certification Label shows the
maximum weight that the front
axle (front
GAWR) can carry. It
also shows the maximum weight
that the rear axle (rear
GAWR) can
carry. The
GVWR represents the
maximum permissible loaded
weight of the vehicle and takes
into account the engine,
transmission, frame, springs,
brake, axle, and tire capabilities.
Actual loads on the front and rear
axles can only be determined by
weighing the vehicle. This can be
done at highway weight stations
or other such commercial weigh
stations. Consult your Honda
dealer for assistance. The cargo
Vehicle Loading
238Technical Data
Front Suspension
Independent wishbone arms, torsion bar springs with
stabilizer bar.
Front Wheel Alignment
Toe-in2
2 mm (0.08 in.)–
Camber0° 30No more than 30
side-to-side variation
Caster2 30 45No more than 30
side-to-side variation
Rear Suspension
5-link, coil spring type with stabilizer bar and direct
double-acting shock absorbers.
Rear Wheel Alignment
Toe-in0 5 mm (0.2 in.)
Camber0° 1°
Toe-Axis 1
Steering
Rack and pinion.
Service Brake
Hydraulic Front: Disc brake.
Rear: Self-adjusting drum brake, leading-trailing (2
WD model).
Disc brake (4
WD model).
Parking Brake
Mechanical, operating on rear wheels (2
WD model).
Mechanical, drum in disc, duo-servo, manual-adjusting,
operating on rear wheels (4
WD model).
Battery
Voltage (V)12
Cold-cranking performance (Amp)600
Reserve capacity (Min.)125
BCI group no.24
Off-Road Precautions
For your safety and the safety of your passengers, please follow
these precautions:
Don't
Modify Your Vehicle
We urge you not to install aftermarket
"lift kits," oversize
wheels and tires, or alter your
vehicle
in any other way that
would
change the vehicle's
suspension
or ride height. Such
modifications can make handling
difficult and unpredictable, and
they could cause you to lose
control, roll over and be seriously hurt
or killed. Wear Seat Belts
Seat belts are just as important
off-road as on pavement. Seat belts can hold you in position onrough
and bumpy trails and when
driving on hills. If you don't wear
your seat belt, you could bounce
around
and strike the interior of
the
vehicle, or even lose control
and crash. Whenever you drive,
make
sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
If
children or infants are along for
th
e ride, see that they are properly
secured,
and never let a passenger
ride in the cargo compartment. In a rollover crash, an unbelted
person
is more likely to die than a
person
wearing a seat belt.
Drive
Smart
Off-road surfaces and conditions
can change quickly and
unexpectedly.
It takes time to
learn
how to read the terrain and
develo
p off-road driving skills. So
always use good judgment. Don't drive faster than conditions
warrant,
and if you ever feel
uncomfortable about a given
situation,
don't do it. Off-Road Driving Information
Obstacles
It's
very common to encounter
rocks, bumps, holes and logs off-road.
Here are a few tips on
how to deal with them. Rocks:
Large rocks can
damage your suspension or
other
components, and even
small, sharp rocks can cut your
tires.
Always go slow in rocky
terrain, and carefully maneuver
around any rock that may be
too large.
Bumps and Holes: Large
bumps and holes can bounce
you around and
cause you to
lose
control or get stuck. Slow
down
when the terrain gets
rough
so you can keep control
of the vehicle. Logs:
Driving over a large log
might damage your vehicle or
cause you to get stuck. If you
can'
t drive around the log, you
may be able to back up and look
for a better path. Off-Road Driving Information