2003 HONDA ACCORD SEDAN traction control

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Only on cars equipped with Navigation System. Ref er to the Navigation System Owner’s Manual.
Your Car at a Glance
3
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
HORN
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
MOONROOF
SWITCH
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM(P. 69)
(P. 73) (P. 72)
HAZARD
WARNING LIGHTS
CRUISE CONTROLS
: VOICE CONTROL
SWITCHES
(P. 100)
TILT/TELESCOPIC
ADJUSTMENT(P. 70, 71/72)
(P. 232) (P. 195)
(P. 72, 112, 125, 131)
HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
(P. 68/70)
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
(P. 192)

The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT ON INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION
INDICATOR LAMP TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
INDICATOR
CRUISE MAIN INDICATOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR TCS ACTIVATION INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE
INDICATOR (P.58)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR (P.62)
(P.62)
DOOR MONITOR
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.58)
(P.59)
(P.
59)
(P. 62)
(P.61)
(P. 61) (P.
59)
(P.
65)
(P.60)
(P. 58)
(P.61)
(P.58)
(P.58) (P.60)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR (P.62)
(P.59)
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF
INDICATOR

This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
cartoyourdealertohaveitchecked.
With the light on, your car still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete inf ormation, see
page .
This indicator lights brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II). If it comes on at any other time,
it indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This light will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
automatic seat belt tensioners, or
side curtain airbags. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on as a
reminder that you have turned of f
the Traction Control System. It
normally comes on f or a f ew seconds
when you turn the ignition switch to
ON (II). If the TCS activation
indicator and the TCS indicator
comeonandstayonatanyother
time, or if they do not come on when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II), there is a problem with the TCS.
Take the car to your dealer to have it
checked.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page .
49 231
48
On all V6 models
Only on models equipped with side airbags
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator T CS A ctivation Indicator
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
59

The appropriate light comes on in
this display if the trunk or any door
is not closed tightly.
All the lights in the monitor display
come on f or a f ew seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II).The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signaling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should f lash.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If it comes
on and stays on when the Traction
Control System (TCS) is on, there is
a problem with the TCS. For more
inf ormation on the TCS, see page
.
232 315
On all V6 models
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Traction Control System
(T CS) Indicator
Door Monitor
T urn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
60

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Thetwoleversonthesteering
column contain controls f or driving
f eatures you use most of ten. The lef t
lever controls the turn signals,
headlights, and high beams. The
right lever controls the windshield
washers and wipers.To use the horn, press the pad
around the ‘‘H’’ logo.
The controls under the lef t air vent
are f or the moonroof and the
Traction Control System.
The steering wheel adjustment lever
on the underside of the steering
column allows you to tilt and
telescope the steering wheel.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
67
INSTRUMENT PANEL
BRIGHTNESS
WINDSHIELD
WIPERS/WASHERS
HAZARD
WARNING
LIGHTS
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
CRUISE
CONTROLS
TRACTION
CONTROL
SYSTEM
MOONROOF
SWITCH HEADLIGHTS/
TURN SIGNALS
(P.
69)
(P.72)
(P. 73)
(P.
68/ 70)
(P. 100)
(P. 232) (P.
70, 71/72)
(P. 195)
TILT/TELESCOPIC
ADJUSTMENT (P.
72, 112,
125, 131)
HORN

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your car, the braking system, the
Traction Control System, and facts
you need if you are planning to tow a
trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .218
.......................
Starting the Engine .219
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .220
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 221
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 222
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 222
..............
Automatic Transmission . 222
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 223
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 223
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 226
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 226
...........................................
Parking .228
..............................
Parking Tips .228
.....................
The Braking System .229
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 229
...............
Brake System Design . 230
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .230
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .231
........................
ABS Indicator .231
..............
Traction Control System . 232
...............
TCS ON/OFF Switch . 233
.........
TCSActivationIndicator . 233
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 235
...........................
Towing a Trailer .237
Driving
Driving217

this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work f or you by always keeping f irm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes ref erred to as
You will f eel 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
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforeyou
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the car (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Your car has an Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) as standard
equipment. ABS helps to prevent the
wheels f rom locking up and skidding
during hard braking, allowing you to
retain steering control.
When the f ront tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straightaheadeventhoughyouturn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person can do it.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to
rear braking distribution according
to car loading.
‘‘stomp and steer.’’
A nti-lock Brakes
You should never pump the
brake pedal;
Brake System Design
The Braking System
Driving230
Front

Your Honda is equipped with a
Traction Control System (TCS) to
assist you in maintaining traction
while driving slowly on loose or
slippery surf aces.
TCS monitors the speed of all f our
wheels. When it senses a f ront wheel
losing traction, it applies braking to
that wheel. The TCS Activation
indicator f lashes when this occurs.
Driving with TCS requires no special
skills or technique. The TCS does
not control your car’s whole braking
system and cannot prevent skidding
if you enter a corner too f ast. It is
still your responsibility to drive at
reasonable speeds and to leave a
suf f icient margin of saf ety.When starting out or driving on a
loose or slippery road surf ace, you
may notice that the car does not
respond to the accelerator in the
samewayitdoesatothertimes.This
is a sign TCS is activating. You will
seetheTCSActivationindicator
light f lash.TheTCSindicator(seepage )
comesonandstaysonwhenthereis
a problem with the TCS. The TCS
Activation indicator will also come on.
You should still install winter tires on
your car during the winter. Make
sure to use the same size originally
supplied with car. Exercise the same
cautioninwinterdrivingasyou
would if your car was not equipped
with TCS.
Driving with the compact spare tire
installed (see page ) may
activate the TCS. You should turn of f
the system.
60
334
On LX-V6 and EX-V6 models
Traction Control System
Driving232
TCS INDICATOR
TCS ACTIVATION INDICATOR