Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise in the engine that can lead to
mechanical damage.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.In Canada, some gasolines contain
an octane-enhancing additive called
MMT. If you use such gasolines,
your emission control system
perf ormance may deteriorate and
the Malf unction Indicator Lamp on
your instrument panel may turn on.
If this happens, contact your
authorized Honda dealer f or service.
Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined. Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule. Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km). Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Break-in Period, Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline
184
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ).
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check that the hood, tailgate and
hatch glass are f ully closed.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
97
114 83
17 200
65
Driving
Preparing to Drive
199
Your Honda’s transmission has f our
f orward speeds, and is electronically
controlled f or smoother shif ting. It
also has a ‘‘lock-up’’ torque converter
forbetterfueleconomy.Youmay
f eel what seems like another shif t
when the converter locks.This indicator on the instrument
panel shows which position the shif t
lever is in.The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it f lashes
while driving (in any shif t position),
it indicates a possible problem in the
transmission. Avoid rapid accelera-
tion and have the transmission
checkedbyanauthorizedHonda
dealer as soon as possible.
The malf unction indicator lamp may
come on along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator
if there is a problem in the automatic
transmission control system.
Shif t L ever Position Indicator
Driving
Automatic Transmission
204
µUse this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear f or your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shif ting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up f aster.
For f aster acceleration, you can get
the transmission to automatically
downshif t by pushing the accelerator
pedal to the f loor. The transmission
will shif t down one or two gears,
depending on your speed. Pressing the O/D switch again turns
theOver-drivemodebackon.
Over-drivecanbeturnedonoroff
only when the ignition switch is ON
(II) and the shif t lever is in the D
position. Over-drive mode turns on
every time you start the engine, even
if you turned it of f the last time you
drove the vehicle.
TheOver-drive(O/D)ison
whenever you turn the ignition ON
(II). You can turn it of f by pressing
the O/D switch on the edge of the
shif t lever. The O/D OFF indicator
on the instrument panel next to the
shif t lever position indicator will
come on.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Drive (D)Over-drive (O/D) Mode
207
OVER-DRIVE OFF INDICATOR
µ
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. The indicator
on the instrument panel shows that
the parking brake is not f ully
released; it does not indicate that the
parking brake is f irmly set. Make
sure the parking brake is set f irmly
or your vehicle may roll if it is
parked on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission making it easier to
move the shift lever out of Park
when you want to drive away. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the curb.
If you have a manual transmission,
putitinfirstgear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill, turn
the f ront wheels toward the curb. If
you have a manual transmission, put
it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is f ully
released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or damage
the rear brakes.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Lock the doors and the tailgate
with the key or the remote
transmitter.
Make sure the hatch glass is
closed securely. Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Turn of f the lights.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The three way catalytic
converter gets very hot, and could
cause these materials to catch on
fire.
Parking T ips
Driving
Parking
210
Î
Î
The ABS is self -checking. If anything
goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page ). This means the anti-lock
f unction 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 the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
68 329
A BS Indicat or
The Braking System
Driving214
ABS INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown
.............Halogen Headlight Bulbs .287
.....................................Hatch Glass.94
..............Hazard Warning Flashers .81
Headlights
........................................Aiming.287
............Daytime Running Lights .77
..................High Beam Indicator .69
........................Reminder Beeper.76
........Replacing Halogen Bulbs .287
...................................Turning on.76
..............................Head Restraints.99
.....................Heating and Cooling.128
.............High Altitude, Starting at .201
.................High-Low Beam Switch .76
..............High-mount Brake Light .292
....................................Hood Latch.266
.......................Hood, Opening the.186
..............................................Horn.3,75
...........................Hydraulic Clutch.264
.................................Hydroplaning.216
Fluids
..........Automatic Transmission .260
..........................................Brake.263
.........................................Clutch.264
..............Manual Transmission .261
..........................Power Steering.264
.......................Rear Differential.262
..................Windshield Washer .258
FM Stereo Radio
...................................Reception.161
.........................Folding Rear Seat.104
.....Foreign Countries, Driving in .348
..........................Four-way Flashers.81
............................Front Airbags.10,54
.................................................Fuel.184
......................Fill Door and Cap.185
...........................................Gauge.74
................Octane Requirement .184
...............................Oxygenated.347
........................Reserve Indicator.69
........................Tank, Filling the.185
.....................Fuses, Checking the.331
...............Gas Mileage, Improving .190
..........................................Gasohol.347
.........................................Gasoline.184
...............Fuel Reserve Indicator .69
...........................................Gauge.74
................Octane Requirement .184
........................Tank, Filling the.185
................Gas Station Procedures .185
Gauges
...Engine Coolant Temperature .74
...............................................Fuel.74
...............................Speedometer.72
.................................Tachometer.72
Gearshif t Lever Positions
..........Automatic Transmission .204
5-speed Manual
.........................Transmission.203
..............................Glass Cleaning.303
........................................Glove Box.96
...Identif ication Number, Vehicle .340
Ignition
..............................................Keys.84
...........................................Switch.86
............Timing Control System .350
........................Immobilizer System.85
.........Important Safety Precautions .6
.........Indicators, Instrument Panel .65
Index
G
H
I
IV
CONT INUED
..................................................
Keys .84
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 312
.......................................
Jack, Tire .309
................................
Jump Starting .320
...............................
Inf ant Restraint .34
......................................
Inf ant Seats .34
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
...........................
Lower Anchors .47
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 278
.................
High Speed Driving . 279
.........................
Normal Driving .279
.................................
Inside Mirror .114
.............................
Inspection, Tire .280
............................
Instrument Panel .65
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
...........................
Interior Cleaning .301
...............................
Interior Lights .124
........................................
Introduction .i .......................
Label, Certif ication .340
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 77
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17,50
...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .287
.......................................
Indicator .65
.........................................
Parking .76
..................................
Turn Signal .77
.....................................
Load Limit .194
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 87
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 87
............................
Fuel Fill Door .185
....................................
Glove Box .96
.................................
Power Door .88
........................................
Tailgate .93
........................
Low Coolant Level .189
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .69
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 66,325
................................
Lower Anchors .47
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 342
.........................................
Luggage .193 ..................................
Maintenance .233
...
Owner Maintenance Checks . 245
.................................
Record .243-244
......................
Required Indicator .70
..........................................
Saf ety .234
.............................
Schedule .238-242
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 66,327
...................
Manual Transmission . 202
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 261
.........................
Meters, Gauges .65, 72
...................
Methanol in Gasoline . 347
........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .114
.......................................
Moonroof .113
......................
Closing Manually .330
...................................
Operation .113
Index
LM
K J
V