Page 253 of 415

The condition of your vehicle and
your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your vehicle accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating
condition.A cold engine uses more f uel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
‘‘warm-up’’ a cold engine by letting it
idle f or a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up f aster, and you get
better f uel economy. To cut down on
the number of ‘‘cold starts,’’ try to
combine several short trips into one.
You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traf f ic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra f uel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase f uel economy.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Turnoff theA/Cto
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the f low-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle’s underside adds weight
and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your f uel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion. An important part of that mainte-
nance is the (see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. 295
Vehicle Condition
Driving Habits
Owner Maintenance
Checks
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
250
Page 256 of 415
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Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
saf ely.
The glove box, and the pockets in
the f ront doors and seat-backs, are
designed f or small, lightweight items.
The cargo area is intended f or larger,
heavier items. In addition, the seats
in the second row can be removed
andthebenchseatinthethirdrow
can be f olded into the f loor to allow
you to carry more cargo or longer
items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability, and
operation, and make it unsaf e.
Bef ore carrying any type of cargo, be
sure to read the f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving253
REAR COMPARTMENT
FRONT DOOR POCKET
CENTER POCKET
GLOVE BOX
STORAGE BOX
SEAT-BACK POCKET
EX and EX-L models only CARGO AREA
SEAT-BACK POCKETS
Page 355 of 415

Your vehicle has a compact spare
tire that takes up less space. Use this
sparetireasatemporaryreplace-
ment only. Get your regular tire
repaired or replaced and put it back
on your vehicle as soon as you can.Thecompactsparetirehasashorter
tread lif e than a regular tire. Replace
it when you can see the tread wear
indicator bars. The replacement
should be the same size and design
tire, mounted on the same wheel.
Thecompactsparetireisnot
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the compact wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road sur-
f aces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire: Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare.
Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The wheel of the compact spare
tire is designed especially to f it
your vehicle. Do not use your
sparetireonanothervehicle
unlessitisthesamemakeand
model.
Turn off the Traction Control
System (see page ). Driving
withthecompactsparetiremay
activate the TCS.
269
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed352
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
Page 374 of 415

If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the f uel cap was not
loose or missing, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and
driving at high speed.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. If it comes on
at any other time, it indicates one of
the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
your vehicle to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage. If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips.
This indicator may also come on
along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
CONT INUED
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed371
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.
Page 381 of 415
µµ
Î
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No. Amps. Circuits Protected
1
27 8
9
10
11 20 A
20 A
30 A
40 A
20 A Rear Entertaiment system
Not Used
Seat Heaters
Driver’s Power Window
Rear A/C
Power Sliding Door
1:
2: EX-L model
EX and EX-L model1
1
2
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed378
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
Page 382 of 415

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On Canadian models
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 15 A
10 A
7.5 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 15 A
15 A
7.5 A 10 A
7.5 A 10 A
30 A
7.5 A Fuel Pump
SRS
Heater Control, A/C Clutch
Relay, Cooling Fan Relay
Power Mirror
Daytime Running Light
ECU(PCM),CruiseControl
IG Coil
ACC Relay
Back-up Lights, Instrument
Lights
Turn Signals
Rear Wiper
Front Wiper
Starter Signal Driver’s Side Automatic
Sliding Door
Power Seat Reclining
BSC
Power Seat Sliding
Passenger’s Side Automatic
Sliding Door
Daytime Running Light
Left Rear Window
Front Passenger’s Power
Window
ACC Socket
Inst. Panel Light, License
Light
Interior Light, Radio
Power Door Locks
Clock, Back Up
ABS Motor Check
Driver’s Power Window
Right Rear Window
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 20 A
20 A
10 A
20 A
20 A
10 A
7.5 A 20 A
15 A
15 A
10 A
20 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 20 A
7.5 A
1:
2: EX and EX-L models
Canadian models
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
Circuits Protected
No. Amps.
1
1 1
2
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed379
Driver’s Side INTERIOR FUSE BOX Passenger’s Side
Front Front
: