Page 93 of 280

When the interior has cooled down
to a more comf ortable temperature,
close the windows and set the
controls as described f or normal
cooling.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The light in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature
control dial is all the way to the left.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
Recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
If the interior is very warm f rom
beingparkedinthesun,youcancool
it down more rapidly by setting up
the controls this way: Start the engine.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. Make sure the tempera-
ture control dial is all the way to
the left.
Set the f an to maximum speed.
Open the windows partially. Select and Fresh Air mode. Air conditioning places an extra load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page
) when driving in stop-and-go
traf f ic or climbing a long, steep hill.
If it moves near the red mark, turn
of f the A/C until the reading returns
to normal.
1.
2.
3.
4. 1.
2.
3.
4.
49
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
T o Cool wit h A /C
90
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
FAN CONTROL LEVERMODE CONTROL
DIAL
TEMPERATURE
CONTROL DIAL 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 94 of 280

To warm the interior:Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry.To remove f og f rom the inside of the
windows:
This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
Start the engine.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and Fresh Air mode.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the mixture of heated and
cooled air f eels comf ortable. Switch the f an on.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Adjust the temperature control
dial so the air flow from the
def roster vents f eels warm.
When you switch to another mode
f rom , the A/C stays on.
Press the A/C button to turn if of f .
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
T o Heat
T o Heat and Dehumidif y wit h A ir
Condit ioning T o Def og and Def rost
91 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 95 of 280
To remove exterior f rost or ice f rom
the windshield and side windows
after the vehicle has been sitting out
in cold weather:Start the engine.
Select .
When you select , the
system automatically switches to
Fresh Air mode and turns on the
A/C.
Set the f an and temperature
controls to maximum.
To rapidly remove exterior f rost or
ice f rom the windshield (on very cold
days), f irst select the Recirculation
mode. Once the windshield is clear,
select the Fresh Air mode to avoid
f ogging the windows. 1.
2.
3.
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Heating and Cooling
92
RECIRCULATION
BUTTON
AIR CONDITIONING
BUTTON
FAN CONTROL LEVER MODE CONTROL DIAL
TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 96 of 280
These settings direct all the air f low
to the defroster vents at the base of
the windshield and the side window
def roster vents. The air f low will get
warmer and clear the windows faster
as the engine warms up. You can
close the side vents with the dial
beside each vent. This will send
more warm air to the windshield
defroster vents.
For saf ety, make sure you have a
clear view through all the windows
bef ore driving away.You should shut the system
completely of f only f or the f irst f ew
minutes of driving in cold weather,
until the engine coolant warms up
enough to operate the heater. Keep
the fan on at all other times so stale
air does not build up in the interior. To shut of f the system temporarily,
turn of f the f an (no lights
illuminated).
Heating and Cooling
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
To Turn Everything Of f
93 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 122 of 280

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your vehicle,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .120
.........................................
Gasoline .120
.........
Service Station Procedures . 121
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 121
....................
Opening the Hood .122
...............................
Oil Check .123
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 124
...............................
Fuel Economy .125
............................
Car Condition .125
...........................
Driving Habits .125
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 126
................................
Accessories .126
............................
Modif ications .127
...
Additional Safety Precaution . 127
.............................
Carrying Cargo .128
.....................
General Precautions .131
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving119 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 123 of 280

During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration. Do not exceed
5,500 rpm f or the f irst 600 miles
(1,000 km) of operation.
Help assure your car’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your car’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.
We recommend gasolines containing
detergent additives that help prevent
f uel system and engine deposits. If you are unable to f ind premium
unleaded gasoline, you may substi-
tute an unleaded regular gasoline.
The engine will compensate f or the
lower octane, but you may notice a
slight decrease in power as a result. Your Honda is designed to operate
on premium unleaded gasoline with a
pump octane number of 91 or higher. Youshouldfollowthesesamere-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are relined.
Avoidhardbraking.Newbrakes
need to be broken-in by moderate
use f or the f irst 200 miles (300
km).
Do not change the oil until the
recommended time or mileage
intervalshowninthemaintenance
schedule.
Break-in Period
Gasoline
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period, Gasoline
120 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 124 of 280
Remove the f uel f ill cap slowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
Because the f uel f ill cap is on the
driver’s side of the car, park with
that side closest to the service
station pumps.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
on the knob on the driver’s door
jamb.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Filling the Fuel Tank
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving121
Pull
FUEL FILL CAP
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 126 of 280
Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the f ront of the hood around the
center.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly
to remove the support rod f rom
the hole. Put the support rod back
into its holding clip. Lower the
hood to about a f oot (30 cm) above
the fender, then let it drop.
After closing the hood, make sure
it is securely latched.Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (black
handle). Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
1.
3.
2.
CONT INUED
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving123
DIPSTICK