Your Vehicle at a Glance
2
HEATING/COOLING
CONTROLS
POWER DOOR LOCK
SWITCH
MIRROR CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES DASH LIGHTS
GAUGES
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE/
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE (P.62)
ACCESSORY POWER SOCKETS(P.110)
AUDIO SYSTEM
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
AIRBAGS
(P.9/22)
(P.68)
(P.98)
(P.83)
(P.99)
(P.89/165) (P.166) (P.107)(P.180)
(P.182) (P.122)
——y
y
(
yy
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 vehicle, the braking system, the
Traction Control System, and facts
you need if you are planning to tow a
trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive . 178
.......................
Starting the Engine . 179
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 180
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 181
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 181
..............
Automatic Transmission . 182
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators . 182
.......................................
Shif ting . 182
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 184
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 185
...........................................
Parking . 187
.............................
Braking System . 188
...............
Brake System Design . 188
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 188
...........
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 189
Activating the Anti-lock ................................
Brakes . 189
........................
ABS Indicator . 189
..............
Traction Control System . 191
...............
TCS ON/OFF Switch . 192
.........
TCSActivationIndicator .192
...........................
Towing a Trailer . 194
Driving
Driving177
——y
y
(
y
y
Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.Turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in START (III) f or more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the
engine does not start right away,
pause f or at least 10 seconds
bef ore trying again.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. Return
to step 5 if the engine does not
start.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5.6.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission:
Starting the Engine
Driving179
NOTICE: The engine is harder to start
in cold weather. Also, the thinner air
f ound at altitudes above 8,000 f eet
(2,400 meters) adds to this problem.
——y
y
(
y
y
The manual transmission is syn-
chronizedinallforwardgearsfor
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shif ting up or
down,makesureyoupushtheclutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shif ting,
do not rest your f oot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shif t into
Reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into Reverse, or shif t into
one of the f orward gears f or a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won’t ‘‘grind.’’
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking f rom the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes f rom
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Bef ore downshif ting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer’s red zone in the
lower gear.
5-speed Manual T ransmission
Driving180
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
——y
y
(
y
y
µµThis position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use Second gear:
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin.
When driving downhill with a
trailer. To shif t f rom Second to
First, press the release button on the
side of the shift lever. With the lever
in this position, the transmission
locks in First gear. By upshif ting and
downshif ting through 1, 2, D , and D,
you can operate this transmission
much like a manual transmission
without a clutch pedal. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
3
Automatic Transmission
Driving
Second (2) First (1) Engine Speed L imiter
184
——y
y
(
y
y
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. 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.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst 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.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
On EX, LX-V6, and Canadian LX-G
models
Driving
Parking T ips
Parking
187
——y
y
(
y
y
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, and cooling system
are in good operating condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ).
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
trailer maker.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections. Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
194 195 238
bottom
Towing a Trailer
Driving
Pre-T ow Checklist
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Parking
197
——y
y
(
yy
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 200
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 201
............
Servicing Your Vehicle . 202
Owner’s Maintenance
...................................
Checks . 203
.....................
4-cylinder Models . 204
.....................
6-cylinder Models . 206
....................
Maintenance Record . 208
..............................
Fluid Locations . 212
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 214
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 214
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 215
................
Engine Oil Additives . 215
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 216
....................
Windshield Washers . 218
..............................
Engine Coolant . 219
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 219
.......................
Transmission Fluid . 221
Automatic .........................
Transmission . 221
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission . 224
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 225
................................
Brake Fluid . 225
...............................
Clutch Fluid . 226
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 226 ....................................
Timing Belt . 227
....................................
Hood Latch . 227
.............................................
Lights . 228
........................
Replacing Bulbs . 228
.........................................
Seat Belt . 235
.....................................
Floor Mats . 235
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 235
.................................
Wiper Blades . 236
...............................................
Tires . 238
......................................
Inf lation . 238
..........................
Tire Inspection . 240
.....................
Tire Maintenance . 240
.............................
Tire Rotation . 241
.........................
Replacing Tires . 241
......................
Wheels and Tires . 242
..........................
Winter Driving . 242
.............................
Snow Tires . 242
............................
Tire Chains . 243
................
Checking Your Battery . 244
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 246
291
Maintenance
Maint enance199
——y
y
(
yy