Page 176 of 231

´Because your Honda has limited tire
clearance, mount only SAE Class ‘‘S’’
cable-type traction devices, with
rubber chain tensioners on the f ront
tires. Use traction devices only when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Make sure they are the
correct size f or your tires. Make link-
type ‘‘chains’’ should not be used.
When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations. Tire Chains
Snow T ires
Winter Driving
Tires
Maint enance177
NOTICE:
Traction devices that are the
wrong size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 178 of 231

If you need to park your vehicle f or
an extended period (more than one
month), there are several things you
should do to prepare it f or storage.
Proper preparation helps prevent
deterioration and makes it easier to
get your vehicle back on the road. If
possible, store your vehicle indoors.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter. Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the car is being stored indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc. are
completely dry.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse
(5-speed manual) or Park
(automatic). Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
If possible, run the engine f or a
while periodically until it reaches
full operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycle on and of f twice).
Pref erably once a month.
If you store your vehicle f or 12
months or longer, have your Honda
dealer perf orm the inspections called
f or in the 24 months/30,000 miles
maintenance schedule (Normal
Conditions) as soon as you take it
out of storage (see page ). The
replacements called f or in the
maintenance schedule are not
needed unless the vehicle has
actually reached that time or mileage. 145
Vehicle Storage
Maint enance179
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 181 of 231

Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Follow these precautions whenever
you are using the compact spare tire:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h)
under any circumstances.
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surfaces than the regular tire. Use
greater caution while driving on
this tire.
Do not mount snow chains on it. Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Compact Spare Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed182
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 183 of 231
Turn the jack’s end
counterclockwise to loosen it, then
remove the jack.Loosen each wheel nut 1/2 turn
with the wheel wrench.
Placethejackunderthejacking
point. Turn the end bracket
clockwise until the top of the jack
contacts the jacking point. Make
sure the jacking point tab is
restinginthejacknotch.
6.
7.8.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Changing a Flat T ire
184
JACK
WHEEL WRENCHJACKING POINTS
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 184 of 231
CONT INUED
Use the extension and wheel
wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.Remove the wheel nuts and wheel
cover. The wheel nuts will be very
hot if you were recently driving.
The wheel cover cannot be
removed without f irst removing
the wheel nuts. Do not attempt to
f orcibly pry the wheel cover of f
with a screwdriver or other tool.Remove the flat tire. Place the flat
tire on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.
9.
10. 11.DX and LX models:
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed185
WHEEL WRENCH EXTENSION WHEEL
NUTS
WHEEL NUTS WHEEL COVER
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 185 of 231
Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten
them f ully.Lower the vehicle to the ground
and remove the jack.
12. 13.
14.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed186
BRAKE HUB
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 186 of 231
Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire in the trunk
well.Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Remove the spacer cone f rom the
wing bolt, turn it over, and put it
back on the bolt.
Secure the f lat tire by screwing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
15. 16. 17.
18. 19.
CONT INUED
On HX and EX models in the U.S., Simodel in Canada
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed187
WING BOLT SPACER CONE
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)
——y
y
(%y
y
Page 187 of 231
Store the jack in the trunk with the
end bracket on the lef t side. Turn
the jack’s end bracket to lock it in
place. Store the tool kit.
Store the wheel cover or center
cap in the trunk. Make sure it does
not get scratched or damaged.
Lower the trunk f loor, then close
the trunk lid.
20.
21.
22.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed188
Loose items can fly around the
interior in a crash and could
seriously injure the occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools
securely before driving.
——y
y
(%y
y