The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock f unction of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have the dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible. It only helps with steering
control during braking.
on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
You should never pump the brake pedal.
On U.S. EX and Canadian LX and Si
models
ABS Indicator Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
Anti-lock Brakes
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving133
ABS INDICATOR
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Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL mark.
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your Honda dealer.
Power Steering Fluid, Hood L atch
Maint enance
Power Steering Fluid Hood L atch
152
NOTICE:
UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL PIVOTS
LATCH
ASSEMBLY
T urning the steering wheel to
f ull lef t or right lock and holding it
there can damage the power steeringpump.
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Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
(Passenger’s side)
Put the battery back to its original
position, reinstall the bolt in the
stay and tighten it securely.
If you removed the upper part of
the windshield reservoir, put it
back in place. Install the holding
clip. Lock it in place by pushing on
the center.
Reinstall the power steering
reservoir.
(Driver’s side)
Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the holding clip f rom the
inner f ender, and pull the inner
f ender cover back.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
If you are changing the bulb on
the driver’s side, start the engine,
turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right, and turn off the
engine. If you are changing the
bulb on the passenger’s side, turn
the steering wheel to the left.
Insert the new bulb into the hole
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place.
2.
4. 5.6.
1.3.
7.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing the Front Side Marker/
Turn Signal and Parking L ightBulb
155
HOLDING CLIP
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´
Wheels:
Tires:
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels. See page f or DOT tire quality
grading inf ormation, and page
f or tire size explanation.
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 the 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.
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s side wall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
(DX)
(LX, EX and Canadian Si)
(DX)199
198
(Canadian LX)
(U.S.EX,LX,CanadianSi)
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Replacing T ires
Winter Driving
Snow T ires
Maint enance
Tires
165
14x51/2JJ
15x6JJ
P185/70R14 87S
P185/65R15 86H
P195/60R15 88H
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed191
NOTICE:
NOTICE: Trying to lif t or tow your
vehicle by the bumpers will cause
serious damage. The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
T he steering system can be
damaged if the steering wheel is locked.
Leave the ignition switch in Accessory
(I), and make sure the steering wheel
turns f reely bef ore you begin towing.
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CONT INUED
.....................................
Snow Tires . 165
..................................
Sound System . 92
Spare Tire
......................................
Inf lating . 170
............................
Specif ications . 197
....................
Specif ications Charts . 196
................................
Speed Control . 107
.........................................
Spotlights . 83
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 22
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 28
.............................
Airbag Service . 28
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
...........
Indicator Light Works . 27
How the SRS Indicator .......................................
Works . 26
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work . 22
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 25
........................
SRS Components . 22
.............................
SRS Indicator . 26, 54
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 69
..............
State Emissions Testing . 205
.......................
Starting the Engine . 125
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude . 125
................
With a Dead Battery . 178 ........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 179
Steering Wheel
..................................
Adjustment . 66
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 69
.....................
Stereo Sound System . 92
....................
Storing Your Vehicle . 168
Supplemental Restraint
................................
System . 10, 22
......................................
Servicing . 28
.........................
SRS Indicator . 26, 54
...................
System Components . 22
..................................
Synthetic Oil . 145
Taillights, Changing
..................................
Bulbs . 156, 157
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 169
....................................
Tape Player . 102
Technical Descriptions
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 198
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 202
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels . 200
..........
State Emissions Testing . 205
Three Way Catalytic
...............................
Converter . 204 .................................
Tire Labeling . 199
.......................
Temperature Gauge . 60
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 41
............................
Thef t Protection . 105
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 204
..........................
Time, Setting the . 106
....................................
Timing Belt . 150
....................................
Tire Chains . 166
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 171
...........................
Tire Inf ormation . 198
...............................................
Tires . 161
..............................
Air Pressure . 162
.........................
Checking Wear . 163
..........................
Compact Spare . 170
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 198
......................................
Inf lation . 162
..................................
Inspection . 163
..............................
Maintenance . 164
...................................
Replacing . 165
......................................
Rotating . 164
...........................................
Snow . 165
............................
Specif ications . 197
................................
Tire Chains . 166
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 171
Index
T
VII
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ÎÎ
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 134
..................
Emergency Towing . 190
...........................
Traction Devices . 166
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 149
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual . 150
..................
Fluid Selection . 149, 150
..............
Identif ication Number . 194
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 128
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 126
.....................................
Treadwear . 198
.......................................
Trip Meter . 59
................................................
Trunk . 71
........................................
Opening . 71
...................
Open Monitor Light . 56
....................................
Turn Signals . 63 .............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 47
..................
Warranty Coverages . 209
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 148
.......................................
Indicator . 56
.....................................
Operation . 62
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 66
............
Alignment and Balance . 164
..........................
Compact Spare . 170 ......................................
Wrench . 172
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 78
...........................
Rear, Def ogger . 65
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning . 62
.....................................
Def roster . 91
.......................................
Washers . 62
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades . 160
.....................................
Operation . 62
....................................
Worn Tires . 164
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 190
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 169
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 198
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 112 .......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 146
..................................
Vanity Mirror . 84
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 120
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 196
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 194
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 168
........................................
Ventilation . 90
.................................................
VIN . 194
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 144
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
UW
V
VIII
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