Page 123 of 221
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicator lights in
the instrument panel (see page
).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your vehicle. 1. 2. 3. 4.
9.
8.
7.
6.
5.
80 66 14
51
74
Preparing to Drive
Driving124
——y
y
(y
y
Page 130 of 221

Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then reinstall
thecover.Makesurethenotchon
the cover is on the lef t side.
Return the key to the ignition
switch, press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.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.
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.
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 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.
Lock the doors.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the trunk or take them with you.
Turn of f the lights.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by a Honda dealer.
6.
Automatic Transmission, Parking
Driving
Parking
Parking T ips
131
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT
——y
y
(y
y
Page 152 of 221
Halogen headlight bulbs get
very hot when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch on the glass can cause the bulbto overheat and shatter.
If you need to change a headlight
bulb on the driver’s side, remove
the power steering reservoir tank
by pulling it out of its holders.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
trunk, readjustment may be required.
Adjustments should be perf ormed by
a Honda dealer or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulb. Handle it by its steel base and
protect the glass f rom contact with
your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.
1.
Lights
Maint enance
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
153
NOTE:
——y
y
(y
y
Page 155 of 221
Remove the bulb f rom the socket
bypushingitinandturningthe
bulb counterclockwise until it
unlocks.
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Put the inner f ender cover in place.
Install the holding clip. Lock it in
placebypushingonthecenter.Open the trunk.
Remove the screws in the center
of each of the two f asteners on the
side of the trunk lining. Pull the
lining back.Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight/side
marker light or turn signal light.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Install the new bulb in the socket.
Turn it clockwise to lock it in place.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in Fenders)
156
FASTENERS
BULBS
SOCKETS
——y
y
(y
y
Page 156 of 221
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
Reinstall the trunk lining. Make
sure it is installed under the edge
of the trunk seal.
Put the f asteners into the holes on
the side of the trunk lining.
Reinstall the screws.Open the trunk.
Determine which of the two bulbs
is burned out: taillight or back-up
light.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.Insert the socket back into the
light assembly. Turn it clockwise
to lock it in place.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Testthelightstomakesurethe
new bulb is working.
4. 5. 6.
1. 2. 3.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing Rear Bulbs
(in T runk L id)
157
BULBS
SOCKETS
——y
y
(y
y
Page 157 of 221
Open the trunk and remove the
socket f rom the light assembly by
turning it one-quarter turn counter-
clockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.Reinstall the socket. Turn it
clockwise until it locks. Make sure
the new bulb is working.
2.
1. 3.
Lights
Maint enance
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
158
BULB
SOCKET
——y
y
(y
y
Page 167 of 221

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.
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).
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. Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Nonporous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
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.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
Disconnect the battery.
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.If possible, run the engine
periodically until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f an cycles on and of f
twice) pref erably once a month.
139
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
168
——y
y
(y
y
Page 170 of 221

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Open the trunk. Raise the trunk
f loor mat and the trunk f loor by
lif ting up on the back edge.
Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed171
SPARE TIRE TRUNK FLOOR
JACK
TOOL KIT
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
——y
y
(y
y