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Park with the driver’s side closest
to the gas pump.
Open the f uel f ill door by pulling
on the handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.Screw the f uel f ill cap back on
until it clicks at least three times.
If you do not properly tighten the
cap, the Malfunction Indicator
Lampmaycomeon(seepage
).
Push the f uel f ill door closed until
it latches. even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. Consult your dealer.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes. 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.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
214
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
Fueling
125
Pull
Gasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine and keep
heat, sparks, and flames
away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
Page 130 of 256
To Open the Hood:
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle located under the
lower lef t corner of the dashboard.
The hood will pop up slightly.Put your f ingers between the f ront
edge of the hood and the f ront
grille. The hood latch handle is
above the ‘‘H’’ logo. Push this
handle up until it releases the
hood. Lif t the hood.
If the hood latch handle moves
stif f ly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole in
the hood.
1. 2.
3.
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
Opening and Closing the Hood
126
HOOD RELEASE HANDLE
LATCHSUPPORT ROD
CLIP
Page 131 of 256
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.
Lowerthefender,thenletitdrop.
Make sure it is securely latched.Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle). Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
127
DIPSTICK
Page 132 of 256
Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or
inf ormation on checking other
items in your Honda.
4. 173 176167
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
128
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX RESERVE TANK
MIN
Page 133 of 256
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See(see page
).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering and
hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible. Combine several short trips into
one. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
167
For example,
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
129
Page 134 of 256

Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your vehicle’s electrical system
capacity, they can interf ere with the
operation of your vehicle, or even
cause the airbags to deploy.
Bef ore installing any accessory:
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation.
Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory. Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability (see
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information).
218
131
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
130
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
Page 135 of 256

Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective. See the saf ety
precautions on page .
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult with your Honda dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:
Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision. 29
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
Additional Saf ety Precaution
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing aHonda dealer.
131
Page 136 of 256
ÎÎ
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.Roof -rack (if installed) Cargo area Seat-back pockets
Door pockets Tailgate pockets
Glove box
Dashboard pocket
Storage box
Center pocket
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving132
DOOR POCKETS
SEAT-BACK
POCKETS GLOVE BOX
A/T model only TAILGATE POCKETS
STORAGE BOX
DASHBOARD POCKET
CARGO AREA CENTER POCKET