Page 204 of 256
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.To keep the tailgate door open,
use the stop f rom the tool kit. Put
the stop on the support strut as
shown.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or Reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.
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.
1.
2.
3.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed200
JACK
STOP
SPARE TIRE
TOOL
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 the
jack.
Page 212 of 256
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
138 218
216
70
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
If theEngineWon’tStart
208
Page 216 of 256

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise without pushing
down to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. 9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
216
128
216
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed212
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
Page 219 of 256

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (seeon page ).
If the brake system
indicator comes on while
driving, the brake f luid
level is probably low. Press
lightly on the brake pedal if
it f eels normal. If it does
not, check the brake f luid
level the next time you stop
at a service station (see
page ).
If the f luid level is low, take the
vehicle to your dealer and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
216
181
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
215
Canada U.S.
Page 220 of 256
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
an organization. Never tow your
vehicle with just a rope or chain. It is
very dangerous.The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 157
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed216
NOTICE: Towing with only two tires
on the ground will damage parts of the
4WD system. It should be transported
on a f lat-bed truck or trailer.
Page 222 of 256
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, check f or a
blown f use f irst. Determine f rom the
chart on pages and or the
diagram on the f use box lid, which
f use or f uses control that device.
Check those f uses f irst, but check all
the f uses bef ore deciding that a
blown f use is the cause. Replace any
blown f uses and check if the device
works.
The interior f use box is underneath
the steering column. To remove the
f use box lid, pull it toward you and
take the lid out of its hinges. The vehicle’s f uses are located in
two f use boxes. The under-hood f use
box is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side. To
open it, push the tabs as shown.1.
2.221 222
Checking and Replacing Fuses
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed218
TAB
INTERIOR
UNDER-HOOD
Page 243 of 256

µµ
µ
µ µ
µ µ
µ µ
Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:
this warranty gives up
to 100 percent credit toward a
replacement battery. provides prorated
coverage f or a replacement battery
purchased f rom a Honda dealer.
covers your new vehicle, except f or
the battery, emissions control
systems and accessories, against
def ects in materials and
workmanship.
these two
warranties cover your vehicle’s emis-
sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
inf ormation. a seat
belt that f ails to f unction properly is
coveredfortheusefullifeof the
vehicle.
all exterior body panels are
covered f or rust-through f rom the
inside f or the specif ied time period
with no mileage limit.
genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other f actors.
Please read your warranty manual
f or details.
covers all genuine
Honda replacement parts against
def ects in materials and
workmanship. provides
coverageforaslongasthepur-
chaser of the muf f ler owns the
vehicle.
Restrictions and exclusions apply to
all these warranties. Please read the
2004 Honda Warranty Inf ormation
booklet that came with your vehicle
f or precise inf ormation on warranty
coverages. Your Honda’s original
tires are covered by their
manuf acturer. Tire warranty inf or-
mation is in a separate booklet.
Please ref er to the 2004 Warranty
Manual that came with your vehicle.
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
Original Equipment Bat t ery L imit edWarranty Replacement Bat t ery L imit ed
Warranty
New Vehicle L imit ed Warrant y
Emissions Cont rol Syst ems Def ect sWarrant y and EmissionsPerf ormance Warranty Seat Belt Limited Warranty
Rust Perf orat ion L imit ed Warrant y
Accessory Limited Warranty
Replacement Part s L imit edWarranty Replacement Muf f ler L if et ime
Limited Warranty
Warranty Coverages
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions239
Page 249 of 256

CONT INUED
...........................................
Driving .135
....................................
Economy .129
........................
Driving Guidelines .136
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 188
.....................................
Fan, Interior .98
Features, Comfort and ................................
Convenience .97
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 125
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .188
...............................................
Oil .174
5-speed Manual Transmission ...............
Checking Fluid Level . 180................................
Shif ting the .141
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 66
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 200
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 179
..........................................
Brake .181
.........................................
Clutch .181
..............
Manual Transmission . 180
..........................
Power Steering .182
..................
Windshield Washer . 178
FM Stereo Radio ...................................
Reception .106
...........................
Folding Rear Seat .81
.....
Foreign Countries, Driving in . 232
..........................
Four-way Flashers .66
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .12
.........................................
Heaters .75
.........................................
Airbags .23
..............................
Economy, Fuel .129
..................................
Emergencies .199
............................
Jump Starting .209
...........
Brake System Indicator . 215
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 200
.....
Charging System Indicator . 213
..................
Checking the Fuses . 218
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 66
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 213
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 214
...
Manually Closing Moonroof . 217
..................
Overheated Engine . 211
.......................................
Towing .216
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .66
.......................
Emissions Controls .231
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 234
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 62......
Engine Speed Limiter . 140,144
.............................. 208
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .56, 214
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 56,213
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 173
...............................
Overheating .211
............................
Specif ications .226
.......................................
Starting .138
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .124
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 231
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .50
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .18
If it won’t start
Index
E
F
III