Your vehicle has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicator lights in
the instrument panel (see page
).
Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked. Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ). Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ). Check the seat adjustment (see
page ). Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle. Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof . Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
3.
2. 1. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
61
74
68
12
47
See page f or additional driving of f - highway guidelines. 155
Driving Guidelines
Driving
Preparing to Drive
136
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.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area, or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
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.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.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.
Parking T ips
Parking T ips
Driving143
µ
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors. If additional battery maintenance is
needed, see your Honda dealer or a
qualif ied technician.
Battery posts,
terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Check the terminals f or corrosion (a
white or yellowish powder). To
remove it, cover the terminals with a
solution of baking soda and water. It
will bubble up and turn brown. When
this stops, wash it of f with plain
water. Dry off the battery with a
cloth or paper towel. Coat the
terminals with grease to help prevent
f urther corrosion. If you need to connect the battery to
a charger, disconnect both cables to
prevent damaging your vehicle’s
electrical system. Always disconnect
the negative ( ) cable first, and
reconnect it last.
Maint enance
WARNING:
Wash your hands af ter handling.
Checking Your Battery
193
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.
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.
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. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield. Disconnect the battery.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Park. To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and tailgate seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and tailgate seals.If possible, run the engine
periodically (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. 165
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
194
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure light. If it does not go out
within ten seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving.
(Seeon page
).
This light should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
171
127
208
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure L ight, Charging System Indicator
206
NOTICE:
Running the engine with low
oil pressure can cause serious
mechanical damage almost immediately.
Turn of f the engine as soon as you can
saf ely get the vehicle stopped.
µ
No. Amps. Circuits Protected
No. Amps. Circuits ProtectedNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 20 A
30 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
40 A
40 A
30 A
40 A Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Right Headlight
ACG S
Hazard
Not used
Stop
Lef t Headlight
Radio
Power Window Motor
Power Seat
Rear Defroster
Back Up, ACC
1
2
3
4 40 A
20 A
20 A
20 A ABS Motor
ABS F/S
Rear ACC Socket
4WD 14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
30 A
40 A
30 A
7.5 A 10 A
15 A
120 A 30 A
7.5 A 50 A
20 A Rear A/C
Heater Motor
Cooling Fan
Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Spare Fuse
Battery
Condenser Fan
MG Clutch
IGI Main
Trailer (accessory)
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed212
PRIMARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
ÎÎ
ε
µ µ
Î
Î
No. Amps. Circuits ProtectedNo. Amps. Circuits Protected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13 15 A
10 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 7.5 A15 A
7.5 A
7.5 A 10 A
7.5 A 15 A
30 A
7.5 A Fuel Pump
SRS
Heater Control, A/C Clutch
Relay, Cooling Fan Relay
Power Mirror, VTM-4
Daytime Running Light
ECU(PCM),CruiseControl
OPDS, Rear Wiper
ACC Relay
Back-up Lights, Instrument
Lights
Turn Signals
IG Coil
Front Wiper
Starter Signal 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 20 A
20 A
20 A
20 A
10 A
20 A
20 A
15 A
15 A
10 A
20 A
7.5 A
20 A Driver’s Power Window
Driver’s Power Seat Reclining
Heated Seat
Driver’s Power Seat Sliding
Not used
Daytime Running Light
Driver’s side Rear Power
Window
Front Passenger’s Power
Window
Front Accessory Socket, Radio
Small Light
Interior Light, Navi
Power Door Lock
Back Up
Not used
Not used
Passenger’s Side Rear Power
Window
Canadian models
:
On Canadian models
Fuse Locations
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed213
Driver’s Side INTERIOR FUSE BOX
Passenger’s Side
Front Front
:
Î
................................
Cancel Button .117
............................
Capacities Chart .218
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 42
........................
Cargo, .131
Cassette Player ..............................................
Care .95
.....................................
Operation .98
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...........................................
CD Care .95
.....................................
CD Changer .94
.........
CD Changer Error Message . 97
.........................................
CD Player .93
.............
CD Player Error Message . 96
........................
Certif ication Label .216
...................................
Chains, .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
Change Oil ........................................
How to .172
.............................
When to .164, 165
...
Charging System Indicator . 48,206
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 136
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 65
.....................................
Child Saf ety .25
..............................
Booster Seats .39 ...................................
Child Seats .30
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................................
Inf ants .29
..........................
Larger Children .38
.........................................
LATCH .33
......................
Risks with Airbags .26
.............................
Small Children .30
.........................................
Tethers .37
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 26
Child Seats .........................................
LATCH .33
...........................
Lower Anchors .33
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 37
.................
Climate Control System . 86
.........................
Clock, Setting the .103
..............................................
Clock .103
.....................
Code, Audio System .102
........................
CO in the Exhaust .223
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 137
.......................
Compact Spare .196
...................
Console Compartment . 77
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 230
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 45
Coolant ........................................
Adding .174
....................................
Checking .127 .........................
Proper Solution .174
...................
Temperature Gauge . 55
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .223
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 51
............
Cruise Control Operation . 116
.....................................
Cup Holders .77
....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 230
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 46
................
Daytime Running Lights . 59
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .51
.................................
Dead Battery .202
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 232
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 60
..........
Def rosting the Windows . 83,85
....................................
Dimensions .218
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 58
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 176
..................................
Engine Oil .127
..........................
Directional Signals .58
how to carry
tires tire
Index
C
D
II