Page 44 of 208

This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your airbags or automatic seat belt
tensioners. For more inf ormation,
see page .See page .
This indicator comes on if the trunk
lid is not closed tightly.
This indicator comes on if either
door is not closed tightly.This indicator normally comes on
when you turn the ignition to ON (II)
and goes off after the engine starts.
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem in the Electric
Power Steering system. If this
happens, stop the vehicle in a saf e
place, and turn of f the engine. Reset
the system by restarting the engine,
and watch the EPS indicator. If it
does not go of f , or comes back on
again while driving, take the vehicle
to your dealer to have it checked.
With the indicator on, the EPS is
turned off, making the vehicle
harder to steer.
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
you push the START button. If it
comes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the ABS. If this happens,
have your vehicle checked by your
Honda dealer. With this indicator on,
your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock. For more
inf ormation, see page . 20
167
118
Instrument Panel Indicators
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Trunk-open Indicator
Door-open IndicatorElectric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
41
Page 49 of 208
Î
ÎTo use the horn, press the pad around the ‘‘H’’ logo.
Controls Near the Steering Wheel
46
REMOTE AUDIO
CONTROLS
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLEINSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
ENGINE START BUTTON
CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCH
HORNWINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER BUTTON
(P.48)
(P.93)
(P.113)
(P.102)
(P.95) (P.47)
(P.50)
(P.49)
Page 56 of 208

µµ
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The ignition switch has three
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), and ON (II). You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, you must push the
key in slightly. If the f ront wheels
are turned, the anti-thef t lock may
make it difficult to turn the key.
Firmly turn the steering wheel to the
lef t or right as you turn the key. This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II).
The engine can be started with the
key in this position by pressing the
engine START button (see page ).
You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper. You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power socket in this
position.
113
Ignition Switch
Inst rument s and Cont rols
LOCK (0) ON (II) A CCESSORY (I)
53
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.
Page 98 of 208

Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.Push in the Cruise Control Master
Switch. The indicator in the switch
will come on.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).Press and release the SET/decel
buttononthesteeringwheel.The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on
the instrument panel comes on to
show the system is now activated.
1.
2. 3.
CONT INUED
Cruise Control
Using the Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures95
NOTICE:
CANCEL BUTTON
SET/decel
RESUME/accel
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather.
The cruise control, as it
operates, moves the accelerator pedal.
You can damage your vehicle’s
accelerator mechanism by resting your
f oot under the pedal and blocking the
movement.
Page 100 of 208

Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up f or passing. Af ter
completing the pass, take your foot
of f the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your f oot on the brake or
clutch pedal will cause the cruise
control to cancel.Youcancancelthecruisecontrolin
any of these ways:
Tap the brake or clutch pedal.
Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel. When you push the CANCEL button,
or tap the brake or clutch pedal, the
system remembers the previously-
set cruising speed. To return to that
speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) and then press and
release the RESUME/accel button.
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator
comes on. The vehicle will accelerate
to the same cruising speed as before.
Pressing the Cruise Control Master
Switch turns the system completely
of f and erases the previous cruising
speed.
Press the Cruise Control Master
Switch.
Cruise Control
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures
Cancelling the Cruise Control
97
Page 109 of 208

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 the 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. 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 your Honda dealer.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect handling and stability. 15
Bef ore Driving
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
106
Page 119 of 208

Make sure the convertible top and
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk 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, and put the transmission in
f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and put the transmission in
reverse gear.
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.
Your Honda is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
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.
Parking, Braking System
Parking
Parking T ips
Braking System
Driving116
Page 120 of 208

Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
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.’’
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
may hear some noise. This is normal:
it is the ABS rapidly pumping the
brakes. On dry pavement, you will
need to press on the brake pedal
very hard before the ABS activates.
However, you may f eel the ABS
activate immediately if you are trying
to stop on snow or ice.
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Braking System Design
Brake Wear IndicatorsAnti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Driving117
Front