Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.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.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passenger has f astened his or
her seat belt (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
58
66 12
39
Preparing to Drive
Driving112
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
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.Fill the f uel tank.
Change the engine oil and f ilter.
Wash and dry the exterior
completely.
Cleantheinterior.Makesurethe
carpeting, floor mats, etc., are
completely dry.
Raise the convertible top cover.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in Reverse. 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.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
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.
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
If you store your vehicle f or 1 year or
longer, have your Honda dealer
perf orm the inspections called f or in
the 2 years/30,000 miles (48,000 km)
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.
Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
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.
123
Maint enance
Vehicle Storage
152
..............................
Economy, Fuel .104
............
Emergencies on the Road . 153
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 162
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 155
.....
Charging System Indicator . 166
..................
Checking the Fuses . 170
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 49
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 166
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 167
..................
Overheated Engine . 163
...........................
Emergency Brake .67
......................
Emergency Flashers .49
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 55
.......................
Emissions Controls .185
.....................................
Child Saf ety .22
..............................
Booster Seats .31
...................................
Child Seats .26
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................
Larger Children .30
......................
Risk With Airbags .23
.............................
Small Children .26
.......................................
Child Seats .26
Cleaning .................................
Floor Mats .143
...................................
Seat Belts .143
...................................
Clutch Fluid .136
........................
CO in the Exhaust .185
.........................
Compact .154
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 70
..............................
Convertible Top .61
...............
Convertible Top Cover . 63
..
Lowering the Convertible Top . 61
................................
Maintenance .65
.....
Raising the Convertible Top . 64
Coolant ........................................
Adding .132
....................................
Checking .103
.........................
Proper Solution .132
...................
Temperature Gauge . 45Crankcase Emission Control
........................................
System .185
..............
Cruise Control Operation . 95
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 42
......................................
Cup Holder .70
Customer Relations ................................
Inf ormation .192
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
.......................................
Dashboard .38
................
Daytime Running Lights . 48
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .42
.................................
Dead Battery .162
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 194
................
Def rosting the Windows . 77
....................................
Dimensions .180
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 48
Dipstick ..................................
Engine Oil .103
..........................
Directional Signals .48
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 117
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .132
...................
Do Not Tow a Trailer . 118Doors
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 54
..............................
Monitor Light .41
......................
Power Door Locks .54
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 182
Downshif ting, 6-speed Manual
.............................
Transmission .114
...........................................
Driving .111
....................................
Economy .104
spare tire
Index
D
E
II
....................................
Hood Latch .135
.......................
Hood, Opening the .102
...........................
Hydraulic Clutch .136
................
Jacking Up the Vehicle . 156
.......................................
Jack, Tire .155
................................
Jump Starting .162
..................................................
Keys .51 .........................
Label, Certif ication .78
.................
Lane Change, Signaling . 48
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 12,15
Lights ....................
Bulb Replacement .137
.......................................
Indicator .40
..................................
Turn Signal .48
.....................................
Load Limit .108
...............................
Loading Cargo .107
......
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 53
Locks .......
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 53
............................
Fuel Fill Door .101
.................................
Power Door .54
...........................................
Trunk .54
........................
Low Coolant Level .103
...
Lower Gear, Downshif ting to a . 114
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .42
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 40,166
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 180
...............
Luggage, .107
Identif ication Number,
.......................................
Vehicle .178
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .51
...........................................
Switch .53
............
Timing Control System . 186
Indicator Lights, Instrument .........................................
Panel .40
..............
ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) . 41
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .40
........................
Charging System .40
.............................
Cruise Control .42
....................................
Door-open .41
DRL(Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .42
EPS (Electrical Power ..................................
Steering) .41
...................................
High Beam .42
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 42......................................
Low Fuel .42
........................
Low Oil Pressure .40
...............
Maintenance Required . 43
.......................................
Seat Belt .40
...............................................
SRS .41
..................................
Trunk-open .41
Turn Signal and Hazard ...................................
Warning .42
...................
Inf lation, Proper Tire . 146
...................................
Inside Mirror .66
.............................
Inspection, Tire .147
............................
Instrument Panel .39
........
Instrument Panel Brightness . 49
.................................
Interior Lights .68
........................................
Introduction .i
storing (cargo)
Index
I
J
KL
IV
CONT INUED
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 49
.................................
Parking Brake .67
.................................
Parking Lights .48
.............................
PGM-FI System .186
Power ..................................
Door Locks .54
..............
Engine, Specif ications . 180
.........................................
Mirrors .66
......................................
Windows .59
..........................
Power Door Locks .54
..................
Power Socket Location . 70..............................
Power Windows .59
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 14
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 10
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 15
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 14
........................
Protecting Children .22
.....................
General Guidelines .22
.......
Protecting Larger Children . 30
.........
Protecting Small Children . 26
..................................
Maintenance .119
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .122
........................................
Record .125
....................................
Schedule .121
..
Maintenance Required Indicator . 43
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 41,167
...................
Manual Transmission . 114
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 134
...............................
Meters, Gauges .44
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .66
...............
Modif ying Your Vehicle . 106
..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 100
.....................
Normal Shif t Speeds .115
..................
NOTICE, Explanation of . ii
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 178
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 100
.........................................
Odometer .44 ...............................
Odometer, Trip .44
Oil ........................
Change, How to .130
......................
Change, When to .121
......................
Checking Engine .103
..............
Pressure Indicator . 40,166
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .130
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 53
.........................
Opening the Trunk .54
..............................
Outside Mirrors .66
....................
Overheating, Engine .163
...................
Radiator Overheating . 163
.......................
Radio Sound System .78
...................
Readiness Codes . 167,188
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 141
............................
Rear View Mirror .66
................
Reclining the Seat-backs . 58
.......
Recommended Shif t Speeds . 115
Recovery Vehicle, Emergency .......................................
Towing .176
.............................
Reminder Lights .40
.......................
Remote Transmitter .56
Index
M
N
O P
R
V