Page 174 of 288

à
à
à
à
à
à
àµ
µ
ൠµ
ൠµ To shift from
12
23
34
45 Speed range
over 0 mph (0 km/h)
over 6 mph (10 km/h)
over 20 mph (32 km/h)
over 33 mph (52 km/h)
The transmission may automatically
downshif t f rom the higher gear to
the lower gear under the f ollowing
conditions:
The vehicle speeds drops below5 4:33mph(52km/h)
4 3:20mph(32km/h)
If you drive uphill between 54:4533mph
(72 52 km/h)
43:3320mph
(52 32 km/h)
32:2010mph
(32 16 km/h)
If you press the brake pedal as you
drive downhill. Downshif ting gives you more power
when climbing, and provides engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
The transmission will also shif t
automatically as the vehicle comes to
a complete stop. It will downshif t to
f irst gear when the vehicle speed is
under 6 mph (10 km/h).
If you try to manually downshif t at a
speed that would cause the engine to
exceed the redline in a lower gear,
the transmission will not downshif t.
Thegearindicatorwillflashthe
numberof thelowergearseveral
times, then return to the higher gear. If the vehicle speed slows to below
the redline of the selected lower gear
position while the indicator is
f lashing, the transmission will
downshif t and the display will show
the selected lower gear.
The table shows the speed ranges
f or upshif ting and downshif ting.
CONT INUED
Automatic Transmission
Driving
173
Page 178 of 288

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 parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.
If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst 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. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
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.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving
177
Page 188 of 288

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition. Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated (see page ),
and the trailer tires and spare are
trailer maker.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause trailer
swaying. When being passed by a
large vehicle, keep a constant speed,
and steer straight ahead. Do not try
to make quick steering or braking
corrections. Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All weights and loads are within
limits (see pages and ). 183 184 227
bottom
Pre-T ow Checklist
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Parking
Towing a Trailer
Driving
187
Page 190 of 288

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .190
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 191
............
Servicing Your Vehicle . 192
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .192
....................
Maintenance Record .197
..............................
Fluid Locations .201
........................
Adding Engine Oil .202
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 202
..............................
Synthetic Oil .203
................
Engine Oil Additives . 203
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 204
....................
Windshield Washers .206
..............................
Engine Coolant .207
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 207
.......................
Transmission Fluid .209
Automatic .........................
Transmission .209
Manual .........................
Transmission .211
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 212
................................
Brake Fluid .212
...............................
Clutch Fluid .213
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 213
....................................
Hood Latch .214
.............................................
Lights .215 .......................................
Seat Belts .223
.....................................
Floor Mats .223
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 223
.................................
Wiper Blades .224
...............................................
Tires .226
..................
Inf lation Guidelines . 226
...
Recomended Tire Pressures . 227
..........................
Tire Inspection .228
.....................
Tire Maintenance .228
.............................
Tire Rotation .229
.........................
Replacing Tires .229
......................
Wheels and Tires .230
..........................
Winter Driving .230
.............................
Snow Tires .230
............................
Tire Chains .231
...................
Checking the Battery . 232
.............................
Vehicle Storage .233
277
Maintenance
Maint enance
189
Page 195 of 288
Î
Î
Maint enance194
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
10
1620
3230
4840
6450
80 70
112 80
128 90
144
( ( O
O t
th
h e
er
rw
w i
is
se e a
ad
d j
ju
u s
stt o
o n
nl
ly
y i
if
f n
n o
oi
is
sy y )
)
(
( O
O r
re
ev
ve
er
ry
y 6
6y
ye
ea
ar
rs
s, , w
w h
hi
ic
ch h e
ev
ve
er
r c
coo m
m e
es
s f
fi
ir
r s
st t)
)
120
192 130
208 150
240
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 60
96
100
160110
176 140
224
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years. Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
1:
1
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions
Page 197 of 288
Î
Î
Maint enance196
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
Service the items listed at the indicated distance (or time, if given).
10
16
( (O
O t
th
h e
er
rw
w i
is
se e a
ad
d j
ju
u s
stt o
o n
nl
ly
y i
if
f n
n o
oi
is
sy y )
)
20
32 30
4840
6450
80 70
112 80
128 90
144 120
192130
208 150
240
( (
O
O r
re
ev
ve
er
ry
y 3
3y
ye
ea
ar
rs
s, , w
w h
hi
ic
ch h e
ev
ve
er
r c
coo m
m e
es
s f
fi
ir
r s
st t)
)
60
96 100
160110
176 140
224
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km)
120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years
Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Replace at 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years.
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace automatic transmission fluid
Replace manual transmission fluid
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid
2:
2
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions
Page 202 of 288
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
201
RADIATOR CAPCLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
Page 212 of 288

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
transmission f iller bolt, and caref ully
f eel inside the bolt hole with your
f inger. The f luid level should be up
to the edge of the bolt hole. If it is
not, add Honda Manual
Transmission Fluid (MTF) until it
starts to run out of the hole. Reinstall
the f iller bolt, and tighten it securely.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the two bolts, then pull the
lef t part of the under cover down. Af ter checking and adding the f luid,
put the under cover back in place
and tighten the bolts securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
Manual Transmission
T ransmission Fluid
Maint enance
211
FILLER BOLT
Correct level
BOLT
UNDER COVER
BOLT