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
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
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.Clean the hood latch assembly with a
mild cleaner, then lubricate it with a
multipurpose grease. Lubricate all
the moving parts (as shown),
including the pivot. Follow the time
and distance recommendations in
the Maintenance Schedule. If you
are not sure how to clean and grease
the latch, contact your dealer. Hood L atch
Power Steering Fluid, Hood L atch
214
LATCH ASSEMBLYPIVOTS
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
To change the bulb on the driver’s
side, start the engine, turn the
steering wheel all the way to the
right, and turn of f the engine. To
change the bulb on the passenger’s
side, turn the steering wheel to the
lef t.Use a f lat-tipped screwdriver to
remove the two holding clips f rom
the inner f ender.
Pull the inner f ender cover away
f rom the f ender and bumper.Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
4. 5.
2.
1.
3.
Replacing a Front Parking L ight
Bulb
Lights
218
HOLDING CLIPS
Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS to work inconsistently.
It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
Move the tires to the positions
shown in the illustration each time
they are rotated. If you purchase
directional tires, rotate only f ront-to-
back.
To help increase tire lif e and
distribute wear more evenly, rotate
the tires at these intervals:
CONT INUED
T ire Rotation Replacing T ires and Wheels
Tires
Maint enance
229
(For Non-directional
Tires and Wheels)Front Front
(For Directional
Tires and Wheels)
Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km)
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).If you decide to tow your vehicle
with all f our wheels on the ground,
make sure you use a properly-
designed and attached tow bar.
Prepare the vehicle for towing as
described above, and leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I) so
the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
If your vehicle is equipped with a
f ront spoiler, remove it bef ore
towing so it is not damaged.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
253
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
.........................................
Seat Belts .10
...............
Additional Information . 20
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .21
......................
Lap/Shoulder Belt .20
................................
Maintenance .21
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .20, 54
...................
System Components . 20
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 18
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 20
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .83
............................
Security System .142
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .37
...................
Select/Reset Knob . 63,68
...............................
Serial Number .260
....................
Service Intervals .193-196
.............................
Service Manual .277
...........
Service Station Procedure . 154
..........................
Setting the Clock .141
........
Sequential SportShif t Mode . 172
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 170
........................
Shif t Lock Release .175
..............................
Side Airbags .11, 26
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 26How the Side Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .28
................
Side Curtain Airbags . 11,27
How Your Side Curtain ..........................
Airbags Work .27
...............................
Signaling Turns .66
.....................................
Snow Tires .230
.......
Sound System . 112,120,128,133
Spare Tire ......................................
Inf lating .236
............................
Specif ications .264
....................
Specif ications Charts . 262
................................
Speed Control .143
........................
Speed Limiter .169, 174
...................................
Speedometer .60
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 20
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 29
.............................
Airbag Service .28
How Your SRS Indicator .......................................
Works .27
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .24
How Your Side Airbags .........................................
Work .26
........................
SRS Components .20
.............................
SRS Indicator .27 ,55 ....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 73
.......................
Starting the Engine .167
................
With a Dead Battery . 243
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 245
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .70
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 73
Stereo Sound ...............
System . 112,120,128,133
..........................................
Sun Visor .94
..........................
Sunglasses Holder .98
Supplemental Restraint ................................
System .11, 23
......................................
Servicing .28
.........................
SRS Indicator .27 ,55
...................
System Components . 23
..................................
Synthetic Oil .203
.....................................
Tachometer .60
......
Taillights, Changing Bulbs in . 219
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 235
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 265
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 268
Index
T
VI
Wheels...............
Adjusting the Steering . 70
............
Alignment and Balance . 228
..........................
Compact Spare .236
......................................
Wrench .237
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 89
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .69
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .65
.......................................
Washers .65
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .224
.....................................
Operation .65
....................................
Worn Tires .228
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 252
Index
VIII