Page 169 of 274

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.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and 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 and the tailgate.
Make sure the hatch glass is
closed securely.
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 you have 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 downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Parking T ips
Parking
166
Page 176 of 274

µ
µ
µ
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province, and
local regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 4,450 lbs
(2,020 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) on the f ront axle,
and 2,290 lbs (1,040 kg) on the rear
axle.
The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 5,950 lbs (2,700
kg)
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Thebestwaytoconfirmthatvehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
Driving
173
Page 178 of 274

The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
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.
(If you tow f requently, f ollow the
severe conditions maintenance
schedule.)
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Driving
175
Page 196 of 274

Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
A dding Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Recommended Engine Oil
Maint enance
193
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
Page 202 of 274

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
To thoroughly f lush the
transmission, the technician
should drain and ref ill it with
Honda ATF-Z1, then drive the
vehicle f or a short distance. Do
this three times. Then drain and
ref ill the transmission a f inal time.
Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If
it’s not available, you may use a
DEXRONIII automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality.
Have the transmission flushed and
ref illed with Honda ATF-Z1 as
soon as it is convenient.
1.
2.
3.
5.
4.
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
199
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK LOWER MARK
Page 203 of 274

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.
Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it 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 stiffer shifting. 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
recommendations in the
maintenance schedule.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the time and distance recommen-
dations in the maintenance schedule.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
200
WASHER FILLER BOLT
Correct level
Page 207 of 274
à
Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure it is right side up; it is
marked ‘‘ .’’
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
4.
5.
6.
Lights
204
High Beam Headlight
Page 209 of 274
Use a Phillips-head screwdriver to
remove the taillight assembly
mounting screw under each cover.
Pull the taillight assembly out of
the rear pillar. Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight, back-
up light, turn signal, or side
marker.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Align the clips on the taillight
assembly with the holes in the
body, then push the taillight
assembly into place. Tighten the
two mounting screws securely and
reinstall the covers.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Lights
206
BULBS
SCREW