Page 120 of 209

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 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.
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.
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Braking System Design
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System, Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
118
Page 138 of 209
Check the f luid level by looking at
the level gauge attached to the cap. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
Windshield Washers
136
LEVEL GAUGERESERVOIR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.
Page 192 of 209

The exhaust emissions controls
include f our systems: PGM-FI,
ignition timing control, secondary air
injection system, and three way
catalytic converter. These four
systems work together to control the
engine’s combustion and minimize
the amount of HC, CO, and NOx that
comes out the tailpipe. The exhaust
emissions control systems are
separate f rom the crankcase and
evaporative emissions control
systems.
The PGM-FI System uses sequential
multiport f uel injection.
It has three subsystems: air intake,
engine control, and f uel control. The
engine control module (ECM) uses
various sensors to determine how
much air is going into the engine. It
then controls how much f uel to inject
under all operating conditions.During engine warm-up, air is
pumped into the exhaust to reduce
emissions when the engine is cold.
The three way catalytic converter is
in the exhaust system. Through
chemical reactions, it converts HC,
CO, and NOx in the engine’s exhaust
to carbon dioxide (CO ), nitrogen
(N ), and water vapor.
The emissions control systems are
designed and certif ied to work to-
gether in reducing emissions to
levels that comply with the Clean Air
Act. To make sure the emissions
remain low, you should use only new
Honda replacement parts or their
equivalent f or repairs. Using lower
quality parts may increase the
emissions f rom your vehicle.
This system constantly adjusts the
ignition timing, reducing the amount
of HC, CO, and NOx produced.
The emissions control systems are
covered by warranties separate from
the rest of your vehicle. Read your
warranty manual for more inf orma-
tion.
2
2
Emissions Cont rols
Exhaust Emissions Controls Replacement Parts
PGM-FI Syst emSecondary A ir Inject ion Syst em
Three Way Catalytic Converter
Ignit ion T iming Cont rol Syst em
190