Page 239 of 281

Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
7.
6.
8. 9.10. 11.
255
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
249
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.
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Page 240 of 281

Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
outwithin10seconds,turnoff the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page).
This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
1. 2. 3. 4.
159 203 255
Emergency T owing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
250
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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Page 241 of 281
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged. If the indicator comes on while
driving, it means one of the engine’s
emission control systems may have a
problem. Even though you may f eel
no dif f erence in your vehicle’s
perf ormance, continued operation
may cause serious damage.
CONT INUED
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Charging System Indicator
Charging System Indicator, Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
251
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
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Page 242 of 281

If the indicator remains on or the
f uel cap was not loose or missing,
have the vehicle checked by the
dealer as soon as possible.If your vehicle’s battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
or replace it. Tightening the cap will
not make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
days of normal driving.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle for a state
emissions test until the readiness
codes are set. Ref er to
for more
inf ormation (see page ). 277
Readiness Codes
State
Emissions T esting
Malf unct ion Indicat or L amp
252
If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties. This indicator may also
come on with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
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Page 245 of 281

µµ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
an organization. Never tow your
vehicle with just a rope or chain. It is
very dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to neutral.
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do the f ollowing:
Manual Transmission
Automatic Transmission:
CONT INUED
Emergency T owing
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
This is the best way to trans-
port your vehicle.
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
vehicle.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
255
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
vehicle must be transported with the
f ront wheels of f the ground.
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Page 247 of 281
The interior f use box is on the
driver’s lower lef t side. To remove
the f use box lid, pull it toward you
and take it out of its hinges.The under-hood f use box is located
near the back of the engine compart-
ment on the driver’s side. To open it,
pushthetabsasshown.If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on pages
and , or the diagram on the
f use box lid, which f use or f uses
control that component. Check those
f uses f irst, but check all the f uses
bef ore deciding that a blown f use is
not the cause. Replace any blown
f uses and check if the device works.
Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Make sure the
headlights and all other
accessories are of f .
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box.
1. 2. 261
260
CONT INUED
Fuses
Checking and Replacing Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
257
INTERIOR UNDER-HOOD
TAB
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Page 253 of 281
The Vehicle Identif ication Number
(VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Honda dealer uses to register your
vehicle f or warranty purposes. It is
also necessary f or licensing and
insuring your vehicle. The easiest
placetofindtheVINisonaplate
fastened to the top of the dashboard.
Youcanseeitbylookingthrough
the windshield on the driver’s side. It
is also on the Certification label
attached to the driver’s doorjamb,
and is stamped on the engine
compartment bulkhead. The VIN is
also provided in bar code on the
Certif ication label.
Your vehicle has several identif ying
numbers in various places.
Identif ication Numbers
264
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
CERTIFICATION LABEL
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Page 254 of 281
The transmission number is on a
label on top of the transmission.
The engine number is stamped on
the f ront of the engine block.
Identif ication Numbers
4-cylinder Models 6-cylinder Models
T echnical Inf ormation
265
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER
ENGINE NUMBER
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER
MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
NUMBER
ENGINE
NUMBER
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