Page 71 of 281
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You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly. If the f ront wheels
are turned, the anti-thef t lock may
make it difficult to turn the key.
Firmly turn the steering wheel to the
left or to the right as you turn thekey.
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), START (III) You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
lights on the instrument panel come
on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II).
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
L OCK (0) A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
Ignition Switch
76
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Page 72 of 281

You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
thedriver’sdoor.Removethekeyto
turn of f the beeper.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must be
in Park bef ore you can remove the
key f rom the ignition switch.Each f ront door has a power door
lock master switch. Either switch
locks and unlocks all doors. Push the
top of the switch to lock all doors;
push the bottom to unlock them.Each door has a lock tab on it. Push
down the tab to lock the door and
pull it up to unlock. When you push
down the tab on the driver’s door, all
the doors lock.
To lock any passenger’s door when
getting out of the vehicle, push the
lock tab down, and close the door.
All doors can be locked f rom the
outsidebyusingthekeyinthe
driver’s door. To unlock only the
driver’s door, insert the key, turn it
clockwise, and release it. The
remaining doors unlock when you
turn the key a second time within a
f ew seconds.
Door L ocks
Ignit ion Swit ch, Door L ocks
Inst rument s and Cont rols
77
top
bottom
POWER DOOR LOCK MASTER SWITCH
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control of thevehicle.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only whenparked.
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Page 171 of 281

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels may be disc or drum,
depending on the model. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The ABS helps
you retain steering control when
braking very hard.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.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, builds up heat,
increases wear and reduces their
ef f ectiveness. It also keeps your
brake lights on all the time,
conf using drivers behind you. 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.
In all models, the f ront disc brakes
have audible brake wear indicators.
In all models except the U.S. VP, U.S.
LX and Canadian DX-G, the rear disc
brakes have audible brake wear
indicators.
Brake Wear Indicators
Braking System Design
Braking System
Driving
179
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Page 189 of 281

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Maintenance Minder
198
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
(V6 engine only)
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
:
AB
Symbol
12 3 4 5
Symbol1 1
If the message ‘‘SERVICE OIL’’ does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
Independent of the maintenance minder display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
196
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds
or trailer towing results in higher transmission and
transfer temperatures. This requires transmission and
transfer fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you
regularly drive your vehicle under these conditions, have
the transmission and transfer fluid changed at 60,000
miles (100,000 km), then every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
(For A/T only:)
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under 20°F,29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km
(Canada).
Maintenance Minder
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Page 192 of 281
4-cylinder Models
Fluid Locations
Maint enance
201
BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
RADIATOR CAPCLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
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Page 193 of 281
6-cylinder Models
Fluid Locations
202
ENGINE OIL FILL CAPAUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
POWER STEERING
FLUID (Red cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap) ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange loop)
CLUTCH FLUID
(6-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
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Page 207 of 281
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.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.
Low f luid level can indicate a leak in
the clutch system. Have this system
inspected as soon as possible.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system.
Manual transmission models
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid Power Steering Fluid
216
MAX
MIN UPPER LEVEL
4-cylinder models LOWER LEVEL LOWER LEVELUPPER LEVEL
6-cylinder models
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Page 208 of 281
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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.
The timing belt should be replaced
according to the maintenance
minder (see page ).
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (U.S.) or every 100,000 km
(Canada) if you regularly drive your
vehicleinanyof thefollowing
conditions:
Frequently tow a trailer.
In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C). 193
6-cylinder models
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
Timing Belt
Maint enance
217
T urning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
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