Page 161 of 292
Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page for
info rmation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer
to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
209 198
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedure
160
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK
4-cylinder models MIN MAX MAX
RESERVE TANK
6-cylinder models MIN
6-cylinder models
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Page 162 of 292
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehic le uses extra
fuel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more fuel.
The
build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicl e’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your fuel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion. an
underinflated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more fuel.
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
minder. See
(see page
).
198
For example,
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
161
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Page 163 of 292

Before installing any accesso ry:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interfere with
proper operation.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.
Modifying
your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsafe. Before
you make any modifi cations or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
following information.
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved for your
vehicl e, and are covered by warranty. Before installing any electronic
accessory, have the insta ller
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the final installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. In these areas,
accessories may interfere with
proper operation of the side
cu rtain airbags.
Although
non-Honda accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability (see next page
f or additional inf ormation). 257
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
162
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
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Page 164 of 292

Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
af termarket components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:Lowering the vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer. Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interf ere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inf late, the objects could be
propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone. If a side airbag
or a side curtain airbag inf lates, a
cupholderorotherhardobject
attached on or near the door could
be propelled inside the vehicle and
hurt someone.
This could prevent the
airbag from inflating properly.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not at t ach or place object s onthe f ront airbag covers. Do not at t ach hard object s on or
near a f ront door.
Do not place any object s over orreplacetheoutsideedgeof afrontseat-back.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
163
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Page 165 of 292
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Door and seat-back pockets
Trunk, including the back seats
when f olded down
Center pocket
Console compartment
Roof -rack (if installed)
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
164
CENTER POCKET
GLOVE BOX
DOOR POCKET
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT
TRUNK SEAT-BACK POCKETS
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Page 166 of 292

µ·
The maximum load for your vehicle
is 850 lbs (395 kg). This figure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, and accessories,
and the tongue load if you are towing
a trailer. Steps
for determining correct load
limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
[The placard is on the driv er’s
doorjamb.]
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicl e.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
850 pounds or 395 kilograms. Determine
the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the maximum load
is 850 lbs and there will be five 150
lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 100 lbs. (850
750 (5 150) = 100 lbs.)
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load from your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
yourvehicle(seepage ).
1.
2.
5.
6.
3.
4. 184
CONT INUED
Carrying Cargo
Load Limits
Bef ore Driving
165
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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Page 167 of 292

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
If
you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
pa ssenger area. To avoid the
possibility of
, f ollow the instructions
on page .
If you carry any items on a roof
rack,besurethetotalweightof
the rack and the items does not
exceed 165 lbs (75 kg).
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers and
accessories must not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label
on the driver’s doorjamb.
Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop. Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the driver’s ability to operate the
pedals, the proper operation of the
seats, or the advanced front
airbags.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.
52
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
166
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Page 168 of 292

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
the braking system, the traction
control system, and f acts you need if
you are planning to tow a trailer.........................
Preparing to Drive .168
.......................
Starting the Engine .169
...................
Manual Transmission . 170
.....
Recommended Shif t Points . 171
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 172
.......................
Reverse Lockout .172
..............
Automatic Transmission . 173
Shif t Lever Position ...............................
Indicators .173
.......................................
Shif ting .173
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 175
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 176
...........................................
Parking .178
..............................
Parking Tips .178
.............................
Braking System .179
...............
Brake System Design . 179
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 179
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 180
Activating the Anti-lock ....................................
Brakes .180
............................
ABS Indicator .180
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) ....................................
System .182
.........
VSA Activation Indicator . 182
..............
VSA System Indicator . 182
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .183 ...........................
Towing a Trailer .184
Driving
Driving
167
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