Page 190 of 420
The ignition switch light comes on
when you open the driver’s door, and
stays on several seconds af ter you
close the door.
The cargo area light has a three-
position switch. In the OFF position,
the light does not come on. In the
center position, it comes on when
you open the tailgate. In the ON
position, it stays on continuously. Ignition Switch L ight
Cargo Area Light
Interior Lights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
189
OFF
ON
REAR
Page 191 of 420
The courtesy lights in the f ront
doors come on when you open any
door.The courtesy light between the map
lights comes on when you turn the
parking lights on. To adjust its
brightness, turn the Select/Reset
knob on the instrument panel.
Interior Lights
Courtesy Lights
190
Page 209 of 420
µ
µ µ´ You can use the instrument panel
brightness control knob to adjust the
illumination of the audio system (see
page ). The audio system
illuminates when the parking lights
are on, even if the radio is of f .
These modes adjust
the strength of the sound coming
f rom each speaker. Lef t/Right
balance adjusts the side-to-side
strength, while Front/Rear f ader
adjust the f ront-to-back strength. To
adjust the left/right balance, touch
the ‘‘L’’ or ‘‘R’’ icon.
To adjust the front/rear fader, touch
the ‘‘FR’’ or ‘‘RR’’ icon.
To adjust the treble
and bass, touch or on each
side of the treble or bass adjustment
bar. The adjustment bar shows you
the current setting. To see the audio display when you
are f inished adjusting the sound,
wait 5 seconds. 129
A udio System L ighting
L ef t/Right Balance and Front/
Rear Fader
Treble/Bass
Playing the AM/FM Radio
208
Page 269 of 420

The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and the tailgate. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doorsandthetailgatefromthe
outside with the key, the lock tab,
the door lock switch, or the remote
transmitter. The security system
indicator in the instrument panel
starts blinking immediately to show
you the system is setting itself .Once the security system is set,
opening any door, the tailgate, or the
hood without using the key or the
remote transmitter, will cause it to
alarm. It also alarms if the radio is
removed f rom the dashboard or the
wiring is cut.The security system will not set if
the hood, tailgate, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door and Tailgate Open
Monitor on the instrument panel
(see page ), to see if the doors
and the tailgate are f ully closed.
Since it is not part of the monitor
display, manually check the hood.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it.
The security system helps to protect
your vehicle and valuables f rom thef t.
The horn sounds and a combination
of headlights, parking lights, side
marker lights and taillights f lashes if
someone attempts to break into your
vehicleorremovetheradio.This
alarm continues f or 2 minutes, then
the alarm stops. To reset an
alarming system before the 2
minutes have elapsed, unlock either
f ront door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
67
On EX, EX-L and Touring models
Security System
268
SECURITY SYSTEM
INDICATOR
Page 291 of 420

Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes.Bef ore installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsaf e. Bef ore you make any
modif ications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the f ollowing
inf ormation.
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 page ). Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
the proper operation of your
vehicle.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer. If possible,
have your dealer inspect the f inal
installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows as these may interf ere
with proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.
291 382
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
290
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.
Page 299 of 420
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
3.
2.
1.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 16
61
153
131
171
Preparing to Drive
298
Page 305 of 420

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.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
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.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed.
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. Lock the doors and the tailgate. Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you. Turn of f the lights.
Parking T ips
Parking
304
Page 306 of 420

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 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.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
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. Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Wear Indicators
Driving
305