Page 316 of 420

CONT INUED
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check the
requirements f or the areas where
you plan to tow, and use only
equipment designed f or your vehicle.
If the total trailer weight exceeds
2,000 lbs (900 kg), you should install
a sway control device to minimize
swaying that can occur in crosswinds
and in normal and emergency
driving maneuvers. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
To help prevent overheating, a
transmission f luid cooler and a
power steering f luid cooler are
required f or trailer towing. These
coolers are available only f rom your
Honda dealer. Honda recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
Seeyourtrailerdealerformore
inf ormation on installing electric
brakes.
Towing a Trailer
Trailer Brakes
Trailer Lights
Sway Cont rol
T ransmission Fluid Cooler andPower St eering Fluid Cooler
Driving
315
Page 317 of 420

´´
To use the trailer lighting connector,
you will need a wiring harness and
converter. This comes with the
Honda hitch (see page ), or it
may be obtained separately from
your dealer. If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
When towing a trailer, we
recommend that you carry a f ull-size
spare wheel and tire for your vehicle
and trailer. If you use the compact
sparetirethatcamewithyour
vehicle, it could adversely af f ect
vehicle handling. See page f or
proper tire size, page f or how to
store a f ull size wheel and tire, andpage f or inf ormation on
changing a f lat tire.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation. Many states and provinces require
special outside mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot. Remember to unhitch the trailer
bef ore changing a f lat. Ask your
trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare
tire.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector behind the right side
panel in the cargo area. Ref er to the
drawing above f or the purpose of
each pin. Because of the Michelin PAX system,
youmustnotchangeaflattire,or
use a compact spare tire on your
vehicle.
314 370366
356
U.S. Touring model
Spare Tires A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Towing a Trailer
316
GROUND
LEFT TURN SIGNAL
SMALL LIGHTS
B HAZARD B HAC
RIGHT TURN
SIGNAL
SMALL LIGHTS
Page 318 of 420

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure. All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. Do not exceed
55 mph (88 km/h). At higher speeds,
the trailer may sway or affect vehicle
handling.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving
317
Page 320 of 420

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance messages in the
odometer/trip meter display or
multi-Inf ormation display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself.
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .320
....................
Maintenance Minder .321
....................
Maintenance Record .331
..............................
Fluid Locations .333
........................
Adding Engine Oil .334
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .335
..............................
Engine Coolant .337
....................
Windshield Washers .339
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid .340
....................................
Brake Fluid .341
....................
Power Steering Fluid .342
....................................
Timing Belt .342
.............................................
Lights .343
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .349
.....................................
Floor Mats .349
.................................
Wiper Blades .350
...............................................
Tires .352
...................
Checking the Battery .359
.............................
Vehicle Storage .360
407
Maintenance
Maint enance
319
Page 330 of 420

µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Ì
U.S. Vehicles:
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the odometer/
trip meter display or the multi-
inf ormation display.
287
288
340 341 343
354
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maintenance Minder
Maint enance
329
Page 344 of 420
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, two on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its base
and protect the glass from contact
with your skin or hard objects. If you
touch the glass, clean it with
denaturedalcoholandacleancloth.The high beam headlight bulb and
the low beam headlight bulb are
replaced the same way.Open the hood. To change the
high beam headlight bulb on the
passenger’s side, remove the
power steering f luid reservoir
f rom its holder by pulling it
straight up.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or other qualif ied mechanic.
1.
CONT INUED
Lights
Headlight A imingReplacing a Headlight Bulb
Maint enance
343
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
Page 345 of 420
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pushing on the
tab and pulling the connector
down.
Remove the bulb by turning it one-
quarter turn counterclockwise.Open the hood. Remove the
socket f rom the headlight
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the burned out bulb straight
out of its socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Push the electrical connector back
onto the bulb. Make sure it is on
all the way.
Turn on the headlights to test the
new bulb.
If you replaced the high beam
headlight bulb on the passenger’s
side, reinstall the power steering
f luid reservoir.
Insert the new bulb into the hole,
and turn it one-quarter turn clock-
wise to lock it in place. 5.
6.
7.
2.
3.
4. 2. 1.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Bulb
344
TAB
Page 346 of 420
Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.Open the hood. Remove the
socket f rom the headlight
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lights
Replacing a Front Parking/Side
Marker Bulb
Maint enance
345