Page 75 of 287

The battery temperature will
normalize af ter a f ew minutes of
driving, and the IMA system will
work normally.
This gauge shows you the status of
the integrated motor assist (IMA).
When the IMA battery is being
charged, the lef t side of the gauge
illuminates. When the IMA is
assisting the engine, the right side of
the gauge illuminates. This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark. If it reaches the red
(Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
theroad.Seepage for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
If the IMA battery is too hot or too
cold, the IMA system shuts down to
protect the battery. This disables the
IMA assist and auto idle stop, even
though the battery level gauge may
show that the battery is well-charged.
Theref ore, those f unctions may not
operate when you f irst start driving
in very hot or very cold weather.
243
Charge/Assist Gauge Temperature Gauge
Gauges
72
CHARGE/ASSIST GAUGE
06/08/08 14:28:16 31SDR620_077
Page 158 of 287

Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first.
.............................Break-in Period . 156
.................Fuel Recommendation . 156
.........Service Station Procedures . 157
....................................Ref ueling . 157
OpeningandClosingthe
.......................................Hood . 158
...................................Oil Check . 159
.............Engine Coolant Check . 160
...............................Fuel Economy . 161
........Improving Fuel Economy . 161
...Accessories and Modif ications . 162
................................Accessories . 162
...........Modif ying Your Vehicle . 163
.............................Carrying Cargo . 164
................................Load Limits . 165
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk
.................or on a Roof Rack .166
Carrying Cargo in the
.....Passenger Compartment . 166
............IMA Battery Air Intake . 167
...............IMA Battery Air Vent . 167
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
155
06/08/08 14:41:48 31SDR620_160
Page 163 of 287
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, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
207 198
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedure
160
MAX RESERVE TANK
MIN
06/08/08 14:42:40 31SDR620_165
Page 180 of 287

µ
µ The engine restarts when you
release the brake pedal. Even while
you are pressing down on the brake
pedal, the engine restarts if the
conditions below are met.
You move the shif t lever f rom N to
R, or f rom D3 to 2nd.
Youstepontheacceleratorpedal.
Your vehicle has an auto idle stop
system. Af ter your vehicle comes to
a halt, the engine shuts of f
automatically if all the f ollowing
conditions are met.
The vehicle speed is over 8 mph
(12km/h)beforethevehicle
comes to a stop.
The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
TheshiftleverisinD,D3orN.
You are pressing on the brake
pedal.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is charged
enough to operate the system.
Fan speed lower f an speeds, in
either AUTO or manual modes. During Auto Idle Stop, the IMA
charge and power brake vacuum
reserve is monitored by the system.
If the vacuum reserve drops below
an optimal level, the engine will
restart to replenish the vacuum
supply. If the IMA charge drops
below an optimal level, the engine
will restart to recharge the IMA
battery.
The auto idle stop system may not
work if the temperature of the IMA
battery is extremely high or
extremely low.
While the auto idle stop system is
working, the auto idle stop indicator
blinks (see page ).
Outside temperature is between
10 100 degrees F.
The vent mode is neither in nor . 178
Automatic Transmission
Auto Idle Stop
Driving
177
06/08/08 14:45:18 31SDR620_182
Page 201 of 287

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
youfillthefueltank.Seepage . 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
inf ormation display.
159
160
210 211
225 213
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
198
06/08/08 14:48:34 31SDR620_203
Page 202 of 287

Î
Î
Ì Ì
µ
µ
Ì
Î
Maintenance Minder
199
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
:
A
B
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
Symbol1
1
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the first column
on page .
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display,
replace the brake fluid every 3 years.
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE: 1:
198
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).
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
06/08/08 14:48:43 31SDR620_204
Page 210 of 287

If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
207
RESERVE TANK
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.
06/08/08 14:49:47 31SDR620_212
Page 211 of 287
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. 4.
1.
2.
3. 5.
6.
Engine Coolant
208
RADIATOR CAP
06/08/08 14:49:56 31SDR620_213