Page 101 of 293
Open the glove box by pulling the
handle to the lef t. Close it with a f irm
push. Lock or unlock the glove box
with the master key.
The glove box light comes on when
the parking lights are on.
To open the sunglasses holder, push
on the f ront edge. Make sure the
holder is closed while you are driving.If equipped
Sunglasses Holder
Glove Box
Interior Convenience Items
100
GLOVE BOX
An open glove box can cause
serious injury to your passenger
inacrash,evenifthe
passenger is wearing the seat
belt.
Always keep the glove box
closed while driving.
Page 145 of 293

The security system automatically
sets 15 seconds after you lock the
doors, hood, and trunk. For the
system to activate, you must lock the
doors from the outside with the key,
lock tab, door lock switch, or remote
transmitter. The security system
light on the instrument panel starts
blinking immediately to show you
the system is setting itself. Once
the security system is set,
opening any door (without using the
key or the remote transmitter), the
hood, or the trunk will cause it to
sound. It also sounds if the radio is
removed from the dashboard or the
wiring is cut. The
security system will not set if
the hood, trunk, or any door is not
f ully closed. If the system will not set,
check the Door Monitor on the
instrument panel (see page ), to
see if the doors and trunk 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 two minutes,
then the system resets. To reset an
alarming system before the two
minutes have elapsed, unlock either
f ront door with the key or the
remote transmitter.
With the system set, you can still
open the trunk with the remote
transmitter without triggering the
alarm. The alarm will sound if the
trunk lock is f orced, or the trunk is
opened with the trunk release lever
or the emergency trunk opener.
60
U.S. EX, EX-L, and V6 modelsCanadian SE, EX-L, and V6 models
Security System
144
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Page 163 of 293

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
insp ect 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.
Al
though 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.
Page 169 of 293
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustmen ts before you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page ).
Check
the steering wheel
ad justment (see page ).
Check that the hood is fully closed.
Ch eck that the trunk is fully
closed.
Vi sually 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
fastened down securely. Check
the seat adjustment (see
pages to ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ). When
you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicato rs in the
instrument panel (see pages to
).
3. 2. 1.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
10. 58
16
85 87
90 91 73 66
Preparing to Drive
168
Page 179 of 293

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.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lockthedoorswiththekeyorthe
remote transmitter.
If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear. Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
damage the rear brakes. the front wheels away from the
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
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. Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
U.S. EX, EX-L, and 6-cylinder models Canadian SE, EX-L, and 6-cylindermodels
Parking T ips
Parking
178
curb and set the parking brake.
If your vehicle has a manual If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
transmission, put it in reverse gear
partially set can overheat or curb and set the parking brake.
If your vehicle has a manual
Page 180 of 293

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. On all models, the f ront disc brakes
have audible brake wear indicators.
On all models except the U.S. VP,
U.S. LX and Canadian DX-G, the rear
disc brakes have audible brake wear
indicators. Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
Driving
179
Page 188 of 293

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.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
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. Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, and
regulations. Check with your local
trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in your area, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
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.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically 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.
Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
Towing a Trailer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
T railer L ights
Trailer Brakes
Driving
187
Page 189 of 293

When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other
attachments are secure.
All
weights and loads are within
limits (see pag es and ). Your
vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated (see page ),
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.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
184 186 228
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
Towing a Trailer
T owing Speeds and Gears
188