Page 167 of 293

Store or secure all items that could
be thro wn 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.
53
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
carbon monoxide
poisoning
Carrying Cargo in the Trunk or on
a Roof Rack
Carrying Cargo
166
Page 185 of 293

Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their cargo. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy
can seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. The weight that
the tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer
puts on the hitch should be
approximately 10 percent of the
trailer weight. Too much tongue
load reduces front-tire traction and
steering control. Too little tongue
load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
Towing a Trailer
Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight: T ongue L oad:
184
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.
Page 186 of 293
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 % of the load
toward the front of the trailer and
40 % toward the rear, then re-adjust
the load as needed.The total weight of each axle must
not exceed:
The total weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all cargo, and the
tongue load must not exceed:
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle
on the f ront axle
on the f ront axle
on the rear axle on the rear axle
V6 models with automatic transmission:
V 6 models with manual
transmission: V6 models:
U.S. EX and EX-L:
Canadian SE and EX-L: U.S. VP and LX:
Canadian DX-G:
U.S. EX and EX-L:Canadian SE and EX-L:
U.S. VP and LX:
Canadian DX-G:
Towing a Trailer
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GA WR):
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
Driving
185
4,080 Ibs (1,850 kg)
4,145 Ibs (1,880 kg)
4,345 Ibs (1,970 kg)
4,300 Ibs (1,950 kg) 2,195 Ibs (995 kg)
1,960 Ibs (890 kg)
2,225 Ibs (1,010 kg)
2,360 Ibs (1,070 kg)
2,005 Ibs (910 kg) 1,985 Ibs (900 kg)
Page 187 of 293

Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow. To ensure the best
quality, we recommend that you
purchase Honda equipment
whenever possible.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
f ederal, state, province, and local
regulations.
The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale. To locate the public scales in
your area, consult your local yellow
pages or ask your dealer f or
assistance.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
Towing a Trailer
Hitches
Saf et y ChainsT owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
186
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
Page 206 of 293
Honda Motor Oil is the pref erred
5W-20 lubricant f or your vehicle. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda Motor Oil in your vehicle f or
optimum engine protection. Make
sure the API Certif ication Seal says
‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the information
display. Synthetic Oil
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil
Maint enance
205
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
Page 225 of 293
If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.The driver’s and right rear f loor
mats that came with your vehicle
hook over the f loor mat anchors.
This keeps the f loor mats f rom
sliding f orward and possibly
interf ering with the pedals or making
the f ront passenger’s weight sensors
inef f ective.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats
Cleaning the Seat Belts
Floor Mats
224
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