Page 61 of 268

The instrument  panel has many
indicators  to give  you important
info rmation  about your vehicl e. If 
it stays  on after  you have  fully
released  the parking  brake while
the  engine  is running,  or if it
comes  on while  driving,  there
could  be a problem  with the brake
system.  For more  information,  see
page  .
This  indicator  reminds you and  your
passengers  to fasten  your seat belts.
If  your  front  passenger  does not
fasten  their seat belt,  the indicator
comes  on about  6 seconds  after the
ignition  switch is turned  to the  ON
(II)  position. If 
either  of you  do not  fasten  your
seat  belt while  driving,  the beeper
will  sound  and the indicator  will flash
again at regular intervals. For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator has two f unctions:
Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. It is a reminder to check
the parking brake. A beeper
sounds if you drive with the
parking brake not f ully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position bef ore f astening
your seat belt, the beeper sounds
and the indicator f lashes. If you do
notfastenyourseatbeltbeforethe
beeper stops, the indicator stops
f lashing but remains on.
1.2.
230
18
Instrument Panel Indicators
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator (Red)
58
U.S. Canada 
     
        
        Page 97 of 268
On Canadian  models
The outside  mirrors  are heated  to
remove  fog and  frost.  With the
ignition  switch in the  ON  (II)
position,  turn on the  heaters  by
pressing  the button.  The indicator  in
the  button  comes on as a reminder.
Press  the button  again to turn  the
heaters  off. Pressing  this button  also
turns  the rear  window  defogger  on
and  off. To 
apply  the parking  brake, pull the
lever  up fully.  To release  it, pull  up
slightly,  push the button,  and lower
the  lever.  The parking  brake
indicator  on the  instrument  panel
should go out when the parking
brake is f ully released (see page ). 58
Mirrors, Parking Brake
Heated Mirrors Parking Brake
94
HEATED MIRROR BUTTONPARKING BRAKE LEVER
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound
if the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on. 
     
        
        Page 148 of 268

Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. The CRUISE
MAIN indicator on the instrument
panel comes on.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speedabove25mph(40km/h).Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your speed increases
going down a hill, use the brakes to
slowdown.Thiswillcancelcruise
control. To resume the set speed,
press the RES/ACCEL button. The
indicator on the instrument panel will
come back on.
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshifttoholdthesetspeed.
Cruise control allows you to maintain
asetspeedabove25mph(40km/h)
without keeping your f oot on the
accelerator pedal. It should be used
f or cruising on straight, open
highways. It is not recommended f or
city driving, winding roads, slippery
roads, heavy rain, or bad weather.
Press and release the SET/
DECELbuttononthesteering
wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL
indicator on the instrument panel
comes on to show the system is
now activated.
1.
2. 3.
Using the Cruise Control
Cruise Control
Features
145
CANCEL
BUTTON
CRUISE BUTTON
RES/ACCEL
BUTTON
SET/DECEL
BUTTON
Improper use of the cruise
control can lead to a crash.
Use the cruise control only
when traveling on open
highways in good weather. 
     
        
        Page 153 of 268

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km). Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 % ethanol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
150 
     
        
        Page 159 of 268

Your dealer  has Honda  accessories
that  allow  you to personalize  your
vehicle.  These accessories  have
been  designed  and approved  for your
vehicle,  and are covered  by warranty.
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. Befo
re installing  any accessory:
Make  sure  the  accessory  does not
obscure  any lights,  or interfere
with  proper  vehicle  operation  or
performance.
Modifying 
your vehicle,  or installing
some  non-Honda  accessories,  can
make  it unsafe.  Before you make  any
modifications  or add  any accessories,
be  sure  to read  the following
info rmation.
Al though  non-Honda  accessories
may  fit on  your  vehicle,  they may not
meet  factory  specifications,  and
could  adversely  affect your vehicle’s
handling and stability. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
the proper operation of your
vehicle.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. In these areas,
accessories may interf ere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags. Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
231
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
156
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 160 of 268
Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
Lowering your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
157 
     
        
        Page 166 of 268
........................
Preparing to Drive .164
.......................
Starting the Engine .165
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .166
...........................................
Parking .172
.............................
Braking System .173
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .174
...........................
Towing a Trailer .175
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmissions (CVT). It
also includes important inf ormation
on parking your vehicle and the
braking system.
Driving
Driving
163 
     
        
        Page 175 of 268

Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you.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.
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 on an
incline.
Lock the doors.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
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.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
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.
Parking T ips
Parking
172
Never install a sunshade between the
upper and lower meters on the
instrument panel. If you do, you could
cause heat damage to the upper meter
on a very hot day.