The instrument panel has many
indicato rs that give you important
info rmation about your vehicl e.
See page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more information,
see page .
The
engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
wh en the engine is running. For
more information, see page .This
indicator has two functions: This
indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. It reminds you and your
passengers to fasten your seat belts.
A beeper also sounds if you have not
fastened your seat belt.
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 fully released.
Driving with the parking brake not
fully released can damage the
brakes and tires.
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 inf ormation, see
page . 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.
If your f ront passenger does not
f asten their seat belt, the indicator
comes on about 6 seconds af ter the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
(II) position.
2. 1.
310
309
309 311
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
60
U.S. Canada
Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.
Make
any steering wheel adjustment
befo re you start driving.
To apply the parking brake, push the
pedal down with your foot. To
release it, push on the pedal again.
The parking brake indicator on the
instrument panel should go out when
the parking brake is fully released
(see page ). Move the steering wheel up or
down, and in or out, so it points
toward your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
1.
2.
60
Parking Brake Steering Wheel A djustments
Parking Brake, Steering Wheel A djustment
78
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
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.
You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
When climbing a steep hill, the
automatic transmission may
downshif t to hold the set speed. Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.
To increase the speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, your vehicle will speed up
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Cruise control may not hold the set
speed when you are going up and
down hills. If your vehicle speed
increases going down a hill, use the
brakes to slow down. This will cancel
thecruisecontrol.Toresumetheset
speed, press the RES/ACCEL button.
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator
on the instrument panel will come
back on.
To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h). Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.If you need to decrease your
speed quickly, use the brakes as you
normally would.
Push on the accelerator pedal.
Accelerate to the desired cruising
speed, then press the SET/
DECEL button.
Tap the brake pedal lightly with
your f oot. The CRUISE
CONTROL indicator on the
instrument panel goes out. When
the vehicle slows to the desired
speed, press the SET/DECEL
button.
Changing the Set Speed
Cruise Control
210
NOTE:
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).Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
During this period:
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.
Do not tow a trailer. 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.
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.
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.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
214
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. Befo
re installing any accesso ry:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
Befo re 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.
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.
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
proper operation of your vehicle.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags, anti-lock brakes, and
tire pressure monitoring system. 312
A ccessories and Modif ications
A ccessories
220
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.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
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.
Herearesomeexamples:
Lowering the 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.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components and will not be
compatible with the tire pressure monitoring system.
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. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Modif ying Your Vehicle
Bef ore Driving
221
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) and f acts
you need if you are planning to tow a
trailerordriveoff-highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .228
....................
Preparing to Drive .229
.......................
Starting the Engine .230
..............
Automatic Transmission .231
...........................................
Parking .236
.............................
Braking System .237
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .238
Vehicle Stability Assist
............................
(VSA) System .240
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .242
...........................
Towing a Trailer .245
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
................................
Motorhome .250
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .252
Driving
Driving
227
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.Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
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. If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
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.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
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.
On EX and EX-L models
Parking T ips
Parking
236
curb and set the parking brake.
curb and set the parking brake.