Page 145 of 258
Theseparationnetcanbeusedto
hold back sof t, lightweight items
stored in the cargo area. Heavy
items should be properly secured on
the f loor of the cargo area. The net
may not prevent heavy items f rom
being thrown f orward in a crash or a
sudden stop.The f our hooks on the f loor can be
used to install a net f or securing
items.
Carrying Cargo
Optional Separation Net
Bef ore Driving
143
HOOK
Page 149 of 258
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is fully closed. Check
the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
ad justment (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page ).
Wh en you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicato rs in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check
that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
Vi
sually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure the doors and the
tailgate are securely closed and
locked.
1.
2.
10.14
3.
4. 5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
85
94 74
60
197
Driving Guidelines
Preparing to Drive
Driving
147
Page 162 of 258

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.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb. If you have 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
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes. If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
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 Sport model
Parking T ips
Parking
160
Page 179 of 258

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.’’
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.
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on the valve cover. Pour in
the oil slowly and caref ully so you do
not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment. Reinstall the engine
oil f ill cap, and tighten it securely.
Wait a f ew minutes, and recheck the
oil level on the engine oil dipstick.
Do not f ill above the upper mark; you
could damage the engine. Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements.
A dding Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
Recommended Engine Oil
Maint enance
177
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
Page 185 of 258

Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Shut of f the engine.
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop)
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the f iller hole
to bring it to the upper mark.Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spill immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.
Remove the dipstick, and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. Always use Honda ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). If it’s
not available, you may use a
DEXRON
III automatic
transmission f luid as a temporary
replacement. However, continued
use can affect the shift quality. Have
the transmission f lushed and ref illed
with Honda ATF-Z1 by your dealer
as soon as it is convenient.
1.
2. 3.
5. 4.
CONT INUED
T ransmission Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
183
DIPSTICK
UPPER
MARK
LOWER
MARK
Page 186 of 258

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle on level
ground. Remove the transmission
f iller bolt, and caref ully f eel inside
the bolt hole with your f inger. The
f luid level should be up to the edge
of the bolt hole. If it is not, add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
hole.Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 10W-30 or 10W-40
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
6.
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission Fluid
184
WASHER
Correct level FILLER BOLT
Page 189 of 258

Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.Make sure that the hold-down
wire is installed properly and
securely. You can check its
installation f rom the inspection
window on the headlight assembly. Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
Reinstall the inner f ender cover.
Then reinstall the holding clip, and
lock it in place by pushing on its
center.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot the wire
out of the way, then remove the
bulb.
5. 6.
3.
4. 7.8.
9.
10.
Lights
Maint enance
187
RUBBER WEATHER SEAL
HOLD-DOWN
WIRE BULB
ELECTRICAL
CONNECTOR
HOLD-DOWN
WIRE
INSPECTION WINDOW
Page 212 of 258
Put on the spare tire. Put the
wheel nuts back on f inger-tight,
then tighten them in a crisscross
pattern with the wheel nut wrench
until the wheel is f irmly against
the hub. Do not try to tighten the
wheel nuts f ully.
Lower the vehicle to the ground,
and remove the jack.Tighten the wheel nuts securely in
the same crisscross pattern. Have
the wheel nut torque checked at
the nearest automotive service
f acility.
Tighten the wheel nuts to:Place the flat tire face down in the
spare tire well.
Securetheflattirebyscrewing
the wing bolt back into its hole.
Remove the center cap before
storing the f lat tire.
13.
14.
15.
16.17.
18.
On Sport model:
Changing a Flat Tire
210
For
normal
tire
For
spare
tire
80 lbf·ft (108 N·m , 11 kgf·m)