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Turn the engine of f , and conf irm the
f uel f ill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the f uel f ill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the select/reset knob.
The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
will appear each time you restart the
engine until the system turns the
message of f .If the system still detects a leak in
your vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malf unction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the f uel f ill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine of f , and check or
retighten the f uel f ill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go of f ,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more inf ormation, see
page .
370
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
263
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Holding the grip, pull the support
rod out of its clip. Insert the end
into the hole in the hood
designated by an arrow.Lif t the hood up most of the way.
The hydraulic supports will lif t it
uptherestof thewayandholdit
up.
To close the hood, lif t it up slightly to
remove the support rod f rom the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched.
To close the hood, lower it to
about a f oot (30 cm) above the
f ender, then press down f irmly
with your hands. Make sure the
hood is securely latched.
3.
V6 models
2.4engine models
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
265
V6 models
SUPPORT ROD
GRIP
2.4engine models CLIP
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Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle/loop). Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
seeon page .
1. 2.
3.4.
316
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Service Station Procedures
266
UPPER MARKLOWER MARK
DIPSTICK
(orange handle) DIPSTICK
(orange loop)
V6 models
2.4
engine models 2.4engine models
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Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, seeon page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
320 312
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving
267
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MIN MAXMAX
MIN
V6 models
RESERVE
TANK
2.4
engine models
V6 models RESERVE TANK
——y
y
)
yy
2009 Accord Sedan
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µµ
µ µ
µ
µµ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance
messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel mileage at speeds above 45
mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible.
Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon.
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy.
312
CONT INUED
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy Factors Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page ).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Always drive in the highest gear
possible
Avoid excessive idling
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
317
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Bef ore Driving
269
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µµ
Fill the f uel tank until the nozzle automatically clicks of f .
Reset trip counter to zero.
Record the total gallons (liters) needed to ref ill.
Follow one of the simple calculations above.
The A/C
puts an extra load on the engine
which makes it use more f uel. Use
the f resh-air ventilation when
possible.
Combine several short trips into
one. A warmed-up engine is more
f uel ef f icient than a cold one.
Direct calculation is the
recommended source of inf ormation
about your actual f uel economy.
Using f requency of f ill-ups or taking
f uel gauge readings are NOT
accurate measures of f uel economy.
Fuel economy may improve over the
f irst several thousand miles. 1)
2)
3)
4)
Fuel Economy
Checking Your Fuel Economy
Measuring T echniquesMinimize the use of the air
conditioning system
Plan and combine trips
Calculating Fuel Economy
270
Miles driven Gallons of
fuel Miles per
Gallon
100 KilometersL per 100 km
Liter
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This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information 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 trailer. ........................
Preparing to Drive .280
.......................
Starting the Engine .281
...................
Manual Transmission .282
..............
Automatic Transmission .284
...........................................
Parking .289
.............................
Braking System .290
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .291
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA),
aka Electronic Stability Control .......................
(ESC), System .293
Tire Pressure Monitoring ........................
System (TPMS) .295
...........................
Towing a Trailer .298
Driving
Driving
279
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Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Visually 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
f astened down securely. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
pages and ).
3.
2. 1.
4.
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
10. 92
93
7514 55
11.
101102On models with power adjustable seats
On models with manual adjustableseats
Preparing to Drive
280
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2009 Accord Sedan