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Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.
In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.
This switch is under the driver’s side
vent. To turn the VSA system on and
of f , press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the switch again. It
turns the system back on. VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
342
VSA Of f Switch VSA and Tire Sizes
Vehicle Stability A ssist (VSA), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
295
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Replace your tires with radial tires of
the same size, load range, speed
rating, and maximum cold tire
pressure rating (as shown on the
tire’s sidewall).
Mixing radial and bias-ply tires on
your vehicle can reduce braking
ability, traction, and steering
accuracy. Using tires of a dif f erent
size or construction can cause the
ABS and vehicle stability assist
system (VSA) to work inconsistently.
The ABS and VSA system (if
equipped) work by comparing the
speed of each wheel. When replacing
tires, use the same size originally
supplied with the vehicle. Tire size
and construction can affect wheel
speed and may cause the system to
activate.It is best to replace all f our tires at
thesametime.If thatisnotpossible
or necessary, replace the two f ront
tires or two rear tires as a pair.
Replacing just one tire can seriously
af f ect your vehicle’s handling.
If you ever replace a wheel, make
sure that the wheel’s specif ications
match those of the original wheels.
Also be sure you use only TPMS
specif ic wheels. If you do not, the
tire pressure monitoring system will
not work.
Replacement wheels are available at
your dealer.
On vehicles with TPMS
Tires
Replacing T ires and Wheels
Maint enance
341
Installing improper tires on your
vehicle can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash
in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this
owner’s manual.
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´
Tires marked ‘‘M S’’ or ‘‘All
Season’’ on the sidewall have an all-
weather tread design suitable for
most winter driving conditions.
For the best perf ormance in snowy
or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may
be required by local laws under
certain conditions.
Wheels:
Tires:
If your vehicle is equipped with
summer tires, be aware that these
tires are not designed f or winter
driving conditions. For more
inf ormation, consult your dealer.
See page f or inf ormation about
DOT Tire Quality Grading, and page f or tire size and labeling
inf ormation.
DX and Canadian DX-G
Si
Si
LX, EX, EX-L
LX, EX, EX-L
DX and Canadian DX-G with
automatic transmission
Canadian DX-G with manual
transmission
379
381
Si model only
Optional f or U.S. Si
Tires
Winter Driving
Wheel and T ire Specif ications
Summer T ires
342
15x6J
16x61/2J
17x7J P195/65R15 89H
215/45ZR17 91W
P215/45R17 87V
P205/55R16 89H
P195/65R15 89S
(all season tire)
(summer tire)
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Mount tire chains on your tires when
required by driving conditions or
local laws. Install them only on the
f ront tires.
If you mount snow tires on your
vehicle, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range
as original tires. Mount snow tires on
all f our wheels. The traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
maybelowerthanyouroriginaltires.
Check with the tire dealer f or
maximum speed recommendations. When installing chains, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
youbegindrivingonclearedroads.Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, Honda strongly
recommends using the chains listed
below, made by Security Chain
Company (SCC).
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain
DX, Canadian DX-G
LX,EX,EX-L,Si
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain
CONT INUED
Tires
T ire Chains
Snow T ires
Maint enance
343
SC1030
SC1032
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Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stif f
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a sof t brush or sponge.
If equipped
Wheels
Tires
344
Using the wrong chains, or not
properly installing chains, can
damage the brake lines and
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding the
selection and use of tire chains.
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
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Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel.
Do not mount tire chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use a compact spare tire
mounted on a f ront wheel; it will
damage the limited slip dif f erential
(see page ).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving.
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
Follow these precautions:
The low tire pressure indicator
comes on and stays on af ter you
replace the flat tire with the
compact spare tire. Af ter several
miles (kilometers) driving with the
compact spare tire, the TPMS
indicator comes on and the low
tire pressure indicator goes of f .351
All U.S. models
On Si model
Compact Spare Tire
350
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)
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