The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more inf ormation,
see page . See page .This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, it indicates a problem in the
integrated motor assist (IMA)
system. With the IMA indicator on,
the vehicle may not accelerate as it
normally does. Have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
See pages and .
This indicator comes on when the
security system is set. For more
inf ormation, see page .
213 337
335
336 277
276
Instrument Panel Indicators
Security System Indicator Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
IndicatorIMA System Indicator
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
62
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
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The inf ormation display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil lif e and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
inf ormation helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs f or continued trouble-
f ree driving. Ref er to page f or
more inf ormation.
Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The f irst time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.
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 SEL/RESET
button. 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
the 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 .
337 289
Maintenance Minder
Check Fuel Cap Message
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols
69
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Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .254
.................
Fuel Recommendation .254
.........
Service Station Procedures .255
....................................
Ref ueling .255
OpeningandClosingthe .......................................
Hood .256
...................................
Oil Check .257
.............
Engine Coolant Check .258
...............................
Fuel Economy .259
...
Accessories and Modif ications .262
.............................
Carrying Cargo .264
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
253
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Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
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.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
on page .
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.
Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
2.
3.
1.
4.
297
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Bef ore Driving
257
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
GRIP
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µµµ µ
µ µ
µ
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
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.
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 multi-
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon. If your vehicle has a
manual transmission, you can
boost your f uel economy by up
shif ting as early as possible. 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.
Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
294
Fuel Economy Factors
Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the A PI
Certif ication Seal (see page ).
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Avoid excessive idling Always drive in the highest gear
possible Observe the speed limit
Drive moderately 297
Drive Ef f icient ly
Vehicle Maint enance
Fuel Economy
260
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Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABShelpsyou
retain steering control when braking
very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
advanced hydraulic booster.
The advanced hydraulic booster has
some f eatures.
This f eature enables you to press the
brakepedalwithlessforcebythe
help of hydraulic pressure in the oil
pressure pump.This f eature controls the braking
pressure appropriately, coordinating
with the regenerating brake of the
IMA motor.
When you release the brake pedal
while the Auto Idle Stop f unction
activates, this f eature keeps the
braking pressure until the engine
starts, and prevents the vehicle from
dropping back.
This f eature helps you apply the
brakes with less f orce during an
emergency braking situation.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Power-Assist Cooperative Control with Regenerative
Brake
Creep Aid System
Brake-Assist
Braking System
Driving
279
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If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.
This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .......................
Maintenance Saf ety .288
....................
Maintenance Minder .289
..............................
Fluid Locations .296
........................
Adding Engine Oil .297
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .298
..............................
Engine Coolant .300
....................
Windshield Washers .302
........................
Transmission Fluid .303
Continuously Variable ............
Transmission (CVT) .303
....................................
Brake Fluid .304
.............................................
Lights .305
................................
Roof Antenna .310
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .311
.....................................
Floor Mats .311
..................
DustandPollenFilter .312
.................................
Wiper Blades .312
...........................................
Wheels .315
...............................................
Tires .315
......
Checking the 12 Volt Battery .321
.............................
Vehicle Storage .322
283
Maintenance
Maint enance
287
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If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
proper maintenance intervals. This
canleadtoseriousmechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.
Press the SEL/RESET button f or
more than 5 seconds. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’ However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in ef f ect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their performance and durability.
4.
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Important Maintenance
Precautions
Maint enance
293
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