Page 396 of 441

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................Compact Spare Tire . 382
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 383
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 388
................................
Jump Starting . 390
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 392
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 394
..........
Charging System Indicator . 394
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 395
...............
Brake System Indicator . 396
..............................................
Fuses . 397
..............................
Fuse Locations . 401
......................
Emergency Towing . 403
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
381
Page 398 of 441

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the tailgate. Raise the cargo
area f loor lid by lif ting up with the
strap, and remove it f rom cargo
area by disengaging the tabs.
When you store the f lat tire in the
spare tire well, do not reinstall the
cargo area f loor lid f orcibly. This
will damage the tabs on the lid.
Take the tool kit out of the spare
tire.
1. 2.
3. 4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
383
JACK
SPARE TIRE
TOOLSSTRAP
FLOOR LID
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by thejack.
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Page 400 of 441
CONT INUED
Use the extension and the wheel
nut wrench as shown to raise the
vehicle until the f lat tire is of f the
ground.
Remove the wheel nuts, then
remove the f lat tire. Handle the
wheel nuts caref ully; they may be
hot f rom driving. Place the f lat tire
on the ground with the outside
surface facing up.Bef ore mounting the spare tire,
wipeanydirtoff themounting
surface of the wheel and hub with
a clean cloth. Wipe the hub
carefully;itmaybehotfrom
driving.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.
9.
10. 11.13.
12.
Changing a Flat T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
385
EXTENSION
BRAKE HUB
WHEEL NUT WRENCH
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Page 405 of 441

´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions.
Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the battery.
In very cold weather, check the
condition of the electrolyte. If it
seems slushy or f rozen, do not try
jump starting until it thaws.
Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.
You cannot start your vehicle by
pushing or pulling it. Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, audio system, lights, etc.
1. 2.
3.
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
Jump Starting
390
BOOSTER BATTERY
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyonenearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
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Page 407 of 441

If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
The reading of the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge reading comes down to the
midpoint, then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge reading
stays at the red mark, turn of f the
engine.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn of f all
the accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning lights.
1. 2. 3. 4.
If theEngineOverheats
392
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.
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Page 411 of 441

However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ). If the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicator, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
The brake system indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 357
403Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
396
Canada
U.S.
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Page 418 of 441

µµ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck. Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the f ront tires and lif t them of f
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
Start the engine.
Shif t to D position and hold f or 5
seconds, then to N.
Turn of f the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Release the parking brake.
On 4WD models On 2WD models
CONT INUED
Emergency T owing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle.
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
403
Towing with only two tires on the
ground will damage parts of the 4WD
system. It should be transported on a
f lat-bed truck or trailer. Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the all f our wheels of f
the ground.
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Page 420 of 441
On 4WD model only
Service Inf ormat ion Summary
Gasoline:
Fuel Tank Capacity:
Recommended Engine Oil:
Automatic Transmission Fluid:Brake Fluid:
Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Power Steering Fluid:
Rear Differential Fluid:
15.3 US gal (58
) 30 psi (210 kPa , 2.1 kgf/cm
)
4.4 US qt (4.2
)
Unleaded gasoline, pump octane
number of 87 or higher.
Oil change capacity (including
filter):
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 preferred, or a DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid as a temporary
replacement (see page ).
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission fluid)
(see page ). Front/Rear:
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm
)
Compact Spare Tire:
Honda Power Steering Fluid
preferred, or another brand of
power steering fluid as a
temporary replacement. Do not
use ATF (see page ).
1.3 US qt (1.2
)
Capacity:
Honda Dual Pump Fluid II. Do not
use ATF.
API Premium grade 0W-20
detergent oil (see page ). 349
355 358357