Page 452 of 575

When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the lef t. Turn
the wheel to the right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including putting the
transmission in Park and f irmly
setting the parking brake. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
If the vehicle’s tires slip when
retrieving a boat f rom the water,
shif t to f irst gear, and turn on VTM-4
lock (see page ). Disengage
VTM-4 lock as soon as the boat is
out of the water to prevent damage
to the VTM-4 system.
Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page .
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to D . Do
not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
418
531bottom
3
3
Driving on HillsHandling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Parking
Ret rieving a Boat
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle
Remember, it
takes longer to slow down and
stop when towing a trailer.
448
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Page 455 of 575

If you get stuck, engage the VTM-4
Lock (see page ). Caref ully try to
go in the direction (f orward or
reverse) that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires at high
speeds. It will not help you get out
and may cause damage to the
transmission or VTM-4 system.
If you are still unable to f ree yourself ,
your vehicle is equipped with f ront
and rear tow hooks designed f or this
purpose.
Bef ore driving through water, stop,
get out if necessary, and make sure
that:
If the water is deeper than the wheel
hubs, some additional service may
be required. This service is not
covered by your warranties.
After driving through water, test
your brakes. If they got wet, gently
‘‘pump’’ them while driving slowly
until they operate normally.
If you decide it is saf e to drive
through water, choose a suitable
speed and engage the VTM-4 Lock.
Proceed without shif ting or changing
speeds, and do not stop the vehicle
or shut of f the engine.
The banks and surf ace under the
water provide good traction. The
water may hide hazards such as
rocks, holes, or mud.
The water is not f lowing too f ast.
Deep rushing water can sweep you
downstream. Even very shallow
rushingwatercanwashthe
ground f rom under your tires and
cause you to lose traction and
possibly roll over.
The banks are sloped so you can
drive out.
The water is not deep enough to
cover your wheel hubs, axles, or
exhaust pipe. You could stall and
not be able to restart your engine.
The water can also damage
important vehicle components.
418
CONT INUED
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
If You Get StuckCrossing a Stream
Driving
451
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Page 457 of 575

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 inf ormation display or multi-
inf ormation display (depending on
models), and instructions f or simple
maintenance tasks you may want to
take care of yourself .
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.
......................MaintenanceSafety.454
....................MaintenanceMinder.455
..............................FluidLocations.470
......EngineCompartmentCovers.471
........................AddingEngineOil.472
ChangingtheEngineOiland
...........................................Filter.473
..............................EngineCoolant.475
....................WindshieldWashers.477
....AutomaticTransmissionFluid.478
.................RearDifferentialFluid.480
.............TransferAssemblyFluid.480
....................................BrakeFluid.481
....................PowerSteeringFluid.482
....................................TimingBelt.482
.............................................Lights.483
..................DustandPollenFilter.490
................CleaningtheSeatBelts.490
.....................................FloorMats.491
.................................WiperBlades.492
...............................................Tires.496
...................CheckingtheBattery.504
.............................VehicleStorage.506
557
Maintenance
Maint enance
453
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Page 471 of 575

Ì
µ
µ
µ
We recommend the use of Honda
parts and f luids 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 perf ormance and durability.
U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the odometer/
trip meter display or the multi-
inf ormation display.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
398
398
478
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
Maint enance
467
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Page 473 of 575

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Maintenance Minder
469
Maintenance Main ItemsReplace engine oil Replace engine oil and oil filterInspect front and rear brakesCheck parking brake adjustmentInspect these items:Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and bootsSuspension componentsDriveshaft bootsBrake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust systemFuel lines and connections
Maintenance Sub ItemsRotate tiresReplace air cleaner element
Replace dust and pollen filter
Inspect drive belt Replace transmission and transfer fluidReplace spark plugsReplace timing belt and inspect water pump
Inspect valve clearance Replace engine coolantReplace VTM-4 rear differential fluid
SymbolSymbolAB12
3 4
5 6
1 1
If the message, ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance messages in the information display, replace the brake fluid every 3 years.Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.
467
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and fromdiesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles(24,000 km).
If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110°F, 43°C), in very low temperatures(under 20°F, 29°C), or towing a trailer, replace every60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km (Canada).
Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level ofmechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requiresdifferential fluid changes more frequently thanrecommended by the maintenance minder. If youregularly drive your vehicle under these conditions,have the differential fluid changed at 7,500 miles(12,000 km), then every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
:
1:
NOTE :
Maintenance Minder
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Page 474 of 575
Fluid Locations
470
WASHER FLUID (Blue cap)
RADIATOR CAP
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK(Orange loop)AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONFLUID DIPSTICK(Yellow loop)
POWER STEERING FLUID(Red cap)
ENGINE COOLANT RESERVOIR
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
BRAKE FLUID(Black cap)
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Page 477 of 575

Open the hood, and remove the
engine oil f ill cap. Remove the oil
drain bolt and washer f rom the
bottom of the engine. Drain the oil
into an appropriate container.
You may use a synthetic motor oil if
it meets the same requirements
given f or a conventional motor oil: it
displays the API Certif ication Seal,
and it is the proper weight. You must
f ollow the oil and f ilter change
intervals shown on the odometer/
trip meter display or on the multi-
inf ormation display.
Your vehicle does not require any oil
additives. Additives may adversely
af f ect the engine or transmission
perf ormance and durability.
Always change the oil and f ilter
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation display
(depending on models). The oil and
f ilter collect contaminants that can
damage your engine if they are not
removed regularly.
Changing the oil and f ilter requires
special tools and access f rom
underneath the vehicle. The vehicle
should be raised on a service station-
type hydraulic lif t f or this service.
Unless you have the knowledge and
proper equipment, you should have
this maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.
Run the engine until it reaches
normal operating temperature,
then shut it off.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Synthetic OilChanging the Engine Oil and
Filter
Engine Oil A dditives
A dding Engine Oil, Changing the Engine Oil and Filter
Maint enance
473
WASHERDRAIN BOLT
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Page 482 of 575
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.
Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Check the f luid level with the engine
at normal operating temperature.
Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is shown on the inf ormation
display or multi-inf ormation display
(depending on models).
1.
2.3.
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
478
DIPSTICK
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
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