Page 446 of 575

Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
This device is recommended if your
trailer tends to sway. Your trailer
maker can tell you what kind of sway
control you need and how to install it.
Many states and provinces require
special exterior mirrors when towing
a trailer. Even if they don’t, you
should install special mirrors if you
cannot clearly see behind you, or if
the trailer creates a blind spot.
Use this illustration to identif y each
terminal in the trailer brake
controller connector.
A f actory installed, 4-pin gray
connector is located under the
instrument panel near the top of the
parking brake pedal. This connector
has all of the circuits required to
install most electric trailer brake
controllers. A jumper harness to
adapt your electric trailer brake
controller to the vehicle is included
with the optional Genuine Honda
trailer hitch kit. To obtain a trailer
hitch kit, see your dealer.
Have a qualif ied mechanic install
your trailer brake controller
f ollowing the trailer brake controller
manuf acturer’s instructions. Failure
to properly install the trailer brake
controller may increase the distance
it takes f or you to stop your vehicle
when towing a trailer.
Towing a Trailer
Saf et y Chains
Sway Cont rol
Trailer Mirrors
442
GROUND (BLACK)
BRAKE(20A)(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE(BROWN/WHITE)
STOP(SKY BLUE)
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Page 449 of 575
´
Ref er to the above illustrations f or
wiring information.
The trailer jumper harness is used to
install the controller f or the electric
trailer brakes. For more inf ormation,
seeon page .
Insert the connector securely into
the socket.
Hook the retaining tab on the
inner side of the lid against the
retaining tab of the connector to
prevent disconnection during
operation.
Insert the trailer brake f use into the
secondary under-hood f use box (see
page ).
3.
441
529
On Touring modelsOn Touring models
Towing a Trailer
T railer Jumper HarnessT railer Connect or Socket s
Trailer Brakes
T railer Brake Fuse
Driving
445
7-PIN TRAILER SOCKET
SMALL LIGHT(GREEN)
LEFT TURN/STOP(RED)
BACK LIGHT(YELLOW)
GROUND(BLACK)
BRAKE(20A)(BLUE)
ELECTRIC BRAKE(BROWN/WHITE)
BRAKE LIGHTS(SKY BLUE)
BCHARGE(BLUE)
RIGHT TURN/STOP(WHITE)
ELECTRICBRAKE(BROWN/WHITE)
GROUND(BLACK)
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Page 450 of 575

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are in
good condition and properly
inf lated.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
Allitemsonandinthetrailerare
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
Towing perf ormance can be
af f ected by high altitude, high
temperature, or when climbing
steep grades. Theref ore, premium
f uel (premium unleaded gasoline
with pump octane number of 91 or
higher) is recommended when
towing more than 3,500 lbs (1,590
kg).
The trailer tires and spare are in
good condition and inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow ChecklistDriving Saf ely With a T railer
446
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Page 475 of 575
The component parts in the engine
compartment are protected by the
cover. You may need to remove the
cover and the air intake cover when
you perf orm some simple
maintenance work.
To remove the f ront bulkhead cover
and the air intake cover, remove the
holding clips with a f lat-tip
screwdriver.
Covers are secured by holding clips.
Engine Compartment Covers
Maint enance
471
FRONT BULKHEAD COVER
HOLDING CLIP
AIR INTAKE COVER
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Page 476 of 575

The oil viscosity or weight is
provided on the container’s label.
5W-20 oil is f ormulated f or year-
round protection of your vehicle to
improve cold weather starting and
f uel economy.
Reinstall the engine oil f ill cap, and
tighten it securely. Wait a f ew
minutes, and recheck the oil level on
the engine oil dipstick. Do not f ill
above the upper mark; you could
damage the engine.
Oil is a major contributor to your
engine’s perf ormance and longevity.
Always use a premium-grade 5W-20
detergent oil displaying the API
Certif ication Seal. This seal indicates
the oil is energy conserving, and that
it meets the American Petroleum
Institute’s latest requirements. It is
highly recommended that you use
Honda motor oil in your vehicle.
Make sure the API Certif ication Seal
says ‘‘For Gasoline Engines.’’
Unscrew and remove the engine oil
fill cap on top of the valve cover.
Pour in the oil slowly and caref ully so
you do not spill any. Clean up any
spills immediately. Spilled oil could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Recommended Engine Oil
A dding Engine Oil
472
API CERTIFICATION SEAL
Ambient Temperature
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
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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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Page 483 of 575

If the level is below the lower
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid when this
service is indicated by a maintenance
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
If you are not sure how to add f luid,
contact your dealer.
Always use Honda Genuine
ATF-Z1 (automatic transmission
f luid).
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration.
Make sure the rubber cap on the
dipstick f its in the dipstick guide
and that you push the dipstick in
all the way.
5.
6.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
479
Use only Honda Genuine ATF-Z1
(automatic transmission f luid). Do not
mix with other transmission f luids.
Using transmission f luid other than
Honda Genuine ATF-Z1 may cause
deterioration in transmission operation
and durability, and could result in
damage to the transmission.
Damage resulting f rom the use of
transmission f luid other than Honda
Genuine ATF-Z1 is not covered by the
Honda new vehicle warranty.
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Page 491 of 575
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Each outside mirror has side turn
signal lights. The lights should be
replaced by your dealer.
Align the two tabs on the light
assembly with the mounting holes
and install the rear light assembly
in the rear pillar. Tighten the two
bolts securely.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Remove the socket by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Determine which of the f our bulbs
is burned out: stop/taillight,
back-up light, side marker light, or
turn signal light.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
5.
On Touring models
Lights
Side T urn Signal L ights
Maint enance
487
BULB
TABS
SOCKET
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