Page 229 of 400

You can increase the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:Press and hold the RES/ACCEL
button. When you reach the
desired cruising speed, release the
button.
To increase the speed in very
small amounts, tap the RES/
ACCEL button. Each time you do
this, your vehicle speeds up about
1 mph (1.6 km/h). You can decrease the set cruising
speed in any of these ways:
Even with the cruise control turned
on, you can still use the accelerator
pedal to speed up f or passing. Af ter
completing the pass, take your foot
of f the accelerator pedal. The vehicle
will return to the set cruising speed.
Resting your f oot on the brake or
clutch pedal causes the cruise
control to cancel.
Push on the accelerator pedal until
you reach the desired cruising
speed, then press the SET/
DECEL button. If you need to decrease your
speed quickly, use the brakes as you
normally would.
Tap the brake or clutch pedal
lightly with your f oot. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator on
the instrument panel goes out.
When the vehicle slows to the
desired speed, press the SET/
DECEL button.
To slow down in very small
amounts, tap the SET/DECEL
button. Each time you do this,
your vehicle will slow down about
1 mph (1.6 km/h).
Press and hold the SET/DECEL
button. Release the button when
you reach the desired speed.
Changing the Set Speed
Cruise Control
Features
225
NOTE:
Main Menu
Page 230 of 400
You can cancel cruise control in any
of these ways:Tap the brake or clutch pedal.
Push the CANCEL button on the
steering wheel.
Push the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel. When you push the CANCEL button,
or tap the brake or clutch pedal, the
system remembers the previously
set cruising speed. To return to that
speed, accelerate to above 25 mph
(40 km/h) and then press and
release the RES/ACCEL button. The
CRUISE CONTROL indicator comes
on, and the vehicle accelerates to the
same cruising speed as bef ore.
Pressing the CRUISE button turns
the system off and erases the
previous cruising speed.
Canceling Cruise Control Resuming the Set Speed
Cruise Control
226
Main Menu
Page 274 of 400

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Press the clutch pedal down all the
way. The START (III) position
does not f unction unless the clutch
pedal is pressed. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.
1. 2. 3.
4.
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
Starting the Engine
270
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page . 80
Main Menu
Page 275 of 400

CONT INUED
The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from fifth to
reverse.On vehicles with 6-speed manual
transmission, the lockout system
prevents you f rom shif ting directly
from any forward gear to reverse
while the vehicle is moving at a
certain speed (see page ).
When shif ting up or down, make
sure you push the clutch pedal down
all the way, shif t to the next gear,
and let the pedal up gradually. When
you are not shif ting, do not rest your
f oot on the clutch pedal. This cancause your clutch to wear out f aster.
Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’
273The engine can be damaged if
you inadvertently downshif t into the wrong gear (f or example, going f rom
third gear at high rpms to second gearinstead of upshif ting to f ourth gear; theengine speed limiter will not work in this
situation).
Manual T ransmission
Driving
271
NOTE:
Si
DX, DX-G, LX, SE, EX, EX-L
Main Menu
Page 277 of 400

If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
Bef ore downshif ting, make sure the
engine will not go into the
tachometer’s red zone.
Your vehicle has a rev limit indicator
to show you when the engine speed
is near the tachometer’s red zone
(see page ).If you are still unable to shif t to
reverse, apply the parking brake,
and turn the ignition key to the
ACCESSORY (I) or LOCK (0)
position.
With the clutch pedal still pressed,
start the engine.
Press the clutch pedal, and shif t to
reverse.
If you need to use this procedure to
shif t to reverse, your vehicle may be
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
The manual transmission has a
lockout so you cannot accidentally
shif t f rom any f orward gear to
reverse while the vehicle is moving
at a certain speed. If you cannot shif t
to reverse when the vehicle is
stopped, do the f ollowing:
With the clutch pedal pressed,
move the shift lever to the first/
second gear side of the neutral
gate, then shif t to reverse.
1. 2. 3. 4.
63
On Si model 6-speed manual transmission
Engine Speed L imiter Reverse L ockout
Manual T ransmission
Driving
273
Move the shift lever in sequence.
Main Menu
Page 280 of 400

µµ µ
This position is similar
to D, except only the first three
gears are selected. Use D to provide
engine braking when going down a
steep hill. D can also keep the
transmission f rom cycling between
third and f ourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.
To shif t to second,
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shif t lever. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use second gear: For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin. To shif t f rom second to
first, press the release button on the
f ront of the shif t lever. This position
locks the transmission in f irst gear.
By upshif ting and downshif ting
through 1, 2, D , and D, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a
clutch pedal. If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
3
3 3
Automatic Transmission
Engine Speed L imiter
Drive (D )
Second (2) First (1)3
276
Main Menu
Page 293 of 400

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 .
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.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 290
.................
Maintenance Minder . 291
..............................
Fluid Locations . 298
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 300
.......
Recommended Engine Oil . 300
..............................
Synthetic Oil . 301
................
Engine Oil Additives . 301
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter . 302
..............................
Engine Coolant . 304
....................
Windshield Washers . 307
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 308
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 309
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 310
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 311
.............................................
Lights . 312
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 319
.....................................
Floor Mats . 320
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 321
.................................
Wiper Blades . 321
...............................................
Tires . 323
...................
Checking the Battery . 333
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 335
..................................
Interior Care . 336
383
Maintenance
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.
Maint enance
289
TM
Main Menu
Page 302 of 400
ÎÎ
Fluid Locations
DX, LX, EX, EX-L, in the U.S., and DX-G, SE, EX, EX-L in the Canada
298
RADIATOR CAP
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
ENGINE OIL FILL CAP
CLUTCH FLUID
(Manual
transmission only)
(Light gray cap)
ENGINE COOLANT
RESERVOIR
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
: Except for Canadian DX-G with manual transmission POWER STEERING FLUID
(Red cap)
Main Menu