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When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
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.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories require special
outside 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.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the lef t
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer. Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
332
HAZARD
(PINK)
TRAILER
(WHITE)
TAILLIGHT
(RED)
RIGHT
TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN)
BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN) GROUND
(BLACK)
LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(ORANGE)
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Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. D is the
proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ in the
f ollowing column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
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.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section. If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and use the D3 position.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
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.
3
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears Driving on Hills
Driving Saf ely With a T railerDriving
333
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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 . 340
.................
Maintenance Minder . 341
..............................
Fluid Locations . 348
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 349
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter . 350
..............................
Engine Coolant . 352
....................
Windshield Washers . 354
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 355
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 357
....................................
Brake Fluid . 357
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 358
.............................................
Lights . 359
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 365
.....................................
Floor Mats . 366
..............................
Audio Antenna . 366
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 366
.................................
Wiper Blades . 367
...............................................
Tires . 370
...........................................
Wheels . 376
...................
Checking the Battery . 376
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 378
..................................
Interior Care . 379
425
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
339
TM
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Page 351 of 445

̵µ µ
µ
µ
µ
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 perf ormance and durability.
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. 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 f acility 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.
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
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
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate light monthly.
See page .
298 298355
370 357
359
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
346
TM
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CONT INUED
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Open the hood.
To change the headlight bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
under-hood f use box f rom its stay
by pulling it out.
1.
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
359
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
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à
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
Unclip the end of the hold-down
wire f rom its slot. Pivot it out of
the way, and remove the bulb. Install the new bulb into the hole,
making sure the tabs are in their
slots. Pivot the hold-down wire
back in place, and clip the end into
the slot.
Push the electrical connector onto
the new bulb. Make sure it is
connected securely. Turn on the
headlights to test the new bulb.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the under-hood f use box.
Install the rubber seal over the
back of the headlight assembly.
Make sure one of the three arrows
on the rubber seal is f acing up; it is
marked ‘‘ .’’
Open the hood.
To change the turn signal bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
engine coolant reserve tank by
pulling it out of its holder.
4.
2. 3. 5. 6.7. 8.
1.
Lights
Replacing a Front T urn Signal
Light Bulb
360
BULB
HOLDER
CONNECTOR
WEATHER SEAL
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Page 366 of 445
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the coolant reserve tank.
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise. Open the hood.
To change the parking light/f ront
side marker on the driver’s side,
removethefuseboxfromitsstay
by pulling out.
2. 3. 4.5. 6.
1.
CONT INUED
Lights
Replacing a Parking L ight/Front
Side Marker L ight Bulb
Maint enance
361
FUSE BOX
BULB
SOCKET
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Page 367 of 445
Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.
(Driver’s side)
Reinstall the f use box in place
securely.
Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on
the edge of the cover to prevent
scratches. Remove the covers by
caref ully prying on the edge with a
small f lat-tip screwdriver.
2. 3. 4.5. 6.
1.
Lights
Replacing Rear Bulbs
362
On the passenger’s sideBULB
SOCKET COVER
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