Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
Check that the hood and hatch are
f ully closed. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel, and the
messages on the multi-inf ormation
display (see pages , and
).
1. 2. 3.
8.
7.
6. 9.
4. 5.
61 7217
10.
340 141147
128 89
Preparing to Drive
264
Honda’s Continuously Variable
Transmission’s unique design
provides a smooth, constant f low of
power. It is electronically controlled
f or more precise operation and
better f uel economy.These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.
The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
When the ‘‘D’’ indicator warns of a
possible problem with the
transmission, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TRANSMISSION’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
273
EX models
Insight and LX models
To help maximize f uel economy,
your vehicle has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Depending on
environmental conditions and vehicle
operation, the engine will shut of f
when you come to a stop.The transmission f luid
temperature is low.
When the vehicle is stopped on an
incline.
The windshield def roster is on.
The f an speed is selected to high
(more than f our steps on the
horizontal f an speed indicators).
The IMA battery charge is low.
While the auto idle stop f unction is
activated, the auto idle stop indicator
in the instrument panel blinks (see
page ).
WhentheECONmodeison,the
engine is more likely to stop than
when it is of f (see page ).
The engine will not stop
automatically under the f ollowing
conditions:
The engine automatically stops when
the vehicle comes to a stop with the
shif t lever in the D position and the
brake pedal pressed.
The engine may also stop when
vehicle speed drops below 7 mph (11
km/h) with the brake pedal pressed. Vehicle speed does not go above 9
mph (15 km/h) af ter starting the
engine.The vehicle is stopped with the
shif t position in P, R, S, or L.
The engine coolant temperature is
low.
The pointer of the charge/assist
gauge does not move when
accelerating or decelerating. 285
127
CONT INUED
Auto Idle Stop
Driving
283
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Set the parking brake bef ore you put
the transmission in Park. This keeps
the vehicle from moving and putting
pressure on the parking mechanism
in the transmission.
Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Turn of f the lights.
Make sure the windows are closed.
Lock the doors and the hatch.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the front wheels away from the
curb.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
LX and EX models
Parking T ips
Parking
286
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly to the station, then
inflate the tire to the recommended
pressure.
Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire f ailure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator may come on unexpectedly.
If the tire is flat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
When the low tire pressure/TPMS
indicator is on, one or more of your
tires is signif icantly underinf lated.
Youshouldstopandcheckyourtires
as soon as possible, and inflate them
to the proper pressure as indicated
on the vehicle’s tire inf ormation
placard.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor. If the air pressure of a tire
becomes signif icantly low, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator in the
instrument panel to come on. If this
happens, you will see a ‘‘CHECK
TIRE PRESSURE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
If you cannot make the low tire
pressure/TPMS indicator and
message on the multi-inf ormation
display go out af ter inf lating the tires
to the specified values, have your
dealer check the system as soon as
possible. 350
CONT INUED
U.S. models onlyLow Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Driving
291
The engine normally starts with the
IMA motor. If the engine does not
start while the IMA battery charge is
normally suf f icient, check the
f ollowing:Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
or neutral or the starter will not
operate. Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to
on page . 130
265 369
If theEngineWon’tStart
Starting the
Engine
358
.................................................
Fuel . 246
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 247
...........................................
Gauge . 73
................
Octane Requirement . 246
...............................
Oxygenated . 246
........................
Reserve Indicator . 70
........................
Tank, Filling the . 247
.....................
Fuses, Checking the . 371
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 253
.........................................
Gasoline . 246
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 70
...........................................
Gauge . 73
................
Octane Requirement . 246
........................
Tank, Filling the . 247
................
Gas Station Procedures . 247
Gauges
.............................
Charge/Assist . 74
...............................................
Fuel . 73
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 273
..........
Automatic Transmission . 273
......................................
Glove Box . 158
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 380 Ignition
............................................
Keys . 129
.........................................
Switch . 131
............
Timing Control System . 390
IMA System Power Flow ........................................
Monitor . 84
......................
Immobilizer System . 130
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
.........
Indicators, Instrument Panel . 62
...
Indicators, Messages (MID) . 62, 89
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 64
..............................
Auto Idle Stop . 66
Brake (Parking and Brake
............................
System) . 63, 368
.............................
Cruise Control . 69
.................................
Cruise Main . 69
................
Door/Hatch Open . 12, 68
DRL (Daytime Running
....................................
Lights) . 123
.
EPS (Electric Power Steering) . 68
................................
ECON Mode . 71
...................................
High Beam . 69
....
High Temperature (Coolant) . 67
......................
IMA Battery Level . 85
.................................
IMA System . 66
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 63
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 323
...........................
HandsFreeLink
. 227
..............................................
Hatch . 139
......................................
Opening . 139
............................
Open Indicator . 68
............
Hazard Warning Flashers . 125
Headlights
........................................
Aiming . 323
.........
Daytime Running Lights . 123
..................
High Beam Indicator . 69
......................
Reminder Beeper . 121
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 323
.................................
Turning on . 121
............................
Head Restraints . 142
.............................
Heated Mirrors . 148
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 265
...............
High-Low Beam Switch . 120
...............
Hill Start Assist System . 297
.......................
Hood, Opening the . 250
....................................................
Horn . 4
Index
I
H
G
IV
CONT INUED
Indicators, Messages (MID).....................................
Lights On . 69
......................................
Low Fuel . 70
................
Low Oil Pressure . 62, 365
.....
Low Temperature (Coolant) . 67
Low Tire Pressure/
...............................
TPMS . 66, 291
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 367
..........................
Security System . 70
...........................
Side Airbag Of f . 65
.................................
Seat Belt . 21, 62
.........................................
SRS . 34, 64
.........................
System Message . 70
.................................
TPMS . 341, 342
Turn Signal and Hazard
...................................
Warning . 69
12 Volt Battery Charging ..............................
System . 63, 366
........................................
VSA Off . 65
.................................
VSA System . 65
...............................
Inf ant Restraint . 43
Inf ant Seats
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
...........................
Lower Anchors . 47
...........................
Tether Anchors . 51 .....
Inf lation, Recommended Tire . 341
...................................
Pressures . 341
........................
Inf ormation Display . 72
.................................
Inside Mirror . 147
.............................
Inspection, Tire . 341
............................
Instrument Panel . 61
......
Instrument Panel Brightness . 124
...............................
Interior Lights . 161
........................................
Introduction . i
...............................................
iPod
. 197
................................................
Keys . 129
.......................
Label, Certif ication . 380
...............
Lane Change, Signaling . 121
..................
Lap/Shoulder Belts . 17, 22 ...........
LATCH Anchorage System . 47
Lights
....................
Bulb Replacement . 323
.......................................
Indicator . 69
.......................................
Parking . 118
................................
Turn Signal . 118
....................................
Load Limits . 259
....
LOCK (Ignition Key Position) . 131
Locks
.....
Anti-thef t Steering Column . 131
............................
Fuel Fill Door . 248
..........................................
Hatch . 139
...............................
Power Door . 133
........................
Low Coolant Level . 252
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator . 70
................................
Lower Anchors . 47
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 365
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 382
.................
Jacking up the Vehicle . 353
.......................................
Jack, Tire . 352
................................
Jump Starting . 360
Index
J K L
INDEX
V