352
uu When Driving u VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Driving
VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist ), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
VSA® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine output and select ively applying the brakes.
When VSA ® activate
s, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
The VSA® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehi cle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA® System
Indicator
375
Driving
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories
When installing accessories, check the following:
• Do not in
stall accessories on the windsh ield. They can obstruct your view and
delay your reaction to driving conditions.
• Do not in
stall accessories on the side pillars or across the side windows.
Accessories installed in these areas may in
terfere with proper operation of the
side curtain airbags.
• Be sure electron
ic accessories do not overload electrical circuits or interfere with
proper operation of your vehicle.
2 Fuses P. 454
• Before installing any electro nic accessory, have the installer contact a dealer for
assistance. If possible, have a deal er inspect the final installation.
Modifications
Do not modify your vehicle or use non- Honda components that can affect its
handling, stability, and reliability.
Overall vehicle performance can be affect ed. Always make sure all equipment
is
properly installed and maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
1 Accessories and Modifications
Honda Genuine accessor ies are recommended to
ensure proper operati on on your vehicle.
3 WARNING
Improper accessories or modifications can
affect your vehicle's handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a crash in which
you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner's
manual regarding accessories and
modifications.
378
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintena nce booklet for detailed maintenance and
inspection information.
■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance tri ps
, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
• Che
ck the automatic transmi ssion fluid level monthly.
2Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 399
• Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Checking the Brake Fluid P. 400
• Check the tire pressure monthly. Examin e the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 414
• Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 402
• Check the condition of the wiper bl ades at least every six months.
2Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 410
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are “certified” to
EPA standards.
According to state and fede ral regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all ma intenance services should
be performed in accordan ce with the intervals
indicated by the information display
*/multi-
information display *.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 383
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, purchase the
service manual.
2 Authorized Manuals P. 474
If you want to perform ma intenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing ma intenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models
379
uu Before Performing Maintenance u Safety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safe ty precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every co
nceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task.
• To reduce
the possibility of fire or explos ion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• Never leave rags, to
wels, or other flammable objects under the hood.
u Heat fro
m the engine and exhaust can ignite them causing a fire.
• To clea
n parts, use a co mmercially available degreas er or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protecti
on and protective clothi ng when working with the battery or
compressed air.
• Eng
ine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only
operate the engine if th ere is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehi
cle must be in a stationary condition.
u Ma
ke sure your vehicle is parked on le vel ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that
hot parts can burn you.
u M
ake sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be
aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do
not start the engine unless instruct ed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1 Safety When Performing Maintenance
3 WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a pr oblem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner's manual.
3 WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner's manual.
383
uu Maintenance Minder™ u To Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, 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.
Maintenance Minder Message
Maintenance
Minder Indicator
Sub Items
Main Item
*1: If a message
SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear bra kes/service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under
-20ºF, -29ºC), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly 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).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission and transfer * fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace VTM-4 r * rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models
387
uu Maintenance Minder™ u To Use Maintenance MinderTM
Continued
Maintenance
■Maintenance Service Items1Maintenance Service Items
•Independent of the Maintenance Minder
information, 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
only if they are noisy.
Maintenance Minder Message System Message
Indicator
Sub Items
Main Item
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the
engine oil every year.
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A
●Replace engine oil*1
B●Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter●Inspect front and rear bra kes/service as necessary●Check parking brake adjustment●Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots●Inspect suspension components●Inspect driveshaft boots●Inspect brake hoses and li nes (Including ABS/VSA)●Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids●Inspect exhaust system#
●Inspect fuel lines and connections#
*4: If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over 110ºF, 43ºC), in very low temperatures (under
-20ºF, -29ºC), or tow a trailer, replace every 60,000 miles/100,000 km.
*5: Driving in mountainous areas at very low vehicle speeds or trailer towing results in higher level of mechanical (shear) stress to fluid. This requires differential fluid changes more frequently than
recommended by the Maintenance Minder. If you regularly 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).
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1
●Rotate tires
2●Replace air cleaner element*2
●Replace dust and pollen filter*3
●Inspect drive belt
3
●Replace transmission and transfer * fluid
4●Replace spark plugs●Replace timing belt and inspect water pump*4
●Inspect valve clearance
5
●Replace engine coolant
6●Replace VTM-4 r * rear differential fluid*5
* Not available on all models
414
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.
■Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the be
st combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or spec ification’s page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and
are more
likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are
more prone to road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires.
If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires,
including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
■Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also
examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
• B
umps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the si de of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
• Re
move any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
• Une
ven tread wear. Have a deal er check the wheel alignment.
• Excessive tread
wear.
2Wear Indicators P. 419
• Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been parked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If
necessary, add or releas e air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher than if
checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. Ne w tires and any that have
been removed and reinst alled should be properly
balanced.
3 WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s
manual regarding ti re inflation and
maintenance.
430
uu Cleaning u Exterior Care
Maintenance
Exterior Care
Dust off the vehicle body after you drive.
Regularly inspect your vehi cl
e for scratches on painted surfaces. A scratch on a
painted surface can result in body rust. If you find a scratch, promptly repair it.
Wash the vehicle regularly. Wash more frequently when
driving in the following
conditions:
• If
driving on roads with road salt.
•If
driving in coastal areas.
•I
f tar, soot, bird droppings, insects, or tree sap are stuck to painted surfaces.
• F
old in the door mirrors.
Make sure to follow the instructions indicat
ed on the automated car wash.
• Keep sufficient distance between the cleaning nozzl e and the
vehicle body.
• Take particular care around the windows. St anding too close may ca
use water to
enter the vehicle interior. Do not spra y water into the engine compartment.
■Washing the Vehicle
■Using an Automated Car Wash
■Using High Pressure Cleaners
1Washing the Vehicle
Do not spray water into the air intake vents or engine
compartment. It can cause a malfunction.
Air Intake Vents