42
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
■When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airb ags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any si gnificant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicl es equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags
and side curtain airbags offer the best prot ection in a rollover. Because front airbags
could provide little if any protection, th ey are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.
■When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might caus e one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in th e vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.
■When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.
45
uuAirbags uSide Airbags
Continued
Safe Driving
■When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.
■When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occu r when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle's crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protec tion even if it had deployed.
51
uuAirbags uAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations:
■When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt te nsioner has been activated, it must be
replaced.
■When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not infl ate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
■Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver's seat position sensor or the passenger’s weight
sensors. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate a person
with disabilities, contact a Honda dealer , or for U.S. vehicles, American Honda
Automobile Customer Service at 800-99 9-1009 and for Canadian vehicles, Honda
Canada Customer Relations at 888-9-HONDA-9.
1 Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.
uuAdjusting the Seats uAdjusting the Seat Positions
144
Controls
Head restraints can be removed for cleaning or repair.
To remove a head restraint:
Pull the restraint up as far as it will go. Then push the release button, and pull the
restraint up and out.
To reinstall a head restraint:
Insert the legs back in place, then adjust the head restraint to an appropriate height
while pressing the release butto n. Pull up on the restraint to make sure it is locked
in position.
After all occupants have adjusted their seats and head restraints, and put on their
seat belts, it is very important that they continue to sit upright, well back in their
seats, with their feet on the floor, until the vehicle is safely parked and the engine is
off.
Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury during a crash. For example, if
an occupant slouches, lies down, turns si deways, sits forward, leans forward or
sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly
increased.
In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or
fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an
inflating front airbag.
■Removing and Reinstalling the Head Restraints
■Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
1 Removing and Reinstalling the Head Restraints
3WARNING
Failure to reinstall, or correctly reinstall, the
head restraints can result in severe injury
during a crash.
Always replace the he ad restraints before
driving.
1 Maintain a Proper Sitting Position
3WARNING
Sitting improperly or out of position can
result in serious injury or death in a crash.
Always sit upright, well back in the seat,
with your feet on the floor.
324
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving.
• Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid , remove ice once it has softened.
u When removing ice from around the wheel s, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
u Check air pressures, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 414
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
u There are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen s hut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable material s left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you've parked y our vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has
performed maintenance on your vehicle.
338
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2Towing Load Limits P. 329
•When towing more than 3,500lbs (1,590 kg), use of gasoline with a pump octane
number of 91 or higher is recommended.
u Towing performance can be affected by high altitude, high temperature, or
steep uphill.
• Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tr ailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the traile r tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.
377
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 378
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 379Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 380
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 381
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 389Opening the Hood ........................... 390
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 392
Oil Check ......................................... 393
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 394
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 395
Engine Coolant ................................ 397
Transmission Fluid ............................ 399
Brake Fluid ....................................... 400
Power Steering Fluid ........................ 400
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 401
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 402
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades.... 410Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 414
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 415Tire Labeling .................................... 415DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 417Wear Indicators................................ 419 Tire Service Life ................................ 419
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 420
Tire Rotation .................................... 421
Winter Tires ..................................... 422
Battery ............................................... 423
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Button Battery ........... 424
Remote Control and Wireless Headphone Care
*........................... 425Climate Control System Maintenance..... 427Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 428
Exterior Care.................................... 430
* Not available on all models
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 trips, when washing the vehicle, or when
refueling.
■Periodic inspections
• Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2 Automatic 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.
2Replacing 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