SAFETY
24 || 25
S
AFETY
n Protecting Larger Children
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear sea\
t using the lap/
shoulder seat belt.
Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then ensure the followi\
ng:
•
The child’s knees bend comfortably over the edge
of the seat.
•
The shoulder belt crosses between the child’s
neck and arm.
•
The lap part of the seat belt is as low as possible,
touching the child’s thighs.
•
The child can stay seated for the whole trip.
If a lap/shoulder belt cannot be used properly, position the child in a booster seat in
a rear seating position. For the child’s safety, check that the child meets the booster
seat manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces/territories require children to \
use a
booster seat until they reach a given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or 6\
0 lbs). Be sure
to check current laws in the state or province/territory where you inten\
d to drive.
WARNING
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in the front can result in injur\
y or
death if the passenger’s front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move the vehicle seat as far to th\
e rear
as possible, then have the child sit up properly and wear the seat belt \
properly, using a booster seat if needed.
Safety Label Locations
Safety labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential haz\
ards that can
cause serious injury or death. Read these labels carefully.To reduce the number of child
deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province and territory requir\
es that infants
and children be properly restrained when they ride in a vehicle.
Sun Visor
U.S. models Canadian models
Radiator Cap U.S. models
U.S. models only
Dashboard
Canadian models
Air Conditioner System
Sun Visor
U.S. models only
Reporting Safety Defects
In the U.S.
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash \
or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying American Honda Motor C\
o.,Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and \
if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and r\
emedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your \
dealer, or American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to: Administrator, NHTSA,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. You can also obtain other
information about motor vehicle safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
In Canada
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash \
or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately inform Honda Canada, Inc., and you may also
inform Transport Canada.
If Transport Canada receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it
finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may lead \
to a recall and remedy
campaign. However, Transport Canada cannot become involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer, or Honda Canada, Inc.
To contact Transport Canada’s Defect Investigations and Recalls Division, you may call
1-800-333-0510. For more information on reporting safety defects or abou\
t motor vehicle
safety, go to http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
126 || 127
H
ANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Jump Starting
Turn off the power to electric devices, such as audio and lights. Turn off the engine, then
open the hood.
1.
Remove the engine compartment cover
(see page 141).
2.
Remove the holding clips and the air intake duct.
3.
Connect the first jumper cable to your vehicle’s battery
(+) terminal.
4.
Connect the other end of the first jumper cable to the
booster battery (+) terminal. Use a 12-volt booster
battery only.
5.
Connect the second jumper cable to the booster
battery (-) terminal.
6.
Connect the other end of the second jumper cable
to the engine hanger as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part.
7.
If your vehicle is connected to another vehicle, start
the assisting vehicle’s engine and increase its rpm
slightly.
8.
Attempt to start your vehicle’s engine. If it turns over
slowly, make sure that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Clip
Air intake duct
Engine cover
Pins
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead\
compounds. Wash your hands after handling.
A battery can explode if you do not follow the correct procedure, seriou\
sly
injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking materials away from the batt\
ery.
WARNING
n After the Engine Starts
Once your vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the
following order:
1.
Disconnect the jumper cable from the engine hanger.
2.
Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the booster
battery’s (-) terminal.
3.
Disconnect the jumper cable from the booster battery’s (+) terminal.
4.
Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from your vehicle’s (+) terminal.
5.
Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
Overheating
If the temperature gauge needle is at the H mark, the engine suddenly lo\
ses power, or
steam or spray comes out from under the hood, your engine is overheating\
.
1.
Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off
all accessories and turn on the hazard warning lights.
2.
If steam or spray is not present: Keep the engine
running and open the hood.
If steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine and
wait until it subsides. Then, open the hood.
Reserve tank
MIN MAX
3. Check that the cooling fan is operating and stop the engine once the tem\
perature
gauge needle comes down. If the cooling fan is not operating, immediatel\
y stop
the engine.
4.
Once the engine has cooled down, inspect the coolant level and check the\
cooling
system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the reserve tank is\
low, add
coolant until it reaches the MAX mark. If there is no coolant in the res\
erve tank,
make sure the radiator is cool, then cover the radiator cap with a heavy\
cloth and
open the cap. If necessary
, add coolant up to the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature gauge.
If the temperature needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not g\
one down,
contact a dealer for repairs.
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant \
to
spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiato\
r
cap.
WARNING
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge needle at the H mark may \
damage
the engine.
NOTICE
MAINTENANCE
140 || 141
M
AINTENANCE
Under the Hood
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Washer Fluid
Radiator Cap
Engine Coolant
Reserve Tan
k
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange)
Battery
Engine Oil Fill Ca p
Automatic Transmission Fluid Dipstick
n Opening the Hood
1.
Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set the
parking brake.
2.
Pull the hood release handle under the lower left
corner of the dashboard.
3.
Push up the hood latch lever in the center of the
hood to release the lock mechanism, and open the
hood.
4.
Remove the support rod from the clamp using the
grip. Mount the support rod in the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and stow it
in the clamp, then gently lower the hood. Remove
your hand at a height of approximately 12 inches
(30 cm) and let the hood close.
Pull
Lever
Support Ro d
Grip
Clamp
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised. The hood will strik\
e the
wipers, and may damage either the hood or the wipers.
NOTICE
*if equipped
n Engine Compartment Cover
The component parts in the engine compartment are protected by a cover. You may
need to remove the cover when you perform certain maintenance work.
Starting at either side, lift the outermost edge of the
engine compartment cover. Pull up on the cover, and
remove it from the pins. Move towards the opposite
side while applying uniform upward pressure.
Engine Compartment Cove r
MAINTENANCE
144 || 145
M
AINTENANCE
Engine Coolant
Park the vehicle on level ground. Check the reserve tank and the coolant\
level in the
radiator. We recommend Honda Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2.
n
Checking the Reserve Tank
1.
Remove the engine compartment cover.
2.
Check the amount of coolant in the reserve tank.
3.
If the coolant level is below the MIN mark, add the
specified coolant until it reaches the MAX mark.
4.
Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
MAX
MIN
If temperatures consistently below −22°F (−30°C) are expec\
ted, the coolant mixture
should be changed to a higher concentration. Consult a dealer for detail\
s for more
information.
NOTICE
n
Adding Coolant
1.
Make sure the engine and radiator are cool.
2.
Remove the engine compartment cover.
3.
Turn the radiator cap counterclockwise and relieve
any pressure in the coolant system. Do not push
the cap down when turning.
4.
Push down and turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise to remove it.
5.
The coolant level should be up to the base of the
filler neck. Add coolant if it is low.
6.
Put the radiator cap back on, and tighten it fully.
7.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank until it reaches
the MAX mark. Put the cap back on the
reserve tank.
Radiator
cap
Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant \
to spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the
radiator cap.
WARNING
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately; they can damage components in the engine compartment.
NOTICE
Checking the Battery
The battery condition is monitored by the sensor on the negative termina\
l. If there is a
problem with the sensor, a message appears on the multi-information display. Have your
vehicle checked by a dealer.
For jump starting, see page 126.
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to explode with enough force to\
kill
or seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery maintenance, wear protective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do it.
WARNING
WARNING: Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead\
compounds. Wash your hands after handling.
Window Washer Fluid
If the washer fluid level is low, fill the washer reservoir. You can check the level by
looking at the reservoir, or a message* will appear on the MID.
Pour the washer fluid carefully. Do not overflow the reservoir.
Do not use engine antifreeze or a vinegar/water solution in the windshie\
ld washer
reservoir. Antifreeze can damage your vehicle’s paint. A vinegar/water solution can
damage the windshield washer pump.
NOTICE
Brake Fluid
The fluid level should be between the MIN and MAX marks on the side of\
the reservoir.
We recommend using Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3.
Pour the fluid carefully.
If the fluid level is at or below the MIN mark, have a dealer
inspect for leaks or worn brake pads as soon as possible.
Brake reservoir
MAX
MIN
Brake fluid marked DOT 5 is not compatible with your vehicle’s braking system and can
cause extensive damage.
NOTICE
*if equipped