363
Driving
This chapter discusses driving and refueling.
Before Driving................................... 364
Towing a Trailer ................................ 372
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines ..... 383
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 385
Precautions While Driving................. 392
Automatic Transmission ................... 394
Shifting ............................................ 395
ECON Mode .................................... 403
Intelligent Traction Management...... 404
Auto Idle Stop .................................. 406
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ..............412
Agile Handling Assist ....................... 414 Intelligent Variable To
rque Management (i-
VTM4
TM) AWD System*.................. 415
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist .......................... 416
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 418
Blind spot information System
*........... 420
Honda Sensing ®................................ 423
Collision Mitigati on Braking System
TM
(CMBSTM) ....................................... 426
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)......... 438
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS).... 451
Road Departure Mitigation System ... 460
Front Sensor Camera ....................... 465 Radar Sensor ................................... 467
Braking Brake System ................................... 468
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 470
Brake Assist System ......................... 471
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 472
Parking Sensor System
*................... 473
Cross Traffic Monitor*..................... 477
Multi-View Rear Camera .................. 481
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 483
How to Refuel ................................. 484
Fuel Economy and CO
2 Emissions .... 486
* Not available on all models
364
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 wheels, 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. 516
•Make sure the tailgate is fully closed when it is not being used as an extended
pickup bed.
• Make sure the trunk is secu rely closed and locked.
• Make sure there are no people or ob jects 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 the 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.
381
uuTowing a Trailer uDriving Safely with a Trailer
Continued
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer
• Have the trailer properly servic ed 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. 372
•Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the tra iler so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressure of the trail er tires, including the spare.
• Turn off the Auto Idle Stop syst em using the Auto Idle Stop OFF button. The
trailer weight can affect your vehicle’s brake effectiveness if Auto Idle Stop is
activated on a hill wh ile towing a trailer.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits fo r 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
Operating speed when towing a trailer must not
exceed 62 mph (100 km/h).
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.
When towing a trailer, we recommend that you carry
a full-size spare wheel and tire for both your vehicle
and trailer. If you use the compact spare tire that
came with your vehicle, it could adversely affect
vehicle handling.
Remember to unhitch the tra iler before changing a
flat tire. Ask the trailer sales or rental agency where
and how to store the trailer’s spare tire.
1 Towing Speeds and Gears
When towing a fixed-sided trailer (e.g., camper), do
not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h).
At higher speeds, the trai ler may sway or affect
vehicle handling.
384
uuOff-Highway Driving Guidelines uAvoiding Trouble
Driving
Avoiding Trouble
• Check Out Your Vehicle before you leave the pavement and make sure that all
scheduled maintenance has been comple ted. Pay special attention to the
condition of the tires, an d check the tire pressures.
• Remember the route you choose presents limits (too steep or bumpy), you have
limits (driving skill and comfort), and your ve hicle has limits (traction, stability, and
power). Failing to recognize these limits will likely put you and your passengers in
a hazardous situation.
• Accelerating and Braking should be done slowly and gradually. Trying to start
or stop too fast can cause a loss of traction and you could lose control.
• Avoiding Obstacles and Debris in the road reduces the likelihood of a rollover
or damage to your suspension or other components.
• Driving on Slopes increases your risk of a rollover, particularly if you attempt to
drive across a slope that is too steep. Going straight up or down a slope is usually
the safest. If you can’t clearly see all cond itions or obstacles on a slope, walk it
before you drive it. If there is any doubt whether you can safely pass, don’t try it.
Find another route. If you get stuck when climbing, do not try to turn around.
Back down slowly following the same route you took up the hill.
• Crossing a Stream - Avoid driving through deep water. If you encounter water
in your route (a small stream or large pu ddle, for example), evaluate it carefully
before going ahead. Make sure it is shallow, flowing slowly, and has firm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of the depth or the ground, turn around and find
another route. Driving through deep water can also damage your vehicle. The
water can get into the transmission and differential, diluting the lubricant and
causing an eventual failure. It can also wash the grease out of the wheel bearings.
• If You Get Stuck, carefully go in the direction that you think will get you
unstuck. Do not spin the tires as this will only make things worse and could
damage the transmission. If you are unable to free yourself, your vehicle will need
to be towed. Front and rear tow hooks are provided for this purpose.
412
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), 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 ® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic brake system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), 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 ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, there ma y 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
415
uuWhen Driving uIntelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4TM) AWD System*
Driving
Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4TM)
AWD System*
The Intelligent Variable To rque Management (i-VTM4TM) AWD System is a full time
all wheel drive system that automatically controls and transfers varying amount of
engine torque to all wheels independently according to the driving conditions.
You still need to exercise the same care when accelerating, steering, and braking
that you would in a two wheel drive vehicle.
Avoid continuously driving on slippery surfaces where a wheel is likely to spin out,
and do not drive if the All-wheel drive ( AWD) Indicator starts blinking. Driving
continuously under such conditions can damage the system’s torque distribution
unit.
If the All-wheel drive (AWD ) Indicator blinks while driving, it indicates the
differential temperature is too high. If this happens, pull to the side of the road
when it is safe, shift to park, and idle the engine until the indicator goes out. If the
indicator does not go out, take your vehi cle to a dealer to have it checked.1Intelligent Variable Torq ue Management (i-VTM4TM) AWD
System*
NOTICE
Do not continuously spin the front tires of your
vehicle. Continuously spinning the front tires can
cause transmission or re ar differential damage.
The Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-
VTM4
TM) AWD System may not function properly if
tire type and size are mixed. Make sure to use the
same size and type of tire , and the air pressures as
specified. 2 Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 522
* Not available on all models
416
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire
Fill Assist
Monitors the tire pressure while you are
driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure becomes
significantly low, the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS
indicator comes on and a message appears on
the multi-information display.1 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator to come
on. 2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks P. 560
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
•Warm weather can beco me under-inflated in
colder weather.
•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator will not come
on as a result of over inflation.
Only use genuine TPMS specified wheels since your
vehicle’s wheels are equipped with the low tire
pressure/TPMS sensor.
If you drive your vehicle without the genuine TPMS
specified wheels, the low ti re pressure/TPMS indicator
blinks for about one minute and then stays on. 2 Tire and Wheel Replacement P. 522
The TPMS audibly and visually informs you of
changes in tire pressure of the individual tire that you
are adjusting using audibl e and visual indications.
If a change in tire pressure has been significant, the
system beeps and the hazard lights flash continuously
for five seconds when the specified tire pressure is
reached. Stop filling the tire.
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS indicator
417
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Tire Fill Assist
Driving
To select the tire pressure monitor, set the power
mode to ON, and press the
(information) button until you see the tire
pressure screen.
The pressure for each tire is displayed in psi.
Tire Pressures Low is displayed when a tire
has significantly low pressure. The specific tire
is displayed on the screen.
■Tire Pressure Monitor1 Tire Pressure Monitor
The pressure displayed on the multi-information
display can be slightly different from the actual
pressure as measured by a gauge. If there is a
significant di fference between the two values, or if
the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS indicator and the
message on the multi-inform ation display do not go
off after you have inflated the tire to the specified
pressure, have the system checked by a dealer.
Tire Pressure Monitor Problem may appear if you
drive with the compact spare tire, or there is a
problem with the TPMS.