455Continued
Driving
When Driving
Turning on the Power
1.Make sure the parkin g brake is applied.
u The parking brake and brake system
indicator (red) comes on for 30 seconds
when you pull up the electric parking
brake switch.
2. Check that the transmission is in
(P, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N, it is safer to start it in (P.
3. Without depressing the accelerator pedal,
press the POWER button while depressing
the brake pedal.
1 Turning on the Power
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
turning the power system on.
The engine is harder to st art in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altit udes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When turning the power system on in cold weather,
turn off all electrical accessories such as the lights,
climate control system, and rear defogger in order to
reduce battery drain.
If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. Consult a dealer for details.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Bring the keyless remote close to the POWER button
if the battery in the keyless remote is weak. 2 If the Keyless Remote Battery is Weak
P. 668
Electric Parking Brake Switch
Brake Pedal
uuWhen Driving uTurning on the Power
456
Driving
4. Check the READY indicator.
u Keep depressing the brake pedal until
the READY indicator comes on.
u The READY indicator comes on when
the power system is on and you can start
driving.
u If the outside temperature is extremely
low, you cannot drive until conditions are
improved. In this case, the READY
indicator does not come on and a
warning message appears on the driver
information interface.
2 Indicators P. 96
1Turning on the Power
The power system may not activate if the keyless
remote is subjected to strong radio waves.
Do not hold the POWER button to turn the power
system on. If the power system does not start, wait at
least 30 seconds before trying again.
The engine may not run when the vehicle is ready for
driving.
You can start driving with the READY indicator on.
If you press the POWER button while depressing the
brake pedal with the READY indicator on, the power
mode is set to VEHICLE OFF and you cannot start
driving.
2 READY Indicator P. 100
The immobilizer system pr otects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly c oded device is used, the
power system does not activate. 2 Immobilizer System P. 176
When you set the power mode to ON, you may feel
the brake pedal slightly si nk down. This is normal.
READY Indicator
Continued457
uuWhen Driving uTurning on the Power
Driving
You can remotely turn the power system on using the keyless remote.
■To turn the power system on
Press the button, then press and hold
the button.
u Some exterior lights flash once.
If the power system is turned on successfully,
some exterior lights flash six times.
■Remote Engine Start1 Remote Engine Start
The remote engine start may violate local laws.
Before using the remote e ngine start, check your
local laws.
If there are buildings an d obstacles between your
vehicle and the remote, th e range will be reduced.
This distance may vary by external electrical
interference.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide ga s is toxic and can
rapidly accumulate in closed or even partly
enclosed areas.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Never use the remote engine starter with
the vehicle parked in a garage or other
areas with limited ventilation.
LED: Blinks when any
button is pressed.
uuWhen Driving uTurning on the Power
460
Driving
1. Depress and hold the brake pedal, then press the POWER button.
2. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, check that the READY indicator is on,
then put the tra nsmission into
(D. Select (R when reversing.
3. With the parking brake applied, release the brake pedal and gently depress the
accelerator pedal.
u Make sure the parking brake and brake system indicator (red) goes off.
2 Parking Brake P. 572
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged br iefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your fo ot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Put the transmission into
(D or when facing uphill, or (R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
■Starting to Drive1 Starting to Drive
The power system is turned off when the transmission
is taken out of
( P before the POWER button is
pressed. Follow step 1 when starting to drive.
You can also release the parking brake by pressing
the electric parking brake sw itch while depressing the
brake pedal.
When facing downhill, you can start your vehicle
more smoothly by manually releasing it with the
electric parking brake switch than by releasing it with
the accelerator pedal.
As a hybrid vehicle, the sounds and vibrations from
the engine may be absent even though the vehicle is
ready for driving. It also makes you fail to recognize
that you can start.
Make sure to check if the READY indicator is on
before you start to drive.
When the power system was turned on using the
button on the keyless remoteWhen the power system was turned on using the button on the keyless remote
When the power system was turned on in any case
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very st eep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
Hill start assist will operate even when VSA ® is
switched off.
B
462
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of control:
• Take corners at slower speeds than yo u would with a passenger vehicle.
• Avoid sharp turns and abrupt maneuvers whenever possible.
• Do not modify your vehicle in any way that you would raise the center of gravity.
• Do not carry heavy cargo on the roof.
Never carry more than 165 lbs (75 kg) of cargo on the roof rack (Honda accessory).
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■Driving Guidelines for Your Utility Vehicle
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1 Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.
If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the power system will shut down and all
steering and brake power a ssist functions will stop,
making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not select
( N while driving as you will lose
regenerative braking (and ac celeration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km)
after purchasing your new vehicle or replacing the
brake pads or rotors, to allow for proper break-in.
474
uuWhen Driving uHill Descent Control System
Driving
Hill Descent Control System
When driving down hills where engine braking is not enough to decelerate the
vehicle, this system helps maintain a co nstant vehicle speed without needing to
depress the brake pedal.
The system operates under the following conditions.
• Driving at a speed between about 2-12 mph (3-20 km/h).
• Driving downhill.
• Accelerator pedal and brake pedal are not depressed.
The system’s operating status
•Green: Activated
• White: Standby
Vehicle speed display
• White: Set speed
• Grey: Current speed
u Blinks when the vehicle speed is above
the operating speed.
■Hill Descent Control Operating Conditions
■Driver Information Interface Display
1Hill Descent Control System
The brake lights automati cally come on while the
system is in operation.
The system may not operate when driving down a
gentle slope. Check the Hill Descent Control System
indicator to see if the system is in operation.
The system may activate even when not driving
downhill, such as when the vehicle leans while
driving over uneven surfaces.
3WARNING
Hill descent control cannot maintain a
constant vehicle speed in every situation.
When driving down a very steep hill or on
slippery road surfaces, the vehicle may not
be able to maintain the vehicle speed and
could cause a crash, resulting in serious
injury or death.
Since Hill Descent Control is not designed
to increase the limits of vehicle
performance, the driver must always be
aware of road surface conditions and drive
safely.
System’s Operating Status
Vehicle Speed
Display Current Speed
Operating Range of Set Speed
476
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 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 and motor output and selectively applying the
brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine and motor do not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic brake sy stem. 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.
The Vehicle Stability Assist
TM (VSA ®) system, brake
system (Amber), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with
Low Speed Follow, low tire pressure/TPMS
* and safety
support indicators may come on in amber along with a
message in the gauge when you set the power mode
to ON after reconn ecting the battery.
Drive a short distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Each indicator should go off. If any do not, have your
vehicle checked by a dealer.
VSA ® System
Indicator
* Not available on all models
477
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
Your vehicle will have normal braking and
cornering ability, but tra ction control function
will be less effective.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press
the (VSA ® OFF ) button until you hear a
beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you turn the
power system on, even if you turned it off the
last time you drove the vehicle.
■VSA ® On and Off1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the button is pressed, the traction control
function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after turning the power
system on or while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF
Indicator