Honda Civic 1996 User Manual
1996 Civic Coupe Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents
Owner's Identification
Introduction ................................................................................................
A Few Words About Safety.................................................................................................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls.................................................................................................................31
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ...............................................................................................
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ................................................................................................................................................99
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................119
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care..............................................................................................................................173
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................179
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Information.....................................................................................................................201
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................213
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................219
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index..................................................................................................................................................... I
Gas Station Information
Information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
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Introduction
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Congratulations ! Your selection of a 1996 Honda Civic was a wise investment. It will give you years of driving
pleasure.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to read this manual. In it, you will learn about
your vehicle's many safety features, and how to operate its driving controls and convenience items. Afterwards, keep
this owner's manual in your vehicle so you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet thoroughly so you understand the coverages
and are aware of your rights and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free while
it preserves your investment. When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda dealer's staff is
specially-trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your
satisfaction and will be pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
Safety Messages
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Your safety and the safety of others is very important. We have provided
many important safety messages in this manual and on the vehicle. Please
read these messages carefully.
A safety message alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or
others. Each safety message is preceded by a safety alert symbol and
one of three words, DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION.
These mean:
You WILL be KILLED or
SERIOUSLY HURT if you don't
follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or
SERIOUSLY HURT if you don't
follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don't
follow instructions.
Each safety message tells you what the hazard is, what can happen and what
you can do to avoid or reduce injury.
You will also see another important
symbol:
NOTICE
Your Honda or other property can be
damaged if yon don't follow instruc-
tions.
The purpose of these messages is to
help prevent damage to your vehicle,
other property, or the environment.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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This section gives you important
information about occupant protection. It shows how to use seat belts
properly. It explains the Supple-
mental Restraint System. And it
gives useful information about how
to protect infants and children in
your car.
Your Occupant Protection System.. 4
The Seat Belt System
and How It Works...................... 5
Why Wear Seat Belts.................... 5
Important Safety Reminders........ 5
Seat Belt System Components..... 6
Lap/Shoulder Belt......................... 6
Lap Belt........................................... 7
Wearing Seat Belts Properly........ 7
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt...... 7
Wearing the Lap Belt.................... 9
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 10
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 11
Supplemental Restraint System..... 12
SRS Components......................... 12
What Happens In a Crash........... 12
Important Facts About
Airbags......................................
13
How the Driver's Airbag
Works...................................... 14
How the Passenger's Airbag
Works........................................ 15
How the SRS Indicator Light
Works........................................ 16
System Service............................. 16
System Service Precautions....... 17
Additional Safety Information........ 18
Seat-back Position........................ 18
Head Restraint Position.............. 18
Door Locks................................... 19
Storing Cargo Safely................... 19
Driving with Pets......................... 19
Child Safety...................................... 20
Where Should Children Sit?....... 20
Important Safety Reminders...... 21
General Guidelines
for Restraining Children
Under 18 kg (40 Ibs)............... 22
Restraining
an Infant Who Weighs
Less Than 9 kg (20 Ibs).......... 22
Restraining
a Child Who Weighs Between
9 and 18 kg (20 and 40 Ibs)..... 23
Restraining a Child Who Weighs
Over 18 kg (40 Ibs).................. 24
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Belt........................... 24
Using Child Restraints
with Tethers............................. 25
Storing a Child Seat..................... 26
Alcohol and Drugs........................... 27
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 28
Safety Labels.................................... 29
Driver and Passenger Safety
Your Occupant Protection System
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Your Honda is equipped with seat
belts and other features that work
together to protect you and your
passengers during a crash.
Seat belts are the most important
part of your occupant protection
system. When worn properly, seat
belts can reduce the chance of
serious injury or death in a crash.
For added protection during a severe
frontal collision, your Honda has a
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) with airbags for the driver and
a front seat passenger.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Two indicator lights are also part of
your safety system. One reminds you
to make sure you and your passengers wear seat belts. The other
alerts you to a possible problem with
your supplemental restraint system
(see page 16).
The seats, head restraints, and door
locks also play a role in occupant
safety. For example, reclining the
seat-back can decrease the effec-
tiveness of your seat belt. Head
restraints can help protect your neck
and head, especially during rear-end
impacts. Door locks help keep your
doors from being accidentally
opened during a crash.
To get the maximum protection from
your occupant protection system,
check the following before you drive
away:
Everyone in the car is wearing a
seat belt properly (see page 7).
Infants and small children are
properly secured in child safety
seats (see page 20).
Both doors are closed and locked
(see page 19).
Seat-backs are upright and head
restraints are properly adjusted
(see pages 18 and 57).
There are no loose items that
could be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash or sudden
stop (see page 19).
By following these guidelines, you
can reduce injuries to yourself and
your passengers in many crash
situations. Remember, however, that
no safety system can prevent all
injuries or deaths that can occur in
severe crashes.
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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Why Wear Seat Belts
Wearing seat belts, and wearing
them properly, is fundamental to
your safety and the safety of your
passengers.
During a crash or emergency stop,
seat belts can help keep you from
being thrown against the inside of
the car, against other occupants, or
out of the car.
Of course, seat belts cannot com-
pletely protect you in every crash.
But, in most cases, scat belts reduce
your chance of serious injury. They
can even save your life. That is why
many states and all Canadian pro-
vinces require you to wear seat belts.
Not wearing a seat belt
increases the chance of being
killed or seriously hurt in a
crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
Important Safety Reminders
Seat belts are designed for adults
and larger children. All infants and
small children must be properly
restrained in child safety seats (see
page 20).
A pregnant woman needs to wear a
seat belt to protect herself and her
unborn child (see page 10).
Two people should never use the
same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
Do not place the shoulder portion of
a lap/shoulder belt under your arm
or behind your back. This could
increase the chance of serious
injuries in a crash.
Do not put shoulder belt pads or
other accessories on seat belts. They
can reduce the effectiveness of the
belts and increase the chance of
injury.
Driver and Passenger Safety
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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Seat Belt System Components
Your Honda has seat belts in all five
seating positions. The front seats
and the outside positions of the rear
seat have lap/shoulder belts. The
center position of the rear seat has a
lap belt.
Your seat belt system also includes a
light on the instrument panel to
remind you to fasten your seat belt,
and to make sure your passengers
fasten theirs. This light comes on
when you turn on the ignition if you
have not fastened your seat belt. A
beeper also sounds for several
seconds (see page 34).
The following pages cover more
about the seat belt components and
how they work.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Lap/Shoulder Belt
SHOULDER
PORTION
BUCKLE
UPPER
SEAT BELT
ANCHOR
To retractor
LAP
PORTION
LATCH PLATE
This style of seat belt has a single
belt that goes over your shoulder,
across your chest, and across your
hips.
Each lap/shoulder belt has an
emergency locking retractor. In
normal driving, the retractor lets you
move freely in your seat while it
keeps some tension on the belt.
During a collision or sudden stop,
the retractor automatically locks the
belt to help restrain your body.
The lap/shoulder belt retractor in
each passenger seating position has
an additional locking mechanism
that is intended to secure a child seat
(see page 24). If the shoulder part of
the belt is pulled all the way out, this
mechanism will engage. The belt will
retract, but it will not allow the
passenger to move freely. If the belt
feels too tight, unlatch it, let it retract
fully, then pull it out as far as needed.
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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Lap Belt
The lap belt has one manuallyadjusted belt that fits across the hips.
It is similar to safety belts used in
airplanes.
Wearing Seat Belts Properly
You can increase the effectiveness of
your seat belts if you take a little
time to read the following pages and
make sure you know how to wear
seat belts properly.
Not wearing seat belts properly
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt
Before putting on the seat belt, move
the driver's seat as far back as is
practical while still allowing you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.
Make sure the seat-back is upright
(see page 18). The front seat
passenger should move the seat as
far back as possible.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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1. Pull the latch plate across your
body and insert it into the buckle.
Tug on the belt to make sure the
latch is securely locked.
Driver and Passenger Safety
2. Check that the belt is not twisted.
3. Position the lap portion of the belt
as low as possible across your hips,
not across your stomach. This lets
your strong pelvic bones take the
force of a crash.
4. Pull up on the shoulder part of the
belt to remove any slack. Make
sure the belt goes over your
collarbone and across your chest.
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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5. If the shoulder belt crosses your
neck while you are sitting in one of
the outside positions of the rear
seat, you need to adjust your
seating position. Move toward the
center of the seat until the belt fits
over your collarbone.
To unlatch the seat belt, push the
red PRESS button on the buckle.
Guide the belt across your body to
the door pillar.
After you exit the vehicle, make sure
the seat belt is out of the way and
will not get closed in the door.
Wearing the Lap Belt
1. Pull the latch plate across your
hips and insert it into the buckle
marked CENTER.
If the belt is too short, hold the
latch plate at a right angle and pull
to extend the belt. Insert the latch
plate into the buckle.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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Advice for Pregnant Women
2. Position the belt as low as possible
across your hips and pelvic bones,
not across your stomach. Pull the
loose end of the belt to adjust for a
snug but comfortable fit.
Driver and Passenger Safety
To unlatch the belt, push the red
PRESS button on the buckle.
Protecting the mother is the best
way to protect her unborn child.
Therefore, a pregnant woman should
wear a properly-positioned seat belt
whenever she drives or rides in a car.
The Seat Belt System and How It Works
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If possible, use the lap/shoulder seat
belt, remembering to keep the lap
portion as low as possible (see page
7).
Each time you have a check-up, ask
your doctor if it's okay for you to
drive and how you should position a
lap/shoulder seat belt.
Seat Belt Maintenance
For safety, you should check the
condition of your seat belts regularly.
Pull out each belt fully and look for
frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check
that the latches work smoothly and
the lap/shoulder belts retract easily.
Any belt not in good condition or not
working properly should be replaced.
If a seat belt is worn during a crash,
have your dealer replace the belt and
inspect the anchors for damage.
For information on how to clean your
seat belts, see page 176.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Supplemental Restraint System
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Your car is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) to
help protect the head and chest of
the driver and front seat passenger
during a severe frontal collision.
This system does not replace your seat
belts. It supplements, or adds to, the
protection offered by seat belts and
other occupant protection features.
Not wearing seat belts
increases the chance of serious
injury or death in a crash, even
if you have airbags.
Be sure you and your
passengers always wear seat
belts and wear them properly.
Driver and Passenger Safety
SRS Components
Your supplemental restraint system
includes:
One airbag in the steering wheel
for the driver and another in the
dashboard for the front passenger.
Sensors that can detect a severe
frontal collision.
A sophisticated electronic system
that continually monitors the
sensors, control unit, airbag
activators, and all related wiring
when the ignition is ON (II).
An indicator light on the instrument panel to alert you to a possible problem with the system.
Emergency backup power in case
your car's electrical system is
disconnected in a crash.
What Happens In a Crash
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the sensors will detect
rapid deceleration and signal the
control unit to instantly inflate the
airbags.
During a crash, your seat belts will
help to restrain your lower body and
torso. The airbags will provide a
cushion to absorb crash energy and
help keep the head and chest of the
driver and front passenger from
striking the interior of the car.
After inflating, the airbags will
immediately deflate. The entire
process, from detection to deflation,
takes a fraction of a second. This
process occurs so quickly that you
may not hear the loud noise created
by the airbag inflators, or realize
what has happened.
Supplemental Restraint System
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After the crash, you may see what
looks like smoke. This is actually
powder from the airbag's surface.
People with respiratory problems
may experience some temporary
discomfort from the chemicals used
by the airbag's activators.
Important Facts About Airbags
Airbags inflate only when needed; in
a severe frontal collision. A severe
collision would be similar to a crash
into a parked vehicle of similar size
at 25 mph (40 km/h). Airbags will
not inflate in a moderate frontal
collision, or during a rear impact,
side impact, or rollover — even if the
impact is severe.
Airbags inflate and deflate only once.
They cannot protect you during any
additional impacts that can occur
during a crash sequence.
Injuries, including fatal injuries, can
occur in a severe collision, even if
seat belts are worn properly and the
airbags inflate. No safety system can
provide complete protection in a
severe crash.
Just from viewing the vehicle
damage after a crash, it is very
difficult to accurately determine if
the airbags should or should not
have inflated. In some cases where
the airbag did not inflate, extensive
visible damage indicated that the car
absorbed much of the crash energy,
and the airbags were not needed. In
other cases, a severe jolt, such as an
impact to the undercarriage, may not
cause extensive body damage but
cause the airbags to inflate.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Supplemental Restraint System
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How the Driver's Airbag Works
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, your airbag will instantly
inflate to help protect your head and
chest.
Driver and Passenger Safety
To do its job, the airbag inflates with
considerable force. So, while it can
reduce serious injuries and even save
your life, the airbag might cause
some facial abrasions or other
injuries. To reduce the possibility of
injury, you should always sit back as
far from the steering wheel as is
practical while still maintaining full
vehicle control.
After the bag completely inflates, it
immediately starts deflating so it
won't interfere with your visibility,
ability to steer, or ability to operate
other controls. The total time for
inflation and deflation takes a
fraction of a second. You may not
even be aware that the airbag has
been fully inflated.
Supplemental Restraint System
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The driver's airbag is stored in the
center of the steering wheel. For
your safety, do not attach any items
to the steering wheel. They could
interfere with the proper operation
of the airbag. Or, if the airbag
inflates, they could be propelled
inside the car and hurt someone.
How the Passenger's Airbag
Works
If you ever have a severe frontal
collision, the passenger's airbag will
inflate at the same time as the driver's
airbag.
This airbag is quite large and inflates
with considerable force. It can
seriously hurt a front seat passenger
who is not in the proper position and
wearing the seat belt properly. Front
seat passengers should move the
seat as far back as practical and sit
well back in the seat.
We strongly recommend that you do
not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be
dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
If a toddler seat is used in the front
passenger's seat, the vehicle seat
should be moved as far back as
possible. If the passenger's bag
inflates, it could seriously hurt a
toddler who is not in the proper
position or properly restrained.
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Supplemental Restraint System
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The passenger's airbag is stored
near the top of the dashboard, under
a lid marked SRS. Do not place any
objects on top of this lid. If the airbag
inflates, those objects can be
propelled inside the car and possibly
hurt someone.
Driver and Passenger Safety
S R S
How the SRS Indicator
Light Works
The purpose of the SRS light on your
instrument panel is to alert you of a
potential problem with your supplemental restraint system.
Have the system checked if:
The light does not come on when
you turn the ignition ON (II).
The light stays on after the engine
starts.
The light comes on or flashes
while you are driving.
If you see any of these indications,
the airbag may not work when
needed in an accident. Take the car
to your dealer promptly for diagnosis
and service.
System Service
Your supplemental restraint system
is virtually maintenance-free. There
are no parts you can safely service.
You must have the system serviced
by an authorized Honda dealer:
If your airbags ever inflate, the
airbags and control unit must be
replaced. Do not try to remove or
discard the airbags by yourself.
This must be done by a Honda
dealer.
If the SRS indicator light alerts
you of a problem. Have the
supplemental restraint system
checked as soon as possible.
Otherwise, your airbags might not
inflate when you need them.
When the car is ten years old.
Have the dealer inspect the
system. The production date is on
the driver's doorjamb for your
convenience.
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System Service Precautions
Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of the supplemental
restraint system. Modifications could
make the system ineffective.
Do not tamper with the system's
components or wiring. This could
cause the airbags to inflate inadvertently, possibly injuring someone
very seriously.
Tell anyone who works on your car
that you have a supplemental
restraint system. Failure to follow
the procedures and precautions in
the official Honda service manual
could result in personal injury or
damage to the system.
Scrapping an entire car that has
uninflated airbags can be dangerous.
Get assistance from a Honda dealer
if your car must be scrapped.
If you sell your car, please be sure to
tell the new owner that the car has a
supplemental restraint system. Alert
them to the information and precautions in this part of the owner's
manual.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Additional Safety Information
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The seat belts and airbags are obviously important parts of your occupant protection system.
In addition, you should know that
sitting upright, adjusting the head
restraints properly, locking the doors,
and stowing things properly can also
increase your safety and possibly
even save your life.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Seat-back Position
The seat-backs should be in an
upright position for you and your
passengers to get the most protection from the seat belts.
If you recline a seat-back, you reduce
the protective capability of your seat
belt. The farther a seat-back is
reclined, the greater the risk that
you will slide under the belt in a
severe crash and be very seriously
injured.
For information on how to adjust the
seat-back, see page 56.
Head Restraint Position
Head restraints can help protect you
from whiplash and other injuries. For
the best protection, adjust the top of
the restraint so it is even with the
tops of your ears, or as high as possible. For instructions on adjusting the
head restraints, see page 57.
Additional Safety Information
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Door Locks
It is not safe to leave your car doors
unlocked. A passenger, especially a
child, could open a door and acci-
dentally fall out. Also, there is a
greater chance of being thrown out
of the car during a crash when the
doors are not locked.
Storing Cargo Safely
Before you drive, make sure you
first securely store or tie down any
items that could be thrown around
the car and hurt someone, or
interfere with your ability to operate
the controls.
Do not put any items on top of the
rear shelf. They can block your view
and they could be thrown about the
car in a crash.
Be sure to keep compartment doors
closed when the car is moving. If a
front passenger hits the door of an
open glove box, for example, he
could injure his knees.
For information on loading cargo,
see page 98.
Driving with Pets
Loose pets can be a hazard while you
are driving. An unrestrained pet can
interfere with your ability to drive
the car. In a crash or sudden stop,
loose pets or cages can be thrown
around inside the car and hurt you or
your passengers. It is also for their
safety that pets should be properly
restrained in your car.
The recommended way to restrain a
medium-sized or larger dog is with a
special traveling harness. This harness can be secured to the rear seat
with a seat belt. Travel harnesses are
available at pet stores.
A small dog, cat, or other small
animal will be safest in a pet carrier
with rigid sides. Choose a style that
allows you to secure it to the car's
seat by routing a seat belt through
the carrier's handle.
For further information, contact your
veterinarian or local animal protection society.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Child Safety
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An infant or child who is not
properly restrained can be killed
or seriously injured in a crash.
Be sure any child too small for
seat belts is properly secured in
a child restraint.
Where Should Children Sit?
According to accident statistics,
children of all sizes and ages are
safer when they are properly
restrained in the rear seat rather
than the front seat.
We recommend that, whenever
possible, you secure your child's
infant or toddler seat in the center
position of the rear seat with the lap
belt.
Children depend on adults to protect
them. To help make sure we do,
every state and Canadian province
has laws requiring infants and young
children to be properly restrained
whenever they ride in a car.
Driver and Passenger Safety
We strongly recommend that you do
not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be
dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
Child Safety
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If a toddler seat is used in the front
passenger's seat, the vehicle seat
should be moved as far back as
possible. If the passenger's bag
inflates, it could seriously hurt a
toddler who is not in the proper
position or properly restrained.
We also recommend that any child
who is too large to use an infant or
toddler seat ride in one of the out-
side positions of the rear seat. The
child should then wear the lap/
shoulder belt properly for protection.
If the child is not large enough to
wear the lap/shoulder belt properly,
you should use a booster seat.
Important Safety Reminders
Never hold a baby or child on your
lap when riding in a car. If you are
wearing your seat belt, the violent
forces created during a crash will
tear the child from your arms. The
child could be seriously hurt or killed.
If you are holding a child and not
wearing a seat belt in a crash, you
could crush the child against the car's
interior.
Never put your seat belt over
yourself and a child. During a crash,
the belt could press deep into the
child, causing serious internal
injuries.
Two children should never use the
same seat belt. If they do, they could
be very seriously injured in a crash.
For their safety, do not leave
children alone in your car without
adult supervision.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Child Safety
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General Guidelines for
Restraining Children Under
18 kg (40 Ibs)
Use an approved child seat. The seat
must meet Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS-213) or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. Look for the manufacturer's statement of compliance on
the box and seat.
Use a seat of the right size. Make sure
the seat fits your child. Check the
seat manufacturer's instructions and
labels for height and weight limits.
Secure the child seat to the car. All
approved child seats are designed to
be secured to the car seat by the lap
belt or the lap belt portion of a lap/
shoulder belt. A child whose seat is
not properly secured to the car can
be endangered in a crash.
Driver and Passenger Safety
To properly route a seat belt through
a child seat, follow the seat maker's
instructions. If you use a lap/
shoulder belt, follow the instructions
on page 24.
Secure the child in the child seat Make
sure the infant or child is firmly
secured to the child seat. Use the
straps provided, and carefully follow
the manufacturer's instructions.
Restraining an Infant Who
Weighs Less Than 9 kg
(20 Ibs)
An infant up to about 9 kg (20 Ibs)
must be restrained in an infant seat
or a convertible seat designed for a
baby. Because infants must ride in a
reclining position, be sure the infant
seat always faces the REAR of the
car as shown.
Child Safety
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We recommend that, whenever
possible, you put the infant seat in
the center position of the rear seat
and secure it to the car with the lap
belt.
If you decide to put an infant seat in
any other seating position, make
sure the infant seat is held securely
by the locking mechanism of the
lap/shoulder belt (sec page 24).
We strongly recommend that you do
not put an infant seat in the front
passenger's seat. If the airbag
inflates, it can hit the infant seat with
great force. The infant seat can be
dislodged or struck with enough
force to cause very serious injury to
the infant.
Restraining a Child Who Weighs
Between 9 and 18 kg
(20 and 40 Ibs)
Toddler seats are designed for
children who weigh between 9 and
18
kg (20 and 40 Ibs).
The preferred place to put a toddler
seat is in the center position of the
rear seat. Use the car's lap belt to
secure the seat to the car.
If you decide to put a toddler seat in
an outside seating position, make
sure the toddler seat is held securely
by the locking mechanism of the
lap/shoulder belt (see page 24).
If you are using a toddler seat in the
front passenger's seat, move the
passenger's seat as far back as
possible before installing the child
seat. If the passenger's bag inflates,
it could seriously hurt a toddler who
is not in the proper position or
properly restrained.
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Child Safety
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Restraining a Child Who Weighs
Over 18 kg (40 Ibs)
We recommend that, whenever
possible, a child who has outgrown a
toddler seat ride in one of the
outside positions of the rear seat and
use a lap/shoulder belt.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Put the seat belt on your child and
check its fit. The shoulder belt
should fit over the collarbone and
across the chest. The lap belt should
sit low on your child's hips, not
across the stomach.
If the shoulder belt crosses the neck,
have your child move toward the
center of the rear seat until the belt
fits properly. If the belt still crosses
the child's neck, you should use a
booster seat.
Several styles of booster seats are
available. We recommend a design
that allows the child to use the car's
lap/shoulder belt.
Whichever style you select, follow
the booster seat manufacturer's
instructions.
Securing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Belt
The lap/shoulder belt retractors in
the passenger seating positions have
a built-in locking mechanism
intended to secure a child seat. If
you are placing a child seat in one of
the outside seating positions, do the
following:
1. Place the child restraint in the
desired seating position. Route the
lap/shoulder belt: through the seat
according to the seat manufacturer's instructions.
2. Insert the latch plate into the
buckle. Make sure it is fully
latched.
3. Slowly pull the shoulder portion of
the belt out of the retractor until it
stops.
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4. Allow the belt to slowly feed back
into the retractor. You should hear
a clicking noise that indicates the
locking mechanism has engaged.
5. After the belt has retracted fully,
pull up on the shoulder portion to
remove any slack.
6. Push and pull on the child seat to
verify that it is held firmly in place.
If not, unlatch the seat belt, allow
it to retract fully, and repeat these
steps.
To unlatch the seat belt, push the
red PRESS button on (he buckle.
Guide the belt across to the door
pillar. If the belt doesn't retract
easily, pull it out and check for twists
or kinks.
Using Child Restraints with
Tethers
Your Honda has three attachment
points for tether-style child seats.
Select the attachment point you want
to use and remove the plug with a
small flat-tipped screwdriver or
fingernail file.
Then install the tether hardware that
came with the child seat.
Tighten the bolt to:
22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m, 16 lbf.ft)
If you are not sure how to install the
bracket, have it installed by your
Honda dealer.
If you need an anchor plate and
mounting hardware, you can obtain
them by writing to:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Consumer Affairs
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
CONTINUED
Driver and Passenger Safety
Child Safety
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Canadian Cars
TOOTHED WASHER
The anchor plate and mounting
hardware for a top tether are
supplied with the car. When installing, make sure the toothed washer is
on the bottom of the bolt.
The supplied anchor plate is
designed only for mounting a child
restraint. Do not use it for any other
purpose.
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Storing a Child Seat
When you are not using an infant
seat or other child restraint, either
remove it or make sure it is properly
secured so it cannot be thrown
around the car during a crash.
Alcohol and Drugs
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Driving a car requires your full attention and alertness. Traffic conditions change rapidly. You must be
able to react just as rapidly. Alcohol
or drugs directly affect your alertness and ability to react. Even prescription and non-prescription medicines can have this effect.
There are laws that deal with
drunken driving. These laws define
how much alcohol it takes in your
system to be legally "drunk." However, your judgment and reaction
time get worse with every drink —
even the first one.
The safest thing you can do is never
drink and drive. This can be done if
you plan ahead. If you know you are
going to be drinking, make plans to
ride with a friend who will not be
drinking.
What if you find that you've been
drinking and cannot get a ride from a
friend? Find alternative transpor-
tation. Call a taxi. Take a bus. Many
communities have transportation
services devoted to shuttling people
who have been drinking.
If you have no choice but to drive,
stop drinking and give yourself lots
of time to sober up. Time is the only
thing that can make you sober.
Things like coffee or a cold shower
don't speed up the process.
If you see friends trying to get
behind the wheel after drinking, stop
them. Drive them yourself or
arrange other transportation. If you
think you are interfering, remember
that your interference will keep them
from sharing the road with you.
Driver and Passenger Safety
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
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Your car's exhaust contains carbon
monoxide gas. You should have no
problem with carbon monoxide
entering the car in normal driving if
you maintain your car properly.
Have the exhaust system inspected
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and can even
kill you.
for leaks whenever:
Avoid any enclosed areas or
The car is raised for an oil change.
You notice a change in the sound
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
of the exhaust.
The car was in an accident that
may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
car out of the garage.
Driver and Passenger Safety
With the trunk lid open, air flow can
pull exhaust gas into your car's
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as follows.
If you must sit in your parked car,
even in an unconfined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as follows:
1. Select the Fresh Air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Turn the fan on high speed.
4. Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
These labels are in the locations
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shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious
injury. Read these labels carefully
and don't remove them.
If a label comes off or becomes hard
to read, contact your Honda dealer
for a replacement.
BATTERY
Safety Labels
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Driver and Passenger Safety
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