Honda Prelude 2000 Owner's Manual

2000 Prelude 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 Form

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i

A Few Words About Safety.................................................................................................................ii

Your Vehicle at a Glance.....................................................................................................................2

Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................5

Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.

Instruments and Controls.................................................................................................................51

Instrume

Comfort and Convenience Features

How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.

Before Driving..................................................................................................................................125

What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.

Driving ..............................................................................................................................................139

The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.

Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................167

The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.

Appearance Car

Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.

Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................235

This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an

Technical Informatio

ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.

Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................273

A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................279

How to order manuals and other technical literature.

Index...................................................................................................................................................... I

Service Information Summary

A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.

................................................................................................ 97

e..............................................................................................................................227

d how to handle them.

n.....................................................................................................................261

Introduction

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Congratulations ! Your selection of a 2000 Honda Prelude 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 how to operate its driving controls and convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your car 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 car according to the schedules given in this manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment. When your car 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.

As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded by

NOTICE

symbol. This

information is intended to help you avoid damage to your Honda, other property, or the environment.

A Few Words About Safety

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Your safety, and the safety of others,

is very important. And operating this car safely is an important

responsibility. To help you make informed

decisions about safety, we have

provided operating procedures and

other information on labels and in this manual. This information alerts you to potential hazards that could hurt you or others.

Of course, it is not practical or possible to warn you about all the hazards associated with operating or maintaining your car. You must use

your own good judgement.

You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms, including:

Safety Labels — on the car. Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of

three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. These signal words 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.

Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important

Safety Precautions.

Safety Section — such as Driver and Passenger Safety. Instructions — how to use this car correctly and safely.

This entire book is filled with important safety information — please read it carefully.

Your Car at a Glance

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MIRROR CONTROLS (P.88)

POWER WINDOW SWITCHES (P.85)

FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE (P.127)

DOOR LOCK SWITCHES (P.74)

TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE (P.78)

DIGITAL CLOCK (P.90)

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE (P.128)

HEATING/ COOLING CONTROLS

(P.98)

AUDIO SYSTEM (P.106)

Your Car at a Glance

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MOONROOF (P.

87)

CRUISE CONTROL (P.

67)

INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS (P.

63)

HEADLIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS (P.

62)

HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS (P.

65)

TILT ADJUSTMENT (P.

66)

HORN BUTTONS

WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS

(P.

64)

REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER (P.

65)

Driver and Passenger Safety

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This section gives you important

information about how to protect

yourself and your passengers. It

shows you how to use seat belts properly. It explains your Supplemental Restraint System. And it tells you how to properly restrain infants and children in your car.

Important Safety Precautions .......... 6

Your Car's Safety Features .............. 7

Seat Belts........................................8

Airbags............................................ 9

Seats & Seat-Backs..................... . 10

Head Restraints........................... 10

Door Locks................................... 11

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist......... 11

Protecting Adults............................. 12

1. Close and Lock the Doors...... 12

2. Adjust the Front Seats............ 13

3. Adjust the Seat-Backs............. 14

4. Adjust the Head Restraints.... 15

5. Fasten and Position the Seat

Belts...................................... 16

6 . Adjust the Steering Wheel..... 17

7. Maintain a Proper Sitting

Position................................. 18

Advice for Pregnant Women...... 19

Additional Safety Precautions.... 19

Protecting Children......................... 21

All Children Must Be

Restrained................................ 21

Children Should Sit in the Back

Seat............................................22

The Passenger's Airbag Poses

Serious Risks to Children....... 22

If You Must Drive with Several

Children.................................... 24

If a Chil d Requires Close

Attention...................................24

Additional Safety Precaution...... 24

General Guidelines for Using

Child Seats................................25

Protecting Infants........................ 29

Protecting Small Children.......... 33

Protecting Larger Children........ 36

Using Child Seats with

Tethers......................................40

Additional Information About Your

Seat Belts.................................. 42

Seat Belt System Components... 42

Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 42

Seat Belt Maintenance................ 44

Additional Information About Your

SRS............................................45

SRS Components......................... 45

How Your Airbags Work............ 45

How the SRS Indicator Light

Works........................................47

SRS Service................................... 47

Additional Safety Precautions.... 48

Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 49

Safety Labels.................................... 50

Driver and Passenger Safety

Important Safety Precautions

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You'll find many safety

recommendations throughout this section, and throughout this manual.

The recommendations on this page

are the ones we consider to be the most important.

Alway s Wear Your Seat Belt

A seat belt is your best protection in

all types of collisions. Airbags

supplement seat belts, but airbags are designed to inflate only in a moderate to severe frontal collision. So even though your car is equipped

with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your

seat belts, and wear them properly.

(See page 16.)

Restrain All Children

Children are safest when they are properly restrained in the back seat, not the front seat. A child who is too small for a seat belt must be properly restrained in a child safety seat. (See

page 21.)

Be Aware of Airbag Hazards

While airbags can save lives, they

can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children, and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and warnings in this manual. (See page

7.)

Don't Drink and Drive

Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even

one drink can reduce your ability to respond to changing conditions, and

your reaction time gets worse with

every additional drink. So don't drink and drive, and don't let your friends drink and drive, either.

Control Your Speed

Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher the speed the greater the risk, but serious accidents can also

occur at lower speeds. Never drive

faster than is safe for current

conditions, regardless of the maximum speed posted.

Keep Your Car in Safe Condition

Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous. To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance. (See page 170.)

Driver and Passenger Safety

(1) Safety Cage

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(2) Crush Zones (3) Seats & Seat-Backs (4) Head Restraints (5) Collapsible Steering Column (6) Seat Belts (7) Airbags (8) Door Locks

Your Car's Safety Features

Your car is equipped with many features that work together to protect you and your passengers

during a crash.

Some safety features do not require

any action on your part. These include a strong steel framework that forms a safety cage around the passenger compartment; front and

rear crush zones that are designed to

crumple and absorb energy during a

crash; and a collapsible steering

column.

These safety features are designed to reduce the severity of injuries in a

crash. However, you and your

passengers can't take full advantage

of these safety features unless you

remain sitting in a proper position

and always wear your seat belts properly. In fact, some safety

features can contribute to injuries if

they are not used properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car's Safety Features

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Seat Belts

For your safety, and the safety of your passengers, your car is equipped with seat belts in all seating positions.

Your seat belt system also includes a light on the

instrument panel to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts.

Why Wear Seat Belts

Seat belts are the single most effective safety device for adults and larger children. (Infants and smaller children must be properly restrained in child seats.)

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of serious injury or death in a crash, even

though your car has airbags.

In addition, most states and all

Canadian provinces require you to

wear seat belts.

Not wearing a seat belt properly 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.

When properly worn, seat belts:

Keep you connected to the vehicle so you can take advantage of the car's built-in safety features.

Help protect you in almost every type of crash, including side and rear impacts and rollovers. (Your airbag can only be helpful in a moderate to severe frontal

collision.) Help keep you from being thrown

against the inside of the vehicle and against other occupants.

Keep you from being thrown out of the vehicle.

Help keep you in a good position should the airbags ever deploy. A good position reduces the risk of injury from an inflating airbag, and allows you to get the best advantage from the airbag.

Of course, seat belts cannot completely protect you in every crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your risk of serious injury.

What you should do: Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car's Safety Features

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Airbags

Your ca r has a Supplemental

Restraint System (SRS) with frontal airbags to help protect the driver and a front seat passenger.

SRS

This system also includes

an indicator light on the instrument panel to alert you to a possible problem with the system.

The most important things you need to know about your airbags are:

Airbags do not replace seat belts.

The seat belts are the occupants'

primary protection in all types of collisions. The airbags supplement the seat belts by providing extra protection for the head and chest of each front seat occupant in a moderate to severe frontal collision.

Airbags offer no protection in side

impacts, rear impacts, rollovers, or minor collisions. Airbags are

designed to deploy only during a moderate to severe frontal collision.

Airbags can pose serious hazards.

To do their job, airbags must

inflate with tremendous force and speed. So while airbags save lives,

they can cause serious injuries to

adults and larger children who are not wearing seat belts, are not

wearing them properly, are sitting

too close to the airbag, or are not sitting in a proper position. Infants and small children are at an even

greater risk of injury or death.

What you should do: Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel or dashboard.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car's Safety Features

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Seats & Seat-Back s

Your car's seats are designed to keep you in a comfortable, upright

position so you can take full advantage of the protection offered by seat belts and the energy absorbing materials in the seats.

How you adjust your seats and seatbacks can also affect your safety. For example, sitting too close to the steering wheel or dashboard

increases the risk of you or your passenger being injured by striking the inside of the car, or by an

inflating airbag.

Reclining a seat-back too far reduces the seat belt's effectiveness and

increases the chance that the seat's

occupant will slide under the seat belt in a crash and be seriously injured.

What you should do: Move the front seats as far back as possible, and keep adjustable seat-backs in an upright position whenever the car is moving.

Head Restraints

Head restraints can help protect you from whiplash and other injuries. For maximum protection, the back of your head should rest against the center of the head restraint.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Your Car's Safety Features

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Door Locks

Keeping your doors locked reduces the chance of being thrown out of the car during a crash. It also helps prevent occupants from accidentally opening a door and falling out, and

outsiders from unexpectedly opening

your doors.

Pre-Drive Safety Checklist

To make sure you and your passengers get the maximum protection from your car's safety features, check the following each time before you drive away:

All adults, and children who have

outgrown child safety seats, are wearing their seat belts and wearing them properly (see page

16).

Any infant or small child is properly restrained in a child seat in the back seat (see page 21).

Front seat occupants are sitting upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard (see page 13).

Seat-backs are upright (see page

14).

Head restraints are properly adjusted (see page 15).

Both doors are closed and locked

(see page 12 ).

All cargo is properly stored or secured (see page 135).

The rest of this section gives more

detailed information about how you

can maximize your safety. Remember, however, that no safety

system can prevent all injuries or

deaths that can occur in severe crashes, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags deploy.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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Introduction

The following pages provide

instructions on how to properly protect the driver and other adult occupants.

These instructions also apply to

children who have outgrown child

seats and are large enough to wear lap/shoulder belts. (See page 37 for important additional guidelines on how to properly protect larger children.)

1. Close and Lock the Doors

After everyone has entered the car,

be sure the doors are closed and locked.

Your car has a door

monitor light on the instrument panel to indicate when a specific door is not tightly closed.

For safety, locking the doors reduces the chance that a passenger, especially a child, will open a door

while the car is moving and

accidentally fall out. It also reduces the chance of someone being thrown out of the car during a crash.

For security, locked doors can prevent an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door when you come to a stop.

See page 74 for how to lock the

doors.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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2. Adjust the Front Seats

Any driver who sits too close to the steering wheel is at risk of being seriously injured or killed by striking the steering wheel, or from being struck by an inflating airbag during a crash.

To reduce the chance of injury, wear your seat belt properly, sit upright with your back against the seat, and

move the seat as far back as possible

from the steering wheel while still

maintaining full control of the car. Also make sure your front seat passenger moves the seat as far to the rear as possible.

Sitting too close to an airbag can result in serious injury or death if the airbags inflate.

Always sit as far back from the airbags as possible.

Most shorter drivers can get far enough away from the steering wheel and still reach the pedals.

However, if you are concerned about

sitting too close, we recommend that you investigate whether some type

of adaptive equipment may help.

Once your seat is adjusted correctly, rock it back and forth to make sure

the seat is locked in position.

See page 80 for how to adjust the front seats.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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3. Adjust the Seat-Backs

Adjust the driver's seat-back to a

comfortable, upright position, leaving ample space between your chest and the airbag cover in the center of the steering wheel. If you sit too close to the steering wheel, you could be injured if the airbag inflates.

A front passenger should also adjust

the seat-back to an upright position,

but as far from the dashboard as

possible. A passenger who sits too close to the dashboard could be injured if the airbag inflates.

Reclining a seat-back so that the shoulder part of the belt no longer

rests against the occupant's chest reduces the protective capability of the belt. It also increases the chance

of sliding under the belt in a crash and being seriously injured. The farther a seat-back is reclined, the greater the risk of injury.

Reclining the seat-back too far can result in serious injury or death in a crash.

Adjust the seat-back to an upright position and sit well back in the seat.

See page 80 for how to adjust seatbacks.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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4. Adjust the Head Restraints

Before driving, make sure everyone with an adjustable head restraint has properly positioned the head restraint. The restraint should be positioned so the back of the occupant's head rests against the

center of the restraint. A taller person should adjust the restraint as high as possible.

Improperly positioning head

restraints reduces their effectiveness and you can be seriously injured in a crash.

Make sure head restraints are in place and positioned properly before driving.

Properly adjusted head restraints will help protect occupants from whiplash and other crash injuries.

See page 82 for how to adjust the head restraints.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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5. Fasten and Position the Seat Belts

Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the belt is securely latched. Also check that the belt is not twisted, because a twisted belt can cause serious injuries in a crash.

Position the lap part of the belt as low as possible across your hips, then pull up on the shoulder part of

the belt so the lap part fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic bones take the force of a crash and reduces the chance of internal injuries.

If necessary, pull up on the belt again to remove any slack from the shoulder part, then check that the belt rests across the center of your chest and over your shoulder. This spreads the forces of a crash over the strongest bones in your upper body.

Improperly positioning the seat belts can cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly positioned before driving.

Never place the shoulder portion of a lap/shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back. This could cause

very serious injuries in a crash.

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Protecting Adults

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If a seat belt does not seem to work as it should, it may not protect the occupant in a crash. No one should

sit in a seat with an inoperative seat belt. Anyone using a seat belt that is

not working properly can be seriously injured or killed. Have your Honda dealer check the belt as soon as possible.

See page 42 for additional information about your seat belt system and how to take care of your belts.

6. Adjust the Steering Wheel

Adjust the steering wheel, if needed,

so that the wheel points toward your chest, not toward your face.

Pointing the steering wheel toward

your chest provides optimal

protection from the airbag. See page 66 for how to adjust the

steering wheel.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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7. Maintain a Proper Sitting Position

After all occupants have adjusted

their seats and put on 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 car is 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 sideways, 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 by

striking interior parts of the car, or

by being struck by an inflating airbag.

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.

Remember, to get the best protection from your car's airbags

and other safety features, you must sit properly and wear your seat belt

properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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Advice for Pregnant Women

Because protecting the mother is the best way to protect her unborn child, a pregnant woman should always

wear a seat belt whenever she drives

or rides in a vehicle. Remember to keep the lap portion of

the belt as low as possible across your hips.

Pregnant women should also sit upright and as far back as possible from the steering wheel or

dashboard. This will reduce the risk

of injuries to both the mother and her unborn child that can be caused by a crash or an inflating airbag.

Each time you have a check-up, ask your doctor if it's okay for you to

drive.

Additional Safety Precautions

Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they

could be very seriously injured in a

crash.

Do not put any accessories on seat

belts. Devices intended to improve

occupant comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can severely compromise the protective capability of the seat belt and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

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Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Adults

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Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and an airbag.

Carrying hard or sharp objects on

your lap, or driving with a pipe or

other sharp object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your airbags inflate.

Do not attach or place objects on the front airbag covers. Any object

attached to or placed on the covers marked "SRS AIRBAG" in the center of the steering wheel and

on top of the dashboard could

interfere with the proper operation

of the airbags. Or, if the airbags inflate, the objects could be propelled inside the car and hurt

someone.

Keep your hands and arms away

from the airbag covers. If your

hands or arms are close to the airbag covers in the center of the steering wheel and on top of the dashboard, they could be injured if

the airbags inflate.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Children depend on adults to protect

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them. However, despite their best intentions, many parents and other adults may not know how to properly protect young passengers.

So if you have children, or if you ever

need to drive with a grandchild or other children in your car, be sure to read this section.

Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt.

Protecting Children

All Children Must Be Restrained

Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle accidents are the number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

To reduce the number of child

deaths and injuries, every state and Canadian province requires that infants and children be restrained

whenever they ride in a vehicle.

Any child who is too small to wear a

seat belt should be properly

restrained in a child seat. (See page

25.)

A larger child should always be restrained with a seat belt. (See page

37.)

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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Children Should Sit in the Back

Seat

According to accident statistics, children of all ages and sizes are

safer when they are restrained in the

back seat, not the front seat. The

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration and Transport

Canada recommend that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in the back seat. In the back seat, children are less likely to be injured by striking hard interior parts during a collision or hard braking. Also, children cannot be injured by an inflating airbag

when they ride in the back.

The Passenger's Airbag Poses

Serious Risks to Children

Airbags have been designed to help

protect adults in a moderate to severe frontal collision. To do this, the passenger's airbag is quite large, and it inflates with tremendous speed.

Infants Never put a rear-facing child seat in

the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger's airbag. If the

airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or very seriously injure an infant.

Small Children Placing a forward-facing child seat in

the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger's airbag can be

hazardous. If the vehicle seat is too

far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an

inflating airbag can strike the child

with enough force to kill or very

seriously injure a small child.

Larger Children

Children who have outgrown child seats are also at risk of being injured or killed by an inflating passenger's

airbag. Whenever possible, larger

children should sit in the back seat, properly restrained with a seat belt.

(See page 37 for important information about protecting larger children.)

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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U.S. Models

To remind you of the passenger's

airbag hazards, and that children must be properly restrained in the back seat, your car has warning labels on the dashboard and on the driver's and front passenger's visors. Please read and follow the instructions on these labels.

Canadian Models

To remind you of the airbag hazards, your car has warning labels on the

driver's and front passenger's visors. Please read and follow the instructions on these labels.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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If You Must Drive with Several Children

Your car has two seating positions in

the back seat where children can be properly restrained.

If you ever have to carry more than two children in your car:

Place the largest child in the front seat, provided the child is large enough to wear a seat belt properly (see page 37).

Move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible (see page 13).

Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat (see page 19).

Make sure the seat belt is properly

positioned and secured (see page

17).

If a Child Requires Close

Attention

Many parents say they prefer to put an infant or small child in the front passenger seat so they can watch the

child, or because the child requires attention.

Placing a child in the front seat exposes the child to hazards from the airbag, and paying close attention to a child distracts the

driver from the important tasks of driving, placing both of you at risk.

If a child requires physical attention or frequent visual contact, we strongly recommend that another adult ride with the child in the back seat. The back seat is far safer for a child than the front.

Additional Safety Precaution

Do not leave children alone in your vehicle. Leaving children without

adult supervision is illegal in most states and Canadian provinces, and

can be very hazardous. For example, infants and small children left in a

vehicle on a hot day can die from heatstroke. And children left alone with the key in the ignition can

accidentally set the vehicle in motion,

possibly injuring themselves or

others.

Driver and Passenger Safety

General Guidelines for Using

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Child Seats

The following pages give general

guidelines for selecting and installing child seats for infants and small children.

Selecting a Child Seat

To provide proper protection, a child

seat should meet three requirements:

1. The child seat should meet

safety standards. The child seat

should meet Federal Motor

Vehicle Safety Standard 213

(FMVSS 213) or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (CMVSS 213). Look for the manufacturer's statement of compliance on the box and seat.

Infants: Children up to about one year old should be restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat. Only a rear-facing seat provides the proper support to protect an infant's

head, neck, and back. See page

29 for additional information on

protecting infants.

Protecting Children

Small Children: A child who is too

large for a rear-facing child seat, and

who can sit up without support,

should be restrained in a forwardfacing child seat. See page 36 for additional information on protecting small children.

2. The child seat should be of the proper type and size to fit the child.

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Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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3. The child seat should fit the vehicle seating position (or

positions) where it will be used.

Due to variations in the design of

child seats, vehicle seats, and seat belts, all child seats will not fit all vehicle seating positions.

However, Honda is confident that

one or more child seat models can fit and be properly installed in all recommended seating positions in your car.

Before purchasing a child seat, we recommend that parents test the child seat in the specific vehicle

seating position (or positions) where they intend to use the seat. If a previously purchased child seat does not fit, you may need to buy a

different one that will fit.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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Placing a Child Seat

This page briefly summarizes

Honda's recommendations on where to place rear-facing and forwardfacing child seats in your car.

Airbags Pose Serious

Risks to Children

The passenger's airbag inflates with enough force to kill or

seriously injure an infant in a

rear-facing child seat. A small child in a forward-facing

child seat is also at risk. If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating airbag can kill or seriously injure the child.

If a small child must ride in the front, follow the instructions provided in this section.

Front Passenger's Seat Infants: Never in the front seat, clue

to the passenger's airbag hazard.

Small children: Not recommended,

due to the passenger's airbag hazard. If a small child must ride in front, move the vehicle seat to the rear-most position and secure a front-facing child seat with the seat belt (see page 34).

Back Seats

Infants: Recommended positions.

Secure a rear-facing child seat with the seat belt (see page 30 ).

Small children: Recommended

positions. Secure a front-facing child seat with the seat belt (see page 34 ).

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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Installing a Child Seat

After selecting a proper child seat,

and a good position to install the seat, there are three main steps in

installing the seat:

1. Secure the child seat to the car

with a seat belt. All child seats

must be secured to the car with the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt.

A child whose seat is not properly

secured to the car can be endangered in a crash. See pages

30 and 34 for instructions on how

to secure child seats in this car.

2. Make sure the child seat is firmly

secured. After installing a child

seat, push and pull the seat forward and from side to side to verify that it is secure.

To provide security during normal

driving maneuvers as well as during a collision, we recommend that

parents secure a child seat as firmly

as possible. However, a child seat does not need

to be "rock solid." In some vehicles or seating positions, it may be difficult to install a child seat so that it does not move at all. Some side-toside or back-and-forth movement can

be expected and should not reduce the child seat's effectiveness.

If the child seat is not secure, try installing it in a different seating position, or use a different style of child seat that can be firmly secured in the desired seating position.

3. Secure the child in the child seat.

Make sure the child is properly strapped in the child seat according to the child seat maker's instructions. A child who is not properly secured in a child seat can be thrown out of the seat in a crash and seriously injured.

Storing a Child Seat

When you are not using a child seat,

either remove it and store it in a safe

place, or make sure it is properly

secured. An unsecured child seat can

be thrown around the car during a

crash or sudden stop and injure someone.

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Protecting Infants

Child Seat Type

Only a rear-facing child seat provides proper support for a baby's head, neck, and back. Infants up to about one year of age must be restrained in a rear-facing child seat.

Two types of seats may be used: a

seat designed exclusively for infants, or a convertible seat used in the rear-

facing, reclining mode.

Placing a rear-facing child seat

in the front seat can result in serious injury or death if the airbags inflate.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the back seat, not the front.

We recommend that an infant be restrained in a rear-facing child seat until the infant reaches the seat maker's weight or height limit and is able to sit up without support.

Rear-Facing Child Seat Placement

In this car, a rear-facing child seat can be placed in any seating position in the back seat, but not in the front seat.

Never put a rear-facing child seat in

the front seat. If the passenger's

airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to

kill or seriously injure an infant. If an

infant must be closely watched, we recommend that another adult sit in

the back seat with the baby.

Do not put a rear-facing child seat in

a forward-facing position. If placed

facing forward, an infant could be very seriously injured during a frontal collision.

CONTINUED

Driver and Passenger Safety

Protecting Children

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Rear-Facing Child Seat Installation

The lap/shoulder belts in the back

seats have a locking mechanism that must be activated to secure a child seat.

The following pages provide

instructions and tips on how to secure a rear-facing child seat with

this type of seat belt.

Driver and Passenger Safety

1. With the child seat in the desired back seating position, route the belt through the child seat according to the seat maker's instructions, then insert the latch plate into the buckle.

2. To activate the lockable retractor, slowly pull the shoulder part of the

belt all the way out until it stops, then let the belt feed back into the retractor (you might hear a clicking noise as the belt retracts).

3. After the belt has retracted, tug on

it. If the belt is locked, you will not be able to pull it out. If you can pull the belt out, it is not locked and you will need to repeat these steps.

Protecting Children

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To deactivate the locking

mechanism and remove a child seat, unlatch the buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let the belt fully retract.

4. After confirming that the belt is locked, grab the shoulder part of the belt near the buckle and pull up to remove any slack from the lap part of the belt. Remember, if the lap part of the belt is not tight, the child seat will not be secure.

To remove slack, it may help to

put weight on the child seat, or push on the back of the seat, while pulling up on the belt.

5. Push and pull the child seat forward and from side to side to verify that it is secure enough to stay upright during normal driving maneuvers. If the child seat is not secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to retract fully, then repeat these steps.

CONTINUED

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Rear-Facing Child Seat Installation Tips

For proper protection, an infant must ride in a reclined, or semi-reclined position. To determine the proper reclining angle, check with the baby's doctor or follow the seat maker's recommendations.

To achieve the desired reclining

angle, it may help to put a rolled up towel under the toe of the child seat, as shown.

When properly installed, a rearfacing child seat may prevent the

driver or a front-seat passenger from moving the seat as far back as recommended (see page 13). Or it may prevent them from locking the seat-back in the desired upright

position (see page 14).

In either case, we recommend that you place the child seat directly behind the front passenger seat,

move the front seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or you may wish to get a smaller child seat that allows you to safely carry a front passenger.

Additional Precautions for Infants

Never hold an infant on your lap.

If you are not wearing a seat belt in a crash, you could be thrown forward into the dashboard and

crush the infant. If you are wearing a seat belt, the

infant can be torn from your arms. For example, if your car crashes into a parked vehicle at 30 mph

(48 km/h), a 20-lb (9 kg) infant will become a 600-lb (275 kg) force, and you will not be able to hold on.

Never put a seat belt over yourself

and an infant. During a crash, the

belt could press deep into the infant and cause very serious injuries.

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Protecting Small Children

Child Seat Type

A child who can sit up without

support, and who fits within the child seat maker's weight and height limits, should be restrained in a

forward-facing, upright child seat.

Of the different seats available, we recommend those that have a fivepoint harness system as shown.

We also recommend that a small child stay in the child seat as long as possible, until the child reaches the weight or height limit for the seat.

Child Seat Placement

In this car, the best place to install a

forward-facing child seat is in one of

the seating positions in the back seat.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle equipped with a passenger airbag can be hazardous. If the car seat is too far

forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating passenger's airbag can strike the child with enough force to cause very serious or fatal injuries. If a small child must be closely watched, we recommend that

another adult sit in the back seat

with the child.

CONTINUED

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Improperly placing a forward-

facing child seat in the front

seat can result in serious injury or death if the airbags inflate.

If you must place a forwardfacing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far back as

possible and properly restrain the child.

If it is necessary to put a forwardfacing child seat in the front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible, be sure the child seat is firmly secured to the car, and the child is properly strapped in the seat.

Child Seat Installation

The lap/shoulder belts in the back

and front passenger seating positions have a locking mechanism that must be activated to secure a child seat.

The following pages provide

instructions on how to secure a forward-facing child seat with this type of seat belt.

1. With the child seat in the desired back seating position, route the

belt through the child seat

according to the seat maker's

instructions, then insert the latch

plate into the buckle.

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2. To activate the lockable retractor, slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out until it stops, then let the belt feed back into the retractor (you might hear a clicking noise as the belt retracts).

3. After the belt has retracted, tug on it. If the belt is locked, you will not be able to pull it out. If you can pull the belt out, it is not locked and

you will need to repeat these steps.

4. After confirming that the belt is locked, grab the shoulder part of the belt near the buckle and pull up to remove any slack from the

lap part of the belt. Remember, if the lap part of the belt is not tight, the child seat will not be secure. It

may help to put weight on the child seat, or push on the back of

the seat, while pulling up on the belt.

5. Push and pull the child seat forward and from side to side to verify that it is secure enough to stay upright during normal driving maneuvers. If the child seat is not

secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to

retract fully, then repeat these

steps.

CONTINUED

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To deactivate the locking

mechanism in order to remove a child seat, unlatch the buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let the belt

fully retract.

Additional Precautions for Small

Children

Never hold a small child on your lap. If you are not wearing a seat

belt in a crash, you could be thrown forward into the dashboard and crush the child.

If you are wearing a seat belt, the child can be torn from your arms during a crash. For example, if your car crashes into a parked vehicle at 30 mph (48 km/h), a 30-lb (14 kg) child will become a 900-lb (410 kg) force, and you will not be able to hold on.

Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the

belt could press deep into the child and cause very serious injuries.

Protecting Larger Children

When a child reaches the

recommended weight or height limit for a forward-facing child seat, the child should sit in one of the back

seats and wear a lap/shoulder belt. If a child is too short for the shoulder

part of the belt to properly fit, we

recommend that the child use a

booster seat until they are tall

enough to use the seat belt without a booster.

The following pages give

instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for children

who must sit in the front seat.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Allowing a larger child to sit

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improperly in the front seat can result in injury or death if the airbags inflate.

If a larger child must sit in front, make sure the child moves the

seat as far back as possible

and wears the seat belt properly.

Checking Seat Belt Fit

To determine if a lap/shoulder belt properly fits a child, have the child put on the seat belt. Follow the instructions on page 16 . Then check how the belt fits.

If the shoulder part of the belt rests over the child's collarbone and against the center of the chest, as shown, the child is large enough to wear the seat belt.

Protecting Children

However, if the belt touches or crosses the child's neck, the child needs to use a booster seat.

Do not let a child wear a seat belt

across the neck. This could result in

serious neck injuries during a crash.

Do not let a child put the shoulder

part of a seat belt behind the back or

under the arm. This could cause

very serious injuries during a crash. It also increases the chance that the child will slide under the belt in a crash and be injured.

CONTINUED

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Do not put any accessories on a seat belt. Devices intended to improve

occupant comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt, severely compromise the protective capability of the seat belt and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

Two children should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could

be very seriously injured in a crash.

Using a Booster Seat

If a child needs a booster seat, we recommend choosing a style that allows the child to use the lap/ shoulder belt directly, without a shield, as shown.

Whichever style you select, follow

the booster seat maker's instructions.

A child may continue using a booster

seat until the tops of the ears are even with the top of the seat-back. A child of this height should be tall enough to use the lap/shoulder belt

without a booster.

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When Can a Larger Child Sit in Front

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport

Canada recommend that all children ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a back seat.

The back seat is the safest place for

a child of any age or size. In addition, the passenger's airbag

poses serious risks to children. If the seat is too far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, or the child is unrestrained or out of position, an inflating airbag can kill or seriously injure the child.

Of course, children vary widely. And while age may be one indicator of when a child can safely ride in the front, there are other important factors you should consider.

Physical Size

Physically, a child must be large enough for the lap/shoulder belt to properly fit over the hips, chest, and shoulder (see pages 16 and 37). If the seat belt does not fit properly, the child should not sit in the front.

Maturity

To safely ride in front, a child must

be able to follow the rules, including sitting properly and wearing the seat belt properly throughout a ride.

If you decide that a child can safely

ride up front, be sure to:

Carefully read the owner's manual

and make sure you understand all

seat belt instructions and all safety

information.

Move the vehicle seat to the rear-

most position. Have the child sit up straight, back

against the seat, and feet on or

near the floor.

Check that the child's seat belt is properly positioned and secured.

Supervise the child. Even mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten the seat belts or sit properly.

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Using Child Seats with Tethers

U.S. Models

You car has two places on the rear

shelf where a tether anchor can be installed. A tether anchor is used to secure a tether-style child seat to the car.

Since a tether can provide additional

security, we recommend using a tether whenever one is required or available.

To attach a tether to your car:

1. Using the illustration on page 40 , locate the attachment point you want to use.

2. Remove the plug with a small flattipped screwdriver or a fingernail file.

3. Install the anchor plate and mounting hardware. The hardware is available from your Honda dealer (part number 82410SE3-C01).

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When installing tether hardware, make sure the toothed washer is on the bottom of the bolt. Tighten the bolt to:

16 lbf.ft (22 N.m,2.2 kgf.m)

If a torque wrench was not used, see your Honda dealer as soon as possible to verify proper installation.

To attach the tether to the child seat,

follow the child seat maker's instructions.

If you are not sure how to install the tether, or you need mounting hardware, contact your Honda dealer.

Using Child Seats with Tethers

Canadian Models

Your car has two tether anchorage points on the rear shelf for securing a tether-style child seat to the car.

Since a tether can provide additional security, we recommend using a tether whenever one is required or available.

Attach the tether strap hook to the tether anchorage point and tighten the strap according to the child seat maker's instructions.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

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Seat Belt System Components

Your seat belt system includes lap/

shoulder belts in all four seating positions.

The seat belt system also

includes a light on the instrument panel to remind you and your passengers to fasten your belts.

If the driver's seat belt is not

fastened before the ignition is turned

ON (II), the light will come on and a beeper will also sound. The beeper will stop after a few seconds, but the light will stay on until the driver's

seat belt is fastened.

Lap/Shoulder Belt

This seat belt has a single belt that

goes over your shoulder, across your chest and across your hips.

To fasten the belt, insert the latch

plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is latched.

To unlock the belt, push the red

PRESS button on the buckle.

Guide the belt across your body to the door pillar. After exiting the car, be sure the belt is out of the way and will not get closed in the door.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

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All seat belts have 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 seat belts in all seating positions

except the driver's have an additional

locking mechanism that must be

activated to secure a child seat. (See pages 30 and 34 for instructions on how to secure child seats with this type of seat belt.)

If the shoulder part of the belt is pulled all the way out, the locking mechanism will activate. The belt will retract, but it will not allow the passenger to move freely.

To deactivate the locking

mechanism, unlatch the buckle and let the seat belt fully retract. To refasten the belt, pull it out only as far as needed.

See page 16 for instructions on how to wear the lap/shoulder belt properly.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

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Seat Belt Maintenance

For safety, you should check the condition of your seat belts regularly.

Pull each belt out fully and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check that the latches work smoothly and that the lap/shoulder belts retract easily. Any belt not in good condition or not working properly will not provide good protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.

U.S. Models

Honda provides a lifetime warranty

on seat belts. Honda will repair or replace any seat belt component that fails to function properly during normal use. Please see your Honda

Warranty Information booklet for

details.

Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if the seat belts do not work properly when needed.

Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon as possible.

If a seat belt is worn during a crash, you should have your dealer inspect the belt, and replace it if necessary. A belt that has been worn during a

crash may not provide the same level of protection in a subsequent crash.

The dealer should also inspect the

anchors for damage and replace them if needed.

For information on how to clean your seat belts, see page 231.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Additional Information About Your SRS

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SRS Components

Your Supplemental Restraint System

(SRS) includes:

Two front airbags. The driver's

airbag is stored in the center of the steering wheel; the front passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked "SRS

AIRBAG."

Sensors that can detect a moderate to severe frontal collision.

A sophisticated electronic system that continually monitors the

sensors, control unit, the airbag activators, and all related wiring

when the ignition is ON (II).

An indicator light on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible problem with the

system (see page 47). Emergency backup power in case

your car's electrical system is

disconnected in a crash.

How Your Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, the sensors will detect rapid deceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate the airbags.

During a crash, your seat belt helps restrain your lower body and torso.

Your airbag provides a cushion to

help restrain and protect your head and chest.

CONTINUED

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Additional Information About Your SRS

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Since both airbags use the same sensors, both airbags normally inflate at the same time. However, it is possible for only one airbag to inflate.

This can occur when the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In

such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by

the airbag would be minimal.

After inflating, the airbags

immediately deflate, so they won't interfere with the driver's visibility, or the ability to steer or operate other controls.

The total time for inflation and

deflation is approximately one-tenth of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps.

After a crash, you may see what

looks like smoke. This is actually powder from the airbag's surface.

Although the powder is not harmful,

people with respiratory problems may experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of the car as soon as it is safe to do so.

U.S. Owners

For additional information on how your airbags work, see the booklet titled SRS: What You Need to Know About Airbags that came with your owner's manual.

Canadian Owners

For additional information on how your airbags work, ask your dealer for a copy of the booklet titled SRS:

What You Need to Know About Airbags.

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How the SRS Indicator Light Works

SRS

potential problem with your Supplemental Restraint System.

When you turn the ignition ON (II), this indicator will light up briefly then go out. This tells you that the

system is working properly.

However, if the light comes on at any other time, you should have the

system checked by your dealer. For

example:

If the SRS indicator light does not come on after you turn the ignition

ON (II).

I f the light stays on after the engine starts.

The purpose of the SRS light is to alert you to a

If the light comes on or flashes on and off while you drive.

If you see any of these indications, your airbags may not deploy when you need them. See your Honda

dealer as soon as possible.

Ignoring the SRS indicator light can result in serious injury or death if the airbags do not

inflate when needed.

Have your vehicle checked by a

dealer as soon as possible if the SRS light alerts you to a

potential problem.

SRS Service

Your Supplemental Restraint System is virtually maintenance-free, and there are no parts you can safely service. However, you must have your car serviced if:

Your airbags ever inflate. The

airbags and the control unit must be replaced. Do not try to remove or replace the airbags yourself. This must be done by a Honda dealer or a knowledgeable body shop.

The SRS indicator light alerts you to a problem. Take your car to an

authorized Honda dealer as soon as possible. If you ignore this indication, the airbags might not inflate when you need them (see page 45).

Driver and Passenger Safety

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Additional Safety Precautions

Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags. Together, airbags and seat belts provide the best protection in a moderate to severe frontal collision.

Do not tamper with SRS components or wiring for any reason. Tampering could cause the airbags to deploy, possibly causing very serious injury.

See page 134 for further information and precautions relating to your SRS.

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 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

of the exhaust.

The car was in an accident that

may have damaged the underside. High levels of carbon monoxide can

activities that expose you to carbon monoxide.

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

vehicle out of the garage.

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 shown below.

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.

Driver and Passenger Safety

Safety Labels

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These labels are in the locations

shown. They warn you of potential hazards that could cause serious injury. Read these labels carefully.

If a label comes off or becomes hard to read, contact your Honda dealer for a replacement.

HOOD

RADIATOR CAP

DASHBOARD

U.S. models only

SUN VISOR

U.S. models

Canadian models

Driver and Passenger Safety

Instruments and Controls

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This section gives information about the controls and displays that contribute to the daily operation of your Honda. All the essential controls are within easy reach.

Control Locations............................ 52

Indicator Lights................................ 53

Gauges.............................................. 58

Speedometer................................ 58

Tachometer..................................

Odometer...................................... 58

Trip Meter.................................... 58

Fuel Gauge................................... 59

Temperature Gauge.................... 59

Maintenance Required

Indicator................................... 60

Controls Near the Steering

Wheel........................................ 61

Headlights.................................... 62

Daytime Running Lights............. 62

Instrument Panel Brightness..... 63

Turn Signals................................. 63

Windshield Wipers...................... 64

Windshield Washers................... 65

Hazard Warning........................... 65

Rear Window Defogger.............. 65

Steering Wheel Adjustment....... 66

Steeling Wheel Controls................ 67

Cruise Control.............................. 67

Keys and Locks................................ 70

Keys............................................... 70

Learning Key................................ 71

Immobilizer System..................... 71

Ignition Switch............................. 73

Power Door

Locks.......................

Lockout Prevention.....................

Remote Transmitter.................... 75

Trunk...........................................

Glove Box.....................................

Seat Adjustments............................. 80

Front Seat Adjustments.............. 80

Driver's Seat Height

Adjustment............................... 81

Rear Seat Access......................... 81

Head Restraints........................... 82

Seat Heaters..................................... 83

Folding Rear Seat............................ 84

Power Windows............................... 85

Moonroof.......................................... 87

Mirrors..............................................

Adjusting the

Power Mirrors..... 88

Parking Brake.................................. 89

Digital Clock..................................... 90

Beverage Holder..............................

Console Compartment....................

Coin Box........................................... 93

Accessory Power Socket................ 93

Ashtrays............................................ 94

Interior Lights.................................. 94

Ceiling Lights............................... 94

Courtesy Lights........................... 95

Instruments and Controls

Control Locations

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MIRROR CONTROLS (P.88)

POWER WINDOW SWITCHES (P.85)

FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE (P.127)

DOOR LOCK SWITCHES (P.74)

TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE (P.78)

DIGITAL CLOCK (P.90)

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE (P.128)

HEATING/ COOLING CONTROLS (P.98)

AUDIO SYSTEM

(P.106)

Instruments and Controls

Indicator Lights

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The instrument panel has many

indicators to give you important

information about your ear.

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR

DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR

SEAT BELT

REMINDER LIGHT

HIGH BEAM INDICATOR

PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR

IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATO R

CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

* The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Differences for Canadian models are

noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

Indicator Lights

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Seat Belt Reminder Light

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It is a reminder to you and your passengers

to protect yourselves by fastening the seat belts. A beeper also sounds if you have not fastened your seat

belt.

If you do not fasten your seat belt,

the beeper will stop after a few

seconds but the light stays on until

you do. Both the light and the beeper

stay off if you fasten your seat belt

before turning on the ignition.

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR

DOOR-OPEN INDICATOR

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR

IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR

SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT

HIGH BEAM INDICATOR

PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*

ACTIVE TORQUE TRANSFER SYSTEM INDICATOR

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE

SYSTEM INDICATOR*

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR

* The U.S. Type SH instrument panel is shown. Differences for the Canadian

model are noted in the text.

Instruments and Controls

SRS

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Supplemental Restraint System Indicator

This indicator lights when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If it comes on at any other time, it indicates a problem in the

supplemental restraint system. For

complete information, see page 47.

Immobilizer System Indicator

This indicator comes on for a few

seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). It will then go off if you have inserted a properly-coded ignition key. If it is not a properlycoded key, the indicator will blink and the engine will not start (see page 71).

This indicator also blinks several

times when you turn the ignition switch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY

(I) or LOCK (0).

Charging System Indicator

If this light comes on when the engine is running, the battery is not being charged. For complete information, see page 249.

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

The engine can be severely damaged

if this light flashes or stays on when the engine is running. For complete information, see page 248.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp

See page 250.

CRUISE

CONTROL

Cruise Control Indicator

This lights when you set the cruise

control. See page 67 for information on operating the cruise control.

Indicator Lights

U.S.

Canada

BRAKE

This light has two functions:

1. It lights as a reminder that you have not released the parking brake. Driving with the parking brake applied can damage the

brakes and tires.

2. If it remains lit after you release

the parking brake while the engine is running, or comes on while driving, it can indicate a problem in the brake system. For complete information, see page 251.

Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator

Instruments and Controls

Indicator Lights

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U.S.

Canada

ABS

This light normally comes on for a

few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON (II), and when the ignition switch is turned to START (III). If this light comes on at any other time, there is a problem in the ABS. If this happens, take the car to your dealer to have it checked.

With the light on, your car still has

normal braking ability but no antilock. For complete information, see page 156.

Anti-lock Brake

System (ABS) Indicator

ATT

Type SH only

Active Torque Transfer

System (ATTS) Indicator

This indicator normally comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch ON (II). If it comes on at any other time, there is a problem in the Active

Torque Transfer System (ATTS).

If this happens, take the car to your

dealer to have it checked. With the indicator on, your car will corner normally, but you will not have active torque transfer.

Turn Signal and

Hazard Warning Indicators

The left or right turn signal light blinks when you signal a lane change

or turn. If the light does not blink or blinks rapidly, it usually means one of the turn signal bulbs is burned out

(see page 218). Replace the bulb as

soon as possible, since other drivers cannot see that you are signalling.

When you turn on the Hazard Warning switch, both turn signal lights blink. All turn signals on the

outside of the car should flash.

Instruments and Controls

Indicator Lights

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Trunk-open Indicator

This light comes on if the trunk lid is

not closed tightly.

Door-open Indicator

This light comes on if either door is not closed tightly.

High Beam Indicator

This light comes on with the high

beam headlights. See page 62 for information on the headlight controls.

On Canadian models, this indicator comes on with reduced brightness

when the Daytime Running Lights

(DRL) are on (see page 62).

Low Fuel Indicator

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

This indicator is located in the fuel

gauge. It comes on as a reminder that you must refuel soon.

DRL

"Daytime Running Lights" Indicator

Canadian models only

This indicator lights when you turn

the ignition switch to ON (II) with the headlight switch off and the parking brake set. It should go off if

you turn on the headlights or release

the parking brake. If it comes on at any other time, it means there is a problem with the DRL. There may also be a problem with the high beam headlights.

Instruments and Controls

Gauges

Main Menu

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TACHOMETER

TEMPERATURE GAUGE

ODOMETER

SPEEDOMETER

Speedometer

U.S. Models

This shows your speed in miles per hour (mph). The smaller inner numbers are the speed in kilometers per hour (km/h).

Canadian Models

This shows your speed in kilometers per hour (km/h). The smaller inner numbers are the speed in miles per hour (mph).

TRIP METER

FUEL GAUGE

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR

TRIP METER RESET BUTTON

Tachometer

The tachometer shows the engine

speed in revolutions per minute

(rpm). To protect the engine from

damage, never drive with the

tachometer needle in the red zone.

Odometer

The odometer shows the total dis-

tance your car has been driven. It measures miles in U.S. models and kilometers in Canadian models. It is illegal under U.S. federal law and Canadian provincial regulations to disconnect, reset, or alter the odometer with the intent to change the number of miles or kilometers indicated.

Trip Meter

This meter shows the number of

miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada) driven since you last reset it. To reset it, push the trip meter reset button.

Instruments and Controls

Gauges

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TACHOMETER

TEMPERATURE GAUGE

ODOMETER TRIP METER

Fuel Gauge

This shows how much fuel you have.

It is most accurate when the car is on level ground. It may show slightly more or less than the actual amount

when you are driving on curvy or

hilly roads.

SPEEDOMETER

MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR

TRIP METER

FUEL GAUGE

RESET BUTTON

The gauge stays at the same fuel

level reading after you turn off the

ignition. When you add fuel, the gauge slowly changes to the new reading after you turn the ignition

switch back ON (II).

Temperature Gauge

This shows the temperature of the

engine's coolant. During normal operation, the pointer should rise from the bottom white mark to about the middle of the gauge. In severe

driving conditions, such as very hot weather or a long period of uphill

driving, the pointer may rise to near the upper white mark. If it reaches the red (Hot) mark, pull safely to the

side of the road. Turn to page 246 for instructions and precautions on checking the engine's cooling

system.

Instruments and Controls

Gauges

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Maintenance Required Indicator

INDICATORSLOT

This indicator reminds you that it is nearing 7,500 miles (12,000 km)

since the last scheduled maintenance. Refer to the Maintenance Schedules for Normal and Severe Driving Conditions on pages 172 — 176.

When the distance driven since the last scheduled maintenance nears

7,500 miles (12,000 km), the indicator will turn yellow. If you exceed 7,500 miles (12,000 km), the

indicator will turn red. Your dealer will reset the indicator

when he performs the scheduled maintenance. If someone else performs the maintenance, reset the indicator by inserting your master or valet key in the slot beside the indicator.

Instruments and Controls

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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The two levers on the steering

column contain controls for driving features you use most often. The left lever controls the turn signals, headlights, and high beams. The

right lever controls the windshield washers and wipers.

The controls under the left air vent

are for the moonroof, cruise control

and instrument panel brightness. The switches for the hazard warning lights and rear window defogger are to the right of the steering column.

The tilt adjustment lever on the

underside of the steering column allows you to tilt the steering wheel.

CRUISE CONTROL (P.

67)

MOONROOF

(P. 87)

INSTRUMENT PANEL BRIGHTNESS (P. 63)

HEADLIGHTS/ TURN SIGNALS (P. 62)

HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS (P. 65)

TILT ADJUSTMENT (P. 66)

HORN BUTTONS

WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS (P. 64)

REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER (P. 65)

Instruments and Controls

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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Headlights

The rotating switch on the left lever

controls the lights. Turning this switch to the position turns on the parking lights, taillights, instrument panel lights, side-marker lights, and rear license plate lights.

Turning the switch to the

position turns on the headlights.

If you leave the lights on with the ignition switch in ACCESSORY (I)

or LOCK (0), you will hear a

reminder chime when you open the

driver's door.

To change between low beams and high beams, pull the turn signal lever until you hear a click, then let go. The blue high beam indicator will light (see page 57).

To flash the high beams, pull the

turn signal lever back lightly, then release it. The high beams will come on and go off.

The high beams will stay on for as

long as you hold the lever back, no matter what position the headlight switch is in.

Daytime Running Lights (Canadian Models)

With the headlight switch off, the high beam headlights come on with reduced brightness when you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) and release the parking brake. They remain on until you turn the ignition off, even if you set the parking brake.

The headlights revert to normal

operation when you turn them on with the switch.

Instruments and Controls

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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Instrument Panel Brightness

The dial on the dashboard to the left

of the instrument panel controls the brightness of the instrument panel lights. Turn the dial to adjust the brightness.

Turn Signals

TURN SIGNAL LEVER

Signal a turn or lane change with this lever. Push down on the lever to signal a left turn, and up to signal a right turn. If you push it up or down all the way, the turn signal continues to blink even when you release the lever. It shuts off automatically as you complete the turn.

To signal a lane change, push lightly

on the turn signal lever in the proper direction and hold it. The lever will return to the center position as soon as you release it.

Instruments and Controls

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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Windshield Wipers

The right lever controls the wind-

shield wipers and washers. The rotary switch at the end of the lever has three positions:

INT: intermittent

: low speed : high speed

Instruments and Controls

In intermittent, the wipers operate every few seconds. You can vary how often the wipers sweep the windshield by turning the INT TIME ring next to the rotary switch. In low

speed and high speed, the wipers run

continuously.

To operate the wipers in mist mode,

push the control lever down. The wipers run at high speed until you release the lever. This gives you a

quick way to clear the windshield.

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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Windshield Washers

T o clean the windshield, pull back on

the wiper control lever. The washers

spray until you release the lever. The wipers run at low speed while

you're pulling the lever, then

complete one more sweep of the

windshield after you release it.

Hazard Warning

Push the red button to the left of the clock to turn on the hazard warning lights (four-way flashers). This causes all four outside turn signals and both indicators in the instrument panel to flash. Use the hazard warning lights if you need to park in a dangerous area near heavy traffic, or if your car is disabled.

Rear Window Defogger

The rear window defogger will clear

fog, frost, and thin ice from the

window. Push the defogger button to

turn it on and off. The light in the button lights to show the defogger is on. If you do not turn it off, the defogger will shut itself off after about 25 minutes. It also shuts off

when you turn off the ignition. You

have to turn it on again when you restart the car.

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Instruments and Controls

Controls Near the Steering Wheel

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Make sure the rear window is clear and you have good visibility before starting to drive.

The defogger and antenna wires on

the inside of the rear window can be

accidentally damaged. When cleaning the glass, always wipe side

to side.

Steering Wheel Adjustment

See page 17 for important safety information about how to properly

position the steering wheel.

Make any steering wheel adjustment before you start driving.

Adjusting the steering wheel

position while driving may cause you to lose control of the car and be seriously injured in a crash.

Adjust the steering wheel only when the car is stopped.

To adjust the steering wheel upward or downward:

1. Push the lever under the steering column all the way down.

2. Move the steering wheel to the desired position, making sure the wheel points toward your chest, not toward your face. Make sure you can see the instrument panel gauges and the indicator lights.

3. Push the lever up to lock the steering wheel in that position.

4. Make sure you have securely

locked the steering wheel in place by trying to move it up and down.

Instruments and Controls

Steering Wheel Controls

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Cruise Control

Cruise control allows you to maintain a set speed above 25 mph (40 km/h) without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal. It should be used for cruising on straight, open highways. It is not recommended for conditions such as city driving, winding roads, slippery roads, heavy rain, or bad weather. You should have full control of the car under those conditions.

Improper use of the cruise

control can lead to a crash.

Use the cruise control only when traveling on open highways in good weather.

NOTICE

The cruise control, as it operates, moves the accelerator pedal. You can damage your car's accelerator

mechanism by resting your foot under

the pedal and blocking the movement.

Using the Cruise Control

CRUISE CONTROL MASTER SWITCH

1. Push in the Cruise Control Master Switch to the left of the steering column. The indicator in the switch will light.

2. Accelerate to the desired cruising speed above 25 mph (40 km/h).

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Instruments and Controls

Steering Wheel Controls

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RESUME/ accel

SET/decel

3. Press and release the SET/decel button on the steering wheel. The CRUISE CONTROL light on the instrument panel comes on to show the system is now activated.

The cruise control may not hold

the set speed when you are going up and down hills. If your speed increases going down a hill, use

the brakes to slow down to the

desired speed. This will cancel the

cruise control. To resume the set

speed, press the RESUME/accel button. The CRUISE CONTROL light on the instrument panel comes on. When climbing a steep hill, the automatic transmission may

downshift to hold the set speed.

Changing the Set Speed

You can increase the set cruising

speed in any of these ways:

Press and hold the RESUME/

accel button. The car will acceler-

ate. When you reach the desired

cruising speed, release the button.

Push on the accelerator pedal. Ac-

celerate to the desired cruising

speed and press the SET/decel button.

To increase your speed in very

small amounts, tap the RESUME/ accel button repeatedly. Each time

you do this, your vehicle will speed

up about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).

You can decrease the set cruising

speed in any of these ways:

Press and hold the SET/decel button. The car will decelerate. Release the button when you reach the desired speed.

To slow down in very small

amounts, tap the SET/decel

button repeatedly. Each time you

do this, your vehicle will slow down about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).

Tap the brake or clutch pedal

lightly with your foot. The CRUISE CONTROL light on the instrument panel will go out.

When the car slows to the desired

speed, press the SET/decel button.

The car will then maintain the

desired speed.

Instruments and Controls

Steering Wheel Controls

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Even with the cruise control turned

on, you can still use the accelerator pedal to speed up for passing. After completing the pass, take your foot

off the accelerator pedal. The car will return to the set cruising speed.

Resting your foot on the brake or clutch pedal will cause the cruise control to cancel.

Cancelling the Cruise Control

You can cancel the cruise control in

any of these ways:

Tap the brake or clutch pedal. Press the SET/decel and RE-

SUME/accel buttons at the same time.

Press the Cruise Control Master Switch.

When you tap the brake or clutch

pedal, or press the SET and RESUME buttons at the same time, the

CRUISE CONTROL light on the instrument panel will go out and the car will begin to slow down. You can use the accelerator pedal in the normal way.

The system remembers the

previously-set cruising speed. To return to that speed, accelerate to above 25 mph (40 km/h) and press

the RESUME/accel button until the

CRUISE CONTROL light comes on. The car will accelerate to the same cruising speed as before.

Pressing the Cruise Control Master Switch turns the system completely

off and erases the previous cruising

speed from memory. To use the

system again, refer to Using the

Cruise Control.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

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Keys

MASTER KEYS (Black)

KEY NUMBER PLATE

Your car comes with two master keys and a valet key. The master key fits all the locks on your vehicle:

Ignition

Doors Trunk Trunk release handle

Rear seat trunk access

Glove box

VALET KEY (Gray)

The valet key works only in the

ignition and the door locks. You can keep the trunk, trunk release handle, rear seat trunk access and the glove box locked when you leave your car and the valet key at a parking facility.

You should have received a key number plate with your keys. You

will need this key number if you ever

have to get a lost key replaced. Keep the plate stored in a safe place. If you

need to replace a key, use only Honda-approved key blanks.

These keys contain electronic

circuits that are activated by the Immobilizer System. They will not work to start the engine if the circuits are damaged.

Protect the keys from direct sunlight, high temperature, and

high humidity.

Do not drop the keys or set heavy objects on them.

Keep the keys away from liquids. If they get wet, dry them immediately with a soft cloth.

The keys do not contain batteries.

Do not try to take them apart.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

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Learning Key

You should also receive a small case containing a learning key. It is used by the Honda dealer to code replacement keys to your car's Immobilizer System. It must not be used in your car's ignition switch. Store the learning key with the key number plate in a safe place.

If you attempt to use the learning key to start your car's engine, it may cause a malfunction in the system that makes your master and valet keys unusable. If this happens, you should contact your Honda dealer.

If you need a new key made, take the key number plate, the learning key, and all other keys that came with your car to your Honda dealer.

Remote Transmitter

Your car also comes with two remote transmitters; see page 75 for an explanation of the operation.

Immobilizer System

The Immobilizer System protects your car from theft. A properly-

coded ignition key must be used in the ignition switch for the engine to start. If an improperly-coded key (or other device) is used, the engine's fuel system is disabled.

When you turn the ignition switch to ON (II). the Immobilizer System indicator should come on for a few seconds, then go out. If the indicator starts to blink, it means the system does not recognize the coding of the key. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0), remove the key, reinsert it, and turn the switch to ON (II) again.

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This indicator will also blink several times when you turn the ignition

switch from ON (II) to ACCESSORY

(I) or LOCK (0).

The system may not recognize your key's coding if another immobilizer key or other metal object is near the ignition switch when you insert the key. To make sure the system recognizes the key code:

Do not keep other immobilizer

keys on the same key ring. Use a plastic or leather key fob,

not metal. Keep other keys away from your

vehicle's key and the ignition

switch while trying to start the

engine.

If the system repeatedly does not recognize the coding of your key, contact your Honda dealer.

Do not attempt to alter this system or add other devices to it. Electrical problems could result that may make your car undriveable.

If you have lost your key and you cannot start the engine, contact your Honda dealer.

As required by the FCC:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device way not cause harmful interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly

approved by the party responsible for

compliance could void the user's

authority to operate the equipment.

This device complies with Industry

Canada Standard RSS-210. Operation is subject to the following two

conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference that may cause

undesired operation of the device.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

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Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is on the right

side of the steering column. It has

four positions:

LOCK (0) ACCESSORY (I)

ON (II)

START (III)

LOCK (0) — You can insert or remove the key only in this position.

To switch from ACCESSORY to

LOCK, you must push the key in slightly as you turn it. If your car has an automatic transmission, the shift lever must also be in Park. The antitheft lock will lock the steering column when you remove the key. If the front wheels are turned, the anti-theft lock may sometimes make it difficult to turn the key from LOCK to ACCESSORY. Firmly turn the steering wheel to the left or to the right as you turn the key.

Removing the key from the ignition switch while driving locks the steering. This can cause you to lose control.

Remove the key from the

ignition switch only when parked.

ACCESSORY (I) — In this position, you can operate the audio system

and the accessory power socket. ON (II) — This is the normal key

position when driving. All features and accessories on the car are usable. Several of the lights on the instru-

ment panel come on as a test when you turn the ignition switch from ACCESSORY to ON.

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START (III) — Use this position only to start the engine. The switch returns to ON (II) when you let go of the key.

The engine will not start if the

Immobilizer System does not recognize the key's coding (see page

71).

You will hear a reminder beeper if you leave the key in the ignition

switch in the LOCK (0) or

ACCESSORY (I) position and open

the driver's door. Remove the key to turn off the beeper.

Power Door Locks

Each door has a master door lock switch. This switch locks and unlocks both doors. Push the switch down to lock both doors and up to unlock them.

Each door has a lock tab next to the inside door handle. When you push in the lock tab on the driver's door, both doors lock. Pulling out the lock tab on the driver's door only unlocks that door. The lock tab on the

passenger's door only locks and

unlocks that door.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

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To lock the passenger's door when

getting out of the car, push the lock tab in and close the door. To lock the

driver's door, remove the key from the ignition switch and push the lock tab in or push the master switch

down, then close the door.

Both doors can be locked from the

outside by using the key in either

door. To unlock only the driver's door

from the outside, insert the key in the driver's door lock, turn the key

and release it. If you turn the key

and hold it, both doors will unlock.

Both doors will unlock when you unlock the passenger's door with the key.

Lockout Prevention

If you forget and leave the key in the ignition switch, Lockout Prevention

will not allow you to lock the driver's

door. With the driver's door open and the key in the ignition, both

master door lock switches are

disabled. However, if the driver's door is not open, the master door

lock switches are not disabled.

Pushing the switch down on the open passenger's door will lock both doors. If you try to lock an open driver's door by pushing in the lock

tab, the tabs on both doors pop out.

Pushing in the lock tab on the passenger's door only locks that door.

Remote Transmitter

LED

LOCK BUTTON

UNLOCK BUTTON

You can lock and unlock your car

with the remote transmitter. When you push the LOCK button, both

doors lock.

When you push the UNLOCK button

once, only the driver's door unlocks. The passenger's door unlocks when you push the button a second time.

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Keys and Locks

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The ceiling light (if the ceiling light

switch is in the center position) will come on when you press the UNLOCK button. If you do not open either door, the light will go out in about 10 seconds and the doors will automatically relock. If you relock the doors with the remote transmitter before 10 seconds have elapsed, the light will go off immediately.

You cannot lock or unlock the doors

with the remote transmitter if either door is not fully closed or the key is in the ignition switch.

Replacing the Battery

Open

When the remote transmitter's battery begins to get weak, it may

take several pushes on the button to

lock or unlock the doors, and the

LED will get dim. Replace the battery as soon as possible.

Battery type: CR2025

ROUND COVER

CUSHION RING

BATTERY

To replace the battery, remove the

round cover on the back of the transmitter by turning it counterclockwise with a coin.

Remove the old battery and note the polarity. Make sure the polarity of the new battery is the same (+ side facing up), then insert it in the transmitter.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

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Reinstall the cushion ring. Align the

mark on the cover with the

mark on the transmitter, then set the cover in place and turn it clockwise.

Transmitter Care

Avoi d severe shock to the transmitter, such as dropping or throwing it. Also, protect it from extreme hot

or cold temperatures. Clean the transmitter case with a

soft cloth. Do not use strong cleaners or solvents that could harm the case. Immersing the transmitter in any liquid will harm the transmitter and cause it to not function properly.

If you lose a transmitter, you will need to have the replacement programmed to your car's system by your Honda dealer. Any other transmitters you have will also need to be reprogrammed.

As required by the FCC:

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and

(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired

operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly

approved by the party responsible for

compliance could void the user's

authority to operate the equipment.

This device complies with Industry Canada Standard RSS-210.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference that may cause

undesired operation of the device.

Instruments and Controls

Keys and Locks

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Trunk

TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE

MASTER KEY

You can open the trunk in two ways:

Pull the trunk release handle to

the left of the driver's seat. Use the master key to open the

trunk lock. The valet key does not work in this lock.

Instruments and Controls

To close the trunk, press down on the trunk lid.

See page 136 for cargo loading and weight limit information. Keep the trunk lid closed at all times while

driving to avoid damaging the lid,

and to prevent exhaust gas from getting into the interior. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 49 .

To protect items in the trunk when you need to give the key to someone

else, lock the trunk release handle

with the master key and give the

other person the valet key.

Glove Box

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Open the glove box by pulling the bottom of the handle. Close it with a firm push. Lock or unlock the glove box with the master key.

Keys and Locks

An open glove box can cause serious injury to your passenger

in a crash, even if the passenger is wearing the seat belt.

Always keep the glove box closed while driving.

Instruments and Controls

Seat Adjustments

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Front Seat Adjustments

See pages 13 — 14 for important safety

information and warnings about how to

properly position seats and seat-backs.

Instruments and Controls

Adjust the seat before you start driving.

To adjust the seat forward and backward, pull up on the lever under the seat cushion's front edge. Move the seat to the desired position and release the lever. Try to move the seat to make sure it is locked in position.

To change the angle of the seat-back,

pull up on the lever on the outside of the seat bottom. Move the seat-back to the desired position and release the lever. Let the seat-back latch in the new position.

Seat Adjustments

Main Menu

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Driver's Seat Height Adjustment

See pages 13 — 14 for important safety information and warnings about how to properly position seats and seat-backs.

To adjust the height of the driver's

seat, turn the dial on the outside of the seat bottom.

Rear Seat Access

To get into the back seat on the

driver's side, pull up on the seat-back adjustment lever.

RELEASE LEVER

To get into the back seat on the

passenger's side, push forward on the release lever at the base of the

seat-back. The seat-back will tilt forward and the entire seat will move forward to allow easier entry to the back seat. After you return the seatback to the upright position, push the whole seat backwards until it latches. Make sure the seat is fully latched before sitting in it.

Instruments and Controls

Seat Adjustments

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Head Restraints

See page 15 for important safety

information and a warning about how to

properly position the head restraints.

RELEASE BUTTON

The front head restraints help

protect you and your passenger from whiplash and other injuries. They are most effective when you adjust them so the back of the occupant's head rests against the center of the restraint. A taller person should adjust the restraint as high as possible.

The front head restraints adjust for

height. You need both hands to adjust the restraint. Do not attempt to adjust it while driving. To raise it, pull upward. To lower the restraint, push the release button sideways and push the restraint down.

To remove a head restraint for

cleaning or repair, pull it up as far as it will go. Push the release button and pull the restraint out of the seat-

back.

Instruments and Controls

Seat Heaters

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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SEAT HEATER

On Canadian models

Both front seats are equipped with seat heaters. The ignition switch must be ON (II) to use them. Push the front of the switch, HI, to rapidly heat up the seat. After the seat reaches a comfortable temperature, select LO by pushing the back of the switch. This will keep the seat warm.

The HI or LO indicator lights and

remains lit until you turn it off by pushing the opposite side of the switch lightly. The indicator will turn off.

In HI, the heater turns off when the seat gets warm, and turns back on after the seat's temperature drops. It continues to cycle as long as you leave it set on HI. The HI indicator remains lit as a reminder that you have the heater on.

In LO, the heater runs continuously. It does not cycle with temperature changes.

Follow these precautions whenever you use the seat heaters:

Use the HI setting only to heat the seats quickly. Select the LO

setting when the seats feel warm.

The HI setting draws large

amounts of current from the

battery.

Do not use the seat heaters, even

on the LO setting, if the engine is left idling for an extended period. They can weaken the battery,

causing hard starting.

Instruments and Controls

Folding Rear Seat

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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The back of the rear seat folds down,

giving you direct access to the trunk.

The seat-back can be released from

inside the car or inside the trunk.

MASTER KEY

To fold down the seat-back from

inside the car. insert the master key in the lock on the rear shelf. Turn the key clockwise, pull down the top

of the seat-back, then release the key.

RELEASE

Pull

To release the seat-back from inside

the trunk, pull the release under the rear shelf.

To lock the seat-back upright, push it

firmly against the rear shelf. Make sure it is latched in place by pulling on the top of the seat.

Instruments and Controls

Folding Rear Seat, Power Windows

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Make sure both rear shoulder belts are positioned in front of the rear seat-back whenever the seat-back is in its upright position.

Make sure all items in the trunk, or items extending through the opening into the back seat, are secured. Loose items can fly forward and cause injury if you have to brake

hard. See Carrying Cargo on page

135.

Never drive with the seat-back folded down and the trunk lid open. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 49.

Power Windows

Your car's windows are electrically-

powered. Turn the ignition switch to

ON (II) to raise or lower any window. Each door has a switch that controls

its window. To open the window, push the switch down and hold it. Release the switch when you want the window to stop. Close the window by pulling back on the switch and holding it.

DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH

MAIN SWITCH

The driver's armrest has a master

power window control panel. To open the passenger's window, push

down on the switch and hold it down

until the window reaches the desired

position. To close the window, pull back on the window switch. Release the switch when the window gets to the position you want.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls

Power Windows

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Closing a power window on someone's hands or fingers can cause serious injury.

Make sure your passengers are away from the windows before closing them.

The master control panel also con-

tains these extra features:

AUTO — To open the driver's

window fully, push the window switch firmly down and release it.

The window automatically goes all

the way down. To stop the window from going all the way down, pull back on the window switch briefly.

To open the driver's window only

partially, push the window switch down lightly and hold it. The window will stop as soon as you release the switch.

The AUTO function only works to

lower the driver's window. To raise the window, you must pull back on the window switch and hold it until the window reaches the desired position.

The MAIN switch controls power to the passenger's window. With this

switch off, the passenger's window cannot be raised or lowered. The MAIN switch does not affect the driver's window. Keep the MAIN switch off when you have children in the car so they do not injure themselves by operating the window unintentionally.

The power window system has a key-

off delay function. The windows will still operate for up to ten minutes after you turn off the ignition. Opening either door cancels the delay function. You must turn the ignition ON (II) again before you can raise or lower the windows.

Instruments and Controls

Moonroof

Main Menu

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MOONROOF SWITCH

Use the switch on the dashboard to open and close the moonroof. The ignition switch must be ON (II). Push and hold the switch to open the moonroof. Release the switch when the moonroof reaches the desired position. To close the moonroof, press and hold the

switch.

The moonroof has a key-off delay. You can still open and close the moonroof for up to ten minutes after you turn off the ignition. The key-off delay cancels as soon as you open either door. You must then turn the ignition ON (II) for the moonroof to

operate.

Closing the moonroof on someone's hands or fingers can cause serious injury.

Make sure passengers are clear of the moonroof before closing it.

NOTICE

If you try to open the moonroof in

below-freezing temperatures, or when

it is covered with snow or ice, you can

damage the moonroof panel or motor.

Instruments and Controls

Mirrors

Main Menu

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TAB

Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and adjusted for best visibility. Be sure to adjust the mirrors before

you start driving.

Adjusting the Power Mirrors

SELECTOR SWITCH

Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment switch on the driver's door armrest:

3. Push the appropriate edge of the adjustment switch to move the mirror right, left, up or down.

The inside mirror has day and night

positions. The night position reduces

glare from headlights behind you.

Flip the tab on the bottom edge of the mirror to select the day or night position.

Instruments and Controls

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

2. Move the selector switch to L (driver's side) or R (passenger's side).

4. When you finish, move the selector switch to the center (off) position. This turns off the adjustment switch so you can't move a mirror out of position by accidentally bumping the switch.

Mirrors, Parking Brake

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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HEATED MIRROR BUTTON

Available on all Canadian models

The outside mirrors are heated to re-

move fog and frost. With the ignition

switch ON (II), turn on the heaters by pressing the button. The light in the button comes on as a reminder.

Press the button again to turn the heaters off.

Parking Brake

PARKING BRAKE LEVER

To apply the parking brake, pull the

lever up fully. To release it, pull up slightly, push the button, and lower the lever. The parking brake light on the instrument panel should go out

when the parking brake is fully

released (see page 55).

NOTICE

Driving the car with the parking brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles.

Instruments and Controls

Digital Clock

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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HOUR

MIN RESET

The digital clock displays the time

with the ignition switch ON (II).

To set the clock:

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II) to display the time.

2. Swing down the front cover of the wide button under the clock display. You will see HOUR, MIN, and RESET buttons.

3. Press and hold the HOUR button until the hour advances to the desired hour.

4. Press and hold the MIN (minute) button until the numbers advance to the desired minutes.

You can use the RESET button to quickly set the time to the nearest hour. If the displayed time is before the half hour, pressing RESET button sets the clock back to the previous hour. If the displayed time

is after the half hour, pressing the

RESET button sets the clock forward to the beginning of the next hour.

For example:

1:06 would RESET to 1:00. 1:52 would RESET to 2:00.

Instruments and Controls

Beverage Holder

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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PARTITION

The front beverage holder is located

on the center console.

The partition in the beverage holder

can be moved forward or backward.

If you want to use the beverage holder, slide the partition forward until it clicks. To put small items in the beverage holder, slide the partition completely backward.

Be careful when you are using the

beverage holder. A spilled liquid that

is very hot can scald you or your passengers. Spilled liquids can also damage the upholstery, carpeting, and electrical components in the interior.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls

Beverage Holder, Console Compartment

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Console Compartment

The rear seat also has a beverage holder in the armrest on the driver's

side.

LEVER

CONSOLE COMPARTMENT

To open the console compartment,

pull up on the lower lever and lift the lid.

To close, lower the lid and push it

down until it latches.

LEVER

You can put small items in the tray located in the console compartment lid. To use the tray, pull up on the upper lever and lift up the armrest

pad.

Instruments and Controls

Coin Box, Accessory Power Socket

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Coin Box

The coin box is located next to the

beverage holder. Open the lid by lifting it up.

To remove the coin box for emptying, lift the coin box up by pushing up on the middle edge of the coin box on the console guide. Never use the

coin box for smoking materials.

Accessory Power Socket

ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET

To use the accessory power socket,

pull down the cover. The ignition switch must be in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II).

This socket is intended to supply

power for 12 volt DC accessories that are rated 120 watts or less (10 amps).

It will not power an automotive type cigarette lighter element.

Instruments and Controls

Ashtrays, Interior Lights

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Ashtrays

(Optional)

A front ashtray, which is available as

an option, can be used as a replacement for the coin box.

NOTICE

Use the ashtray only for cigarettes,

cigars, and other smoking materials.

To prevent a possible fire and damage to your car, don't put paper or other things that can burn in the ashtray.

Ceiling Lights

DOOR ACTIVATED

OFF

The ceiling light contains a main light as well as two spotlights.

The ceiling light has a three-position

switch. In the OFF position, the light

does not come on. In the center position, the ceiling light comes on when you open either door. After both doors are closed tightly, the light dims slightly, then fades out in

about 10 seconds. In the ON position, the ceiling light stays on

continuously.

Instruments and Controls

Interior Lights

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Turn on the spotlight by pushing the button next to each light. Push the button again to turn it off. You can use the spotlights at all times.

Courtesy Lights

Your car has a courtesy light in the

ignition switch. The ignition switch light comes on whenever you open either door. It remains on, then fades out in about 10 seconds after both doors are closed tightly.

The ignition switch light and ceiling

light (with the switch in the center position) also comes on when you unlock the door with the key, the lock tab on the driver's door, or the

master door lock switch. If you

relock the driver's door or close the driver's door with the key in the ignition switch, the lights turns off immediately. Otherwise, the light remains on, then fades out in about

10 seconds.

If you keep the door open, the ceiling light (with the switch in the center position) will turn off after three minutes when the key is not in the ignition switch.

On Type SH

Your car also has a courtesy light in

each door. Each door light comes on when the door is opened, and goes out when the door is closed tightly.

Instruments and Controls

Comfort and Convenience Features

Main Menu

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The heating and air conditioning

systems in your Honda provide a comfortable driving environment in all weather conditions.

The standard audio system has

many features. This section de-

scribes those features and how to use them. (If you selected an

optional audio system, refer to the

operating instructions that came with it.)

Your Honda has an anti-theft audio

system that requires a code number to enable it.

Heating and Cooling........................ 98

What Each Control Does............ 98

How to Use the System............. 100

To Turn Everything Off ........... 105

Audio System................................. 106

AM/FM/CD Audio System..... 106

Operating the Radio.................. 106

Adjusting the Sound.................. 109

Audio System Lighting............. 110

Radio Frequencies..................... 110

Radio Reception......................... 110

Operating the CD Player.......... 112

Operating the CD Changer...... 114

Protecting Compact Discs........ 116

CD Player Error Indications..... 117

CD Changer Error

Indications.............................. 118

Operating the Cassette

Player...................................... 119

Tape Search Functions............. 120

Caring for the Cassette

Player...................................... 122

Theft Protection ........................ 123

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heating and Cooling

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Proper use of the Heating and

Cooling system can make the interior dry and comfortable, and keep the windows clear for best visibility.

What Each Control Does

Fan Control Lever

Sliding this lever to the right increases the fan's speed, which increases air flow.

Temperature Control Lever

Sliding this lever to the right increases the temperature of the air flow.

Air Conditioning (A/C) Button

This button turns the air condi-

tioning ON and OFF. The indicator in the button lights when the A/C is on.

MODE BUTTONS REAR WINDOW

TEMPERATURE CONTROL LEVER

Rear Window Defogger Button

This button turns the rear window

defogger on and off (see page 65).

RECIRCULATION

DEFOGGER BUTTON

FAN CONTROL LEVER

BUTTON

AIR CONDITIONING BUTTON

Recirculation Button

This button controls the source of the air going into the system. When the indicator in this button is lit, air from the car's interior is sent

through the system again (Recirculation mode). When the indicator is off, air is brought in from outside the car

(Fresh Air mode).

Comfort and Convenience Features

Mode Buttons

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Use the MODE buttons to select the vents the air flows from. Some air

will flow from the dashboard corner vents in all modes.

Air flows from the center

and corner vents in the dashboard.

Air flow is divided between the vents in the dashboard and the floor vents.

Air flows from the floor vents.

Air flow is divided between the floor vents and the defroster vents at the base of the windshield.

Air flows from the defroster vents at the base of the windshield.

Heating and Cooling

When you select , the system automatically switches to Fresh Air mode and turns on the A/C.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Heating and Cooling

Main Menu

Table of Contents

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Vent Controls

CENTER VENT

You can adjust the direction of the air coming from the dashboard vents by moving the tab in the center of each vent up-and-down and side-toside.

SIDE VENT

Open

The vents in the corners of the

dashboard can be opened and closed

with the dials underneath them.

How to Use the System

This section covers how to set up the system controls for ventilation, heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and defrosting.

The engine must be running for the heater and air conditioning to generate hot and cold air. The heater uses engine coolant to warm the air. If the engine is cold, it will be several minutes before you feel warm air coming from the system. The air conditioning does not rely on

engine temperature.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Honda Prelude 2000 Owner's Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual