1997 Honda Accord Wagon Owners Manual

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the lock tab. To open either rear door, pull the lock tab up and use the outside door handle. When you push the UNLOCK button once, only the driver's door unlocks. The remaining LEVER Instruments and Controls doors and the tailgate unlock when you push the button a second time. 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 any of the doors or the tailgate, the light will go out in about 30 seconds and the doors and the tailgate will automatically relock. If you relock the doors with the remote transmitter before 30 seconds have elapsed, the light will go off immediately. You cannot lock or unlock the doors with the remote transmitter if any door is not fully closed or the key is in the ignition switch. Replacing the Battery When the remote transmitter's batteries begin to get weak, it may take several pushes on the button to lock or unlock the doors, and the LED will not light. Replace the batteries as soon as possible. Battery type: CR2016 To replace the batteries, remove the screw on the back of the transmitter, then remove the bottom cover. BATTERIES SCREW Remove the old batteries and note the polarity. Make sure the polarity of the new batteries are the same (+ side facing up), then insert them in the transmitter as shown. Reinstall the cover to the transmitter, then install the screw. Transmitter Care Avoid 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. 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. Instruments and Controls the tailgate and getting exhaust gas in the interior. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 24. The glove box light comes on only when the instrument panel lights are on. Glove Box 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. 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. GLOVE BOX Tailgate Use your key to lock and unlock the tailgate. (For EX models, your remote transmitter will also lock and unlock the tailgate.) To open the tailgate, pull the handle, and then lift up the tailgate. See page 93 for cargo loading and weight limit information. Keep the tailgate closed at all times while driving to avoid damaging Instruments and Controls Seat Adjustments Front Seat Adjustments 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. Reclining the seat-back can decrease the protection you get from your seat belt in a crash. You can slide under the seat belt and be seriously injured. Adjust the seat-back to an upright position, and sit well back in the seat. Instruments and Controls Driver's Seat Power Height Adjustment On EX models The height of your driver's seat is power adjustable. Pull up on the switch to raise the seat. Push it down to lower the seat. of the seat-back. Pivot the lever forward until it stops, then let it return. Doing this several times adjusts the lumbar support through its full range. They are most effective when you adjust them so the top of the restraint is even with the top of your ears. 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. Driver's Lumbar Support On EX models Vary the lumbar support by moving the lever on the right side Instruments and Controls Head Restraints The front head restraints help protect you and your passenger from whiplash and other injuries. RELEASE BUTTON To remove a head restraint for cleaning or repair, pull it up as far as it will go. Press the release button and pull the restraint out of the seat-back. Folding Rear Seat The backs of the rear seats fold down to provide more cargo space. Pull up the release button at the top of each seat-back, and move the seat-back forward. Rear Seat Armrest On EX models The rear seat armrest is located at the center of the rear seat. Pivot it down to use it. Driving your car without head restraints can lead to serious injury to you and your passenger in a crash. Make sure the head restraints are in place and adjusted properly before driving. Instruments and Controls 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 pushing the switch up and holding it. The driver's armrest has a master power window control panel. To open any of the passenger's windows, push down on the appropriate switch, and hold it down until the window reaches the desired position. To close the window, push up on the window switch. Release the switch when the window gets to the position you want. Instruments and Controls DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH MAIN SWITCH Closing a power window on a child's hands or fingers can cause serious injury. Make sure children are away from the windows before closing them. The master control panel also contains 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, push the window switch up 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 push the window switch up and hold it until the window reaches the desired position. The MAIN switch controls power to the passenger's windows. With this switch off, the passenger's windows 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 10 minutes after you turn off the ignition. Opening either front door cancels the delay function. You must turn the ignition ON (II) again before you can raise or lower the windows. Moonroof On EX models Use the switches on the dash- board under the left vent to operate the moonroof. The ignition 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. Closing the moonroof on someone's hands or fingers can cause serious injury. Make sure passengers are clear of the moonroof before closing it. MOONROOF SWITCH The moonroof has a key-off delay. You can still open and close the moonroof for up to 10 minutes after you turn off the ignition. The key-off delay cancels as soon as you open either front door. You must then turn the ignition ON (II) for the moonroof to operate. 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 Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and adjusted for best visibility. Be sure to adjust the mirrors before you start driving. 3. Push the appropriate edge of the adjustment switch to move the mirror right, left, up, or down. Adjusting the Power Mirrors Adjust the outside mirrors with the adjustment switch on the driver's door armrest. SELECTOR SWITCH TAB 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). ADJUSTMENT SWITCH 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. Parking Brake To apply the parking brake, pull the lever up firmly. 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 30). If you try to drive the car without fully releasing the parking brake, the ABS indicator may come on and the ABS may not work properly. PARKING BRAKE LEVER NOTICE Driving the car with the parking brake applied can damage the rear brakes and axles. Digital Clock The digital clock displays the time with the ignition switch ON (II). To see the time with the ignition off, press and hold the button below the clock. To set the clock: 1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II) to display the time. RESET 2. Swing down the front cover of the button below the clock display. You will see H, M, and RESET buttons. continued Instruments and Controls 3. Press and hold the H button until the hour advances to the desired time. 4. Press and hold the M button until the numbers advance to the desired time. 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 sets the clock back to the previous hour. If the displayed time is after the half hour, pressing RESET 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 To open the beverage holder, push on the top. The beverage holder lid is spring-loaded and will pop open. To close it, push it down until it latches. The inner liner can be removed if you want to hold a larger cup. Be careful when you are using the beverage holder. A spilled liquid that is very hot can scald you or your passenger. Spilled liquids can also damage the upholstery, carpeting, and electrical components in the interior. Use the beverage holder only when the car is parked. If you place cups in the holder while driving, the liquid may spill when you go over bumps or around corners. Coin Box Console Compartment Cigarette Lighter To open the coin box, pull the upper edge. Close it with a firm push. To open the console compartment, pull up the front edge of the lid. COIN BOX STRAP A strap is provided under the console cover to hold your garage door opener. The ignition switch must be in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) for the cigarette lighter to work. To heat up the lighter, push it in. It will pop out when it is ready for use. Do not hold the lighter in while it is heating up, you could cause it to overheat. CIGARETTE LIGHTER Instruments and Controls Ashtrays Open the front ashtray by swinging the lid down. Push it in to close it. the ashtray for emptying, open it, and then lift up and out. Interior Light The interior light has a three- position switch. In the OFF (left) position, the light does not come on. In the center position, the interior light comes on when you open either door or unlock the door with the remote transmitter. In the ON (right) position, the interior light stays on continuously. ASHTRAY To remove the ashtray for emptying, open the lid, and then pull the ashtray straight out. When putting the ashtray back in, make sure the lid is open. The rear ashtray is at the rear end of the center console. Open the ashtray by swinging the upper edge of the lid down. To remove Instruments and Controls ASHTRAY 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 ashtrays. Courtesy Lights Door Light Each door has a courtesy light. This light comes on when you open the door. Vanity Mirror Spotlights Some models have lighted vanity mirrors in the sunvisor. The light beside the mirror comes on only when the light switch is turned on. Turn on each spotlight by pushing the button next to it. Push the button again to turn it off. You can use the spotlights at all times. IGNITION SWITCH LIGHT SUN VISOR DOOR LIGHT Your vehicle also has a courtesy light in the ignition switch. This light comes on when you open the driver's door. It remains on for several seconds after the door is closed. Instruments and Controls Comfort and Convenience Features The heating and air conditioning systems in your Honda provide a comfortable driving environment in all weather conditions. The audio system that is standard equipment on some models has many features. This section describes those features and how to use them. (If you selected an optional audio system, refer to the operating instructions that came with it.) Heating and Cooling . . . . . .. 62 What Each Control Does . . 63 How to Use the System . .. 64 To Turn Everything Off . .. 67 Audio System . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68 Operating the Radio . . . . .. 68 Adjusting the Sound . . . .. 71 Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 71 Radio Frequencies . . . . . .. 72 Radio Reception . . . . . . .. 72 Operating the Cassette Player . . . . . . . .. 74 Caring for the Cassette Player . . . . . . .. 76 Operating the Optional CD Changer . . . . . . . . . .. 77 CD Player Error Indications 79 Operating the Optional CD Player . . . . . . . . . . . .. 80 CD Player Error Indications 82 Protecting Compact Discs . 83 Theft Protection . . . . . . . . . .. 84 Comfort and Convenience Features Heating and Cooling Comfort and Convenience Features 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 Dial Turning this dial clockwise increases the fan speed, which increases air flow. Temperature Control Dial Turning this dial clockwise increases the temperature of air flow. Air Conditioning (A/C) Switch This switch turns the air conditioning ON and OFF. The indicator in the switch lights when the A/C is ON. RECIRCULATION/ FRESH AIR BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH FAN CONTROL DIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL Recirculation/Fresh Air Button This button controls the source of air going into the system. In recirculation mode ( ),air from the vehicle's interior is sent through the system again. In fresh air mode ( ) air is brought in from outside the vehicle. MODE BUTTONS Mode Buttons These buttons let you select which vents the air flows from. Air flows from the center and corner vents in the dashboard. continued Comfort and Convenience Features Vent Controls 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-to-side. CENTER VENT The vents in the corners of the dashboard can be opened and closed with the dials next to them. SIDE VENT 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. 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 Comfort and Convenience Features 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. RECIRCULATION/ FRESH AIR BUTTON AIR CONDITIONING SWITCH The air conditioning does not rely on engine temperature. It is best to leave the system in mode under almost all conditions. Keeping the system in mode, particularly with the A/C off, can cause the windows to fog up. Switch to mode when you are driving through smoky or dusty conditions, then switch back to when the condition clears. mode The outside air intakes for the heating and cooling system are at the base of the windshield. Keep these clear of leaves and other debris. FAN CONTROL DIAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL DIAL MODE BUTTONS Ventilation The flow-through ventilation system draws in outside air, circulates it through the interior, then exhausts it through vents near the rear windows. 1. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the left. Make sure the A/C is off. 2. Select 3. Set the fan to the desired and speed. To Cool With A/C 1. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. The light above the button should come on. continued Comfort and Convenience Features 2. Make sure the temperature control lever is all the way to the left. 3. Select 4. Set the fan to the desired and speed. If the interior is very warm from being parked in the sun, you can cool it down more rapidly by setting the controls this way: 1. Start the engine. 2. Turn on the A/C by pressing the button. Make sure the temperature control dial is all the way to the left. 3. Set the fan to maximum speed. 4. Open the windows partially. Select and When the interior has cooled down to a more comfortable temperature, close the windows and set the controls as described for normal cooling. Air conditioning places an extra load on the engine. Watch the engine coolant temperature gauge (see page 34) when driving in stop-and-go traffic or climbing a long, steep hill. If it moves near the red zone, turn off the A/C until the gauge reads normally. To Heat To warm the interior: 1. Start the engine. 2. Select and 3. Set the fan to the desired speed. 4. Adjust the warmth of the air with the temperature control lever. To Heat and Dehumidify With Air Conditioning Air conditioning, as it cools, removes moisture from the air. When used in combination with the heater, it makes the interior warm and dry. 1. Switch the fan on. 2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select 4. Adjust the temperature control and dial so the mixture of heated and cooled air feels comfortable. This setting is suitable for all driving conditions whenever the outside temperature is above 32°F(0°C). Comfort and Convenience Features To Turn Everything Off To shut off the system temporarily, turn the fan speed and temperature control dials all the way to the left. You should shut the system completely off for only the first few minutes of driving in cold weather, until the engine coolant warms up enough to operate the heater. Keep the fan on at all other times so stale air does not build up in the interior. To Defog and Defrost To remove fog from the inside of the windows: 1. Switch the fan on. 2. Turn on the air conditioning. 3. Select 4. Adjust the temperature control and lever so the airflow from the defroster vents feels warm. 5. Turn on the rear window defogger to help clear the rear window. To remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield and side windows after the car has been sitting out in cold weather: 1. Start the engine. 2. Select and 3. Switch the fan and temperature controls to maximum. To rapidly remove exterior frost or ice from the windshield (on very cold days), first select Once the windshield is clear, select fogging the windows. to avoid These settings direct all the air flow to the defroster vents at the base of the windshield and the side window defroster vents. The air flow will get warmer and clear the windows faster as the engine warms up. You can close the side and upper vents with the dial beside each vent. This will send more warm air to the windshield defroster vents. For safety, make sure you have a clear view through all the windows before driving away. Comfort and Convenience Features Audio System AM/FM/Cassette Stereo Audio System Your Honda's audio system provides clear reception on both AM and FM bands, while the preset buttons allow you to easily select your favorite stations. The cassette system features Dolby B* noise reduction, automatic sensing of chromium- dioxide (CrO autoreverse for continuous play. EX model only — The anti-theft feature will disable the system if it is disconnected from the car's battery. To get the system working again, you must enter a code number (see page 84). ) tape, and *Dolby noise reduction manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. "Dolby" and the symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Operating the Radio The ignition switch must be in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) to operate the audio system. Turn the system on and adjust the volume by turning the ON/VOL knob. The band and frequency that the radio was last tuned to is displayed. To change bands, press the AM or FM button. On the FM band, ST will be displayed if the station is broadcasting in stereo. Stereo reproduction on AM is not available. You can use any of three methods to find radio stations on the selected band: TUNE, SEEK, or the Preset buttons. TUNE — Use the TUNE/SEEK switch to tune the radio to a desired frequency. Push the TUNE/SEEK switch up to tune to a higher frequency, or push down to tune to a lower frequency. The frequency numbers will start to change rapidly. Release the switch when the display reaches the desired frequency. To change the frequency in small increments, push and release the TUNE/SEEK switch quickly. SEEK — The SEEK function searches the band for a station with a strong signal. To activate it, push the TUNE/SEEK switch until you hear a beep, then release it. Depending on which direction you pushed the switch, the system scans upward or downward from the current frequency. It stops when it finds a station with a strong signal. Preset — You can store the frequencies of your favorite radio stations in the six preset buttons. Each button will store one frequency on the AM band, and two on the FM band. Comfort and Convenience Features To store a frequency: 1. Select the desired band, AM or FM. FM1 and FM2 let you store two frequencies with each Preset button. 2. Use the TUNE or SEEK function to tune the radio to a desired station. 3. Pick the Preset button you want for that station. Press the button and hold it until you hear a beep. 4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 to store a total of six stations on AM and 12 on FM. Once a station's frequency is stored, simply press and release the proper Preset button to tune to it. The preset frequencies will be lost if your vehicle's battery goes dead or is disconnected. EX ON/OFF/VOL KNOB STEREO INDICATOR TUNE/SEEK SWITCH AM/FM BUTTON PRESET BUTTONS LX ON/OFF/VOL KNOB STEREO INDICATOR TUNE/SEEK SWITCH AM/FM BUTTON PRESET BUTTONS Comfort and Convenience Features press any preset button that does not have a station stored. With Auto Select on, you cannot manually store any frequencies in the preset buttons. If you do not like the stations found by Auto Select, you can use the TUNE and SEEK functions to find other stations. Auto Select does not erase the frequencies that you preset previously. When you return home, turn off Auto Select by pressing the A.SELECT button. The preset buttons will then select the frequencies you originally set. EX model AUTO SELECT — If you are traveling far from home and can no longer receive the stations you preset, you can use the Auto Select feature to find stations in the local area. To activate Auto Select, press the A.SELECT button. A.SELECT will appear in the display, and the system will go into scan mode for several seconds. It automatically scans both bands, looking for stations with strong signals. It stores the frequencies of six AM stations and twelve FM stations in the preset buttons. You can then use the preset buttons to select those stations. If you are in a remote area, Auto Select may not find six strong AM stations or twelve strong FM stations. If this happens, you will see a "0" displayed when you Comfort and Convenience Features Adjusting the Sound Balance/Fader — These two controls adjust the strength of the sound coming from each speaker. The Balance control adjusts the side-to-side strength, while the Fader control adjusts the front-to-back strength. To use these controls, push on the knob to get them to pop out. Adjust the Fader to your liking by turning the outside ring. Adjust the Balance by turning the knob. Push the controls back in when you are done. Treble/Bass — Use these controls to adjust the tone to your liking. Push on the controls to get them to pop out. Adjust the Bass by turning the outer ring. Adjust the Treble by turning the knob. Push the controls back in when you are finished so you cannot change the settings by accidentally bumping them. FADER CONTROL BALANCE CONTROL BASS CONTROL TREBLE CONTROL Audio System Lighting You can use the Balance control knob to turn off the illumination of the audio system. Push the Balance/Fader controls so they pop out, then pull the Balance control knob out slightly farther. Check the Balance control knob if the audio system does not illuminate with the instrument panel lights. Comfort and Convenience Features Radio Reception How well your Honda's radio receives stations is dependent on many factors, such as the distance from the station's transmitter, nearby large objects, and atmospheric conditions. Radio Frequencies Your Honda's radio can receive the complete AM and FM bands. Those bands cover these frequencies: AM band: 530 to 1,710 kilohertz FM band: 87.7 to 107.9 megahertz Radio stations on the AM band are assigned frequencies at least 10 kilohertz apart (530, 540, 550). Stations on the FM band are assigned frequencies at least 0.2 megahertz apart (87.9, 88.1, 88.3). Stations must use these exact frequencies. It is fairly common for stations to round-off the frequency in their advertising, so your radio could display a frequency of 100.9 even though the announcer may identify the station as "FM101." A radio station's signal gets weaker as you get farther away from its transmitter. If you are listening to an AM station, you will notice the sound volume becoming weaker, and the station drifting in and out. If you are listening to an FM station, you will see the stereo indicator flickering off and on as the signal weakens. Eventually, the stereo indicator will go off and the sound will fade completely as you get out of range of the station's signal. Driving very near the transmitter of a station that is broadcasting on a frequency close to the frequency of the station you are listening to can also affect your radio's reception. You may temporarily hear both stations, or hear only the station you are close to. Comfort and Convenience Features Radio signals, especially on the FM band, are deflected by large objects such as buildings and hills. Your radio then receives both the direct signal from the station's transmitter, and the deflected signal. This causes the sound to distort or flutter. This is a main cause of poor radio reception in city driving. Radio reception can be affected by atmospheric conditions such as thunderstorms, high humidity, and even sunspots. You may be able to receive a distant radio station one day and not receive it the next day because of a change in conditions. Electrical interference from passing vehicles and stationary sources can cause temporary reception problems. Comfort and Convenience Features Operating the Cassette Player Turn the audio system ON. Make sure the tape opening on the cassette is facing to the right, then insert the cassette most of the way into the slot. The system will pull it in the rest of the way and begin to play. The tape direction indicator will light to show you which side of the cassette is playing. The indicates the side you inserted facing upward is now playing. If you want to play the other side, press the PROG button. Dolby B noise reduction turns on when you insert a cassette. If the cassette was not recorded using Dolby noise reduction, turn it off by pressing the button. When the system reaches the end of the tape, it will automatically reverse direction and play the other side. If you want to remove the cassette from the drive, press one of the EJECT buttons (AM/CD or FM1/FM2). The system will automatically eject the cassette whenever you turn off the system or the ignition switch. Tape Search Functions With a cassette playing, you can use the FF, REW, TMS, or REPEAT functions to find a desired program. FF/REW — Push down the FF/REW/TMS switch to rewind the tape rapidly. Push the switch up to fast forward. Press the PLAY button to take the system out of rewind or fast forward. If the system reaches the end of the tape while in fast forward or rewind, it automatically stops that function, reverses direction, and begins to play. TMS — The Tape Music Search function allows you to find the beginning of a song or passage. To activate TMS, press the TMS button. The light in the button will remain on as a reminder that it is activated. Then press FF or REW to move the tape forward or backward. When the system reaches the beginning of the next song or passage (FF), or the beginning of the current one (REW), it goes back to PLAY mode. Deactivate TMS by pressing the TMS button again. Comfort and Convenience Features REPEAT — The Repeat function continuously replays the current song or passage. Press the REPEAT button to activate it; you will see RPT displayed as a reminder. When the system reaches the end of the song or passage currently playing, it will automatically go into rewind. When it senses the beginning of the same song or passage, the system returns to PLAY mode. It will continue to repeat this same program until you deactivate REPEAT by pressing the button again. The TMS and REPEAT functions use silent periods on the tape to find the end of a song or passage. These features may not work to your satisfaction if there is almost no gap between selections, a high noise level between selections, or a silent period in the middle of a selection. EX ON/OFF/VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR EJECT BUTTONS PLAY BUTTON REPEAT BUTTON FF/REW/TMS SWITCH PROGRAM BUTTON DOLBY BUTTON LX ON/OFF/VOL KNOB CASSETTE SLOT TAPE DIRECTION INDICATOR EJECT BUTTONS PLAY BUTTON REPEAT BUTTON FF/REW/TMS SWITCH PROGRAM BUTTON DOLBY BUTTON Comfort and Convenience Features Caring for the Cassette Player The cassette player picks up dirt and oxides whenever you play a tape. This contamination builds up over time and causes the sound quality to degrade. To prevent this, you should clean the cassette drive after every 30 hours of use. Your Honda dealer has a cleaning kit available. If you do not clean the cassette drive regularly, it may eventually become impossible to remove the deposits with a normal cleaning kit. The player automatically ejects cassettes that do not play properly. If it ejects a cassette before it begins to play, it is probably defective and should not be inserted again. You may have a cassette suddenly stop playing, reverse directions once or twice, and then eject. This is normally an indication the tape is wound unevenly. It should play after the tape is manually rewound. Use 100-minute or shorter cassettes. Cassettes longer than that use thinner tape that may break or jam the drive. Look at the cassette before you insert it. If the tape is loose, tighten it by turning a hub with a pencil or your finger. If the label is peeling off, remove it from the cassette or it could cause the cassette to jam in the player. Never try to insert a warped or damaged cassette in the player. Do not leave cassettes sitting where they will be exposed to direct sunlight, high heat, or high humidity, such as on top of the dashboard or in the player. If a cassette is exposed to extreme heat or cold, let it reach a moderate Comfort and Convenience Features temperature before inserting it in the player. After 30 hours of tape use, you will see CLEAN flashing for 5 seconds in the display when you insert a tape into the tape slot. If you are already regularly cleaning the tape drive at least every 30 hours, reset the indicator by pressing the Preset 6 button while the system is in the tape operation mode. Hold the button until you hear a beep and the CLEAN indicator goes out. CLEAN INDICATOR PRESET 6 (Press to reset indicator.) Operating the Optional CD Changer A Compact Disc changer is available through your dealer. It holds up to six discs, providing several hours of continuous entertainment. You operate the CD changer with the same controls used for the radio and cassette player. Your dealer also has an accessory in-dash single CD player available that is operated by the radio controls. To operate this unit, use the instructions (except for those relating to multiple discs) in this section. Using the instructions that came with the changer, load the desired CDs in the magazine, and load the magazine in the changer. To operate the CD changer, the ignition must be in ACCESSORY (I) or ON (II) and the audio system must be on. If you are listening to a cassette, eject it. When that disc ends, the next disc in the magazine is loaded and played. After the last disc finishes, the system returns to disc 1. Press the CD button until "CD" appears in the display. The system will start to play the first track of the first disc in the magazine. To select a different disc, press the appropriate preset button (1-6). If you select an empty slot in the magazine, the changer will, EX CD BUTTON AUTO SELECT LIGHT continued REPEAT LIGHT TUNE/SEEK SWITCH A. SELECT/REPEAT BUTTON Comfort and Convenience Features after finding that slot empty, try to load the CD in the next slot. This continues until it finds a CD to load and play. You can use the TUNE/SEEK switch to select tracks within a disc. If you push and release the TUNE/SEEK switch, the system will move to the beginning of a track. Push the switch up to move to the beginning of the next track, and push the switch down to move to the beginning of the current track. If you push and hold the TUNE/SEEK switch, you will hear a beep and the system will continue to move across tracks. Release the switch when you think it has reached the desired place on the disc. REPEAT — When you activate the Repeat feature by pressing the REPEAT button, the system continuously replays the current track. You will see RPT in the display as a reminder. Press the REPEAT button again to turn it off. If the system is in Repeat mode, you must turn it off by pressing A.SELECT/REPEAT before you can select Random Play. Then press and hold the button again until you see A.SELECT displayed. EX model only — RANDOM PLAY — This feature, when activated, plays the tracks on a CD in random order, rather than in the order they are recorded on the CD. To activate Random Play, press and hold the A.SELECT/REPEAT button until you see A.SELECT in the display. The system will then select and play tracks randomly on the current disc. When all tracks on that disc have been played, the next disc is loaded and played randomly. This continues until you deactivate Random Play by pressing A.SELECT/REPEAT again. To take the system out of CD mode, press the AM or FM button or insert a cassette in the player. When you return to CD mode, play will continue at the same disc and track. If you turn the system off while a CD is playing, either with the ON-OFF/VOL knob or the ignition switch, play will continue at the same disc and track when you turn it back on. Comfort and Convenience Features Optional CD Changer Error Indications If you see an error indication in the display while in operating the CD changer, find the cause in the chart to the right. If you cannot clear the error indication, take the car to your Honda dealer. Comfort and Convenience Features Operating the Optional CD Player You operate the CD player with the same controls used for the radio. With the system on, insert the disc into the CD slot. Push the disc in halfway, the drive will pull it in the rest of the way and begin to play. The number of the track that is playing is shown in the display. You can also play 3-inch (8-cm) discs without using an adapter ring. When the system reaches the end of the disc, it will return to the beginning and play the disc again. You can switch to the radio while a CD is playing by pressing the AM/FM1-2 button. Press the CD button to return to playing the CD. The CD will begin playing where it left off. Press the eject button to remove the disc from the drive. If you turn the system off while a CD is playing, either with the PWR/VOL knob or by turning off the ignition, the disc will stay in the drive. When you turn the system back on, the CD will begin playing where it left off. If you eject the disc, but do not remove it from the slot, the system will automatically reload the disc after 15 seconds and put the CD player in pause mode. To begin playing the disc, press the CD button. CD SLOT EJECT BUTTON Comfort and Convenience Features You can use the TUNE/SEEK switch while a disc is playing to select passages and change tracks. To move rapidly within a track, press and hold the TUNE/SEEK switch. Push the TUNE/SEEK switch up to move forward; push it down to move backward. Each time you push the TUNE/SEEK switch up, the system skips forward to the beginning of the next track. Push the switch down to skip backward to the beginning of the current track. Press it again to skip to the beginning of the previous track. REPEAT — To activate the Repeat feature, press and release the Repeat button. You will see RPT in the display. The system continuously replays the current track. Press the Repeat button again to turn it off. EX model only — RANDOM PLAY — This feature, when activated, plays the tracks on the CD in random order, rather than in the order they are recorded on the CD. To activate Random Play, press and hold the A.SEL/RPT button until you see A.SEL in the display. The system will then select and play tracks randomly. This continues until you deactivate Random Play by pressing A.SEL/RPT again. If the system is in Repeat mode, you must turn it off by pressing A.SEL/RPT before you can select Random Play. Then press and hold the button again until you see A.SEL displayed. EX CD BUTTON AUTO SELECT LIGHT REPEAT LIGHT TUNE/SEEK SWITCH A. SELECT/REPEAT BUTTON Comfort and Convenience Features Optional CD Player Error Indications If you see an error indication in the display while operating the CD player, find the cause in the chart to the right. If you cannot clear the error indication, take the car to your Honda dealer. Comfort and Convenience Features Protecting Compact Discs Handle a CD by its edges; never touch either surface. Contamination from fingerprints, liquids, felt-tip pens, and labels can cause the CD to not play properly, or possibly jam in the drive. To clean a disc, use a clean soft cloth. Wipe across the disc from the center to the outside edge. A new CD may be rough on the inner and outer edges. The small plastic pieces causing this roughness can flake off and fall on the recording surface of the disc, causing skipping or other problems. Remove these pieces by rubbing the inner and outer edges with the side of a pencil or pen. When a CD is not being played, store it in its case to protect it from dust and other contamination. To prevent warpage, keep CDs out of direct sunlight and extreme heat. Never try to insert foreign objects in the CD player or the magazine. Comfort and Convenience Features Theft Protection EX model Your car's audio system will disable itself if it is disconnected from electrical power for any reason. To make it work again, the user must enter a specific five-digit code with the Preset buttons. Because there are hundreds of number combinations possible from five digits, making the system work without knowing the exact code is nearly impossible. If you make a mistake entering the code, do not start over or try to correct your mistake. Complete the five-digit sequence, then enter the correct code. You have three tries to enter the correct code. If you are unsuccessful in three attempts, you must then leave the system on for one hour before trying again. You will have to store your favorite stations in the Preset buttons after the system begins working. Your original settings were lost when power was disconnected. You should have received a card that lists your audio system's code number and serial number. It is best to store this card in a safe place at home. In addition, you should write the audio system's serial number in this Owner's Manual. If you should happen to lose the card, you must obtain the code number from your Honda dealer. To do this you will need the system's serial number. If your car's battery is disconnected or goes dead, the audio system will disable itself. If this happens, you will see "Code" in the frequency display the next time you turn on the system. Use the Preset buttons to enter the five-digit code. If it is entered correctly, the radio will start playing. Comfort and Convenience Features Before Driving Before you begin driving your Honda, you should know what gasoline to use, and how to check the levels of important fluids. You also need to know how to properly store luggage or packages. The information in this section will help you. If you plan to add any accessories to your vehicle, please read the information in this section first. Break-in Period . . . . . . . . . .. 86 Gasoline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 86 Oxygenated Fuels . . . . . .. 86 Driving in Foreign Countries . . . . . . . . . . . .. 87 Service Station Procedures . . 88 Filling the Fuel Tank . . . .. 88 Opening the Hood . . . . . .. 89 Oil Check . . . . . . . . . .. 90 Engine Coolant Check . . 91 Fuel Economy . . . . . . . . . . .. 92 Vehicle Condition . . . . . .. 92 Driving Habits . . . . . . . . .. 92 Loading Cargo . . . . . . . . . .. 93 Cargo Area . . . . . . . . . . . .. 94 Storage Compartments . .. 94 Cargo Area Tonneau Cover . . . . . . . .. 94 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 96 Accessories Before Driving Break-in Period Gasoline Help assure your car's future reliability and performance by paying extra attention to how you drive during the first 600 miles (1,000 km). During this period: Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid acceleration. Avoid hard braking. New brakes need to be broken-in by moderate use for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should follow these same recommendations with an overhauled or exchanged engine, or when the brakes are replaced. Before Driving Your Honda is designed to operate on unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number of 86 or higher. Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic rapping noise in the engine that can lead to mechanical damage. We recommend using gasoline containing detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and engine deposits. Using gasoline containing lead will damage your car's emission controls. This contributes to air pollution. In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane-enhancing additive called MMT. If you use such gasolines, your emission control system performance may deteriorate and the Malfunction Indicator Lamp on your instrument panel may turn on. If this happens, contact your authorized Honda dealer for service. Oxygenated Fuels Some conventional gasolines are being blended with alcohol or an ether compound. These gasolines are collectively referred to as oxygenated fuels. To meet clean air standards, some areas of the United States and Canada use oxygenated fuels to help reduce emissions. If you use an oxygenated fuel, be sure it is unleaded and meets the minimum octane rating requirement. Before using an oxygenated fuel, try to confirm the fuel's contents. Some states/provinces require this information to be posted on the pump. The following are the EPA - approved percentages of oxygenates: problems. It may also damage metal, rubber, and plastic parts of your fuel system. If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms, try another service station or switch to another brand of gasoline. Fuel system damage or performance problems resulting from the use of an oxygenated fuel containing more than the percentages of oxygenates given previously are not covered under warranty. ETHANOL (ethyl or grain alcohol) — You may use gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol by volume. Gasoline containing ethanol may be marketed under the name "Gasohol." MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) — You may use gasoline containing up to 15% MTBE by volume. METHANOL (methyl or wood alcohol) — You may use gasoline containing up to 5% methanol by volume as long as it also contains cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors to protect the fuel system. Gasoline containing more than 5% methanol by volume may cause starting and/or performance Driving in Foreign Countries If you are planning to take your Honda outside the U.S. or Canada, contact the tourist bureaus in the areas you will be traveling in to find out about the availability of unleaded gasoline with the proper octane rating. If unleaded gasoline is not available, be aware that using leaded gasoline in your Honda will affect performance and fuel mileage, and damage its emissions controls. It will no longer comply with U.S. and Canadian emissions regulations, and will be illegal to operate in North America. To bring your car back into compliance will require the replacement of several components, such as the oxygen sensor and the catalytic converter. These replacements are not covered under warranty. Before Driving Service Station Procedures Filling the Fuel Tank 1. Because the fuel fill cap is on the driver's side of the car, park with that side closest to the service station pumps. 2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling on the handle to the left of the driver's seat. Pull. 3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly. You may hear a hissing sound as pressure inside the tank escapes. Place the cap in the holder on the fuel fill door. FUEL FILL CAP Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive. You can be burned or seriously injured when handling fuel. Stop the engine and keep heat, sparks, and flame away. Handle fuel only outdoors. Wipe up spills immediately. 4. Stop filling the tank after the gas pump automatically clicks off. Do not try to "top o ff" the tank; leave some room for the fuel to expand with temperature changes. Before Driving 5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on, tighten it until it clicks. If you do not properly tighten the cap, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp may come on (see page 181). 6. Push the fuel fill door closed until it latches. Opening the Hood 1. Shift to Park or Neutral, and set the parking brake. Pull the hood release handle located under the lower left corner of the dashboard. The hood will pop up slightly. HOOD RELEASE HANDLE LATCH 2. Standing in front of the car, put your fingers under the front edge of the hood to the right of center. Slide your hand to the left until you feel the hood latch handle. Push this handle up until it releases the hood. 3. Pull the support rod out of its clip, and insert the end into the hole on the driver's side of the hood. continued Before Driving SUPPORT ROD Oil Check Check the engine oil level every time you fill the car with fuel. Wait at least two minutes after turning the engine off before you check the oil. 1. Remove the dipstick (orange handle). To close the hood, lift it up slightly to remove the support rod from the hole. Put the support rod back into its holding clip. Lower the hood to about a foot above the fender, and then let it drop. Before Driving DIPSTICK 2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean cloth or paper towel. 3. Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4. Remove the dipstick again, and check the level. It should be between the upper and lower marks. Refer to Owner Maintenance Checks on page 126 for information on checking other items in your Honda. Engine Coolant Check Look at the coolant level in the radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is between the MAX and MIN lines. If it is below the MIN line, see Adding Engine Coolant on page 131 for information on adding the proper coolant. RESERVE TANK UPPER MARK LOWER MARK If it is near or below the lower mark, see Adding Oil on page 128. MAX MIN Before Driving Fuel Economy The condition of your car and your driving habits are the two most important things that affect the fuel mileage you get. and rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning helps your fuel mileage and reduces the chance of corrosion. Vehicle Condition Always maintain your car according to the maintenance schedule. This will keep it in top operating condition. An important part of that maintenance is the Owner Maintenance Checks (see page 126). For example, an underinflated tire causes more "rolling resistance," which uses fuel. It also wears out faster, so check the tire pressure at least monthly. In winter the buildup of snow on your car's underside adds weight Before Driving Driving Habits You can improve fuel economy by driving moderately. Rapid acceleration, cornering, and hard braking use more fuel. Always drive in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and accelerate smoothly. Depending on traffic conditions, try to maintain a constant speed. Every time you slow down and speed up, your car uses extra fuel. Use the cruise control, when appropriate, to increase fuel economy. A cold engine uses more fuel than a warm engine. It is not necessary to "warm-up" a cold engine by letting it idle for a long time. You can drive away in about a minute, no matter how cold it is outside. The engine will warm up faster, and you get better fuel economy. To cut down on the number of "cold starts," try to combine several short trips into one. Air conditioning puts an extra load on the engine which makes it use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to cut down on air conditioning use. Use the flow-through ventilation when the outside air temperature is moderate. Loading Cargo The maximum load you can carry in your Honda is 950 Ib (430 kg). It includes the total weight of all passengers and their belongings, and any accessories. This 950 Ib (430 kg) figure is shown as the Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label attached to the driver's side doorjamb. To figure out how much cargo you can carry, do this: Figure the total "occupant weight" you will be transporting. To do this, multiply the number of people (driver and all passengers) by 150 lb (70 kg). Subtract this number from the Vehicle Capacity Weight (950 lb/430 kg). If you are towing a trailer, subtract the tongue weight. See Towing a Trailer on page 111. This final number is the total weight of cargo you can load in or on the car. With five occupants (driver and four passengers), the maximum recommended weight for cargo is 200 Ib (90 kg). EX model - If you put cargo on the roof, secure all items and make sure the cargo does not exceed 100 pounds. Never exceed the load limits for the vehicle. Where you store cargo and how well you secure it are just as important as how much it weighs. Make sure you load cargo so it will not shift while driving. Items stored in the cargo area should be placed as far forward as possible. You could store additional items on the floor behind the front seats. Make sure they cannot roll under the front seat and interfere with the pedals. If you must carry large objects that prevent you from closing the tailgate, be aware that exhaust gas can enter the interior. See Carbon Monoxide Hazard on page 24. Before Driving Storage Compartments You can store smaller items in any of the three storage compartments in the cargo area. Two compartments are on either side of the tire compartment. The third is in the right side panel. housing, and slip the brackets in the hooks provided at both sides of the tailgate opening. Cargo Area A passenger should never sit in the open cargo area while the car is moving. They should sit in one of the seats and wear their seat belt. With the rear seats folded, the length of the cargo area is 64.5 inches (1,640 mm). The width at the tailgate opening is 43 inches (1,107 mm). The width between the wheelwells is 33 inches (846 mm). The rear opening height is 27 inches (710 mm). HOOK TONNEAU COVER To retract the cover, slip the brackets out of the hooks, and guide the cover so it rolls back fully into its housing. Cargo Area Tonneau Cover When extended, the tonneau cover conceals your parcels and protects them from direct sunlight. To extend the tonneau cover, pull the cover's leading edge out of its Before Driving NOTICE Do not store parcels on the tonneau cover. The tonneau cover may break if weight is placed on it. To remove the tonneau cover housing unit, press the release on one side, carefully lift it out of the holder, and rest it on the trim. Release the other side, then remove the unit. Store the unit in an area where it will not be damaged. NOTICE If you lift the housing unit more than 6 inches (150 mm) or pull it too far rearward, you may risk damaging the unit.

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1997 Honda Accord Wagon Owners Manual