weight HONDA PASSPORT 2000 2.G User Guide

air cleaner, so it's important to
replace the air cleaner filter at
required intervals. See "Care and Maintenance." A dirty air cleaner
filter reduces engine performance
and can waste fuel.

Air Conditioning
Turn off the air conditioning whenit is not needed. The air
conditioning compressor is not on
in this position and the reduced
engine load can improve fuel

economy.

Tuned Engine

An engine that is properly
maintained will provide better
fuel economy than one that is not.
One misfiring spark plug will cut
fuel economy significantly, and
will make a difference in the
amount of pollution emitted from
your vehicle.
Excessive Weight

Fuel economy is related to thework the engine must do. The
heavier the load, the more fuel it takes to run your vehicle. Keep
weight to a minimum by removing
unnecessary luggage or cargo.

Tire Inflation

Underinflation not only causes
needless tire wear but can also
waste fuel. It's a good idea to
check tire pressure often and keep your tires inflated to the pressures
shown on the tire placard located
on the driver's doorjamb.
Wheel Alignment

Improper alignment will cause the
front tires to roll at an angle that
will result in faster tire wear. It takes power to overcome this
improper alignment, which, inturn, wastes fuel.

Use of 4-Wheel Drive

In normal driving, put the 4WD-2WD switch in the 2WD
position.
Driving Tip s

Carryin
g Carg o

Your vehicle has several
convenient storage areas so you
can stow cargo safely.
The glove box, the console
compartment, and the pockets in the front doors, seat-backs, and
cargo area are designed for small,
lightweight items. The cargo area is intended for larger, heavier
items. In addition, the back seat
can be folded down to allow you
to carry more cargo or longer

items.

However, carrying too much
cargo, or improperly storing it,
can affect your vehicle's handling,
stability, and operation and make
it unsafe. Before carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
following pages.
Drivin g Tip s

Loa
d Limi t
The maximum load for your
vehicle is:
LX2WD
manual trans:
automatic trans:

LX4WD
manual trans:
automatic trans:

EX
manual trans:automatic trans:
895 Ib (407 kg)

840
Ib
(382
kg)
905
Ib
(411
kg) 850 Ib (386 kg)
930 Ib (423 kg) 875 Ib (398 kg)
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer. To figure out how much cargo
you can carry: Add up the weight of all

occupants.

If you are towing a trailer, add
the tongue weight to the
number above. Subtract the total from the
maximum load figure.
The final number is the total weight of cargo you can carry.
Drivin g Tip s

Overloading o
r improper
loading can affect handling
and stability and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and
other loading guidelines in
this manual.

Carryin
g Item s in th e

Passenge r Compartmen t
Store or secure all items that
could be thrown around and
hurt someone during a crash. Be sure items placed on the
floor behind the front seats
cannot roll under the seats
and interfere with the driver's
ability to operate the pedals,
or with the proper operation
of the seats. Keep the glove box closed
while driving. If the lid is open,
a passenger could injure his
knees during a crash or sudden
stop.
Carryin
g Carg o in th e Carg o
Are a o r o n a Roo f Rac k Distribute cargo evenly on the
floor of the cargo area, placing
the heaviest items on the
bottom and as far forward as
possible.
If you fold down the back seat,
tie down items that could be
thrown about the vehicle
during a crash or sudden stop. If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the hatch glass or rear door,
exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions on page 44. If you carry any items on a roof
rack, be sure the total weight of the rack and the items does not
exceed 200 Ib (90 kg).
Driving Tip s

Follow the recommendations in
this manual and ask your Honda
dealer for further details before
you tow a trailer with your

Passport.

Towing a trailer affects vehicle
maintenance requirements due
to the additional load. More
frequent maintenance intervals
will be required to assure
continued satisfaction with
your vehicle. Consult yourHonda dealer for recommended
maintenance and service.
The gross trailer weight (trailer weight plus cargo load) must
never exceed 4,500 Ib.
Additional equipment will be
required, depending on the specific model/load combination.
See "Trailer Hitches" in this

section.
Exceeding the weight limit will
cause damage to your vehicle and
possibly result in personal injury. The Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) is the
combined weight of the
unloaded vehicle, passengers,
cargo, trailer hitch, trailer
tongue load, and optional
equipment. This value is indicated on the F.M.V.S.S.
Certification Label on the
driver's doorjamb. The Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) equals the combined weight of your
vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) plus the total trailer
load. The following limits

apply.

2WD: 8,700 Ib
4WD: 8,950 Ib
The Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) is also indicated on
the Certification Label. The
load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution
of the gross vehicle weight on both axles must not exceed the
values listed. Remember to
account for additional
equipment and tongue load.
Driving Tip s

Tongue load should be between
9 percent and 11 percent of the
total trailer weight. However, itshould never exceed 450 pounds. Never load a trailer with more
weight in the rear than in the
front. The front should be
loaded with approximately
60 percent and the rear with
approximately 40 percent of
the total trailer load. Never exceed the maximum
weight limits of the trailer
or trailer towing equipment.
Improper loading can result in damage to your vehicle and
possible personal injury. Check the vehicle and trailer
loading and the weights on
each axle at a commercial scale
or a highway patrol office
equipped with a scale.
Traile
r Hitche s

A Class 3 hitch kit (up to 4,500 Ib) is available from your
Honda dealer.
Use a trailer equipped with
electric brakes and a "Weight
Distributing Hitch Attachment" when the gross trailer weight
exceeds 3,500 pounds.

A special attachment that replaces the draw bar/ball assembly is used
to distribute the proper weight to
the front axle. It uses a pair ofspring bars that are adjusted to
accomplish the distribution of the weight.
Consult your trailer's
manufacturer for assistance withselecting the proper weight
distributing hitch attachment. Check with a recreational vehicle
dealer for additional required
equipment. Have this equipment installed by a trained mechanic.
Improper equipment or installation
can damage your vehicle and cause
personal injury.
Do not use axle-mounted hitches
or equipment not designed for
your vehicle.
Do not make any modifications to
the vehicle's exhaust, braking, or
electrical system other than those
that are shown in the instructions
for the Honda Trailer Hitch Kit.
Improper modifications can affect
vehicle durability.
Periodic inspection of all added-on trailer towing equipment is
necessary to assure continued safe
operation.
Drivin g Tip s

Safet
y Chai n

Always use a suitable safety chain

between your vehicle and the

trailer.

Check with your trailer

manufacturer for the required

equipment. Cross the safety

chains under the hitch and attach

them to the trailer hitch hardware.

This will prevent the trailer from

dropping to the ground in the

event the hitch disengages. For
proper use and installation,
consult your trailer manufacturer.

Traile r Light s
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state and local regulations. Check with your
local recreational vehicle dealer
for the requirements in your area. Use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.
Improper equipment or installation can cause damage to
your vehicle's electrical system and affect your vehicle warranty.
Consult your Honda dealer for installation.

Tire s

Always check the condition of
your vehicle's tires and trailer's
tires before operation. Replace
worn or damaged tires before

operation.

Inflate tire pressure to the
recommended cold tire pressure indicated in the tire
manufacturer's warranty booklet in the glove box packet.
Check the tire manufacturer's

requirements when replacement

tires are installed on your vehicle.

Trailer tire condition, size, load

rating, and proper inflation

pressure should be in accordance

with the tire manufacturer's

specifications. Improper tire size

and inflation can cause tire

failure, possibly resulting in

vehicle damage and personal
injury.

Traile r Brake s
Trailers with a total weight of
1,000 pounds or more require trailer brakes. If your trailer is
equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal,state, and local equipment
regulations.
Driving Tip s

There are no provisions in your
vehicle to tap into its hydraulic
braking system. Any attempt toattach the trailer's brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic braking system, no matter how successfulit may seem, will lower braking
effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.

Equipmen t Chec k

Before operating your vehicle,
check all safety equipment to
ensure safe operation. Be sure
your vehicle is properly serviced
to avoid mechanical failure.
Check that your vehicle remains
level when the loaded or unloadedtrailer is hitched. Do not drive if
the rear end of your vehicle is abnormally higher or lower.
Check for proper tongue weight,
overload, improper weight
distribution, worn suspension, or

other possible causes.

Make sure the trailer load is

properly positione
d and secured

so its does not shift around whil
e

driving.

Chec k
if your rearview mirrors

comply with federal, state and

local regulations. If not, confirm
the proper mirrors required for

towing and have them installed.

Perform an equipment check of

all braking, lighting and safety

equipment to ensure they are working properly.
Your safety depends on proper
operation and installation of
equipment. Never operate a
vehicle with faulty equipment.
Limite
d Sli p Differentia l
Standard on 4WD models

The limited slip differential is
designed to improve traction by limiting wheelspin. If one rear
wheel begins to spin on a slipperysurface, the limited slip
differential will automatically
transmit driving force to the other
rear wheel.
Drivin g Tip s

If the diaphragm inside the
reservoir cap is deformed, return
it to the original (collapsed)
condition, then tighten the cap.
It is normal for the brake fluid
level to go down slightly as the
front brake pads wear. So be sure
to keep the reservoir fluid at the
proper level.
If the reservoir needs frequent
refilling, it may indicate a serious mechanical problem.
Brake fluid absorbs water from
the air. Never use brake fluid that
has been open to the air for an
extended period. Throw it away and use new brake fluid from a
sealed container.

Brake fluid can damage your vehicle's paint. Thoroughly clean
up any brake fluid spills.
Shift-on-the-Fl
y Syste m
The fluid level in the system should
be checked at the intervals shown in the Maintenance Schedule.
Remove the filler plug and make sure the fluid level is up to the
edge of the hole. If it is not, add
GL-5 gear oil to bring to that level. Use the same GL-5 gear oilspecified for the front axle (see
page 212). Fron
t Whee l Bearing s
Clean and repack the front wheel
bearings whenever the front brake
pads are replaced. Due to the weight of the tire and wheel
assembly it is recommended that
they be removed from the hub
before lubricating the bearings to
prevent damage to the oil seal.
"Long Fiber" grease should not be
used to lubricate the wheel bearings.
It can cause damage. Clean the old
grease out of the bearings and hubs
before repacking.
Car e an d Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E
FILLE
R
PLU G

equipment on the vehicle when it
was shipped from the factory. Be
sure to provide this information to
your authorized Honda dealer when it is necessary to order

parts.
Vehicl
e Loadin g
Vehicl e Loadin g Informatio n

The components of your vehicle are designed to providesatisfactory service only if the
vehicle is not loaded in excess of
either the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the maximum
front and rear Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWRs). These ratings are listed on the Vehicle
Certification Label located on the
left door lock pillar.
Your Honda dealer can advise you
of the proper loading conditions
for your vehicle. The use of
selected heavier suspension
components for added durability
purposes does not increase any of the weight ratings printed on the
Vehicle Certification Label. Maximu
m Fron t an d Rea r
Axl e Weigh t
The weight of the cargo load must be properly distributed over both
the front and rear axles. The
Certification Label shows themaximum weight that the front
axle (front GAWR) can carry. It also shows the maximum weight
that the rear axle (rear GAWR) can
carry. The GVWR represents the
maximum permissible loaded
weight of the vehicle and takes
into account the engine,
transmission, frame, springs,
brake, axle, and tire capabilities.
Actual loads on the front and rear
axles can only be determined by
weighing the vehicle. This can be
done at highway weight stations
or other such commercial weigh stations. Consult your Honda
dealer for assistance. The cargo
Technical Dat a