HONDA PASSPORT 2001 2.G Owners Manual
Manufacturer: HONDA, Model Year: 2001, Model line: PASSPORT, Model: HONDA PASSPORT 2001 2.GPages: 317, PDF Size: 4.85 MB
Page 171 of 317

W
e urg e yo u no t t o  instal l
oversiz e tire s an d wheel s tha t
woul d chang e you r vehicle' s
rid e heigh t an d possibl y affec t
handlin g an d stability . It
 is   bes t to   replac e al l fou r tire s  at
th e  sam e time .  I f tha t i s no t
possibl e o r necessary , the n replac e
th e tw o fron t tire s  o r th e tw o  rea r
tire s a s a  pair . Replacin g jus t on e
tir e  ca n  seriousl y  affec t you r
vehicle' s handling .
Th e AB S work s b y comparin g  th e
spee d o f th e wheels . Whe n
replacin g tires , us e th e  sam e siz e
originall y  supplie d wit h  th e
vehicle . Tir e  siz e  an d constructio n
ca n affec t whee l  spee d an d  ma y
caus e  th e  syste m to wor k
inconsistently .
I f yo u  eve r  nee d t o  replac e  a
wheel , mak e sur e th e
replacement' s  specification s
matc h  th e wheel s  tha t originall y
cam e  o n you r Honda .
 Replacemen
t wheel s  ar e  availabl e
a t you r Hond a dealer .
Wheel s an d Tire s
Wheels :
1 6  x 7  JJ
Tires :
Standar d  o n  L X 2W D
225/75R1 6
Standar d  o n al l  othe r  model s
245/70R1 6
See   page  25 1 fo r informatio n
abou t DO T Tir e  Qualit y  Grading .
Drivin g Tip s
Installin
g  imprope r tire s o n
you r vehicl e  ca n  affec t
handlin g an d stability .  Thi s
ca n  caus e  a  cras h  i n whic h
yo u  ca n  b e  seriousl y  hur t o r
killed .
Alway s  us e th e  siz e  an d typ e
o f tire s recommende d in  thi s
owner' s manual . 
Page 172 of 317

Tractio
n
A  decreas e i n driving , cornering ,
an d brakin g tractio n occur s whe n
water , snow , ice , gravel , o r othe r
material s ar e o n th e road . Vehicl e
spee d shoul d b e adjuste d to  th e
roa d conditions .
Whe n drivin g o n we t o r slush y
roads ,  a  wedg e o f wate r ca n buil d
u p betwee n th e tir e an d road . Thi s
i s  know n a s hydroplanin g an d
ma y  caus e partia l o r complet e los s
o f traction , vehicl e control , an d
stoppin g ability . T o reduc e th e
chanc e o f tractio n loss , follo w
thes e tips :
1 .  Slo w dow n durin g rainstorm s
o r whe n road s  ar e slushy .
2 .  Slo w dow n if th e  roa d  ha s
standin g wate r o r puddles . 3.
  Replac e tire s whe n the y  ar e
wor n t o  a  poin t wher e  1/1 6
inc h (1. 6 mm ) o r les s trea d
remains , o r cor d o r fabri c
ca n b e seen .
4 .  Kee p th e tire s properl y
inflated .
I f  you r vehicl e  ha s sno w tires , b e
sur e the y ar e th e same  size , loa d
range  an d constructio n typ e a s you r
othe r tires . Vehicl e spee d shoul d b e
limite d to  a  maximu m of 7 5 mp h
(12 0 km/h ) whe n equippe d wit h
eithe r passenger  vehicle-typ e o r
truck-typ e  sno w tires .
Tire  Chains
T o  preven t tir e  chain s  fro m
damagin g  you r  vehicle : Instal
l  th e  chain s  o n th e  rea r
tire s a s tightl y a s possible . Tighte
n the m again  afte r
drivin g  1/ 4  t o  1/ 2 mil e  (0. 4  t o
0. 8 kilometer) . Usin g chain s o n
th e fron t tire s i s  no t
recommended . The y ma y
contac t  th e bod y  an d possibl y
damag e  th e  vehicle .  I f yo u
inten d t o  us e  chain s o n th e
fron t tires , b e  sur e ther e is
enoug h clearance .
D o  no t excee d 4 5 mp h
(7 0 km/h )  o r th e  chai n
manufacturer' s suggeste d spee d
limi t i f i t  i s  lower .
Driv e in  a  restraine d manne r
an d avoi d larg e bumps ,
potholes , sever e turn s o r othe r
maneuver s tha t coul d caus e th e
vehicl e to  bounc e u p an d down .
Follo w th e chai n
manufacturer' s instructions .
Drivin g Tip s 
Page 173 of 317

Whee
l Replacemen t
Consideration s
Damage d  wheel s  mus t  b e
replaced .  Fo r  example ,  replac e
wheel s  i f the y  ar e  bent ,  cracke d  o r
heavil y  rusted ,  o r  i f whee l  nut s
ofte n become  loose .  Als o  replac e
wheel s  tha t  lea k  ai r  (excep t  some
aluminu m  wheel s  tha t  ca n  b e
repaired) .  See  you r  Hond a  dealer .
D o  no t  us e  ben t  wheel s  tha t  hav e
bee n  straightened ,  an d  d o  no t  us e
tube s  i n  leakin g  wheel s  designe d
fo r  tubeles s  tires .  Suc h  wheel s
ma y  hav e  structura l  damag e  an d
coul d  fai l  withou t  warning .
Maximu m  loads ,  maximu m
inflatio n  pressures ,  whee l
identificatio n  codes ,  an d  whee l
size s  ar e  stampe d  o n  eac h wheel .
Service-teste d  an d  approve d wheel
s  ar e  availabl e fro m you r
Hond a dealer .
Whe n obtainin g wheel s fo r  an y
reaso n fro m  an y othe r source , th e
replacemen t wheel s shoul d b e
equa l i n loa d capacity , inflatio n
pressur e capacity , diameter , width ,
offse t an d mountin g configuratio n
t o  thos e originall y installe d o n
you r vehicle .  A  whee l  o f th e
wron g siz e o r typ e ma y  adversel y
affec t loa d carryin g capacity ,
whee l an d bearin g life , brak e
cooling , speedometer/odomete r
calibration , stoppin g ability ,
headligh t aim , bumpe r height ,
vehicl e groun d clearance , an d tir e
o r tir e chai n clearanc e t o  th e bod y
an d chassis . Replacemen t wit h
use d wheel s is  no t advised :  The y
ma y hav e bee n subjecte d to  hars h treatmen
t o r ver y hig h mileag e  an d
coul d fai l  withou t warning .
Installin g wheel s  and/o r tire s  tha t
hav e  a  highe r loa d carryin g limi t
tha n thos e  tha t originall y  cam e  o n
you r vehicl e  doe s no t increas e  th e
GAW R o r GVW R o f th e vehicle .
Drivin g  Tip s 
Page 174 of 317

Fue
l Econom y
Drivin g fo r Bes t Fue l
Econom y
How , where ,  an d whe n yo u driv e
al l  affec t ho w  man y  miles /
kilometer s yo u  ca n ge t fro m a
gallon/lite r o f fuel .  Th e  carefu l
attentio n yo u giv e you r vehicl e  a s
fa r a s maintenanc e  an d repair s
wil l  als o  hel p fue l  economy .
Fuel  Selection
Us e onl y unleade d gasolin e
meetin g federa l governmen t
regulations . Th e federa l
governmen t specifie s  th e
minimu m  octan e ratin g numbe r o f
unleade d gasoline . Unleade d
gasolin e mus t b e  use d fo r prope r
emission s contro l syste m
operation . I t wil l  als o minimiz e
spar k plu g fouling . Th e us e o f
leade d gasolin e ca n damag e th e
emission s contro l syste m an d coul
d resul t i n  los s o f warrant y
coverage .
"Jackrabbit"  Starts
Yo u ca n sav e fue l (an d prolon g
engin e an d tir e life ) b y avoidin g
fas t start s awa y fro m light s an d
sto p signs .
Stop-and-Go  Driving
Frequen t  stop-and-g o  drivin g
durin g a  tri p wil l  cu t dow n o n
you r  mile s  pe r  gallo n  (kilometer s
pe r liter) .  Pla n  eve n you r shor t
shoppin g trip s  t o  tak e  advantag e
o f throug h  street s  t o  avoi d  traffi c
lights .  Pac e  you r drivin g t o  avoi d
unplanne d stops .
Excessive  Idling
A n idlin g engin e  use s fuel , too . I f
you'r e face d wit h mor e tha n a  fe w
minute s wai t an d you'r e no t i n traffic
,  i t i s bette r t o tur n of f th e
ke y  an d star t th e engin e  agai n
later .
Repetitive  Harsh Stopping
Hars h stop s ca n als o wast e fuel ;
instea d o f movin g th e vehicle , th e
energ y is  waste d a s hea t i n
braking . Energ y i n  th e for m o f
fue l i s  als o neede d to  accelerat e
bac k t o  drivin g speed .
Lubricants
 A  well-lubricate d vehicl e mean s
les s frictio n betwee n movin g
parts . Thi s manua l list s th e prope r
lubricatio n interval s i n  th e "Car e
an d Maintenance " section .
Air  Cleaner
You r vehicl e get s it s powe r fro m a
mixtur e o f fue l an d air . Th e ai r i s
take n int o th e engin e throug h th e
Drivin g  Tip s 
Page 175 of 317

ai
r cleaner , s o it' s importan t t o
replac e th e ai r cleane r filte r a t
require d intervals . Se e "Car e an d
Maintenance. " A  dirt y ai r cleane r
filte r reduce s engin e performanc e
an d  ca n wast e fuel .
Air   Conditioning
Tur n of f th e ai r conditionin g whe n
i t  i s no t needed . Th e ai r
conditionin g compresso r i s no t o n
i n  thi s positio n an d th e reduce d
engin e loa d ca n improv e fue l
economy .
Tuned  Engine
A n  engin e  tha t i s  properl y
maintaine d wil l provid e bette r
fue l  econom y  tha n  on e tha t i s not .
On e misfirin g spar k plu g wil l  cu t
fue l  econom y significantly ,  an d
wil l  mak e  a  differenc e in   th e
amoun t  o f pollutio n  emitte d fro m
you r vehicle .
 Excessive
 Weight
Fue l econom y i s relate d t o th e
wor k th e engin e mus t do .  Th e
heavie r th e load ,  th e mor e fue l i t
take s t o ru n you r vehicle .  Kee p
weigh t t o  a  minimu m b y removin g
unnecessar y  luggag e  o r cargo .
Tire   Inflation
Underinflatio n no t onl y  cause s
needles s tir e wea r bu t ca n  als o
wast e fuel . It' s a  goo d ide a to
chec k tir e pressur e ofte n an d kee p
you r tire s inflate d t o th e  pressure s
show n o n th e tir e placar d locate d
o n th e driver' s doorjamb .
 Wheel
 Alignment
Imprope r  alignmen t wil l  cause  the
fron t tire s t o rol l a t a n angl e tha t
wil l  resul t i n  faste r tir e  wear .  I t
take s  powe r t o  overcom e  thi s
imprope r  alignment , which , i n
turn , waste s fuel .
Use  of 4-Wheel Drive
I n   norma l  driving ,  pu t  th e
4WD-2W D switc h i n th e 2W D
position .
Drivin g Tip s 
Page 176 of 317

Three-Wa
y Catalyti c Converte r
Th e three-wa y catalyti c converte r
i s  a n emission s contro l devic e
adde d to  th e exhaus t syste m to
reduc e  exhaus t  ga s pollutants .  Th e
converte r contain s a  cerami c
materia l coate d wit h nobl e meta l
catalysts . T o preven t
contaminatio n  o f th e  catalysts ,
unleade d gasolin e mus t b e  used .
Unleade d gasolin e  als o  reduce s
combustio n chambe r  deposit s  an d
exhaus t syste m corrosion .
Th e  three-wa y  catalyti c converte r
require s th e us e o f unleade d
gasoline . Us e o f leade d gasolin e
wil l caus e th e converte r t o  los e it s
effectiveness .
T o Hel p Preven t Damag e
1 .  Kee p you r engin e properl y
maintained . Engin e
malfunction s involvin g th e electrical
,  electroni c fue l
injectio n o r ignitio n  system s
ma y  resul t  i n unusuall y  hig h
converte r  an d exhaus t  syste m
temperatures .  D o  no t  kee p
drivin g  you r  vehicl e  i f yo u
detec t  engin e misfire ,
noticeabl e  los s  o f performance ,
o r  othe r unusua l  operatin g
conditions .  Hav e  i t  service d
promptly .  A  properl y
maintaine d  engin e wil l
minimiz e  malfunction s  tha t
coul d damage  th e  converter .  I t
wil l  als o  hel p provid e  goo d
emission s contro l  an d fue l
economy .  (Se e th e
Maintenanc e  Schedul e  o n page
20 4 fo r informatio n o n
inspectin g an d maintainin g th e
engine , exhaus t syste m an d
othe r  components. ) 2
.  D o no t pus h o r to w you r
vehicl e t o star t it . Thi s coul d
damag e th e converter .
3 .  D o no t par k you r vehicl e  ove r
hig h grass , dr y leave s o r othe r
combustibl e materials . Th e
catalyti c converte r get s ver y
ho t an d coul d  se t fir e t o these
materials .
Drivin g Tip s 
Page 177 of 317

Operatio
n i n
Foreig n Countrie s
I f yo u  ar e plannin g t o  tak e you r
Hond a outsid e th e U.S .  o r
Canada , contac t th e touris t
bureau s i n  th e  area s yo u wil l b e
travelin g in  t o fin d  ou t  abou t  th e
availabilit y  o f unleade d  gasolin e
wit h th e prope r octan e rating .
I f unleade d  gasolin e  i s  no t
available , b e awar e tha t usin g
leade d gasolin e  i n you r  Hond a
wil l  affec t  performanc e  an d fue l
mileage , an d damag e it s
emission s controls .  I t wil l n o
longe r compl y wit h  U.S .  an d
Canadia n emission s regulations ,
an d wil l b e illega l t o operat e in
Nort h America . T o brin g you r
vehicl e  bac k int o  complianc e wil l
requir e  th e  replacemen t  o f severa l
components , suc h a s th e oxyge n
senso r an d th e  three-wa y catalyti c
converter .  Thes e replacement s
ar e  no t covere d unde r warranty .
Accessorie
s  &   Modification s
Modifyin g  you r vehicle ,  o r
installin g  som e  non-Hond a
accessories ,  ca n  mak e  you r vehicl e
unsafe .  Befor e yo u  mak e  an y
modification s  o r  ad d  an y
accessories , b e  sur e to   rea d th e
followin g information .
Accessories
 You r deale r  ha s Genuin e Hond a
accessorie s  tha t allo w yo u t o
personaliz e you r vehicle .  Thes e
accessorie s hav e bee n designe d an d
approve d fo r you r vehicle ,  an d ar e
covere d b y warranty .
Non-Hond a accessorie s ar e
usuall y  designe d fo r universa l
applications . Althoug h
aftermarke t  accessorie s  ma y fi t o n
you r vehicle , the y ma y no t mee t
factor y specifications ,  an d coul d
adversel y  affec t  you r vehicle' s
handlin g an d stability .  (See "Modifications
" o n th e nex t pag e
fo r  additiona l  information. )
Whe n properl y installed , ca r
phones , alarms , two-wa y radios ,
an d low-powere d audi o system s
shoul d no t interfer e wit h you r
vehicle' s computer-controlle d
Drivin g Tip s
Imprope
r accessorie s  o r
modification s  ca n  affec t
you r vehicle' s  handling ,
stabilit y an d  performance ,
an d  caus e  a  cras h  i n
whic h  yo u  ca n  b e  hur t o r
killed .
Follo w al l  instruction s  i n
thi s  owner' s  manua l
regardin g accessorie s  an d
modifications . 
Page 178 of 317

systems
, suc h a s th e  SR S an d
anti-loc k brak e  system .
However ,  i f electroni c  accessorie s
ar e improperl y installed , o r
excee d  you r vehicle' s  electrica l
syste m capacity ,  the y  ca n interfer e
wit h  th e  operatio n o f you r vehicle ,
o r eve n  caus e  th e  airbag s t o
deploy .
Befor e  installin g  an y  accessory : Mak
e  sur e  th e  accessor y  doe s
no t  obscur e  an y lights ,  o r
interfer e wit h  prope r  vehicl e
operatio n  o r performance . B
e  sur e  electroni c  accessorie s
d o  no t overloa d electrica l
circuit s  (se e pag e 240 ). Hav
e  th e  installe r  contac t  you r
Hond a  deale r  fo r  assistanc e
befor e  installin g  an y  electroni c
accessory .
 I
f possible ,  hav e  you r  deale r
inspec t  th e  fina l  installation .
Modification s
D o no t remov e  an y origina l
equipmen t o r modif y  you r vehicl e
i n   an y wa y  tha t woul d  alte r it s
desig n o r operation . Thi s coul d
mak e you r vehicl e unsaf e an d
illega l  t o  drive .
Fo r  example ,  d o  no t  mak e  an y
modification s tha t woul d chang e
th e rid e heigh t o f you r vehicle , o r
instal l wheel s an d tire s wit h a
differen t overal l  diameter .
Suc h modification s ca n adversel y
affec t handling ,  an d interfer e wit h
th e operatio n o f th e vehicle' s
anti-loc k brake s an d othe r
systems .
I n   addition ,  an y  modification s  tha t
decrease  groun d clearance
 increas
e  th e  chanc e  o f
undercarriag e part s strikin g  a
curb ,  spee d bump , o r othe r raise d
object , whic h coul d  caus e you r
airbag s  t o  deploy .
D o  no t modif y  you r  steerin g
whee l  o r  an y  othe r  par t  o f you r
Supplementa l  Restrain t  System .
Modification s  coul d  mak e  th e
syste m ineffective .
Additiona l  Safet y Precautio n
D o no t attac h o r plac e object s  o n
th e airba g covers . An y objec t
attache d to , o r place d on , th e
cover s marke d "SRS, " i n  th e
cente r o f th e steerin g whee l  an d
o n to p o f th e dashboard , coul d
interfer e wit h th e prope r operatio n
o f th e  airbags .  Or , i f th e  airbag s
inflate , th e object s coul d b e
propelle d insid e th e vehicl e an d
hur t someone .
Drivin g  Tip s 
Page 179 of 317

Carryin
g  Carg o
Your vehicl e  ha s  severa l
convenien t storag e  area s  s o yo u
ca n sto w  carg o safely .
Th e glov e box , th e consol e
compartment ,  an d th e pocket s i n
th e fron t doors , seat-backs ,  an d
carg o  are a  ar e designe d fo r small ,
lightweigh t items .  Th e  carg o  are a
i s  intende d fo r larger ,  heavie r
items . I n addition , th e bac k sea t
ca n b e folde d dow n t o allo w yo u
t o   carr y mor e  carg o o r longe r
items .
However , carryin g to o muc h
cargo , o r improperl y  storin g it ,
ca n affec t you r vehicle' s handling ,
stability ,  an d operatio n an d mak e
i t  unsafe .  Befor e carryin g  an y
typ e o f cargo , b e sur e  t o  rea d th e
followin g pages .
Drivin g Tin s 
Page 180 of 317

Loa
d  Limi t
Th e maximu m loa d fo r you r
vehicl e is :
LX2W D
manua l  trans :  89 5 I b (40 7 kg )
automati c trans :  84 0 I b (38 2 kg )
LX4W D
manua l  trans :  90 5 I b  (41 1 kg )
automati c trans :  85 0 I b  (38 6 kg )
E X
manua l  trans :  93 0 I b  (42 3  kg )
automati c trans :  87 5  I b  (39 8 kg )
Thi s  figur e  include s  th e  tota l  weigh t
o f  al l  occupants ,  cargo ,  accessories,
an d  th e  tongu e  weigh t  i f yo u  ar e
towin g  a   trailer .
 T
o figur e ou t ho w muc h carg o
yo u ca n carry :
 Ad
d u p  th e weigh t o f al l
occupants .
 I
f yo u  ar e towin g a  trailer ,  ad d
th e tongu e weigh t t o th e
numbe r  above .
 Subtrac
t th e tota l fro m th e
maximu m loa d figure .
Th e fina l numbe r i s th e tota l
weigh t o f carg o yo u  ca n carry .
Drivin g Tip s
 Overloadin
g  o r  imprope r
loadin g  ca n  affec t handlin g
an d  stabilit y an d  caus e  a
cras h  i n whic h yo u  ca n  b e
hur t  o r  killed .
Follo w al l loa d limit s an d
othe r  loadin g  guideline s  i n
thi s  manual .