tow HONDA PASSPORT 2002 2.G User Guide

172 Driving Tips
The
three-way catalytic converter
is an emissions control device
added to the exhaust system to
reduce exhaust gas pollutants. The
converter contains a ceramic
material coated with noble metal
catalysts. To prevent
contamination of the catalysts,
unleaded gasoline must be used.
Unleaded gasoline also reduces
combustion chamber deposits and
exhaust system corrosion.
The three-way catalytic converter
requires the use of unleaded
gasoline. Use of leaded gasoline
will cause the converter to lose its
effectiveness.
To Help Prevent Damage
1. Keep your engine properly
maintained. Engine
malfunctions involving the electrical,
electronic fuel
injection or ignition systems
may result in unusually high
converter and exhaust system
temperatures. Do not keep
driving your vehicle if you
detect engine misfire,
noticeable loss of performance,
or other unusual operating
conditions. Have it serviced
promptly. A properly
maintained engine will
minimize malfunctions that
could damage the converter. It
will also help provide good
emissions control and fuel
economy. (See the
Maintenance Schedule on page
204 for info rmation on
inspecting and maintaining the
engine, exhaust system and
other components.) 2. Do not push or tow your
vehicle to start it. This could
damage the converter.
3. Do not park your vehicle over high grass, dry leaves or other
combustible materials. The
catalytic converter gets very
hot and could set fire to these
materials.
Three-Way Catalytic Converter

175Driving Tips
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.
Carrying Cargo

176Driving Tips
Load Limit
The maximum load for your
vehicle is:
LX 2WD
manual trans: 895 lb (407 kg)
automatic trans: 840 lb (382 kg)
LX 4WD
manual trans: 905 lb (411 kg)
automatic trans: 850 lb (386 kg)
EXmanual trans: 930 lb (423 kg)
automatic trans: 875 lb (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.
Overloading or 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.

178Driving Tips
Your Honda vehicle is designed
for passenger and cargo
transportation. With the proper
equipment installed, your vehicle
can also tow a trailer under certain
conditions, as detailed in this
section. Be sure to read this entire
section and follow all
requirements.
Towing a trailer will have an
effect on handling, performance,
braking, durability and fuel
consumption.
Improperly loading your
vehicle and trailer can
seriously affect the steering
and braking performance,
causing a crash in which you
can be seriously injured.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.
Honda recommends that you do
not tow a trailer with a new
Honda vehicle or one with a new
powertrain component (engine,
transmission, differential) for the
first 500 miles.
For your safety and the safety
of others, use equipment
specifically designed for your
vehicle. Improper towing
equipment and improper
installation of same can cause
damage to your vehicle and may
also result in personal injury.
Additional care and cautious
driving habits are essential to
trailer towing.
Do not exceed 45 mph or the
posted towing speed limit,
whichever is lower. Higher speed
may cause loss of vehicle control.
Trailer Towing

179Driving Tips
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 your
Honda dealer for recommended
maintenance and service.
The gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus cargo load) must
never exceed 4,500 lb.
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 lb
4WD: 8,950 lb
•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.

180Driving Tips
•Tongue load should be between
9 percent and 11 percent of the
total trailer weight. However, it
should 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.
Trailer Hitches
A Class 3 hitch kit (up to
4,500 lb) 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 of
spring bars that are adjusted to
accomplish the distribution of the
weight.
Consult your trailer’s
manufacturer for assistance with
selecting 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.

182Driving Tips
There are no provisions in your
vehicle to tap into its hydraulic
braking system. Any attempt to
attach the trailer
’s brakes to your
vehicle’ s hydraulic braking
system, no matter how successful
it may seem, will lower braking
effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
Equipment Check
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 unloaded
trailer 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 positioned and secured
so its does not shift around while
driving.
Check 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.
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 slippery
surface, the limited slip
differential will automatically
transmit driving force to the other
rear wheel.
Limited Slip Differential

183In Case of Emergency
This section covers the most
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information on how to
safely evaluate those problems,
with tips to help get you going
again. Lastly, it tells you how to
have your vehicle towed.
Jump Starting184
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a Tire186 . . . . . . . . . .
Lifting Points187 . . . . . . . . . .
Tool Locations188 . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Overheating190 . . . . . . .
Towing 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Precautions191 . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing Tips192 . . . . . . . . . . .
All Four Wheels
on the Ground192 . . . . . .
Front Wheels
off the Ground192 . . . . . .
Rear Wheels
off the Ground193 . . . . . .
Inoperative Electrical
Devices193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

In Case of Emergency

184In Case of Emergency
Do not push or tow your vehicle
to start it. Under some conditions
this may damage the three-way
catalytic converter or other parts
of the vehicle.
If your vehicle has a discharged
battery, it can be started by using
the battery in another vehicle; a
procedure called “jump starting.”
A battery can explode if you
do not follow the correct
procedure, seriously injuring
anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
To jump start your vehicle:
1. Position the vehicle with the
good (charged) battery so that
the jump-starting cables will
reach. Do not allow the vehicles
to touch. Check to see that the
bumpers do not touch.
2. Turn off all electric motors and accessories in both
vehicles. Turn off all lights
except hazard flashers and
lights needed to light up the
work area. Turn off the
ignition, apply the parking
brake firmly, and shift an
automatic transmission to
“
P” (Park) and a manual
transmission to “
N” (Neutral)
in both vehicles.
3. Check fluid level of the battery before attempting to
charge or jump start. (Do not use an open flame to check,
and do not smoke.)
CHARGE
TEST
INDICATOR
UPPER
LEVEL
LOWER
LEVEL
CHARGING
NECESSARY
OK
BLUE COLORLESS
If the battery is a sealed type
and if the fluid level is below
the lower level line on the side
of the battery, do not try to
jump start the vehicle or
charge or test the battery. Do
not add fluid. Instead, install a
new battery.
Jump Starting

186 In Case of Emergency
6.
Start the engine of the vehicle
that has the discharged battery.
7. Remove the battery cables by
reversing the above sequence
exactly. Start by removing the
last clamp first; that is,
remove the jumper cable from
the engine of the vehicle with
the discharged battery as the
first step. If you have a flat tire while
driving, stop in a safe place to
change it. Stopping in traffic or on
the shoulder of a busy road is
dangerous. Drive slowly along the
shoulder until you get to an exit or
an area to stop that is far away
from the traffic lanes.
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by
the jack.
1.
Park on a level surface and set
the parking brake firmly. Turn
on the hazard warning flasher,
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK.
2. Set the automatic transmission
in “Park” (the manual
transmission in “Reverse”)
and transfer case in gear if it
is a four-wheel drive vehicle.
3. Have your passengers get out
of the vehicle.
4. Remove the jacking tools (see
page 188) and spare tire from
their stowage areas.
Changing a Tire