1998 Accord Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual Contents

317 Pages·2013·3.05 MB·English

1998 Accord Sedan Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... i
A Few Words About Safety.................................................................................................................ii
Driver and Passenger Safety ..............................................................................................................3
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restraint System.
Instruments and Controls.................................................................................................................47
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ..............................................................................................103
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other convenience features.
Before Driving..................................................................................................................................153
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ..............................................................................................................................................167
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.
Maintenance.....................................................................................................................................191
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care..............................................................................................................................259
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected......................................................................................................267
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.
Technical Information.....................................................................................................................293
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................307
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)......................................................................................................313
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index...................................................................................................................................................... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
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Owner's Identification
OWNER This Owner's Manual should be considered
a permanent part of the car, and should
remain with the car when it is sold.
The information and specifications included
ADDRESS in this publication were in affect at the time
STREET of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specifications or
Main Menu design at any time without notice and
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE / with out incurring any obligation whatsoever.

POSTAL CODE
V. I. N.
DELIVERY DATE
(Date sold to original retail purchaser)
DEALER NAME DEALER NO.

ADDRESS
STREET
CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

POSTAL CODE
OWNER'S SIGNATURE
DEALER'S SIGNATURE
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Introduction
Congratulations ! Your selection of a 1998 Honda Accord was a wise As you read this manual, you will
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure. find information that is preceded by
a NOTICE symbol. This
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to information is intended to help you
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and avoid damage to your Honda, other
convenience items. Afterwards, keep this owner's manual in your vehicle so property, or the environment.
you can refer to it at any time.
Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.
Maintaining your vehicle according to the schedules given in this manual
helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.
When your vehicle needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda
dealer's staff is specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to
your Honda. Your Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisfaction and will be
pleased to answer any questions and concerns.
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A Few Words About Safety
Your safety, and the safety of others, You will find this important safety information in a variety of forms,
is very important. And operating this including:
vehicle safely is an important Safety Labels — on the vehicle.
responsibility. Safety Messages — preceded by a safety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION.
To help you make informed These signal words mean:
decisions about safety, we have
provided operating procedures and You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
other information on labels and in HURT if you don't follow instructions.
this manual. This information alerts
you to potential hazards that could You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
hurt you or others. HURT if you don't follow instructions.
Of course, it is not practical or You CAN be HURT if you don't follow
possible to warn you about all the instructions.
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your vehicle. You must Safety Headings — such as Important Safety Reminders or Important
use your own good judgement. Safety Precautions.
Safety Section — such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
Instructions — how to use this vehicle correctly and safely.
This entire book is filled with important safety information — please read it
carefully.
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Driver and Passenger Safety
This section gives you important Airbags............................................ 7 If a Child Requires Close
information about how to protect Seats & Seat-Backs........................ 8 Attention................................... 20
yourself and your passengers. It Head Restraints............................. 8 Additional Safety Precautions.... 20
shows you how to use seat belts Door Locks..................................... 8 General Guidelines for Using
properly. It explains your Supple- Pre-Drive Safety Checklist........... 9 Child Seats.............................. 21
mental Restraint System. And it tells Protecting Adults............................. 10 Protecting Infants........................ 25
you how to properly restrain infants 1. Close and Lock the Doors...... 10 Protecting Small Children.......... 29
and children in your vehicle. 2. Adjust the Front Seats............ 10 Protecting Larger Children........ 32
3. Adjust the Seat-Backs............. 11 Using Child Seats with
4. Adjust the Head Restraints.... 12 Tethers...................................... 35
5. Fasten and Position the Seat Additional Information About Your
Belts...................................... 12 Seat Belts.................................. 38
6. Adjust the Steering Wheel..... 14 Seat Belt System Components... 38
7. Maintain a Proper Sitting Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 38
Position................................. 14 Seat Belt Maintenance................ 39
Advice for Pregnant Women...... 15 Additional Information About Your
Additional Safety Precautions.... 16 SRS........................................... 40
Protecting Children......................... 17 SRS Components......................... 40
All Children Must Be How Your Airbags Work............ 40
Restrained................................ 17 How Your SRS Indicator Light
Children Should Sit in the Back Works...................................... 42
Seat........................................... 18 SRS Service................................... 42
The Passenger's Airbag Poses Additional Safety Precautions.... 43
Important Safety Precautions .......... 4 Serious Risks to Children....... 18 Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 44
Your Vehicle's Safety Features........ 5 If You Must Drive with Several Safety Labels.................................... 45
Seat Belts........................................ 6 Children.................................... 19
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Important Safety Precautions
You'll find many safety Be Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
recommendations throughout this While airbags save lives, they can Excessive speed is a major factor in
section, and throughout this manual. cause serious or fatal injuries to crash injuries and deaths, Generally,
Following are a few occupants who sit too close to them, the higher the speed the greater the
recommendations we consider most or are not properly restrained. risk, but serious accidents can also
important. Infants, young children, and short occur at lower speeds. Never drive
adults are at the greatest risk. Be faster than is safe for current
Always Wear Your Seat Belt sure to follow all instructions and conditions, regardless of the
A seat belt is your best protection in warnings in this manual. (See page 5.) maximum speed posted.
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags Don't Drink and Drive Keep Your Vehicle in Safe
are designed to inflate only in a Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even Condition
severe frontal collision. So even with one drink can reduce your ability to Having a tire blowout or a
airbags, make sure you and your respond to changing conditions. mechanical failure can be extremely
passengers always wear your seat Reaction time gets worse with every hazardous. To reduce the possibility
belts, and wear them properly. (See additional drink. So don't drink and of such problems, check your tire
page 12.) drive, and don't let your friends drink pressures and condition frequently,
and drive, either. and perform all regularly scheduled
Restrain All Children maintenance. (See page 196.)
Children are safest when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
not the front seat. A child who is too
small for a seat belt must be properly
restrained in a child safety seat. (See
page 17.)
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your Vehicle's Safety Features
Your vehicle is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some safety features do not require
any action on your part. These
include a strong steel framework
that forms a safety cage around the
passenger compartment; front and
rear crush zones that are designed to
crumple and absorb energy during a
crash; and a collapsible steering
column.
These safety features are designed
to reduce the severity of injuries in a
(1) Safety Cage crash. However, you and your
(2) Crush Zones passengers can't take full advantage
(3) Seats & Seat-Backs of these safety features unless you
(4) Head Restraints remain sitting in a proper position
(5) Collapsible Steering Column and always wear your seat belts
(6) Seat Belts properly. In fact, some safety
(7) Airbags features can contribute to injuries if
(8) Door Locks they are not used properly.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your Vehicle's Safety Features
Seat Belts In addition, most states and all Help keep you from being thrown
For your safety, and the safety of Canadian provinces require you to against the inside of the car and
your passengers, your vehicle is wear seat belts. against other occupants.
equipped with seat belts in all seating
positions. Keep you from being thrown
outside of the car.
Your seat belt system also Not wearing a seat belt properly
includes a light on the increases the chance of serious Help keep you in a good position
instrument panel to remind you and injury or death in a crash, even should the airbags ever deploy. A
your passengers to fasten your seat if you have airbags. good position reduces the risk of
belts. injury from an inflating airbag, and
Be sure you and your allows you to get the best
Why Wear Seat Belts passengers always wear seat advantage from the airbag.
Seat belts are the single most belts and wear them properly.
effective safety device for adults and Of course, seat belts cannot
larger children. (Infants and smaller When properly worn, seat belts: completely protect you in every
children must be properly restrained crash. But in most cases, seat belts
in child seats.) Keep you connected to the vehicle can reduce your risk of serious
so you can take advantage of the injury.
Not wearing a seat belt properly vehicle's built-in safety features.
increases the chance of serious What you should do: Always wear
injury or death in a crash, even Help protect you in almost every your seat belt, and make sure you
though your vehicle has airbags. type of crash, including side and wear it properly.
rear impacts and rollovers. (Your
airbags can only be helpful in
severe frontal collisions.)
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your Vehicle's Safety Features
Airbags Following are the most important Airbags can pose serious hazards.
things you need to know about your To do their job, airbags must
airbags. inflate with tremendous force and
speed. So while airbags save lives,
Airbags do not replace seat belts. they can cause serious injuries to
They supplement seat belts by adults and larger children who are
providing extra protection for the not wearing seat belts, are not
heads and chests of front seat wearing them properly, are sitting
occupants. too close to the airbag, or are not
sitting in a good position. Infants
Airbags offer no protection in side and small children are at an even
impacts, rear impacts, rollovers, greater risk of injury or death.
or minor or moderate collisions.
Airbags are designed to deploy What you should do: Always wear
Your vehicle has a Supplemental only during a severe frontal your seat belt properly and sit
Restraint System (SRS) with frontal collision (such as a 25 mph [40 upright and as far back as possible
airbags to help protect the driver and km/h] crash into a parked car of from the steering wheel or
a front seat passenger. similar size and weight). dashboard.
S R S This system also includes
an indicator light on the
instrument panel to alert you to a
possible problem with the system.
Driver and Passenger Safety
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Your Vehicle's Safety Features
Seats & Seat-Backs What you should do: Move the front Door Locks
Your vehicle seats are designed to seats as far back as possible, and Keeping your doors locked reduces
keep you in a comfortable, upright keep adjustable seat-backs in an the chance of being thrown out of
position so you can take full upright position whenever the the vehicle during a crash. It also
advantage of the protection offered vehicle is moving. helps prevent occupants from
by seat belts and the seats' energy accidentally opening a door and
absorbing materials. Head Restraints falling out, and outsiders from
Head restraints can help protect you unexpectedly opening your doors.
How you adjust your seats and seat- from whiplash and other injuries. For
backs can also affect your safety. For maximum protection, the back of
example, sitting too close to the your head should rest against the
steering wheel or dashboard center of the head restraint.
increases your risk of being injured
by striking the inside of the vehicle
or being injured by an inflating
airbag.
Reclining a seat-back too far makes
your seat belt less effective and
increases your chance of sliding
under the seat belt and being
seriously injured in a crash.
Driver and Passenger Safety