The BATTERY CHARGE LOW or BATT LOW warning message on my dash is on. What does that mean and what should I do?
For vehicles equipped with the Battery Management
System, this message occurs when the battery’s State of Charge has
dropped below a predetermined level. The message is intended to inform
you that the battery requires charging to guarantee proper performance
under all conditions (extremely cold conditions, high electrical system
demands, etc).
Conditions that may cause the battery charge to drop enough to prompt the BATTERY CHARGE LOW or BATT LOW message are:
- Extended time spent with the ignition on, but the engine not
running. The affect on the battery is made worse if the radio, lights,
heater fan or other accessories are on at the same time.
- Driving short trips repeatedly without a longer trip between
them. The starter uses a lot of energy when starting the engine. If the
engine is not run long enough, the charging system cannot recharge the
battery to the level it was at before the engine was started. Running
high-demand electrical accessories, such as seat heaters, can make this
situation even worse.
- Extremely cold weather is also hard on the battery. Not only
does it require more energy to start the vehicle in the cold, but the
battery just doesn’t work as well.
If any of these conditions occur, and the battery charge drops below a
certain level, the battery management system informs the driver that the
battery may not be able to start the vehicle in extreme cases by
illuminating the BATTERY CHARGE LOW or BATT LOW warning message. While
this message does mean the battery charge is low, it usually does not
mean that the battery won’t start the engine.
If you see the BATTERY CHARGE LOW or BATT LOW message, don’t panic. It
simply means the battery charge is lower than it should be. This can be
fixed by taking longer trips between shorter trips, minimizing
unnecessary electrical accessory usage during short trips, and spending
less time using electrical accessories while the engine is not running.
The battery management system is intended to protect the driver from
allowing the battery charge to drop to a point where it cannot start the
vehicle. By using it as a guide, not only will the life of the battery
be extended, but the chances of the vehicle not starting due to a
discharged battery will be greatly reduced.
Where can I find out more about Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (phone compatibility, pairing a phone, etc)?
For information about Bluetooth HandsFreeLink (HFL),
such as checking phone compatibility, how to pair a phone, or importing
an address book, please visit
http://automobiles.honda.com/handsfreelink/ or call (888) 528-7876.
The battery was disconnected from my vehicle and now my radio display
is flashing "CODE" and the radio doesn't work. Where can I find my
radio code?
If an audio unit with theft protection is
disconnected from electrical power, you must enter a unique code into
the unit or it will not work. This code and the audio unit's serial
number are listed on the anti-theft ID card that comes with the vehicle.
If this card is lost, you must obtain the audio unit serial number in
order to get the radio code. Once you have the audio unit serial number,
you can go to the Radio & Navigation System Micro-site to retrieve
your radio code. Some newer vehicles allow you to retrieve the audio
unit serial number electronically from the radio. Refer to your owner's
manual for the specific procedure. Most older vehicles (model year 2003
and older) require a visit to the dealer in order to retrieve the audio
unit serial number. If dealer assistance is required to retrieve your
serial number, the dealer will be able to provide the radio code as
well.
How can I find out if my vehicle is affected by a campaign?
There are a number of ways to find out if your
vehicle is affected by a campaign (recall, product update, or extended
warranty). You can either call Automobile Customer Service at
1-800-999-1009 (press the appropriate option for Campaign information)
or you can access information on any campaign affecting your vehicle
through
Owner Link.
How often do I need to change the oil in my vehicle?
There are many variables that determine how often an
oil change is needed (climate, drive time, highway or city street
driving, etc.). You should refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section in
the appropriate owner's manual for specific information.
How often do I need to change the timing belt on my vehicle?
Depending on the model year of the vehicle, it is
typically between 60,000 and 90,000 miles. If your vehicle has a timing
chain, instead of a timing belt, replacement of the timing chain is not
required. Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section of the appropriate
owner's manual for specific information.
My USB Audio Interface doesn't play music after upgrading to OS 4.0 on my iPhone/iPod touch.
A hard reset (complete power off) to the device
should resolve this problem. To perform a hard reset, hold the home
button (below the screen) and the stand-by button (on the top) until the
device reboots (ignore the "slide to power off" and wait until the
Apple logo appears).
Note: if a non-reset OS 4.0 iPhone/iPod touch is connected to the
vehicle and disconnected, other OS 3.x iPods/iPhones may not work until
the vehicle has been restarted.
Is it possible to tow my Honda vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (dinghy towing)?
For model year 2006 and newer, if a Honda vehicle is
approved for towing with all four wheels on the ground, it will be
noted in the Owner's Manual for that vehicle. Please refer to the
owner's manual for specific towing instructions.
For model year 2005 and older, dinghy towing capability may or may not
be possible. Please contact Honda Automobile Customer Service
(800-999-1009) for additional information on whether or not your
specific 2005 or older vehicle may be dinghy towable.
Where can I purchase an updated Navigation disc?
Updated Navigation DVDs can be purchased at
www.hondanavi.com. You can also access this link through Owner Link if you have registered a vehicle that has a navigation system.
Why do my brakes make a squealing noise sometimes when I apply them lightly at low speeds?
As described in some owner's manuals, the squealing
noise is caused by high-frequency vibration of the brake pads against
the rotating brake disc. Vibration is the unavoidable result of friction
generated by the pads as the caliper clamps them against the rotating
disc. Under average braking conditions, some brake noise is normal and
cannot be eliminated.
Normally, the shims and the high-temperature grease between the pads and
the brake caliper dampen and isolate most of the vibration. The level
of vibration, however, is affected by outside temperature and humidity,
by road conditions (mud, dust, and road salt), and by the condition or
thickness of the brake pad material.
If the squealing noise is abnormally loud, have the brakes inspected and checked for pad wear.
Why do my brakes make a single "click" noise when I back out of a parking place and once again when I drive forward?
A clearance between the brake caliper brackets and
the ends of the brake pads allows for heat expansion and avoids
corrosion between the caliper bracket and the brake pads. That clearance
can cause the pads to hit the caliper brackets when you first apply the
brakes in a new directions of travel. When you back up and apply the
brakes and then drive forward and apply the brakes, the single "click"
noise you hear is a normal characteristic of the brake system.
Why do I hear a groaning noise when I start my car and then leave for work in the morning?
On models with a compact anti-lock brake system
(ABS) unit, the vehicle's ABS emits a brief grunt or groan when it does a
self-check. The self-check occurs when a vehicle is backed up or driven
forward after being started. The groaning noise associated with the ABS
self-check is a normal characteristic; it doesn't mean there is a
problem with the ABS.
Why does my brake pedal sometimes feel like it sinks when I'm holding my car stopped at a light?
This change in brake pedal height is caused by an
increase in engine vacuum. The "power brakes" system in most modern
vehicles uses engine vacuum to boost the amount of force applied to the
brake pedal by the driver of the car. The device that does this, called
the brake "booster", makes it easier for the driver to stop the vehicle.
Engine vacuum is affected by many different conditions. Engine vacuum is
highest when all accessories are off and the accelerator pedal is
released (low load), and lowest when all accessories are turned on and
the accelerator pedal is held to the floor (high load). Any change in
engine vacuum (load) can affect the amount of "assist," or boost,
provided by the brake booster.
One system that applies a noticeable load to the engine is the air
conditioning. During normal operation, the air conditioning system
constantly cycles on and off, changing the amount of load on the engine.
When the air conditioning cycles off, the load on the engine is
decreased and the amount of engine vacuum is increased. If the driver is
applying the brake pedal when the air conditioning cycles off, the
increase in engine vacuum increases the amount of boost applied to the
brake pedal. That increase is felt as a slight drop in brake pedal
height and is a normal characteristic.
When I look through the side of the windshield on my car, it's all wavy and distorted. Is this normal?
This distortion is called "cross-car distortion."
You will notice it when you're watching a vehicle cross in front of your
car and also when you're turning left and looking through the right
side of the windshield at other vehicles. Front-seat passengers see the
same distortion when they look through the left side of the windshield.
Since cross-car distortion occurs when you look through the glass at an
angle, it may be even more noticeable for short drivers. Wearing
nonprescription sunglasses, which tend to reduce depth perception, also
may increase the perceived distortion.
Some cross-car distortion exists in the windshields of Honda vehicles
manufactured since 1994. In fact, all of these recent Honda windshields
have this distortion to some degree, and the condition should be
considered normal. Because the aerodynamic windshield of recent Hondas
is at more of an angle than in the past, the cross-car distortion may be
slightly more noticeable, even though the jump distortion is at the
same low level as before. These windshields meet all applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for glazing materials, and this minor
distortion is allowable within the industry specifications for
automotive glass.
Is it normal for my head lights to dim slightly and then come back to normal while my car is stopped at a light?
This is a normal characteristic and is caused by
variations in the electrical system created by the onboard computer. The
computer controls the output of the electrical charging system to
improve fuel economy and minimize vehicle vibration.
While the engine is at idle, the computer monitors the electrical usage
of the car and then controls the electrical charging system so that it
charges just enough to keep up with demand. This change reduces the load
on the engine and, in turn, increases fuel economy and reduces vehicle
vibration. As electrical accessories turn on and off, the computer
changes the rate of electrical charge in response to the changes in
demand for electricity. As the computer responds to the addition of
electrical load, you may notice a momentary dimming of the lights. For
example, the headlights or instrument panel lights may briefly dim as
the air conditioning cycles on.
If my vehicle has a branded or "Salvage" title, is the warranty still valid?
Honda vehicles with titles that have been branded as
salvaged, scrapped, or dismantled are no longer covered by the new car
warranty, with the exception of some emissions warranties and safety
recalls. For further information regarding the branding of vehicle
titles, please contact your state's department of motor vehicles.
Can I change the size of the tires on my vehicle?
Honda does not recommend modifying the vehicle in
any manner, including changing the original tire size or the suspension.
Honda vehicles meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards when they are originally distributed, and modification could
affect the safety and/or operation of the vehicle, as well as remove it
from compliance with specifications and standards mandated by the
Federal Government. As with any modification, if a failure occurs on the
vehicle that can be attributed to the modification, the warranty on the
affected components may be voided.
Does Honda recommend snow tires during the winter for better performance?
For most vehicles, Honda does recommend using snow
tires or chains in snowy or icy conditions. Refer to your owner's manual
for information and recommendations for your specific vehicle.