Honda Accord Coupe L4 (2011 year). Manual

There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common for boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.

If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successful it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking effectiveness and
create a potential hazard.

See your trailer dealer or rental
agency for more information on
installing electric brakes.

Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories require special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Even if they don’t, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.

Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with federal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Check with your local trailer sales or
rental agencies for the requirements
in the area where you plan to tow,
and use only equipment designed for
your vehicle.

Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and affect your vehicle
warranty.

Ask your trailer sales or rental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required for your
towing situation.

Towing a Trailer

Trailer Brakes

Trailer Lights

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The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will affect your
vehicle’s handling and performance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.

The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.

Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inflated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inflated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.

When preparing to tow, and before
driving away, be sure to check the
following:

The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.

The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.

All weights and loads are within
limits.

The hitch, safety chains, and any
other attachments are secure.

All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shift
while you drive.

For your safety and the safety of
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers before heading for the
open road, and follow the guidelines
in this section.

Towing a Trailer

Driving Safely With a Trailer

Pre-Tow Checklist

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CONTINUED

If the automatic transmission fluid
temperature increases and exceeds
the specified limit, the transmission
will also automatically downshift to
the first gear even with the
Sequential Sportshift Mode. This
prevents the automatic transmission
from overheating. In this case, the
gear position ‘‘1’’ next to the ‘‘M’’
indicator in the instrument panel
blinks for about five seconds, then it
stays on.

When driving uphill and downhill,
use the S position (without using the
paddle shifters) to provide the
proper engine power and engine
braking on each gear. You can also
use the paddle shifters. In this case,
select third, second, or first gear
with the paddle shifter; depending on
the vehicle speeds and road
condition. Do not use fourth and fifth
gears.

Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
can hit or run over something the
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance for braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknife or turn over.

Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits for vehicles with trailers.

Do not exceed the limited speed
when towing a trailer. At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
affect vehicle handling (see ‘‘

’’ in the next page for

additional gear information).

If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.

D3 is the proper shift lever position
to use when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain.

V6 models with automatic transmission

4-cylinder models with automatic
transmission

Towing a Trailer

Towing Speeds and Gears

Making Turns and Braking

Driving

on Hills

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When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning off, reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and always apply engine
braking by shifting down. If your
vehicle has a manual transmission,
when going down a steep hill, use
the second gear to provide greater
engine braking.

Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember, it will take longer to slow
down and stop when towing a trailer.

If you must stop when facing uphill,
use the foot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.

Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and use the S mode. You
can also use the paddle shifters to
change the gear position. Select third,
second or first gear depending on
the vehicle speeds and road
condition. When going down a steep
hill, use second gear to provide
greater engine braking. Shift down
to first gear when driving up steep
hills.

If the automatic transmission shifts
frequently while going up a hill, shift
to D3.

When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shift down to the
second gear.

V6 models with automatic transmission

4-cylinder models with automatic
transmission

Driving on Hills

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Towing a Trailer

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Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the

of the steering wheel,

then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the left, and
turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.

Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including firmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in first or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.

Your vehicle is not designed to be
towed behind a motor home. If your
vehicle needs to be towed in an
emergency, see page

415

bottom

Backing Up

Parking

Towing Your Vehicle

Towing a Trailer

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This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to follow basic
maintenance safety precautions.

This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions for simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself.

If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page

for information on how to

obtain a copy, or see your dealer.

......................

Maintenance Safety

. 340

.................

Maintenance Minder

. 341

..............................

Fluid Locations

. 348

........................

Adding Engine Oil

. 350

Changing the Engine Oil and

...........................................

Filter

. 352

..............................

Engine Coolant

. 354

....................

Windshield Washers

. 356

.......................

Transmission Fluid

. 357

..........

Automatic Transmission

. 357

..............

Manual Transmission

. 359

................

Brake and Clutch Fluid

. 362

....................

Power Steering Fluid

. 363

....................................

Timing Belt

. 364

.............................................

Lights

. 365

................

Cleaning the Seat Belts

. 374

.....................................

Floor Mats

. 375

..................

Dust and Pollen Filter

. 375

.................................

Wiper Blades

. 376

...............................................

Tires

. 379

...................

Checking the Battery

. 387

.............................

Vehicle Storage

. 388

..................................

Interior Care

. 389

U.S. Vehicles:

439

Maintenance

Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certified’’ to EPA
standards.

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To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions before you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.

To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.

not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.

Some of the most important safety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perform a given task.

Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is off.

To reduce the possibility of fire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all fuel-related parts.

Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.

All service items not detailed in this
section should be performed by a
certified technician or qualified
mechanic.

Let the

engine and exhaust system cool
down before touching any parts.

Be sure there is

adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.

Maintenance Safety

Important Safety Precautions

Injury from moving parts.

Burns from hot parts.

Carbon Monoxide poison from
engine exhaust.

Potential Vehicle Hazards

340

Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.

Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.

Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.

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Calculated Engine

Oil Life (%)

100%

91%

90%

81%

80%

71%

70%

61%

60%

51%

50%

41%

40%

31%

30%

21%

20%

16%

15%

11%

10%

Displayed

Engine Oil Life (%)

100%

90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
15%
10%

5%
0%

Your vehicle displays engine oil life
and maintenance service items on
the information display to show you
when you should have your dealer do
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance service.

Based on the engine operating
conditions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil life and displays it as a
percentage.

To see the current engine oil life,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, then press and release
the select/reset knob repeatedly
until the engine oil life indicator
appears (see page

The remaining engine oil life is
shown on the display according to
this table:

Maintenance Minder

Engine Oil Life Display

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ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR

SELECT/RESET KNOB

U.S. V6 model is shown.

Main Menu

If the remaining engine oil life is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil life indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The Maintenance Minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
next to the engine oil life indicator.

The 15 and 10 percent oil life
indicators remind you that your
vehicle will soon be due for
scheduled maintenance.

When the remaining engine oil life is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE’’ message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
every time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position.

Maintenance Minder

342

MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR

ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR

U.S. V6 model is shown.

MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE(S)

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CONTINUED

The maintenance item code or codes
indicate the main and sub items
required at the time of the oil change
(see page

You can switch the information
display from the engine oil life
display to the odometer or the trip
meter. Press and release the select/
reset knob on the instrument panel.

When the engine oil life is 15 to 1
percent, the Maintenance Minder
indicator (

) comes on every

time you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, then it goes out
if you switch the information display.

When you see this message, have
the indicated maintenance
performed by your dealer as soon as
possible.

When the remaining engine oil life is
0 percent, the engine oil life indicator
will blink. The display comes on
every time you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. The
Maintenance Minder indicator
(

) also comes on and remains

on in the instrument panel. When
you see this message, immediately
have the indicated maintenance done
by your dealer.

If you do not perform the indicated
maintenance, negative distance
traveled is displayed and begins to
blink after the vehicle has been
driven 10 miles (10 km) or more.

Negative distance traveled means
your vehicle has passed the
maintenance required point.
Immediately have the indicated
maintenance done by your dealer.

347

Maintenance Minder

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NEGATIVE DISTANCE TRAVELED

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Your dealer will reset the display
after completing the required
maintenance service. You will see
‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the information
display the next time you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.

If maintenance service is done by
someone other than your dealer,
reset the Maintenance Minder as
follows:

Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position.

Press the select/reset knob
repeatedly until the engine oil life
indicator is displayed.

To change the information display
from the engine oil life display to the
odometer or the trip meter, press
and release the select/reset knob.

When the engine oil life is 0 percent
or negative distance traveled, the
Maintenance Minder indicator
(

) remains on even if you

change the information display.

Immediately have the service
performed, and make sure to reset
the display as described as follows.

All maintenance items displayed on
the information display are in code.
For an explanation of these
maintenance codes, see page

347

Maintenance Minder

Resetting the Engine Oil Life
Display

Maintenance Main Items and Sub
Items

344

MAINTENANCE
MINDER INDICATOR

MAINTENANCE
MAIN ITEM

MAINTENANCE SUB ITEM(S)

ENGINE
OIL LIFE

U.S. V6 model is shown.

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CONTINUED

If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
correct maintenance intervals. This
can lead to serious mechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.

Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, efficient service.

Press the select/reset knob for
about 10 seconds. The engine oil
life and the maintenance item
code(s) will blink.

Press the select/reset knob for
another 5 seconds. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil life
will reset to ‘‘100.’’

Maintenance Minder

Important Maintenance
Precautions

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U.S. Vehicles:

However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualified service facility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet for more
information.

We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manufactured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be confident
of their performance and durability.

According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with

will not void your emissions

warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
information display.

You should check the following
items at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.

Engine oil level

Check every

time you fill the fuel tank. See
page

Engine coolant level

Check the

radiator reserve tank every time
you fill the fuel tank. See page

Automatic transmission

Check

the fluid level monthly. See page

Brakes

Check the fluid level

monthly. See page

Tires

Check the tire pressure

monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page

Lights

Check the operation of

the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page

Maintenance Minder

Owner’s Maintenance Checks

346

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Maintenance Minder

347

Maintenance Sub Items

Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element

Replace dust and pollen filter

Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Replace timing belt and inspect water pump
(V6 engine only)

Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant

Maintenance Main Items

Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil

and oil filter

Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items:

Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections

A
B

Symbol

1
2

3
4

Symbol

Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).

If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.

See information on maintenance and emissions warranty in the center
column on page

Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 if they are noisy.

Independent of the Maintenance Minder information, replace the brake
fluid every 3 years.

NOTE:

1 :

346

If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).

If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and from
diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000 miles
(24,000 km).

If you drive regularly in very high temperatures (over
110°F, 43°C), or in very low temperatures (under

20°F,

29°C), replace every 60,000 miles (U.S.)/100,000 km

(Canada).

Maintenance

M
inder

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Honda Accord Coupe L4 (2011 year). Manual - part 22