Honda Passport & Light: 10 Questions Answered (For Newbies)

The Honda Passport used to be a run-of-the-mill re-badged Isuzu SUV.

However, following its re-introduction in 2019, the Honda Passport has become an exciting crossover sure to thrill enthusiasts.

As is common with other vehicles, understanding the workings of the Honda Passport’s lighting system may take some time.

So, we prepared this guide as a crash course on all things related to lights on the Honda Passport.

Which Light Bulbs Sizes and Types Do Honda Passports Use?

Honda Passport models are split into two generations.

The first-generation models are those produced between 1994 and 2002, while second-generation Passports released in 2019 and later.

As expected, the two generations of Honda Passport models don’t use the same type or size of light bulb.

So, you must be careful when buying replacement headlight bulbs for your Passport.

The first-generation Honda Passport models used a 9003 bulb for high beam and low beam headlights between 1994 and 2002.

They also used a 1157 bulb and a 1156 bulb for the taillight and backup light, respectively.

Second-generation Honda Passports use a 9005 bulb for high beams and LED bulbs for low beams. The taillight also uses LED bulbs, while the backup light uses a 7440 bulb.

Check here for the price of Honda Passport light bulbs on Amazon

How to Turn Off Daytime Running Lights on a Honda Passport

Per statistics, Daytime Running Lights or DRLs help reduce risk of accidents by increasing visibility.

They ensure that you’re visible to other road users, making roads safer.

But that’s where the good bit ends.

DRLs are notorious for shortening lifespan of headlights and place undue strain on the alternator.

Also, they can make movie-watching at drive-in theaters unpleasant due to their constant operation.

Thankfully, turning off the DRLs on your Honda Passport is easy. You just need to find the fuse box, also called power distribution box, and disconnect the DRL fuse.

You can find the fuse box under the steering column in your Honda Passport.

Once you do, open it and remove the fuse marked “Daytime” or “DRL”. And that’s it—you have gotten rid of those pesky daytime running lights.

Make sure to read our article about how long the Honda Passport lasts

Honda Passport Light indicator Symbols Explained

For a noob driver, the indicators on a Honda Passport’s dashboard can resemble Runic symbols—complex and difficult to understand.

If you’re in the same position, we have a reference table you can use to decipher the meaning of Honda Passport light indicators:

Light Indicator Symbol Meaning
Low Oil Pressure Your engine oil is low
Charging System The charging system is malfunctioning, or you have a bad battery
Low Fuel The vehicle has meagre fuel left in the tank
Check Engine The engine has a serious malfunction
Smart Entry System Your vehicle’s smart system has an issue
Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) The antilock brakes are not working properly.
Tire Pressure Warning Your tires don’t have enough air pressure in them
Vehicle Stability Assist System Your VSA system is active or it has a problem
Brake System  The braking system has a fault—low brake fluid, bad brakes, worn brake parts, etc.
Maintenance Minder Your vehicle is due for scheduled maintenance
Blind Spot Warning You have vehicles in your blindspot(s)
Electric Power Steering The EPAS system on your vehicle is faulty
Restraint System Your active restraint system (airbags) is malfunctioning. The airbags may not work in a crash.
High Temperature Warning Your vehicle’s temperature has reached the point where it’s overheating
Seat Belt Reminder One or more occupants are yet to use their seat belts

How Do You Adjust the Light on a Honda Passport?

Aiming your Honda Passport’s headlights can help reduce the chances of getting involved in an accident.

Read our step-by-step tutorial on how to adjust lights on your Honda Passport:

  1. Get the vehicle parked on a flat surface, about 25 feet away from a wall or garage door.
  2. Turn on headlights and note how they project on the wall.
  3. Tell a friend to stay in the vehicle while you adjust the headlights.
  4. Locate the headlight assembly under the hood and access the adjuster screws.
  5. Turn the top adjusting screws clockwise to move the headlight beam downwards.
  6. Do the same to the side adjusting screws to move the headlight beam sideways.
  7. As you adjust the headlights, ensure to monitor how they project on the wall. This way, you can know if they are straightened well enough.

Please also check our article about the Honda Passport in snow and winter driving

How Does the Auto Light Sensitivity Work?

The Auto Light Sensitivity system controls the operation of your automatic headlights.

Automatic lights are sensitive to light and will switch on and off in response to changes in ambient light.

For sake of clarity, “ambient light” is natural light that occurs in the atmosphere. When ambient light is low, i.e., it is dark, the lights will come on and vice versa.

How sensitive your lights are to these changes in ambient light determine their operation.

If auto light sensitivity is high, the lights will switch on if sensors detect a slight drop in ambient light, i.e., it is slightly dark.

Low auto light sensitivity means your headlights will only come on if ambient light is extremely low, i.e., it’s very dark.

So, while high-sensitivity lights can come on as early as evening, low-sensitivity lights will only switch on late into the night.

The Auto Light Sensitivity feature on Honda Passports allow you to set your preferred level of sensitivity. And you can select other sensitivity levels asides from High and Low. ‘

Note that some features will only work when the key is inserted in your Honda Passport.

What Can Cause the Drive Light to Blink?

When the Drive Light Indicator blinks on your Honda Passport, it is a sign that your transmission is in grave danger.

The best thing you can do is ask a trained tech to diagnose the vehicle to figure out the problem.

But, before that, you can run some checks to know the issue that’s causing the Drive Light to blink. Here are some transmission-related issues to watch out for:

  1. Faulty speed sensor
  2. Worn shift solenoid
  3. Clogged-up strainer
  4. Faulty binding mechanism

Also read our article about where Honda Passports are made

Can I Use Headlight Covers on a Passport?

Before you use headlight covers on a Honda Passport, confirm if doing so is legal.

Some areas in the US have banned headlight covers, so know if they are permitted in your county/state.

Headlight covers are popular, as they can keep headlights clean and fog-free.

But their tinted color can impede headlight beams, which is why they remain controversial.

The Dome/Interior Light Isn’t Working

A malfunctioning dome light can result from a bad dome light bulb.

If the bulb’s worn, your dome light may not come on when the door is open (like it should).

Also, the problem may be a side effect of faults in the dome light unit itself.

If the mounting screw is missing or loose, your dome light can malfunction. Shorted circuits and a loose dome light switch are also common suspects.

Still, we advise you to ask for advice from an automotive electrician. He can correctly diagnose the issue and prescribe a solution.

Do Honda Passport Have LED Lights?

LED lights are preferable, because they offer better visibility and are very energy efficient.

If you want a Honda Passport with standard LED lights, the newer post-2019 models are advisable.

Older Passports released during the first production run (1994-2002) don’t have any standard LED bulbs.

But you can get aftermarket LED bulbs if the halogen bulbs aren’t good enough.

The Lights Come on But the Car Won’t Start

Are you left frustrated because your lights come on when you twist the ignition, but the car refuses to start? Well, we have listed the possible causes of this problem and how to solve it.

The issue is often tied to a defective ignition system; if the ignition is malfunctioning, your vehicle cannot start. So, check your ignition system for signs of a malfunction if this problem surfaces.

Your car won’t have enough power to start if the battery is weak or dead. Therefore, make sure you have enough current in your battery before starting the vehicle.

Other parts you should inspect include: starter, fuse, and alternator. Check for signs of wear or damage; replace if necessary.

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