Honda 2003 Accord Owner's Manual page 229

Automatic Transmission
Engine Speed Limiter
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may feel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
226
Driving
Shift Lock Release
This allows you to move the shift
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
1. Set the Parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
COVER
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shift
3.
Lock Release slot cover next to
the shift lever.
Use a small flat-tipped screwdriver
or finger nail file to remove the
cover. Carefully pry off the edge
of the cover.