HONDA CR-V 2002 RD4-RD7 / 2.G Owners Manual

Remember that your CR-V has
higher ground clearance and a
higher center of gravity than
passenger vehicles designed f or use
only on pavement. This means your
vehicle can more easily tip or roll
over if you make abrupt turns or
drive on slopes.
Utility vehicles have a signif icantly
higher rollover rate than other types
of vehicles. To avoid loss of control
or rollover, be sure to f ollow all
recommendations and precautions
on page and in this section.
Seat belts are just as important of f -
road as on paved roads. Wherever
you drive, make sure you and your
passengers always wear seat belts. If
children or inf ants are along f or the
ride, see that they are properly
secured. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt.On many unpaved roads, you won’t
f ind lane markers, traf f ic signals, or
signs to warn you of possible trouble
ahead. It’s up to you to continually
assess the situation and drive within
limits.The route presents limits (some
roads are too steep and bumpy f or
example). You have limits (in driving
skills and comf ort). And your vehicle
also has limits (traction, stability, and
power, f or instance).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take proper precautions.
For example, you can have an
accident or rollover during
maneuvers such as turning, driving
on hills, or over large obstacles.
Be sure to store cargo properly, and
do not exceed your CR-V’s cargo or
trailer load limits (see pages and
). 194
198
217
Important Saf ety Precautions
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving227
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause an accident or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured or
killed.
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in the owner’s
manual.
Keep your speed low and
don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.

After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e. Check
the tires for damage and for proper
pressure. Driving of f -highway can be hard on a
vehicle. Bef ore you leave the
pavement, be sure all scheduled
maintenance and service has been
done, and that you have inspected
your vehicle. Pay special attention to
the condition of the tires, and use a
gauge to check the tire pressures. The f ollowing pages contain practical
tips on basic of f -highway operation.Of f -highway, the general rule is to
keep your speed low. Of course,
you’ll need enough speed to keep
moving forward. But at higher
speeds, you have less time to assess
conditions and make good decisions.
There’s also a greater chance of
sliding if you brake or turn too
quickly on wet soil, gravel, or ice. In
any situation, never go f aster than
conditions allow.
Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway. You may even dig
yourself into a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second gear (2) will
help get you to a smooth start on
snow and ice.Generally, the best of f -pavement
braking technique is to gently
depress the brake pedal, then
increase pressure as more braking is
needed. Avoid hard braking. Keep in
mind that you will usually need more
time and distance to brake to a stop
on unpaved surf aces.
If you need to brake hard because of
an emergency, apply steady, even
pressure to the brake pedal. Do not
pump the brakes; let the anti-lock
brakingsystempumpthemforyou.
If you pump the brakes, the anti-lock
cannot work as ef f iciently, and your
stopping distance may be increased.
With ABS
Driving T ips
Check Out Your Vehicle
Cont rolling Speed
A ccelerat ing and Braking
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving228

Bumps, holes, rocks, and other
obstacles can be hazardous. Debris
in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Even small rocks can cut your tires.
More important, because your
vehicle has a high center of gravity,
driving over a large obstacle, or
allowing a wheel to drop into a deep
hole, can cause your vehicle to tip or
roll over.
Drive slow enough to observe
obstacles ahead and maneuver
around them. If you can’t avoid a
serious obstacle, turn around and
look f or a better route.
Bef ore driving up or down a hill, stop
and assess the situation. If you can’t
clearly see all road conditions (good
traction, no bumps, holes or other
obstacles, a safe way out, etc.) walk
the slope bef ore you drive on it. If
you have any doubt about whether
you can saf ely drive on the slope,
. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue (because of
the steepness, a large obstacle, etc.), . Your vehicle
could roll over. Slowly back down the
hill, f ollowing the same route you
took up the hill.
You should have no problem making
sharp turns at low speed on level
ground. But never make an abrupt
turn at higher speeds, on or of f
pavement. With a higher center of
gravity, your vehicle can more easily
tip or roll over. Off-highway, the basic turning
technique is to drive at low speed
and gradually adjust the amount of
steering to suit the surf ace. Test your brakes from time to time
to make sure they are operating
properly. This will also give you a
f eel f or how much traction you have
on a given surf ace.
don’t do it
do not try to turn around
Avoiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving
T urning
229

Avoid driving through deep water. If
you encounter water in your route (a
small stream or large puddle, f or
example), evaluate it carefully before
going ahead. Make sure it is shallow,
f lowing slowly, and has f irm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of
the depth or the ground, turn around
andfindanotherroute.Driving through deep water can also
damage your vehicle. The water can
get into the transmission and
dif f erential, diluting the lubricant
and causing an eventual failure. It
can also wash the grease out of the
wheel bearings.You should never use a jack to try
getting unstuck. A jack only works
on f irm, level ground. Also, your
vehicle could easily slip of f the jack
and hurt you or someone else. Avoid driving on sof t sand, deep mud,
or other surf aces where you could
get stuck. If you do happen to get
stuck because of inclement weather
or other conditions, choose a saf e
and appropriate course of action.
If You Encounter Water If You Get Stuck
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving230

If you spin the wheels excessively
trying to get unstuck, you may
overheat the components of the
4-wheel drive system. If this happens,
the 4-wheel drive system shuts off
and only the f ront wheels receive
power. If this happens, stop and
allow everything to cool down. The
4-wheel drive system will work again
after its temperature drops.
If you slip the clutch f or a long time
while trying to get unstuck, you may
overheat and damage it.
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving
4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
231

232

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .234
.
Important Safety Precautions . 235
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 236 ...
Required Maintenance Record . 243
.......
Owner Maintenance Checks . 245
..............................
Fluid Locations .246
......................................
Engine Oil .247
..................................
Adding Oil .247
....................
Recommended Oil .247
..............................
Synthetic Oil .248
....................................
Additives .248
.....
Changing the Oil and Filter . 249
.............................
Cooling System .251
............
Adding Engine Coolant . 251
.......
Replacing Engine Coolant . 253
....................
Windshield Washers .258
.......................
Transmission Fluid .260
..........
Automatic Transmission . 260
5-speed Manual .........................
Transmission .261
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 262
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 263
............................
Brake System .263
...........................
Clutch System .264
..............................
Power Steering .264
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .265
....................................
Hood Latch .266
....................................
Spark Plugs .267
..............................
Replacement .267 ............................
Specif ications .268
...........................................
Battery .269
.................................
Wiper Blades .271
..............
Air Conditioning System . 274
..................
DustandPollenFilter . 275
.......................................
Drive Belt .277
...............................................
Tires .278
......................................
Inf lation .278
Recommended Tire Pressures f or Normal ...........................
Driving .279
Tire Pressure Adjustment f or ..........
High Speed Driving . 279
..................................
Inspection .280
..............................
Maintenance .280
.............................
Tire Rotation .281
...
Replacing Tires and Wheels . 282
......................
Wheels and Tires .283
..........................
Winter Driving .283
.............................
Snow Tires .283
............................
Tire Chains .284
.............................................
Lights .285
.....................
Headlight Aiming .287
........................
Replacing Bulbs .287
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .295
357
Maintenance
Maint enance233

Regularly maintaining your vehicle is
the best way to protect your
investment. Proper maintenance is
essential to your saf ety and the
saf ety of your passengers. It will also
reward you with more economical,
trouble-f ree driving and help reduce
air pollution.Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
This section includes instructions f or
simple maintenance tasks, such as
checking and adding oil. Any service
items not detailed in this section
should be perf ormed by a Honda
technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Maint enance
Maintenance Saf ety
234
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.

Bef ore you begin any maintenance,
make sure your vehicle is parked on
level ground and that the parking
brake is set. Also, be sure the engine
is of f . This will help to eliminate
several potential hazards:Be sure
there is adequate ventilation
whenever you operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
bef ore touching any parts.
Do
not run the engine unless in-
structed to do so. Read the instructions before you
begin, and make sure you have the
tools and skills required.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, be caref ul when working
around gasoline or batteries. Use a
commercially available degreaser or
parts cleaner, not gasoline, to clean
parts. Keep cigarettes, sparks, and
flames away from the battery and all
f uel-related parts.
You should wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
near the battery or when using
compressed air.
Maintenance Saf ety
Maint enance
Important Saf ety Precautions
Carbon monoxide poisoning
f rom engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
235

µ
The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your
vehicle serviced and what things
need attention. It is essential that
you have your vehicle serviced as
scheduled to retain its high level of
saf ety, dependability, and emissions
control perf ormance.
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your vehicle. The
load limit is shown on the label on
the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page). Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
184
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S.Owners
236