HONDA CR-V 2004 RD4-RD7 / 2.G Owners Manual

To Close the Hood:
Lif t it up slightly to remove the
support rod f rom the hole. Put the
support rod back into its holding clip.
Lowerthefender,thenletitdrop.
Make sure it is securely latched.Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle). Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube.
1. 2.
3.
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
Oil Check
127
DIPSTICK

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or
inf ormation on checking other
items in your Honda.
4. 173 176167
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
128
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX RESERVE TANK
MIN

Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See(see page
).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering and
hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible. The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible. Combine several short trips into
one. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
167
For example,
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
129

Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsaf e. Bef ore
you make any modif ications or add
anyaccessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your vehicle’s electrical system
capacity, they can interf ere with the
operation of your vehicle, or even
cause the airbags to deploy.
Bef ore installing any accessory:
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation.
Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory. Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper vehicle operation or
perf ormance.
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved f or your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability (see
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information).
218
131
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
130
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective. See the saf ety
precautions on page .
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult with your Honda dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Some examples are:
Lowering your vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision. 29
Bef ore Driving
A ccessories and Modif ications
Additional Saf ety Precaution
Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing aHonda dealer.
131

ÎÎ
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.Roof -rack (if installed) Cargo area Seat-back pockets
Door pockets Tailgate pockets
Glove box
Dashboard pocket
Storage box
Center pocket
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving132
DOOR POCKETS
SEAT-BACK
POCKETS GLOVE BOX
A/T model only TAILGATE POCKETS
STORAGE BOX
DASHBOARD POCKET
CARGO AREA CENTER POCKET

·µ Determine the combined weight
of accessories, luggage, and cargo
beingloadedinthevehicle.The
weight may not saf ely exceed the
available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4 [250
lbs(115kg)inthisexample].
The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
850 lbs (395 kg). Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in the vehicle.
(Five is seating capacity of your
vehicle.)
For example, if there will be f our 150
lbs (70 kg) occupants in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 250 lbs (115
kg).
4 150 lbs (70 kg) = 600 lbs (280
kg)
850 lbs (395 kg) 600 lbs (280 kg) =
250 lbs (115 kg) If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, the load f rom your trailer
will be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
The total weight must not exceed
theGrossVehicleWeightRating
(GVWR). The load f or the f ront and
rear axles also must not exceed the
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
(see page ).
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (395 kg). This f igure
includes the total weight of all
occupants, cargo, accessories, and
the tongue weight if you are towing a
trailer.
To determine the correct cargo and
luggage load limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850 lbs
(395 kg)’’ on your vehicle’s placard
(on the driver’s doorjamb).
1. 2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
150
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving133
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor of the cargo area, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as f ar f orward as possible. Tie
down items that could be thrown
about the vehicle during a crash or
sudden stop.
If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the
tailgate or the hatch glass, exhaust
gas can enter the passenger area.
To avoid the possibility of
, f ollow the
instructions on page . If you can carry any items on a
roof rack, be sure the total weight
of the rack and the items does not
exceed the maximum allowable
weight. Please contact your Honda
dealer f or f urther inf ormation.
If you use an accessory roof rack,
the roof rack weight limit may be
lower. Ref er to the inf ormation that
came with your roof rack.
50
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment Carrying Cargo in the Cargo A rea
or on a Roof Rack
carbon
monoxide poisoning
134

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system,
and f acts you need if you are plan-
ning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .136
........................
Preparing to Drive .137
.......................
Starting the Engine .138
....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 139
..............
Automatic Transmission . 141
..................................
Parking Tips .146
.............................
Braking System .147
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 148
.................
Towing Weight Limits . 150
...........................
Towing a Trailer .152
......................
Trailer Driving Tips .155
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a ................................
Motorhome .157
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .159
Driving
Driving135

Your Honda has a higher ground
clearance that allows you to travel
over bumps, obstacles, and rough
terrain. It also provides good
visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Because your vehicle rides higher
of f the ground, it has a high center
of gravity that can cause it to roll
over if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a signif icantly higher
roll over rate than other types of
vehicles.
To prevent rollovers or loss of
control:Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible. Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof . Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Your Honda is equipped with a f our-
wheel drive (4WD) system. When
the system senses a loss of front-
wheel traction, it automatically
transf ers some power to the rear
wheels. This gives you better
traction and mobility.
You still need to exercise the same
care when accelerating, steering, and
brakingthatyouwouldinatwo-
wheel drive vehicle.Four-wheel Drive Models
See page f or additional guidelinesf or driving of f -highway. 159
Driving Guidelines
Driving136