HONDA CR-V 2000 RD1-RD3 / 1.G Owners Manual

Towin
g You r Vehicl e Behin d a Motorhom e

The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure The steering wheel turns
freel y before you begin towing.

Improper towing preparation will

damage the transmission. Follow the

above procedure exactly. If you cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine, your vehicle must be

transported on a flat-bed or trailer. I
f yo u lo w you r CR- V an d i t i s
equippe d wit h a n automati c
transmission , replac e th e
transmissio n flui d ever y tw o year s o r
30,00 0 mile s (50,00 0 km) , whicheve r
come s first .

Driving

NOTIC
E
NOTIC E

Off-Highwa
y Guideline s

Genera l Informatio n
You r CR- V ha s bee n designe d
primaril y fo r us e o n pavement . Bu t
it s highe r groun d clearanc e allow s
yo u to occasionall y trave l o n unpave d
roads , t o campgrounds , picni c sites ,
an d simila r locations . I t i s no t
designe d fo r trailblazing , mountai n
climbing , o r othe r challengin g off -
roa d activities .
I f yo u decid e t o driv e o n unpave d
roads , yo u wil l fin d tha t i t require s
somewha t differen t drivin g skills .
You r CR- V wil l als o handl e
somewha t differentl y tha n i t doe s o n
pavement . S o b e sur e to rea d thi s
owner' s manual , pa y specia l attentio n
t o th e precaution s an d tip s i n thi s
section , an d ge t acquainte d wit h
you r vehicl e befor e yo u leav e th e

pavement .

Drivin g

Off-Highwa
y Guideline s

Importan t Safet y Precaution s
Remembe r tha t you r CR- V ha s
highe r groun d clearanc e an d a
highe r cente r o f gravit y tha n
passenge r vehicle s designe d fo r us e
onl y o n pavement . Thi s mean s you r
vehicl e ca n mor e easil y ti p o r rol l
ove r i f yo u mak e abrup t turn s o r
driv e o n slopes .
Utilit y vehicle s hav e a significantl y
highe r rollove r rat e tha n othe r type s
o f vehicles . T o avoi d los s o f contro l
o r rollover , b e sur e t o follo w al l
recommendation s an d precaution s
o n pag e 15 2 an d in thi s section .
Sea t belt s ar e jus t a s importan t off -
roa d a s o n pave d roads . Whereve r
yo u drive , mak e sur e yo u an d you r
passenger s alway s wea r sea t belts . I f
childre n o r infant s ar e alon g fo r th e
ride , se e tha t the y ar e properl y
secured . I n a rollove r crash , a n
unbelte d perso n is mor e likel y t o di e
tha n a perso n wearin g a sea t belt .
O
n man y unpave d roads , yo u won' t
fin d lan e markers , traffi c signals , o r
sign s to war n yo u o f possibl e troubl e
ahead . It' s u p to yo u to continuall y
asses s th e situatio n an d driv e withi n

limits .
Th
e rout e present s limit s (som e
road s ar e to o stee p an d bump y fo r
example) . Yo u hav e limit s (i n drivin g
skill s an d comfort) . An d you r vehicl e
als o ha s limit s (traction , stability , an d
power , fo r instance) .
Drivin g off-highwa y ca n b e
hazardou s i f yo u fai l t o recogniz e
limit s an d tak e prope r precautions .
Fo r example , yo u ca n hav e a n
acciden t o r rollove r durin g
maneuver s suc h a s turning , drivin g
o n hills , o r ove r larg e obstacles .
B e sur e t o stor e carg o properly , an d
d o no t excee d you r CR-V' s carg o o r
traile r loa d limit s (se e page s 14 9 an d

17 0 ) .

Driving

Improperl
y operatin g thi s
vehicl e o n o r off-pavemen t ca n
caus e a n acciden t o r rollove r i n
whic h yo u an d you r passenger s
coul d b e seriousl y injure d o r
killed .
Follo
w al l instruction s an d

guideline s i n th e owner' s

manual .
Kee
p you r spee d lo w an d

don' t driv e faste r tha n
condition s permit .

Off-Highwa
y Guideline s

Drivin g Tip s
Th e followin g page s contai n practica l
tip s o n basi c off-highwa y operation .

Check Out Your Vehicle

Drivin g off-highwa y ca n b e har d o n a
vehicle . Befor e yo u leav e th e
pavement , b e sur e al l schedule d
maintenanc e an d servic e ha s bee n
done , an d tha t yo u hav e inspecte d
you r vehicle . Pa y specia l attentio n to
th e conditio n o f th e tires , an d us e a
gaug e t o chec k th e tir e pressures .
Afte r yo u retur n t o th e pavement ,
carefull y inspec t you r vehicl e t o
mak e sur e ther e is n o damag e tha t
coul d mak e drivin g it unsafe . Chec k
th e tire s fo r damag e an d fo r prope r

pressure .
Controlling Speed

Off-highway , th e genera l rul e i s t o
kee p you r spee d low . O f course ,
you'l l nee d enoug h spee d t o kee p
movin g forward . Bu t a t highe r
speeds , yo u hav e les s tim e to asses s
condition s an d mak e goo d decisions .
There' s als o a greate r chanc e o f
slidin g if yo u brak e o r tur n to o
quickl y o n we t soil , gravel , o r ice . I n
an y situation , neve r g o faste r tha n
condition s allow .
Accelerating and Braking

Fo r bette r tractio n o n al l surfaces ,
accelerat e slowl y an d graduall y buil d
u p speed . I f yo u tr y t o star t to o fas t
o n we t soil , mud , snow , o r ice , yo u
migh t no t hav e enoug h tractio n t o
ge t underway . Yo u ma y eve n di g
yoursel f int o a hole .
Generally , th e bes t off-pavemen t
brakin g techniqu e is t o gentl y
depres s th e brak e pedal , the n
increas e pressur e a s mor e brakin g is
needed . Avoi d har d braking . Kee p in
min d tha t yo u wil l usuall y nee d mor e
tim e an d distanc e t o brak e t o a sto p
o n unpave d surfaces .
Tes t you r brake s fro m tim e t o tim e
t o mak e sur e the y ar e operatin g
properly . Thi s wil l als o giv e yo u a
fee l fo r ho w muc h tractio n yo u hav e
o n a give n surface .
Drivin g

Off-Highwa
y Guideline s

Turning
Off-highway , th e basi c turning -
techniqu e is t o driv e a t lo w spee d
an d graduall y adjus t th e amoun t o f
steerin g to sui t th e surface .
Yo u shoul d hav e n o proble m makin g
shar p turn s a t lo w spee d o n leve l
ground . Bu t neve r mak e a n abrup t
tur n a t highe r speeds , o n o r of f
pavement . Wit h a highe r cente r o f
gravity , you r vehicl e ca n mor e easil y
ti p o r rol l over . Drivin
g o n Slope s
Befor e drivin g u p o r dow n a hill , sto p
an d asses s th e situation . I f yo u can' t
clearl y se e al l roa d condition s (goo d
traction , n o bumps , hole s o r othe r
obstacles , a saf e wa y out , etc. ) wal k
th e slop e befor e yo u driv e o n it . I f
yo u hav e an y doub t abou t whethe r
yo u ca n safel y driv e o n th e slope ,
don't do it. Fin d anothe r route .
I f yo u ar e drivin g u p a hil l an d fin d
tha t yo u canno t continu e (becaus e o f
th e steepness , a larg e obstacle , etc.) ,

d o not try to turn around. Your vehicl e

coul d rol l over . Slowl y bac k dow n th e
hill , followin g th e sam e rout e yo u
too k u p th e hill .
Avoidin
g Obstacle s

Bumps , holes , rocks , an d othe r
obstacle s ca n b e hazardous . Debri s
i n th e roa d ca n damag e you r
suspensio n o r othe r components .
Eve n smal l rock s ca n cu t you r tires .
Mor e important , becaus e you r
vehicl e ha s a hig h cente r o f gravity ,
drivin g ove r a larg e obstacle , o r
allowin g a whee l t o dro p int o a dee p
hole , ca n caus e you r vehicl e t o ti p o r
rol l over .
Driv e slo w enoug h t o observ e
obstacle s ahea d an d maneuve r
aroun d them . I f yo u can' t avoi d a
seriou s obstacle , tur n aroun d an d
loo k fo r a bette r route .

Drivin g

Off-Highwa
y Guideline s

I f Yo u Encounte r Wate r
Avoi d drivin g throug h dee p water . I f
yo u encounte r wate r i n you r rout e ( a
smal l strea m o r larg e puddle , fo r
example) , evaluat e it carefull y befor e
goin g ahead . Mak e sur e it i s shallow ,
flowin g slowly , an d ha s fir m groun d
underneath . I f yo u ar e no t sur e o f
th e dept h o r th e ground , tur n aroun d
an d fin d anothe r route . Drivin
g throug h dee p wate r ca n als o
damag e you r vehicle . Th e wate r ca n
ge t int o th e transmissio n an d
differential , dilutin g th e lubrican t
an d causin g a n eventua l failure . I t
ca n als o was h th e greas e ou t o f th e
whee l bearings .
I f Yo u Ge t Stuc k

Avoi d drivin g o n sof t sand , dee p mud ,

o r othe r surface s wher e yo u coul d
ge t stuck . I f yo u d o happe n to ge t
stuc k becaus e o f inclemen t weathe ro
r othe r conditions , choos e a saf e
an d appropriat e cours e o f action .
Yo u shoul d neve r us e a jac k t o tr y
gettin g unstuck . A jac k onl y work s
o n firm , leve l ground . Also , you r
vehicl e coul d easil y sli p of f th e jac k
an d hur t yo u o r someon e else .

4-Wheel Drive Vehicles

I f yo u spi n th e wheel s excessivel y
tryin g to ge t unstuck , yo u ma y
overhea t th e component s o f th e
4-whee l driv e system . I f thi s happens ,
th e 4-whee l driv e syste m shut s of f
an d onl y th e fron t wheel s receiv e
power . I f thi s happens , sto p an d
allo w everythin g to coo l down . Th e
4-whee l driv e syste m wil l wor k agai n
afte r it s temperatur e drops .
I f yo u sli p th e clutc h fo r a lon g tim e
whil e tryin g to ge t unstuck , yo u ma y
overhea t an d damag e it .

Drivin g

Maintenanc
e

Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r vehicl e wel l
maintaine d an d t o follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f

yourself .

I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 29 3 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc e Safety...................... . 18 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 18 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 18 6 Require
d Maintenanc e Record... . 19 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 19 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 19 6

Engin e Oil...................................... . 19 7

Addin g Oil.................................. . 19 7

Recommende d Oil.................... . 19 7

Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 19 8

Additives.................................... . 19 8
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 19 9

Coolin g System............................. . 20 1

Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 20 1

Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 20 3

Windshiel d Washers.................... . 20 6
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 20 7
Automati c Transmission.......... . 20 7
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 20 8
Rea r Differentia l Fluid................. . 20 9
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 21 0
Brak e System............................ . 21 0
Clutc h System........................... . 21 1

Powe r Steering.............................. . 21 1

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 21 2
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 21 3

Spar k Plugs.................................... . 21 3

Replacement.............................. . 21 3
Specifications............................
. 21 4

Battery........................................... . 21 5
Wipe r Blades................................. . 21 7
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 21 9

Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 22 0

Driv e Belts..................................... . 22 0

Timin g Belt.................................... . 22 1

Tires............................................... . 22 1

Inflation...................................... . 22 1
Recommende d Tir e
Pressure s fo r Norma l

Driving........................... . 22 2

Inspection.................................. . 22 3

Maintenance.............................. . 22 3

Tir e Rotation............................. . 22 4

Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 22 5
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 22 6

Winte r Driving.......................... . 22 6

Sno w Tires............................. . 22 6
Tir e Chains............................ . 22 7
Lights............................................. . 22 8
Headligh t Aiming..................... . 23 0

Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 23 2

Storin g You r Vehicle.................... . 23 9

Maintenanc e

Maintenanc
e Safet y

Regularl y maintainin g you r vehicl e i s
th e bes t wa y t o protec t you r
investment . Prope r maintenanc e i s
essentia l t o you r safet y an d th e
safet y o f you r passengers . I t wil l als o
rewar d yo u wit h mor e economical ,
trouble-fre e drivin g an d hel p reduc e
ai r pollution . Thi
s sectio n include s instruction s fo r
simpl e maintenanc e tasks , suc h a s
checkin g an d addin g oil . An y servic e
item s no t detaile d i n thi s sectio n
shoul d b e performe d b y a Hond a
technicia n o r othe r qualifie d
mechanic . Som
e o f th e mos t importan t safet y
precaution s ar e give n here . However ,
w e canno t war n yo u o f ever y
conceivabl e hazar d tha t ca n aris e i n
performin g maintenance . Onl y yo u
ca n decid e whethe r o r no t yo u
shoul d perfor m a give n task .
Maintenanc e
Improperl
y maintainin g thi s
vehicl e o r failin g t o correc t a
proble m befor e drivin g ca n
caus e a cras h i n whic h yo u ca n
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e inspectio n
an d maintenanc e
recommendation s an d
schedule s i n thi s owner' s
manual . Failur
e t o properl y follo w
maintenanc e instruction s an d
precaution s ca n caus e yo u t o
b e seriousl y hur t o r killed .
Alway s follo w th e procedure s
an d precaution s i n thi s owner' s
manual .

Maintenanc
e Safet y

Importan t Safet y Precaution s
Befor e yo u begi n an y maintenance ,
mak e sur e you r vehicl e is parke d o n
leve l groun d an d tha t th e parkin g
brak e is set . Also , b e sur e th e engin e
i s off . Thi s wil l hel p t o eliminat e
severa l potentia l hazards : Carbo
n monoxid e poisonin g
fro m engin e exhaust . B e sur e
ther e is adequat e ventilatio n
wheneve r yo u operat e th e engine . Burn
s fro m ho t parts . Le t th e
engin e an d exhaus t syste m coo l
befor e touchin g an y parts . Injur
y fro m movin g parts . D o
no t ru n th e engin e unles s in -
structe d to d o so . Rea
d th e instruction s befor e yo u
begin , an d mak e sur e yo u hav e th e
tool s an d skill s required .
T o reduc e th e possibilit y o f fir e o r
explosion , b e carefu l whe n workin g
aroun d gasolin e o r batteries . Us e a
commerciall y availabl e degrease r o r
part s cleaner , no t gasoline , t o clea n
parts . Kee p cigarettes , sparks , an d
flame s awa y fro m th e batter y an d al l
fuel-relate d parts .
Yo u shoul d wea r ey e protectio n an d
protectiv e clothin g whe n workin g
nea r th e batter y o r whe n usin g
compresse d air .

Maintenance

Maintenanc
e Schedul e

Th e Maintenanc e Schedul e specifie s

ho w ofte n yo u shoul d hav e you r

vehicl e service d an d wha t thing s

nee d attention . I t i s essentia l tha t

yo u hav e you r vehicl e service d a s

schedule d to retai n it s hig h leve l o f

safety , dependability , an d emission s

contro l performance .
Th
e service s an d tim e o r distanc e
interval s show n in th e maintenanc e
schedul e assum e yo u wil l us e you r
vehicl e a s norma l transportatio n fo r
passenger s an d thei r possessions .
Yo u shoul d als o follo w thes e

recommendations :
Avoi
d exceedin g you r vehicle' s
loa d limit . Thi s put s exces s stres s
o n th e engine , brakes , an d man y
othe r part s o f you r vehicle . Th e
loa d limi t i s show n o n th e labe l o n
th e driver' s doorjamb . Operat
e you r vehicl e o n
reasonabl e road s withi n th e lega l
spee d limit . Driv
e you r vehicl e regularl y ove r a
distanc e o f severa l mile s
(kilometers) . Alway
s us e unleade d gasolin e wit h
th e prope r octan e ratin g (se e pag e

140 ).
Whic
h Schedul e t o Follow :

Servic e you r vehicl e accordin g to th e
tim e an d mileag e period s o n on e o f
th e Maintenanc e Schedule s o n th e

followin g pages . Selec t th e schedul e

fo r "Sever e Conditions " i f mos t o f
you r drivin g is don e unde r on e o r
mor e of the condition s liste d on tha t

page . Otherwise , follo w th e schedul e

fo r "Norma l Conditions. "

Maintenanc e