brake HONDA CR-V 2000 RD1-RD3 / 1.G Owner's Manual

Towin
g a Traile r

Drivin g Safel y Wit h a Traile r
Th e adde d weight , length , an d
heigh t o f a traile r wil l affec t you r
vehicle' s handlin g an d performance ,
s o drivin g wit h a traile r require s
som e specia l drivin g skill s an d
techniques .
Fo r you r safet y an d th e safet y o f
others , tak e tim e t o practic e drivin g
maneuver s befor e headin g fo r th e
ope n road , an d follo w th e guideline s
discusse d below .

Towing Speeds and Gears

Driv e slowe r tha n norma l i n al l
drivin g situations , an d obe y poste d
spee d limit s fo r vehicle s wit h trailers .
I f yo u hav e a n automati c
transmission , us e th e Over-Driv e
(O/D ) mod e whe n towin g a traile r
o n leve l roads . Tur n of f th e Over -
Driv e (O/D ) mod e whe n towin g a
traile r i n hill y terrai n (se e pag e 14 0 ) .
(Se e "Driving on Hills" i n th e nex t
colum n fo r additiona l gea r information.
)
Making Turns and Braking
Mak e turn s mor e slowl y an d wide r
tha n normal . Th e traile r track s a
smalle r ar c tha n you r vehicle , an d it
ca n hi t o r ru n ove r somethin g th e
vehicl e misses . Allo w mor e tim e an d
distanc e fo r braking . D o no t brak e o r
tur n suddenl y a s thi s coul d caus e th e
traile r t o jackknif e o r tur n over .
Driving on Hills
Whe n climbin g hills , closel y watc h
you r temperatur e gauge . I f i t near s
th e re d mark , tur n th e ai r
conditionin g off , reduc e spee d and , i f
necessary , pul l t o th e sid e o f th e
roa d t o le t th e engin e cool .
I f th e automati c transmissio n shift s
frequentl y betwee n 3r d an d 4t h
gear s whil e goin g u p a hill , tur n of f
th e Over-Driv e (O/D ) mod e (se e
page 160 ) . I
f yo u mus t sto p whe n facin g uphill ,
us e th e foo t brak e o r parkin g brake .
D o no t tr y t o hol d th e vehicl e in
plac e b y pressin g o n th e accelerator ,
a s thi s ca n caus e th e automati c
transmissio n to overheat .
Whe n drivin g dow n hills , reduc e
you r spee d an d shif t dow n t o 2n d
gear . D o no t "ride " th e brakes , an d
remembe r i t wil l tak e longe r t o slo w
dow n an d sto p whe n towin g a trailer .

Drivin g

Towin
g You r Vehicl e Behin d a Motorhom e

You r CR- V ca n b e towe d behin d a
motorhom e a t lega l highwa y speed s
u p to 6 5 mp h (10 0 km/h) . D o no t
excee d 6 5 mp h (10 0 km/h) .
Otherwise , sever e transmissio n
damag e wil l occur . T o avoi d damag e
t o th e 4W D system , i t mus t b e towe d
wit h al l fou r wheel s o n th e groun d
(fla t towing) .
Whe n purchasin g a to w bar , mak e
sur e yo u selec t a reputabl e
manufacture r an d installer . Follo w
th e manufacturer' s attachmen t
instruction s carefully .
Afte r attachin g th e to w ba r t o you r
motorhome , d o th e followin g t o
prepar e you r CR- V fo r "fla t towing" :
5-speed Manual Transmission Mak
e sur e th e transmissio n i s
fille d t o th e correc t leve l (se e pag e
208 ). D o no t overfill . Releas
e th e parkin g brake . Shif
t th e transmissio n t o Neutral . Leav
e th e ke y i n th e ignitio n
switc h an d th e ignitio n switc h in
ACCESSOR Y (I ) s o th e steerin g
whee l doe s no t lock . Mak e sur e
th e radi o an d an y item s plugge d
int o th e accessor y powe r socket s
ar e turne d of f s o yo u d o no t ru n
dow n th e battery .
Automatic Transmission
Whe n preparin g t o to w you r CR-V ,
chec k th e transmissio n flui d leve l
(se e pag e 20 7 ) . Maintainin g th e
correc t leve l i s ver y important . D o
not overfill. Do th e followin g ever y
da y immediatel y befor e yo u begi n
towing . Follo w th e procedur e exactly .
Otherwise , sever e automati c
transmissio n damag e wil l occur . Star
t th e engine . Pres
s o n th e brak e pedal . Shif t th e
leve r throug h al l th e position s (P ,
R , N , D , 2,1 ) Shif
t t o D , the n t o N . Le t th e
engin e ru n fo r thre e minutes , the n
tur n of f th e engine . Releas
e th e parkin g brake . Leav
e th e ignitio n switc h in
ACCESSOR Y (I ) s o th e steerin g
whee l doe s no t lock . Mak e sur e
th e radi o an d an y item s plugge d
int o th e accessor y powe r socket s
ar e turne d of f s o yo u d o no t ru n
dow n th e battery .
Extended Towing

I f yo u to w mor e tha n 30 0 mile s (50 0

km ) i n on e day , yo u shoul d repea t
th e abov e procedur e a t leas t ever y

30 0 mile s (50 0 km) , (whe n yo u sto p

fo r fuel , etc. )

Drivin g

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

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

Owne
r Maintenanc e Check s

Yo u shoul d chec k th e followin g
item s a t th e specifie d intervals . I f
yo u ar e unsur e o f ho w to perfor m
an y check , tur n to th e pag e given . Engin
e oi l leve l — Chec k ever y
tim e yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e
pag e 143 .
Engin e coolan t leve l — Chec k th e
radiato r reserv e tan k ever y tim e
yo u fil l th e fue l tank . Se e pag e 14 4 .
Windshiel d washe r flui d — Chec k
th e leve l i n th e reservoi r monthly .
I f weathe r condition s caus e yo u t o
us e th e washer s frequently , chec k
th e reservoi r eac h tim e yo u sto p
fo r fuel . Se e pag e 20 6 .
Automati c transmissio n — Chec k
th e flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e

207 .

Brake s an d clutc h — Chec k th e
flui d leve l monthly . Se e pag e 21 0 . Tire
s — Chec k th e tir e pressur e
monthly . Examin e th e trea d fo r
wea r an d foreig n objects . Se e pag e

221 .

Light s — Chec k th e operatio n o f
th e headlights , parkin g lights ,
taillights , high-moun t brak e light ,
tur n signals , brak e lights , an d
licens e plat e light s monthly . Se e

pag e 228 .

Maintenanc e

Tire
s

Tire Chains
Moun t sno w chain s o n you r vehicl e
whe n warrante d b y drivin g condi -
tion s o r require d b y local laws .
Us e onl y SA E clas s "S " chains . Onl y
certai n brand s o f chain s wil l fi t you r
CR- V withou t comin g in contac t wit h
th e bod y o r causin g mechanica l
damage . Befor e buyin g an y type s o f
chains , yo u shoul d consul t wit h you r
Hond a deale r abou t th e design s an d
brand s tha t wil l wor k o n you r CR-V .
Also , mak e sur e yo u purchas e th e
correc t siz e fo r you r tires . Instal
l th e chain s onl y o n th e fron t
tires . Mountin g an y typ e o f chain s o n
th e rea r tire s wil l damag e th e bod y
an d suspension . Whe n installin g th e
chains , follo w th e manufacturer' s
instruction s an d moun t the m a s
tightl y a s yo u can . Driv e slowl y whe n
the y ar e installed . I f yo u hea r the m
comin g in contac t wit h th e body ,
sto p an d investigat e them . Mak e
sur e th e chain s ar e installe d tightly ,
an d tha t the y ar e no t contactin g th e
brak e line s o r suspension . Remov e
th e chain s a s soo n a s yo u begi n
drivin g o n cleare d roads .
Chains
that are the wrong size or
design, or are improperly installed, can
damage your vehicle's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
Maintenance

NOTIC
E

Changin
g a Fla t Tir e

I f yo u hav e a fla t tir e whil e driving ,
sto p in a saf e plac e t o chang e it .
Stoppin g in traffi c o r o n th e shoulde r
o f a bus y roa d is dangerous . Driv e
slowl y alon g th e shoulde r unti l yo u
ge t t o a n exi t o r a n are a t o sto p tha t
i s fa r awa y fro m th e traffi c lanes . TOO
L KI T

JAC K
SPARE TIR E

1 . Par k th e vehicl e o n firm , leve l an d
non-slipper y groun d awa y fro m
traffic . Pu t th e transmissio n i n
Par k (automatic ) o r Revers e
(manual) . Appl y th e parkin g brake .
2 . Tur n o n th e hazar d warnin g light s
an d tur n th e ignitio n switc h t o
LOC K (0) . Hav e al l th e
passenger s ge t ou t o f th e vehicl e
whil e yo u chang e th e tire .
HOO
K

3 . Pul l u p th e carg o are a carpe t an d
ope n th e carg o are a floor . T o kee p
th e carg o are a floo r ou t o f th e way ,
attac h th e hoo k t o th e tailgat e sil l
a s shown .
4 . Th e too l ki t i s i n th e righ t carg o
floo r pocket . Ope n th e cove r an d
tak e ou t th e too l kit .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Th
e vehicl e ca n easil y rol l of f

th e jack , seriousl y injurin g
anyon e underneath .
Follo w th e direction s fo r
changin g a tir e exactly , an d
neve r ge t unde r th e vehicl e
whe n i t i s supporte d onl y b y th e

jack .

Jum
p Startin g

I f you r vehicle' s batter y ha s ru n
down , yo u ma y b e abl e to star t th e
engin e b y usin g a booste r battery .
Althoug h thi s seem s lik e a simpl e

procedure , yo u shoul d tak e severa l

precautions .

You canno t star t a Hond a wit h a n
automati c transmissio n b y pushin g
o r pullin g it . T
o jum p star t you r vehicle , follo w
thes e direction s closely :
1 . Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e
physica l conditio n o f th e batter y
(se e pag e 215 ). I n ver y col d
weather , chec k the conditio n o f
th e electrolyte . I f i t seem s slush y
o r lik e ice , d o no t tr y jum p startin g
unti l i t thaws .

I f a batter y sits in extreme cold, the

electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen
battery can cause it to rupture.
2 . Tur n of f al l th e electrica l acces -
sories : heater , A/C , stere o system ,
lights , etc .
Pu t th e transmissio n i n Neutra l o r
Par k an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E

A
batter y ca n explod e i f yo u d o

no t follo w th e correc t procedure ,

seriousl y injurin g anyon e

nearby .
Kee p al l sparks , ope n flames ,

an d smokin g material s awa y

fro m th e battery .

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s

Th e pointe r o f you r vehicle' s
temperatur e gaug e shoul d sta y in
th e midrang e unde r mos t conditions .
I t ma y g o highe r i f yo u ar e drivin g u p
a lon g stee p hil l o n a ver y ho t day . I f
i t climb s t o th e re d mark , yo u shoul d
determin e th e reason .
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.
You r vehicl e ca n overhea t fo r severa l
reasons , suc h a s lac k o f coolan t o r a
mechanica l problem . Th e onl y
indicatio n ma y b e th e temperatur e
gaug e climbin g to o r abov e th e re d
mark . O r yo u ma y se e stea m or
spra y comin g fro m unde r th e hood .
I n eithe r case , yo u shoul d tak e

immediat e action .
1
. Safel y pul l t o th e sid e o f th e road .
Pu t th e transmissio n in Neutra l o r
Par k an d se t th e parkin g brake .
Tur n of f th e heatin g an d coolin g
syste m an d al l othe r accessories .
Tur n o n th e hazar d warnin g

indicators .

2 . I f yo u se e stea m and/o r spra y
comin g fro m unde r th e hood , tur n
of f th e engine . 3
. I f yo u d o no t se e stea m o r spray ,
leav e th e engin e runnin g an d
watc h th e temperatur e gauge . I f
th e hig h hea t i s du e t o overloadin g
(climbin g a long , stee p hil l o n a
ho t da y wit h th e A/ C running , fo r
example) , th e engin e shoul d star t
t o coo l dow n almos t immediately .
I f i t does , wai t unti l th e tempera -
tur e gaug e come s dow n t o th e mid -
poin t the n continu e driving .
4 . I f th e temperatur e gaug e stay s a t
th e re d mark , tur n of f th e engine .
5 . Wai t unti l yo u se e n o mor e sign s
o f stea m o r spray , the n ope n th e
hood .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E
Stea
m an d spra y fro m a n
overheate d engin e ca n
seriousl y scal d you .
D o no t ope n th e hoo d i f stea m
i s comin g out .

Inde
x

Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 14 6

Accessories................................ . 14 0

Additiona l Safel y Precautions. . 14 7
Modifications............................ . 14 7
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 7 0
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 9 2

Addin g

Automati c Transmissio n

Fluid....................................... . 20 7

Drak e Fluid................................ . 21 0
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 21 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 20 1
Engin e Oil.................................. . 19 7
Manua l Transmissio n Fluid.... . 20 8
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 21 1
Rea r Differentia l Fluid............. . 20 9
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 20 0
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 4 2

La p Belt........................................ . 4 3

Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2

Sca t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 3
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2 Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t

You r SR S .......................... . 4 5

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8
Ho w th e Automati c Sea t Bel t

Tensioner s Work.................... . 4 7

Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t

Works....................................... . 4 7

Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5

SR S Components........................ . 4 5
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 19 8
Adjustment s
Headlights................................. . 23 0
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 7 9

Mirrors......................................... . 8 6

Seats............................................. . 7 7

Steerin g Wheel........................... . 6 4

Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 21 2

Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 9 8

Maintenance.............................. . 21 9

Usage............................................ . 9 8

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

Ai r Outlet s (Vents)....................... . 10 0
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 22 1
Norma l Driving......................... . 22 2
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 28 2 Antifreeze......................................
. 20 1
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )

Indicato r Light.................... 55, 167

Operation................................... . 16 5

Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n

Lock.............................................. . 7 0

Appearanc e Care.......................... . 24 1

Ashtrays........................................... . 9 4

Audi o System................................ . 10 6

Automati c Spee d Control............... . 6 6

Automati c Transmission............... 158

Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 27 8
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 20 7
Shifting....................................... . 15 8
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 15 8
Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 15 8
Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 16 2

CONTINUED