tow HONDA CR-V 2001 RD1-RD3 / 1.G Owner's Manual

Towin
g You r Vehicl e Behin d a Motorhom e
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 i n
ACCESSOR Y (I ) s o th e steering -
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 8 hour s in on e

day , repea t th e abov e procedur e a t

leas t ever y 8 hours , (whe n yo u sto p

fo r fuel , etc. )

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
freelv before you begin towing.

Failure to follow the above instructions

exactly will result in severe automatic

transmission damage. If vou cannot

shift the transmission or start the

engine, your vehicle must be

transported on a flat-bed truck or

trailer.
Severe
automatic transmission damage
will occur if the vehicle is shifted from
reverse to neutral and then towed with
the drive wheels on the ground.

I f yo u to w a CR- V wit h a n automati c
transmission , th e transmissio n flui d
mus t b e change d ever y tw o year s o r
30,00 0 mile s (50,00 0 km) , whicheve r
come s first .

Drivin g
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E NOTIC
E

# : Se e informatio n o n maintenanc e an d emission s warranty , las t column , pag e 20 1 .
*
1 : Refe r t o pag e 23 5 fo r replacemen t informatio n unde r specia l drivin g conditions .
*
2 : Refe r t o pag e 23 4 fo r replacemen t informatio n unde r specia l drivin g conditions .
*
3 : Replac e ever y 60,00 0 mile s (96,00 0 km ) o r 3 6 months .
* 4
: Replac e a t 60,00 0 mile s (96,00 0 km ) o r 3 6 months , the n ever y 30,00 0 mile s (48,00 0 km ) o r 2 4 months .
U.S. Owner s
Follow th e Sever e Condition s
Maintenanc e Schedul e if yo u
driv e you r vehicl e MAINLY
unde r on e o r mor e o f th e
followin g conditions :
Driving les s tha n 5 mile s ( 8
km ) pe r tri p or , i n freezin g
temperatures , drivin g les s
tha n 1 0 mile s (1 6 km ) pe r tri
j
Drivin g in extremel y ho t
[ove r 90 ° F (32 ° C) ] conditio n
Extensive idlin g o r lon g
period s o f stop-and-g o drivin g
Trailer towing , drivin g wit h a
roo f rack , o r drivin g in
mountainou s conditions .
Driving o n muddy , dusty , o r
de-ice d roads .
Canadia n Owner s
Follow th e Maintenanc e
Schedul e fo r Sever e Condition
s
Maintenanc e

fsethi
s schedul e i f you r vehicl e i s MAINL Y drive n i n an y o f th e followin g Sever e Conditions ; otherwis e us e th e Norma l Schedule . Servic e a t th e
idicate d distanc e o r time , whicheve r come s first . D o th e item s i n A , B , C , D as require d fo r eac h distance/time .severe Conditions:.
Drivin g les s tha n 5 mile s ( 8 km ) pe r tri p or , i n freezin g temperatures , drivin g les s tha n 1 0 mile s (1 6 km ) pe r trip .
. Drivin g i n extremel y ho t (ove r 90°F/32°C ) conditions .
. Extensiv e idlin g o r lon g period s o f stop-and-g o driving .
. Traile r towing , drivin g wit h a roo f rack , o r drivin g i n mountainou s conditions .
. Drivin g o n muddy , dusty , o r de-ice d roads .
Maintenance
CONTINUED

page 238

Batter
y

Chec k th e conditio n o f you r vehicle' s

batter y monthly . Yo u shoul d chec k

th e colo r o f th e tes t indicato r window ,
an d fo r corrosio n o n th e terminals .
TES
T INDICATO R WINDO W

Chec k th e batter y conditio n b y
lookin g a t th e tes t indicato r windo w
o n th e battery .
Th e labe l o n th e batter y explain s th e

tes t indicator' s colors .
Chec
k th e batter y terminal s fo r
corrosio n ( a whit e o r yellowis h
powder) . T o remov e it , cove r th e
terminal s wit h a solutio n o f bakin g
sod a an d water . I t wil l bubbl e u p an d
tur n brown . Whe n thi s stops , was h it
of f wit h plai n water . Dr y of f th e
batter y wit h a clot h o r pape r towel .
Coa t th e terminal s wit h greas e t o
hel p preven t futur e corrosion .
WARNING : Batter y posts ,
terminal s an d relate d accessorie s
contai n lea d an d lea d compounds .
Was h hand s afte r handling .
CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Wipe
r Blade s

Chec k th e conditio n o f th e wipe r
blade s a t leas t ever y si x months .
Loo k fo r sign s o f crackin g in th e
rubber , o r area s tha t ar e gettin g
hard . Replac e th e blade s i f yo u fin d
thes e signs , o r the y leav e streak s
an d unwipe d area s whe n used . WIPE
R ARM S
T o replac e th e blade :

1 . Rais e th e wipe r ar m of f th e

windshield .
LOC
K TA B

2 . Disconnec t th e blad e assembl y
fro m th e wipe r ar m b y pushin g in
th e loc k tab . Hol d i t i n whil e yo u
pus h th e blad e assembl y towar d
th e bas e o f th e arm .

CONTINUED

Maintenanc e

Storin
g You r Vehicl e

I f yo u nee d t o par k you r vehicl e fo r
a n extende d perio d (mor e tha n on e
month) , ther e ar e severa l thing s yo u
shoul d d o t o prepar e it fo r storage .
Prope r preparatio n help s preven t
deterioratio n an d make s i t easie r t o
ge t you r vehicl e bac k o n th e road . I f
possible , stor e you r vehicl e indoors .
Fil l th e fue l tank .
Chang e th e engin e oi l an d filte r
(se e pag e 21 3 ) .
Was h an d dr y th e exterio r
completely .
Clea n th e interior . Mak e sur e th e
carpeting , floo r mats , etc . ar e
completel y dry .
Leav e th e parkin g brak e off . Pu t
th e transmissio n in Revers e
(5-spee d manual ) o r Par k

(automatic) .
Bloc
k th e rea r wheels .
I f th e vehicl e is t o b e store d fo r a
longe r period , i t shoul d b e
supporte d o n jackstand s s o th e
tire s ar e of f th e ground .
Leav e on e windo w ope n slightl y (i f
th e vehicl e is bein g store d
indoors) .
Disconnec t th e battery .
Suppor t th e fron t an d rea r wipe r
blad e arm s wit h a folde d towe l o r
ra g s o the y d o no t touc h th e
windshield .
T o minimiz e sticking , appl y a
silicon e spra y lubrican t t o al l doo r
an d tailgat e seals . Also , appl y a
vehicl e bod y wa x t o th e painte d
surface s tha t mat e wit h th e doo r
an d tailgat e seals . Cove
r th e vehicl e wit h a
"breathable " cover , on e mad e
fro m a porou s materia l suc h a s
cotton . Nonporou s materials , suc h
a s plasti c sheeting , tra p moisture ,
whic h ca n damag e th e paint .
I f possible , ru n th e engin e fo r a
whil e periodicall y (preferabl y onc e

a month) .

I f yo u stor e you r vehicl e fo r 1 2
month s o r longer , hav e you r Hond a
deale r perfor m th e inspection s calle d
fo r i n th e 2 4 months/30,00 0 mile s
(48,00 0 km ) maintenanc e schedul e
(Norma l Conditions ) a s soo n a s yo u
tak e it ou t o f storag e (se e pag e 20 2 ) .
Th e replacement s calle d fo r i n th e
maintenanc e schedul e ar e no t
neede d unles s th e vehicl e ha s
actuall y reache d tha t tim e o r mileage .

Maintenanc e

Exterio
r Car e

Washin g

Frequen t washin g help s preserv e
you r vehicle' s beauty . Dir t an d gri t
ca n scratc h th e paint , whil e tre e sa p
an d bir d dropping s ca n permanentl y
rui n th e finish .
Was h you r vehicl e in a shad y area ,
no t i n direc t sunlight . I f th e vehicl e is
parked in th e sun , mov e it int o th e
shad e an d le t th e exterio r coo l dow n
befor e yo u start .
Onl y us e th e solvent s an d cleaner s
recommende d in thi s Owner' s

Manual .

Chemical solvents and strong cleaners

can damage the paint, metal, and

plastic on you r vehicle.
Rins
e th e vehicl e thoroughl y wit h
coo l wate r t o remov e loos e dirt .
Fil l a bucke t wit h coo l water . Mi x
i n a mil d detergent , suc h a s
dishwashin g liqui d o r a produc t
mad e especiall y fo r ca r washing .
Was h th e vehicl e usin g th e wate r
an d detergen t solutio n an d a soft -
bristl e brush , sponge , o r sof t cloth .
Star t a t th e to p an d wor k you r wa y
down . Rins e frequently .
Chec k th e bod y fo r roa d tar , tre e
sap , etc . Remov e thes e stain s wit h
ta r remove r o r turpentine . Rins e it
of f immediatel y s o it doe s no t
har m th e finish . Remembe r t o re -
wa x thes e areas , eve n if th e res t o f
th e vehicl e doe s no t nee d waxing .Whe
n yo u hav e washe d an d rinse d
th e whol e exterior , dr y i t wit h a
chamoi s o r sof t towel . Lettin g it
air-dr y wil l caus e dullin g an d wate r

spots .

A s yo u dr y th e vehicle , inspec t i t fo r
chip s an d scratche s tha t coul d allo w
corrosio n to start . Repai r the m wit h
touch-u p pain t (se e pag e 25 8 ) .

Appearanc e Car e

NOTIC
E

Interio
r Car e
Sea t Belt s
I f you r sea t belt s ge t dirty , yo u ca n
us e a sof t brus h wit h a mixtur e o f
mil d soa p an d war m wate r t o clea n
them . D o no t us e bleach , dye , o r
cleanin g solvents . The y ca n weake n
th e bel t material . Le t th e belt s air -
dr y befor e yo u us e th e vehicle . Dir
t build-u p i n th e loop s o f th e sea t
bel t anchor s ca n caus e th e belt s t o
retrac t slowly . Wip e th e inside s o f
th e loop s wit h a clea n clot h
dampene d in mil d soa p an d war m
wate r o r isopropy l alcohol .
Window s
Clea n th e windows , insid e an d out ,
wit h a commercially-availabl e glas s
cleaner . Yo u ca n als o us e a mixtur e
o f on e par t whit e vinega r t o te n part s
water . Thi s wil l remov e th e haz e tha t
build s u p o n th e insid e o f th e
windows . Us e a sof t clot h o r pape r
towel s t o clea n al l glas s an d clea r
plasti c surfaces .
The
rear window defogger wires ore
bonded to the inside of the glass.
Wiping vigorously up-and-down can
dislodge and break the defogger wires.
When cleaning the rear window, use
gentle pressure and wipe side-to-side.

Ai r Freshener s

I f yo u wan t t o us e a n ai r freshener /
deodorize r i n th e interio r o f you r
vehicle , i t i s bes t t o us e a soli d type .
Som e liqui d ai r freshener s contai n
chemical s tha t ma y caus e part s o f
th e interio r tri m an d fabri c t o crac k
or discolor .
I f yo u us e a liqui d ai r freshener ,
mak e sur e yo u faste n i t securel y s o i t
doe s no t spil l a s yo u drive .

Appearanc e Car e

LOO
P NOTIC
E

Takin
g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

Thi s sectio n cover s th e more -

commo n problem s tha t motorist s

experienc e wit h thei r vehicles . I t
give s yo u informatio n abou t ho w to
safel y evaluat e th e proble m an d wha t
t o d o to correc t it . I f th e proble m ha s
strande d yo u o n th e sid e o f th e road ,
yo u ma y b e abl e to ge t goin g again .
I f not , yo u wil l als o fin d instruction s

o n gettin g you r vehicl e towed .
Changin
g a Fla t Tir e .................... . 26 6
I f You r Engin e Won' t Start.......... . 27 5
Nothin g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y

Slowly..................................... 275

Th e Starte r Operate s
Normally................................ . 27 6
Jum p Starting................................ . 27 7
I f You r Engin e Overheats............ . 27 9
Low Oil Pressur e Indicato r ......... . 28 1
Chargin g Syste m Indicator.......... . 28 2
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lam p ....... . 28 3
Brak e Syste m Indicator............... . 28 4
Fuses.............................................. . 28 5
Checkin g an d Replacing.......... . 28 6
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 29 0

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t

Diagnosin g wh y you r engin e won' t
star t fall s int o tw o areas , dependin g
o n wha t yo u hea r whe n yo u tur n th e
ke y t o STAR T (III) : Yo
u hea r nothing , o r almos t
nothing . Th e engine' s starte r
moto r doe s no t operat e a t all , o r
operate s ver y slowly . Yo
u ca n hea r th e starte r moto r
operatin g normally , o r th e starte r
moto r sound s lik e it i s spinnin g
faste r tha n normal , bu t th e engin e
doe s no t star t u p an d run . Nothin
g Happen s o r th e Starte r
Moto r Operate s Ver y Slowl y
Whe n yo u tur n th e ignitio n switc h t o
STAR T (III) , yo u d o no t hea r th e
norma l nois e o f th e engin e tryin g to
start . Yo u ma y hea r a clickin g soun d
or serie s of clicks , or nothin g at all .
Chec k thes e things : Chec
k th e transmissio n interlock .
I f yo u hav e a manua l transmission ,
th e clutc h peda l mus t b e pushe d
al l th e wa y t o th e floo r o r th e
starte r wil l no t operate . Wit h a n
automati c transmission , i t mus t b e
i n Par k o r Neutral . Tur
n th e ignitio n switc h t o O N (II) .
Tur n o n th e headlight s an d chec k
thei r brightness . I f th e headlight s
ar e ver y di m o r don' t ligh t a t all ,
th e batter y is discharged . Se e

Jum p Startin g o n pag e 27 7.
Tur
n th e ignitio n switc h t o STAR T
(III) . I f th e headlight s d o no t dim ,
chec k th e conditio n o f th e fuses . I f
th e fuse s ar e OK , ther e is proba -
bl y somethin g wron g wit h th e
electrica l circui t fo r th e ignitio n
switc h o r starte r motor . Yo u wil l
nee d a qualifie d technicia n to
determin e th e problem . (Se e

Emergenc y Towin g o n pag e 29 0.)

CONTINUED
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d