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

I
f You r Engin e Won' t Star t
I f th e headlight s di m noticeabl y o r
g o ou t whe n yo u tr y t o star t th e
engine , eithe r th e batter y is dis -
charge d o r th e connection s ar e
corroded . Chec k th e conditio n o f th e
batter y an d termina l connection s
(se e pag e 229 ). Yo u ca n the n tr y
jum p startin g th e vehicl e fro m a
booste r batter y (se e pag e 27 7). Th
e Starte r Operate s Normall y
I n thi s case , th e starte r motor' s
spee d sound s normal , o r eve n faste r
tha n normal , whe n yo u tur n th e
ignitio n switc h t o STAR T (III) , bu t
th e engin e doe s no t run . Ar
e yo u usin g th e prope r startin g
procedure ? Refe r t o Startin g th e
Engin e o n pag e 16 6. D
o yo u hav e fuel ? Tur n th e
ignitio n switc h t o O N (II ) fo r a
minut e an d watc h th e fue l gauge .
Th e lo w fue l leve l warnin g ligh t
ma y no t b e working , s o yo u wer e
no t reminde d t o fil l th e tank . Ther
e ma y b e a n electrica l
problem , suc h a s n o powe r t o th e
fue l pump . Chec k al l th e fuse s
(se e pag e 286 ).
I f yo u fin d nothin g wrong , yo u wil l
nee d a qualifie d technicia n to fin d
th e problem . Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 29 0.

Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

I
f You r Engin e Overheat s
6 . Loo k fo r an y obviou s coolan t leaks ,
suc h a s a spli t radiato r hose .
Everythin g i s stil l extremel y hot ,
s o us e caution . I f yo u fin d a leak , i t
mus t b e repaire d befor e yo u
continu e drivin g (se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 29 0).
7 . I f yo u don' t fin d a n obviou s leak ,
chec k th e coolan t leve l i n th e
radiato r reserv e tan k (se e pag e
144 ). I f th e leve l i s belo w th e
MI N mark , ad d coolan t t o halfwa y
betwee n th e MI N an d MA X marks .
8 . I f ther e wa s n o coolan t i n th e
reserv e tank , yo u ma y als o hav e t o
ad d coolan t t o th e radiator . Le t th e
engin e coo l dow n unti l th e pointe r
reache s th e middl e o f th e tempera -
tur e gauge , o r lower , befor e check -
in g th e radiator . 9
. Usin g glove s o r a larg e heav y
cloth , tur n th e radiato r ca p
counterclockwise , withou t pushin g
down , t o th e firs t stop . Thi s
release s an y remainin g pressur e i n
th e coolin g system . Afte r th e
pressur e releases , pus h dow n o n
th e ca p an d tur n it unti l i t come s

off .
10
. Star t th e engin e an d se t th e
temperatur e contro l dia l t o
maximum . Ad d coolan t t o th e
radiato r u p t o th e bas e o f th e fille r
neck . I f yo u d o no t hav e th e
prope r coolan t mixtur e available ,
yo u ca n ad d plai n water .
Remembe r t o hav e th e coolin g
syste m draine d an d refille d wit h
th e prope r mixtur e a s soo n a s yo u

can .

11 . Pu t th e radiato r ca p bac k o n
tightly . Ru n th e engin e an d watc h
th e temperatur e gauge . I f i t goe s
bac k t o th e re d mark , th e engin e
need s repair . (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 29 0.)
12.I f th e temperatur e stay s normal ,
chec k th e coolan t leve l i n th e
radiato r reserv e tank . I f i t ha s
gon e down , ad d coolan t t o th e
MA X mark . Pu t th e ca p bac k o n

tightly .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
Removin
g th e radiato r ca p
whil e th e engin e i s ho t ca n
caus e th e coolan t t o spra y out ,
seriousl y scaldin g you .
Alway s le t th e engin e an d
radiato r coo l dow n befor e
removin g th e radiato r cap .

Lo
w Oi l Pressur e Indicato r
Thi s indicato r shoul d ligh t whe n th e
ignitio n switc h is O N (II) , an d g o ou t
afte r th e engin e starts . I t shoul d
neve r com e o n whe n th e engin e is
running . I f i t start s flashing , i t
indicate s tha t th e oi l pressur e
droppe d ver y lo w fo r a moment , the n
recovered . I f th e indicato r stay s o n
wit h th e engin e running , i t show s
tha t th e engin e ha s los t oi l pressur e
an d seriou s engin e damag e is
possible . I n eithe r case , yo u shoul d
tak e immediat e action .
Running
the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the vehicle stopped.

1 . Safel y pul l of f th e roa d an d shu t
of f th e engine . Tur n o n th e hazar d
warnin g indicators .
2 . Le t th e vehicl e si t fo r a minute .
Ope n th e hoo d an d chec k th e oi l
leve l (se e pag e 155 ). Althoug h oi l
leve l an d oi l pressur e ar e no t
directl y connected , a n engin e tha t
i s ver y lo w o n oi l ca n los e pressur e
durin g cornerin g an d othe r drivin g

maneuvers .
3
. I f necessary , ad d oi l t o brin g th e
leve l bac k t o th e ful l mar k o n th e
dipstic k (se e pag e 211 ).
4 . Star t th e engin e an d watc h th e oi l
pressur e indicator . I f th e ligh t
doe s no t g o ou t withi n te n seconds ,
tur n of f th e engine . Ther e is a
mechanica l proble m tha t need s t o
b e repaire d befor e yo u ca n
continu e driving . (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 29 0.)
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

NOTIC
E

LO W OI L PRESSUR E INDICATO R

Brak
e Syste m Indicato r

Th e Brak e Syste m Indicato r
normall y come s o n whe n yo u tur n
th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) . I t i s a
reminde r t o chec k th e parkin g brake .
I t come s o n an d stay s li t i f yo u d o no t
full y releas e th e parkin g brake . I
f i t come s o n a t an y othe r time , i t
indicate s a proble m wit h th e vehicle' s
brak e system . I n mos t cases , th e
proble m is a lo w flui d leve l i n th e
brak e flui d reservoir . Pres s lightl y o n
th e brak e peda l t o se e if i t feel s
normal . I f i t does , chec k th e brak e
flui d leve l th e nex t tim e yo u sto p a t a
servic e statio n (se e pag e 210 ). I f th e
flui d leve l i s low , tak e th e vehicl e t o
you r deale r an d hav e th e brak e
syste m inspecte d fo r leak s o r wor n
brak e pads .
However , i f th e brak e peda l doe s no t
fee l normal , yo u shoul d tak e
immediat e action . Becaus e o f th e
brak e system' s dual-circui t design , a
proble m in on e par t o f th e syste m
wil l stil l giv e yo u brakin g a t tw o
wheels . Yo u wil l fee l th e brak e peda l
g o dow n muc h farthe r befor e th e
vehicl e begin s t o slo w down , an d yo u
wil l hav e t o pres s harde r o n th e
pedal . Th e distanc e neede d to sto p
wil l b e muc h longer . Slo
w dow n b y shiftin g to a lowe r
gear , an d pul l t o th e sid e o f th e roa d
whe n it i s safe . Becaus e o f th e
longe r distanc e neede d to stop , i t i s
hazardou s t o driv e th e vehicle . Yo u
shoul d hav e it towed , an d repaire d a s
soo n a s possible . (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 29 0.)
I f yo u mus t driv e th e vehicl e a shor t
distanc e in thi s condition , driv e
slowl y an d cautiously .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d

BRAK
E SYSTE M INDICATOR *

100
'U.S . indicato r show n

Emergenc
y Towin g

I f you r vehicl e need s t o b e towed ,
cal l a professiona l towin g servic e or ,
i f yo u belon g to one , a n organizatio n
tha t provide s roadsid e assistance .
Neve r to w you r vehicl e behin d
anothe r vehicl e wit h jus t a rop e o r
chain . I t i s ver y dangerous .
Ther e ar e thre e popula r type s o f

professiona l towin g equipment .

Flat-bed Equipment — Th e operato r

load s you r vehicl e o n th e bac k o f a
truck . Thi s i s th e onl y wa y t o
transpor t you r vehicle . An y othe r
metho d o f towin g wil l damag e th e
driv e system . Whe n yo u contac t th e
towin g agency , infor m the m tha t a
flat-be d is required .
Towing
a 4WD CR-V with only two

tires on the ground will damage parts

of the 4WD system. It should be

transported on a flat-bed truck or

trailer.

Wheel Lift Equipment — Th e to w
truc k use s tw o pivotin g arm s tha t g o
unde r th e tire s (fron t o r rear ) an d lif t
the m of f th e ground . Th e othe r tw o
tire s remai n o n th e ground .

Neve r to w you r vehicl e wit h

whee l lif t equipment .

Sling-type Equipment — Th e to w

truc k use s meta l cable s wit h hook s
o n th e ends . Thes e hook s g o aroun d
part s o f th e fram e o r suspensio n an d
cable s lif t tha t en d o f th e vehicl e of f
th e ground . You r vehicle' s
suspensio n an d bod y ca n b e
seriousl y damaged . Thi s metho d o f
towin g you r CR- V is unacceptable .Refe
r t o Towin g You r Vehicl e
Behin d a Motorhom e o n pag e

18 9 fo r non-emergenc y towin g

information .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
NOTIC
E

Warrant
y Coverage s

U.S . Owner s
You r ne w Hond a is covere d b y thes e

warranties :

New Vehicle Limited Warranty —

cover s you r ne w vehicle , excep t fo r
th e battery , emission s contro l
system s an d accessories , agains t
defect s in material s an d

workmanship .

Emissions Control Systems Defects

Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — thes e tw o

warrantie s cove r you r vehicle' s emis -
sion s contro l systems . Time , mileage ,
an d coverag e ar e conditional . Pleas e
rea d th e warrant y manua l fo r exac t
information .

Original Equipment Battery Limited

Warranty — thi s warrant y give s u p
t o 10 0 percen t credi t towar d a

replacemen t battery .
Seat
Belt Limited Warranty — a sea t

bel t tha t fail s t o functio n properl y is
covere d fo r th e usefu l lif e o f th e

vehicle .

Rust Perforation Limited Warranty

— al l exterio r bod y panel s ar e
covere d fo r rust-throug h fro m th e
insid e fo r th e specifie d tim e perio d
wit h n o mileag e limit .

Accessory Limited Warranty —

Genuin e Hond a Accessorie s ar e
covere d unde r thi s warranty . Tim e
an d mileag e limit s depen d o n th e
typ e o f accessor y an d othe r factors .
Pleas e rea d you r warrant y manua l
fo r details .

Replacement Parts Limited

Warranty — cover s al l genuin e
Hond a replacemen t part s agains t
defect s in material s an d workman -

ship .
Replacement
Battery Limited

Warranty — provide s prorate d

coverag e fo r a replacemen t batter y
purchase d fro m a Hond a dealer .

Replacement Muffler Lifetime

Limited Warranty — provide s

coverag e fo r a s lon g a s th e pur -
chase r o f th e muffle r own s th e
vehicle .
Restriction s an d exclusion s appl y t o
al l thes e warranties . Pleas e rea d th e
200 0 Hond a Warrant y Informatio n
bookle t tha t cam e wit h you r ca r fo r
precis e informatio n o n warrant y
coverages . You r Honda' s origina l
tire s ar e covere d b y thei r
manufacturer . Tir e warrant y infor -
matio n is i n a separat e booklet .

Canadia n Owner s

Pleas e refe r t o th e 200 1 Warrant y
Manua l tha t cam e wit h you r vehicle .

Warrant y an d Custome r Relation s

Inde
x

Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 214
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 70
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 71
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 296
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 168
Driv e Belts..................................... . 234

Driving........................................... . 163

Economy.................................... . 157
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 180
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 299
Drivin g Guidelines........................ . 164

Economy , Fuel.............................. . 157

Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 265
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 276
Brak e Syste m Indicator........... . 284
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 266
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... . 282
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 286
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 281
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 283
Overheate d Engine.................. . 279 Emergenc
y Brake........................... . 86
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 63
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 290
Emissio n Controls........................ . 300

Engin e

Coolan t Temperatur e Gauge ..... 57
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp .................................... 54,
282

Oil Pressur e
Indicator........
. 54 ,
281
Oil , Wha t
Kin
d t o Use.............. . 211
Overheating............................... . 279
Specifications............................ . 294
Starting....................................... . 166
Ethano l i n Gasolin e ...................... . 298
Evaporativ e Emissio n Controls... . 300
Exhaus t Fumes............................... . 49
Expectan t Mothers , Us e o f Sea t
Belt s by........................................ . 19
Exterior , Cleanin g the.................. . 256
Fabric , Cleaning............................ . 260
Fan , Interior..................................... . 98
Features , Comfor t an d
Convenience................................ . 97 Fillin
g th e Fue l Tank.................... . 157
Filter s
Air............................................... . 226
Ai r Conditioning....................... .

234

Oil............................................... . 213

5-spee d Manua l
Transmissio
n
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 222
Shiftin g the................................ . 169
Flashers , Hazard Warning............. . 63
Fla t Tire , Changin g a................... . 213
Fluid s
Automati c Transmission ...........

221

Brake.......................................... . 224
Clutch......................................... . 224
Manua l Transmission.............. . 222
Powe r
Steering..........................
. 225
Rea r Differential....................... . 223
Windshiel d Washer.................. . 220
F M Stere o Radi o
Reception................................... . 125
Foldin g Rea r Seat........................... . 82
Foreig n Countries , Drivin g in..... . 299
Four-wa y Flashers.......................... . 63
CONTINUED

Inde
x

Tire , Ho w to Chang e a Flat......... . 266
Tires............................................... . 235
Ai r Pressure.............................. . 235
Checkin g Wear......................... . 237
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading...... . 296
Inflation...................................... . 235
Inspection.................................. . 237
Maintenance.............................. . 237
Replacing................................... . 239
Rotating...................................... . 238
Snow........................................... . 240
Specifications............................ . 279
Technica l Information.................. . 291
Emissio n Controls.................... . 300
Identificatio n Numbers............ . 292
Specifications............................ . 294
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c

Converter............................... . 302

Tools,Tir e Changing................... . 266

Tor n Sea t Belt s ............................... . 43

Towin g
A Trailer..................................... . 182
Behin d a Motorhome............... . 189
Emergency................................ . 290
Transmissio
n

Checkin g Flui d Level ,
Automatic.............................. . 221
Checkin g Flui d Level ,
Manual................................... . 222

Flui d Selectio n .................. . 221 , 222

Identificatio n Number.............. . 292
Shiftin g th e Automatic............. . 170
Shiftin g th e Manual.................. . 169

Treadwear..................................... .
237

Tri p Meter....................................... . 56
Tur n
Signals....................................
. 61

Underside , Cleaning..................... . 262
Unexpected , Takin g Car e
o f the.......................................... . 265
Unifor m Tir e Qualit y Grading.... . 296
Unleade d Gasoline........................ . 152
Upholster y Cleaning..................... . 259

Use d Oil , Ho w to Dispos e of....... . 214

Vehicl e Capacit y Loa d ................. . 161 Vehicl
e Dimensions...................... . 294
Vehicl e Identificatio n Number.... . 292
Vehicl e Storage............................. . 253
Ventilation..................................... . 101

VIN................................................. . 292

Viny l Cleaning............................... . 260
Viscosity , Oil.................................. . 212

WARNING , Explanatio n of............. . ii
Warnin g Labels , Locatio n of......... . 50
Warrant y Coverages*.................. . 307
Washer , Windshiel d
Checkin g th e Flui d Level........ . 220
Operation..................................... . 62
Washing......................................... . 256
Waxin g an d Polishin g .................. . 257

Wheel s

Adjustin g th e Steering............... . 64
Alignmen t an d Balance............ .

237

Wrench......................................
268

Window s

Cleaning..................................... . 261
Operatin g th e
Power..................
. 84
Rear , Defogger........................... .

63

Inde
x
Windshiel d
Cleaning....................................... .
62

Defroster.................................... ..
103

Washers...................................... 220
Wipers , Windshiel d
Changin g
Blades.......................
. 231
Operation..................................... .

62

Wor n Tires.................................... .
237

Wrecker , Emergenc y
Towing.....
.

290

* :
U.S
. an d Canad a onl y