steering HONDA CR-V 2001 RD1-RD3 / 1.G Owners Manual

2001 CR-V Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com. Contents


Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safety........................................................................\
........................................ .ii
Important Handling Information........................................................................\
.............................iii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .2
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
......................................5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Controls........................................................................\
........................................ .51
Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... ..97
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................151
What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .163
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................197
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take yo ur vehicle to the dealer.
Appearance Care........................................................................\
..................................................... .255
Tips on cleaning and protecting your vehicle. Things to look for if your\
vehicle ever needs body repairs.
Taking Care of the Unexpected........................................................................\
..............................265
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, a nd how to handle them.
Technical Information........................................................................\
............................................ .291
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canada)................................................................305
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manuals (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................311
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.
Owner's Identification Form

Control
s Nea r th e Steerin g Whee l
Mak e sur e th e rea r windo w is clea r
an d yo u hav e goo d visibilit y befor e
startin g t o drive .
Th e defogge r wire s o n th e insid e o f
th e rea r windo w ca n b e accidentall y
damaged . Whe n cleanin g th e glass ,
alway s wip e sid e t o side . Steerin
g Whee l Adjustmen t

See page 18 for important safety
information about how to properly
position the steering wheel.

Mak e an y steerin g whee l adjustmen t
befor e yo u star t driving .

Instrument s an d Control s
Adjustin
g th e steerin g whee l
positio n whil e drivin g ma y
caus e yo u t o los e contro l o f th e
vehicl e an d b e seriousl y injure d
i n a crash .
Adjus t th e steerin g whee l onl y
whe n th e vehicl e is stopped .

Steering
Wheel Controls

Cruis e Contro l
Cruis e contro l allow s yo u t o maintai n
a se t spee d abov e 2 5 mp h (4 0 km/h )
withou t keepin g you r foo t o n th e
accelerato r pedal . I t shoul d b e use d
fo r cruisin g o n straight , ope n
highways . I t i s no t recommende d fo r
condition s suc h a s cit y driving ,
windin g roads , slipper y roads , heav y
rain , o r ba d weather . Yo u shoul d
hav e ful l contro l o f th e vehicl e unde r
thos e conditions . The
cruise control, as it operates,
moves the accelerator pedal. You can
damage your vehicle's accelerator
mechanism by resting your foo t under
the pedal and blocking the movement.
Using
the Cruise Control

1 . Pus h i n th e Cruis e Contro l Maste r
Switc h t o th e lef t o f th e steerin g
column . Th e indicato r i n th e
switc h wil l light .
2 . Accelerat e t o th e desire d cruisin g
speed above 2 5 mp h (40 km/h) .
Instrument s an d Control s
Imprope
r us e o f th e cruis e
contro l ca n lea d to a crash .
Us e th e cruis e contro l onl y
whe n travelin g o n ope n
highway s i n goo d weather .
NOTIC
E

Key
s an d Lock s

LOCK (0) — Yo u ca n inser t o r
remov e th e ke y onl y i n thi s position .
T o switc h fro m ACCESSOR Y to
LOCK , yo u mus t pus h th e ke y i n
slightl y a s yo u tur n it . I f you r vehicl e
ha s a n automati c transmission , i t
mus t als o b e in Park . Th e anti-thef t
loc k wil l loc k th e steerin g colum n
whe n yo u remov e th e key .
I f the fron t wheel s ar e turned , the
anti-thef t loc k ma y sometime s mak e
i t difficul t t o tur n th e ke y fro m
LOC K to ACCESSORY . Firml y tur n
the steerin g whee l t o th e lef t o r t o
th e righ t a s yo u tur n th e key . ACCESSOR
Y (I ) — In thi s position ,
yo u ca n operat e th e audi o syste m
an d th e accessor y powe r socket .
O N (II ) — Thi s i s th e norma l ke y
positio n whe n driving . Al l feature s
an d accessorie s o n th e vehicl e ar e
usable . Severa l o f th e light s o n the
instrumen t pane l com e o n a s a tes t
whe n yo u tur n th e ignitio n switc h
fro m ACCESSOR Y to ON .
STAR T (III ) — Us e thi s positio n
onl y t o star t th e engine . Th e switc h
return s t o O N (II ) whe n yo u le t g o o f
th e key .
Yo u wil l hea r a reminde r beepe r i f
yo u leav e th e ke y i n th e ignitio n
switc h i n th e LOC K (0 ) o r
ACCESSOR Y (I ) positio n an d ope n
th e driver' s door . Remov e the key t o
tur n of f th e beeper . Doo
r Lock s
Eac h doo r ha s a loc k ta b o n th e top .
Pus h th e ta b dow n to loc k th e doo r
an d pul l i t u p to unlock .
T o loc k an y passenger' s doo r whe n
gettin g ou t o f th e vehicle , pus h th e
loc k ta b dow n an d clos e th e door . T o
loc k th e driver' s door , pul l th e
outsid e doo r handl e an d pus h th e
loc k ta b down . Releas e th e handle ,
the n clos e th e door .
Instrument s an d Control s
LOC
K TA B
Removin g th e ke y fro m th e
ignitio n switc h whil e drivin g
lock s th e steering . Thi s ca n
caus e yo u t o los e control .
Remov e th e ke y fro m th e
ignitio n switc h onl y whe n
parked .

Drivin
g Guideline s

You r CR- V ha s highe r groun d
clearanc e tha n a passenge r vehicl e
designe d onl y fo r us e o n pavement .
Highe r groun d clearanc e ha s man y
advantage s fo r off-highwa y driving .
I t allow s yo u t o trave l ove r bump s
an d unpave d roads . I t als o provide s
goo d visibilit y s o yo u ca n anticipat e
problem s earlier .
Thes e advantage s com e a t som e cost .
Becaus e you r vehicl e i s talle r an d
ride s highe r of f th e ground , i t ha s a
hig h cente r o f gravity . Thi s mean s
tha t you r vehicl e ca n ti p o r rol l ove r
i f yo u mak e abrup t turns . 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 preven t th e ris k o f rollove r o r
los s o f control : Tak
e corner s a t slowe r speed s
tha n yo u woul d wit h a passenge r
vehicle .
Avoi
d shar p turn s an d abrup t
maneuver s wheneve r possible . D
o no t modif y you r vehicl e in an y
wa y tha t woul d rais e th e cente r o f

gravity .
D
o no t carr y heav y carg o o n th e

roof .
Four-wheel
Drive Models

You r CR- V is equippe d wit h a uniqu e
four-whee l driv e (4WD ) system .
Normally , powe r i s delivere d onl y t o
th e fron t wheels . Whe n th e syste m
sense s a los s o f front-whee l traction ,
i t automaticall y transfer s som e
powe r t o th e rea r wheels . Thi s give s
yo u bette r tractio n an d mobility .
Whil e thi s syste m ca n provid e
increase d tractio n o n slipper y
surfaces , yo u stil l nee d t o exercis e
th e sam e car e whe n accelerating ,
steering , an d brakin g tha t yo u woul d
i n a two-whee l driv e vehicle .

See page 191 for additional guidelines

for driving off-highway.

Drivin g

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

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 309 for informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a

dealer .

Maintenanc e Safety...................... . 198

Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 199

Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 200
Require
d Maintenanc e Record... . 207
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 209

Flui d Locations.............................. . 210

Engin e Oil...................................... . 211
Addin g Oil.................................. . 211
Recommende d Oil.................... . 211
Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 212

Additives.................................... . 212

Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 213

Coolin g System............................. . 215

Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 215
Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 217

Windshiel d Washers.................... . 220

Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 221

Automati c Transmission.......... . 221

5-spee d Manua l

Transmission......................... . 222

Rea r Differentia l Fluid................. . 223

Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 224

Brak e System............................ . 224
Clutc h System........................... . 225

Powe r Steering.............................. . 225

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 226

Hoo d Latch.................................... . 227

Spar k Plugs.................................... . 227

Replacement.............................. . 227
Specifications............................
. 228
Battery........................................... . 229
Wipe r Blades................................. . 231
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 233
Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 234
Driv e Belts..................................... . 234
Timin g Belt.................................... . 235
Tires............................................... . 235
Inflation...................................... . 235
Recommende d Tir e
Pressure s fo r Norma l
Driving........................... . 236
Inspection.................................. . 237
Maintenance.............................. . 237
Tir e Rotation............................. . 238
Replacin g Tire s an d Wheel s ... . 239
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 240
Winte r Driving.......................... . 240

Sno w Tires............................. . 240

Tir e Chains............................ . 241
Lights............................................. . 242
Headligh t Aiming..................... . 244
Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 246
Storin g You r Vehicle.................... . 253

Maintenanc e

Brak
e an d Clutc h Fluid , Powe r Steerin g
Clutc h Syste m
MI N MA
X
Th e flui d shoul d b e betwee n th e
MI N an d MA X mark s o n th e sid e o f
th e reservoir . I f i t i s not , ad d brak e
flui d t o brin g i t u p t o tha t level . Us e
th e sam e flui d specifie d fo r th e
brak e system .
Lo w flui d leve l ca n indicat e a lea k i n
th e clutc h system . Hav e thi s syste m
inspecte d a s soo n a s possible . Powe
r Steerin g
UPPER LEVE L
LOWE R LEVE L
Chec k th e leve l whe n th e engin e i s
cold . Loo k a t th e sid e o f th e
reservoir . Th e flui d shoul d b e
betwee n th e UPPE R LEVE L an d
LOWE R LEVEL . I f i t i s belo w th e
LOWE R LEVEL , ad d powe r steerin g
flui d t o th e UPPE R LEVEL . Alway
s us e Hond a Powe r Steerin g
Fluid . I f i t i s no t available , yo u ma y
us e anothe r powe r steerin g flui d a s
a n emergenc y replacement .
However , continue d us e ca n caus e
increase d wea r an d poo r steerin g in
col d weather . Hav e th e powe r
steerin g syste m flushe d an d refille d
wit h Hond a PS F a s soo n a s possible .
A lo w powe r steerin g flui d leve l ca n
indicat e a lea k i n th e system . Chec k
th e flui d leve l frequentl y an d hav e
th e syste m inspecte d a s soo n a s

possible .

Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.
Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E

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