trailer HONDA CR-V 2002 RD4-RD7 / 2.G User Guide

Start the engine.
Press on the brake pedal. Shif t the
lever through all the positions (P,
R, N, D, 2, 1)
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or three minutes, then
turn of f the engine.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery.If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours.
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
If youtowaCR-Vwithanautomatic
transmission, the transmission f luid
must be changed every two years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever
comes f irst.Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving225
Failure to f ollow the above instructions
exactly will result in severe automatic
transmission damage. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer. 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
f reely bef ore you begin towing.Severe automatic transmission damage
will occur if the vehicle is shif ted f rom
reverse to neutral and then towed with
the drive wheels on the ground.

Remember that your CR-V has
higher ground clearance and a
higher center of gravity than
passenger vehicles designed f or use
only on pavement. This means your
vehicle can more easily tip or roll
over if you make abrupt turns or
drive on slopes.
Utility vehicles have a signif icantly
higher rollover rate than other types
of vehicles. To avoid loss of control
or rollover, be sure to f ollow all
recommendations and precautions
on page and in this section.
Seat belts are just as important of f -
road as on paved roads. Wherever
you drive, make sure you and your
passengers always wear seat belts. If
children or inf ants are along f or the
ride, see that they are properly
secured. In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is more likely to die
than a person wearing a seat belt.On many unpaved roads, you won’t
f ind lane markers, traf f ic signals, or
signs to warn you of possible trouble
ahead. It’s up to you to continually
assess the situation and drive within
limits.The route presents limits (some
roads are too steep and bumpy f or
example). You have limits (in driving
skills and comf ort). And your vehicle
also has limits (traction, stability, and
power, f or instance).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take proper precautions.
For example, you can have an
accident or rollover during
maneuvers such as turning, driving
on hills, or over large obstacles.
Be sure to store cargo properly, and
do not exceed your CR-V’s cargo or
trailer load limits (see pages and
). 194
198
217
Important Saf ety Precautions
Off-Highway Guidelines
Driving227
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off-pavement can
cause an accident or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured or
killed.
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in the owner’s
manual.
Keep your speed low and
don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.

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The services and time or distance
intervals shown in the maintenance
schedule assume you will use your
vehicle as normal transportation f or
passengers and their possessions.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations:
The Maintenance Schedule specif ies
how of ten you should have your
vehicle serviced and what things
need attention. It is essential that
you have your vehicle serviced as
scheduled to retain its high level of
saf ety, dependability, and emissions
control perf ormance.
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other parts of your vehicle. The
load limit is shown on the label on
the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
the proper octane rating (see page). Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the Maintenance Schedules on the
f ollowing pages.
Follow the
Maintenance Schedule f or Severe
Conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip or, in f reezing
temperatures, driving less than 10
miles (16 km) per trip.
Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving.
Trailer towing, driving with a roof
rack, or driving in mountainous
conditions.
184
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S.Owners
236

Open the hood.
Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs, one on each side. When
replacing a bulb, handle it by its steel
base and protect the glass from
contactwithyourskinorhard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustment of the headlights should
be perf ormed by a Honda technician
or other qualif ied mechanic.
Remove the electrical connector
f rom the bulb by pulling the
connector straight back.
Remove the rubber weather seal
by pulling on the tab.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Headlight A iming
Maint enance
Lights
287
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Stopping in traf f ic or on the shoulder
of a busy road is dangerous. Drive
slowly along the shoulder until you
gettoanexitoranareatostopthat
is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level and
non-slippery ground away f rom
traf f ic. Put the transmission in
Park (automatic) or Reverse
(manual). Apply the parking brake.
Turn on the hazard warning lights
and turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0). Have all the
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire. If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer.Open the tailgate.
1.
2. 3.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Changing a Flat T ire
308
S SP
PA
A R
REE T
TI
IRRE E
J
JA A C
CKK
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.

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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
cables lif t that end of the vehicle of f
the ground. Your vehicle’s
suspension and body can be
seriously damaged.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Any other
method of towing will damage the
drive system. When you contact the
towing agency, inf orm them that a
f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 224Wheel L if t Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
Never tow your vehicle with
wheel lif t equipment.
T his method of
towing your CR-V is unacceptable.
T his is the only way to
transport your vehicle. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed337
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 f lat-bed truck or
trailer.

.....................................
Tachometer .72
Tailgate .................................
Hatch Glass .94
............................
Open Indicator .70
.................................
Opening the .93
..........
Taillights, Changing Bulbs . 290
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 307
...........................
Tape Player .151, 164
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 348
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .346
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .350
.......................
Temperature Gauge .74
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
............................
Thef t Protection .178 ..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 350
..................
Time, Setting the . 144,162
....................................
Tire Chains .284
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 308
...............................................
Tires .278
..............................
Air Pressure .279
.........................
Checking Wear .280
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 344
......................................
Inf lation .278
..................................
Inspection .280
..............................
Maintenance .280
...................................
Replacing .282
......................................
Rotating .281
...........................................
Snow .283
............................
Specif ications .343
................................
Tire Chains .284
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 308
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .217
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 224
................................
Emergency .337
..........
SRS, Additional Inf ormation . 54
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 59
.............................
Airbag Service .59
How the Side Airbag Cutof f ...........
Indicator Light Works . 58
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 57
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .54
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 56
........................
SRS Components .54
.............................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
....
START (Ignition Key Position) . 87
..............
State Emissions Testing . 351
.......................
Starting the Engine .200
In Cold Weather at High ..................................
Altitude .201
................
With a Dead Battery . 320
........
Steam Coming f rom Engine . 323
Steering Wheel ..................................
Adjustment .83
.............
Anti-theft Column Lock . 87
...................
Stereo Sound System . 137
...................................
Storage Box .119
....................
Storing Your Vehicle .295
........................
Sunglasses Holder .121 Supplemental Restraint
................................
System .10, 54
......................................
Servicing .59
.........................
SRS Indicator .57 ,67
...................
System Components . 54
..................................
Synthetic Oil .248
Index
T
VIII