coolant HONDA CR-V 2003 RD4-RD7 / 2.G User Guide

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Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the page given.
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
188
189
258
260 278
285
263
Owner Maintenance Checks
Maint enance245

Fluid Locations
Maint enance246
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIRRADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
CLUTCH FLUID
(5-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
The coolant you add should always
be a mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Never add
straight antif reeze or plain water.Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water. It
does not require any additional
mixing. If it is not available, you may
use another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
However, continued use of any non-
Honda coolant can result in
corrosion, causing the cooling
system to malf unction or f ail. Have
the cooling system f lushed and
ref illed with Honda antif reeze/
coolant as soon as possible.
If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
1.
CONT INUED
A dding Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance251
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Turn the radiator cap counter-
clockwise, without pressing down
on it, until it stops. This relieves
any pressure remaining in the
cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Tighten it f ully. Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spills immediately. Spilled
coolant could damage components
in the engine compartment.
2.
3.
4.
5. 6.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance252
RADIATOR CAP
RESERVE TANK

CONT INUED
Thecoolingsystemshouldbe
completely drained and ref illed with
new coolant according to the time
and distance recommendations in
the maintenance schedule. Only use
Honda All Season Antif reeze/
Coolant Type 2.
Draining the coolant requires access
to the underside of the vehicle.
Unless you have the tools and
knowledge, you should have this
maintenance done by a skilled
mechanic.Remove the radiator cap.
Turn the ignition ON (II). Turn
the heater temperature control
dial f ully clockwise. Turn the
ignition of f .
Openthehood.Makesurethe
engine and radiator are cool to the
touch.
1.
2.
3.
Replacing Engine Coolant
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance253

Loosen the drain plug on the
bottom of the radiator. Drain the
coolant into an appropriate
container.
Bef ore draining the coolant,
remove the cover under the
radiator. Use a phillips-head
screwdriver to remove the two
bolts, and remove the sixteen
holding clips f rom the cover (12
clips on the bottom and 4 clips on
the side) with a flat-tipped
screwdriver. Then pull the cover
down.
4.
5.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance254
HOLDING CLIP
BOLTBOLT DRAIN PLUG

To drain the coolant from the
reserve tank:Remove the reserve tank
mounting bolt with a wrench, pull
out the coolant tube f rom the two
clips on the upper and lower side
of the fan shroud, then move the
reserve tank away f rom the f an
shroud while pulling the bottom
tab of the reserve tank out of the
hole.Remove the coolant tube from the
f our clips.
Use a wrench to remove the bolt
from the battery hold-down.
Remove the seven holding clips
f rom the cover by using a f lat-
tipped screwdriver. Then pull the
bulkhead cover away.
6.
7.8.
CONT INUED
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance255
BOLT
TABBOLT

Remove the coolant tube f rom the
radiator.
Put the end of the coolant tube
lower than the coolant reserve
tank and drain the coolant into an
appropriate container.Put the reserve tank back in place,
making sure its bottom tab is in
the holder. Reinstall and tighten
the mounting bolt securely.
Reinstall the cover. Lock the
holding clips by pushing on the
center of the clip. Reinstall the bolt
in the battery hold-down.
When the coolant stops draining,
tightenthedrainplugatthe
bottom of the radiator.
Put the cover back in place and
tighten the bolts securely.
Reinstall the 16 holding clips. Lock
each clip in place by pushing on its
center.
Pour Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2 into
the radiator up to the base of the
f iller neck. This coolant is a
mixture of 50 percent antif reeze
and 50 percent water. Pre-mixing
is not required.
Put the coolant tube back in the
clips and reinstall the coolant tube
to the radiator securely.
12.
13.
9.
10. 11.
14.
15. 16.
Cooling Syst em
Maint enance256
FILLER NECK
Fill up to here

Fill the reserve tank to the MAX
mark. Install the reserve tank cap.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it to the first stop.Remove the radiator cap. Fill the
radiator with coolant up to the
base of the f iller neck.
Start the engine and hold it at
1,500 rpm until the radiator f an
comes on. Turn of f the engine.
Check the coolant level in the
radiator and add coolant if needed.
Install the radiator cap, and
tighten it fully.
If necessary, f ill the reserve tank
to the MAX mark. Install the
reserve tank cap.
Start the engine and let it run until
the radiator cooling f an comes on
at least twice. Then stop the
engine.
Start the engine and let it run f or
about 30 seconds. Then turn of f
the engine.
Check the level in the radiator,
add coolant if needed.
The cooling system capacity is:
17.
18. 19.
20.
21.22.
23.
24.
25.
With automatic transmission:
With manual transmission:
Maint enance
Cooling Syst em
257
RESERVE TANK
1.43 US gal (5.4)
1.45 US gal (5.5
)

If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, for
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason.
Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling
system and all other accessories.
Turn on the hazard warning
indicators.If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.
Your vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action. 1.
2.3.
4.
5.
CONT INUED
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed323
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.