towing HONDA CR-V 2007 RD1-RD5, RE7 / 3.G User Guide

Your vehicle can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, your vehicle
must be towed with all four wheels
on the ground (flat towing).
Wh en purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manufacturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instru ctions carefully.
Perform the following procedure
every day imme diately before you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.
Al
ways drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the left
to get the trailer to move to the left,
andturnthewheel righttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all norm al precau tions when
parking, including firmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
tran smission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
When you stop towing your vehic le
and shift out of the neutral position,
you may not be able to move the
shift lever from neutral to reverse or
Park.Ifthishappens,press the
brake pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, then
shift out of neutral.
Leave
the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
sockets are turned off so you do
not run down the battery.
Release the parking brake. ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or 3 minutes, then
turn it off. Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Start the engine.
273
bottom Do not overf ill.
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
MotorhomeBacking Up
Parking
250

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.)Only remove the fuse after you have
perf ormed the transmission shif ting
procedure, and the key is in the
ACCESSORY (I) position. Store the
f use in an obvious location (center
tray, coin pockets, etc) as a reminder
to re-install the fuse before drivingthe vehicle.
If you tow a CR-V behind a
motorhome, the transmission fluid
must be changed every 2 years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever
comes f irst.
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
251
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
ACCESSORY RADIO FUSE
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
Failure to f ollow the recommended
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. Severe 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.
Radio f use to reduce drain on the
battery. T
his f
u
se is located in the
When towing your vehicle f or long
interior f use box a

nd is shown as
periods, remove the 7.5 A Accessory
number 34 below.

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .298
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .299
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .303
................................
Jump Starting .305
..............
If the Engine Overheats .307
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .309
..........
Charging System Indicator .309
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .310
...............
Brake System Indicator .311
..............................................
Fuses .312
..............................
Fuse Locations .315
......................
Emergency Towing .317
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
297

Replace the tire when you can see
the tread wear indicator bars. The
replacement should be the same size
and design tire, mounted on the
same wheel. The spare tire is not
designed to be mounted on a regular
wheel, and the spare wheel is not
designed f or mounting a regular tire.
Do not mount snow chains on the
compact spare tire.
Do not use your compact spare
tire on another vehicle unless it is
thesamemakeandmodel. Do not use the compact spare tire
if you are towing a trailer.
The low tire pressure indicator
stays on when you are driving with
thecompactsparetire.TheTPMS
indicator may also come on after
several miles (kilometers) driving.
Use the compact spare tire as a
temporary replacement only. Get
your regular tire repaired or replaced,
and put it back on your vehicle as
soon as you can.
Check the inf lation pressure of the
compact spare tire every time you
check the other tires. It should be
inf lated to:
Follow these precautions:
Never exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
This tire gives a harsher ride and
less traction on some road
surf aces. Use greater caution
while driving.
Compact Spare Tire
298
INDICATOR LOCATION MARK
TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BAR
60 psi (420 kPa , 4.2 kgf/cm)

If you have a f lat tire while driving,
stop in a saf e place to change it.
Drive slowly along the shoulder until
you get to an exit or an area to stop
that is far away from the traffic lanes.Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park. Apply the
parking brake.
If you are towing a trailer, unhitch
the trailer. Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Open the tailgate. Raise the cargo
area f loor lid by lif ting up with the
strap, and remove it f rom cargo
area by disengaging the tabs.
When you store the f lat tire in the
spare tire well, do not reinstall the
cargo area f loor lid f orcibly. This
will damage the tabs on the lid.
Take the tool kit out of the spare
tire.
1. 2.
3.
4.
CONT INUED
Changing a Flat Tire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
299
JACK
SPARE TIRE
TOOLS
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.

In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Refer to
on page . Do
you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
61
230 317
312
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
304

Look for any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you find a leak, it
must be repaired before you
continue driving (see
on page ).
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. Put
the radiator cap back on
tightl y. Run the engine, and check
the temperatu re gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. 9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
10.
11.
317
317
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
308
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.

However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will feel the brake
pedal go down much farther before
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and carefully.
Slow
down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it to wed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ). If
the ABS indicator and the VSA
system indicator come on with the
brake system indicato r, have your
vehicle inspected by your dealer
immediately.
The
brake system indicator normally
comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, and as
a reminder to check the parking
brake. It will stay on if you do not
fully release the parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake fluid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it feels normal.
If it does, check the brake fluid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. 275
317Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
311
Canada
U.S.

The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inform
th em a flat-bed is required.
If
your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a professional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 250
On 4WD models
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
Emergency Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
317
Towing 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.

CONT INUED
Doors..........................
Auto Door Lock .84
.......................
Auto Door Unlock .86
..............
Childproof Door Locks .88
..............
Locking and Unlocking .84
......................
Power Door Locks .82
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading .324
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety. 5
...........................................
Driving .227
....................................
Economy .219
........................
Driving Guidelines .228
.........................................
D Mode .233
................
Dual Deck Cargo Shelf .111
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter .284
..............................
Economy, Fuel .219
..................................
Emergencies .297
.............
Battery, Jump Starting .305
...........
Brake System Indicator .311
................
Changing a Flat Tire .299
.....
Charging System Indicator .309
..................
Checking the Fuses .312
.........
Hazard Warning Flashers . 76
............................
Jump Starting .305 .....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .309
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .310
..................
Overheated Engine .307
.......................................
Towing .317
...........................
Emergency Brake .78
......................
Emergency Flashers .76
......................
Emergency Towing .317
.......................
Emissions Controls .329
.............
Emissions Testing, State .332
Engine
............
Adding Engine Coolant .270
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge .69
.........................
If It Won’t Start .303
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 60, 310
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 60, 309
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 267
...............................
Overheating .307
............................
Specif ications .322
............................
Speed Limiter .234
.......................................
Starting .230
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .214
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 329
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .16 ...................................
Fan, Interior .125
.........................................
Features .123
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 215
Filters .........................
Dust and Pollen .284
...............................................
Oil .268
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 299
Fluids ..........
Automatic Transmission . 273
..........................................
Brake .275
..........................
Power Steering .276
..................
Windshield Washer . 272
...................
Folding Rear Seat . 99, 102
..........................
Four-way Flashers .76
..............................
Front Airbags . 9, 25
Front Seat ......................................
Adjusting .94
.......................................
Heaters .105
.....................................
Airbags . 9, 25
3
Index
E F
INDEX
III