tow HONDA CR-V 2008 RD1-RD5, RE7 / 3.G Owners Manual

A convenient ref erence to the
sections in this manual.
A quick ref erence to the main
controls in your vehicle.
Explains the purpose of each
instrument panel indicator and gauge,
and how to use the controls on the
dashboard and steering column.
How to operate the heating and air
conditioning system, the audio
system, and other convenience
f eatures.What gasoline to use, how to break-
in your new vehicle, and how to load
luggage and other cargo.
The proper way to start the engine,
shif t the transmission, and park; plus
what you need to know if you’re
planning to tow a trailer.
How to order manuals and other
technical literature.
A summary of the inf ormation you
need when you pull up to the f uel
pump.
Important inf ormation about the
proper use and care of your vehicle’s
seat belts, an overview of the
supplemental restraint system, and
valuable inf ormation on how to
protect children with child restraints. A summary of the warranties
covering your new vehicle, and how
to contact us for any reason. Refer to
your warranty manual f or detailed
inf ormation.
The maintenance minder shows you
when you need to take your vehicle
to the dealer for maintenance service.
There is also a list of things to check
and instructions on how to check
them.
ID numbers, dimensions, capaci-
ties, and technical inf ormation.
This section covers several problems
motorists sometimes experience,
and details how to handle them.
Overview of Contents
Contents
Your Vehicle at a Glance
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Instruments and Controls
Features Driving
Maintenance
Warranty and Customer
Relations
(U.S. and Canada only)
Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
Index
Bef ore Driving
Service Inf ormation Summary
T echnical Inf ormation
T aking Care of the Unexpected
2
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2008 CR- V

This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
If it comes on while driving, it
indicates that one or more of your
vehicle’s tires are signif icantly low
on pressure.
If this happens, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e, check which tire
has lost the pressure, and determine
the cause. If it is because of a flat tire,
replace the flat tire with the compact
spare (see page ), and have the
f lat tire repaired as soon as possible.
If two or more tires are underinf lated,
call a prof essional towing service
(see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position.
This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either the
or position. If you turn the
ignition switch to the ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0) position without
turning of f the light switch, this
indicator will stay on. A reminder
chime will also sound when you open
the driver’s door.
If this indicator comes on and stays
on at any other time, or if it does not
come on when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, there
is a problem with the TPMS. With
this indicator on, the low tire
pressure indicator will not come on
when a tire loses pressure. Take the
vehicle to your dealer to have the
system checked.
312
332 258
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (T PMS) IndicatorLights On Indicator
Instrument Panel Indicators
64
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µ
µ
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µ µ µ
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MIST
OFF
INT Intermittent
LO Low speed
HI High speed
Windshield washers Pull the
wiper control lever toward you, and
hold it. The washers spray until you
release the lever. The wipers run at
low speed, then complete one more
sweep after you release the lever.
The wipers run at high speed. The wipers run at low speed.
Vary the delay by turning the
adjustment ring. If you turn it to the
shortest delay ( position), the
wipers change to low speed
operation when the vehicle speed
exceeds 12 mph (20km/h).
The length of the wiper interval is
varied automatically according to the
vehicle’s speed. The wipers operate every
f ew seconds. At low speed and high
speed, the wipers run continuously. The wipers are not activated.
Push the right lever up or down to
select a position.
The wipers run at high
speed until you release the lever.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
On all models except LX
Windshield Wiper Windshield Washers
HI
LO
INT
OFF
MIST
Windshield Wipers and Washers
Inst rument s and Cont rols
73
ADJUSTMENT RING
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2008 CR- V

Push the lever under the steering
column all the way down.
Make any steering wheel adjustment
bef ore you start driving.
To apply the parking brake, push the
pedal down with your f oot. To
release it, push on the pedal again.
The parking brake indicator on the
instrument panel should go out when
the parking brake is fully released
(see page ). Move the steering wheel up or
down, and in or out, so it points
toward your chest, not toward
your f ace. Make sure you can see
the instrument panel gauges and
indicators.
1.
2.
60
Parking Brake Steering Wheel A djustment
Parking Brake, Steering Wheel A djustment
78
PARKING BRAKE PEDAL
Adjusting the steering wheel
position while driving may
cause you to lose control of the
vehicle and be seriously injured
inacrash.
Adjust the steering wheel only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Driving the vehicle with the parking
brake applied can damage the rear
brakes and axles. A beeper will sound
if the vehicle is driven with the parking
brake on.
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2008 CR- V

The dual deck cargo shelf will
separate the storage area into two
storage areas. On the upper area,
you can store small and light items.
Youshouldplaceheavyitemsinthe
lower storage area. You can remove
the dual deck cargo shelf and store it
on the cargo f loor to make a larger
cargo area.To store the dual deck cargo shelf ,
lif t up either side of it, then move it
as shown above.
Make sure to use the dual deck cargo shelf f ully opened and securely
latched.
To remove the dual deck cargo shelf ,
f old up the rear half of the shelf
forward onto the front half, push up
on both sides, then pull it toward you.
Place the dual deck cargo shelf on
the f ar side of the cargo f loor, then
slide it f orward while f olding out the
upperhalfoftheshelf.
If equipped
Dual Deck Cargo Shelf
Interior Convenience Items
114
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2008 CR- V

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
During this period:
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced.
Do not tow a trailer. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 % ethanol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
226
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Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole. Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
about checking other items on your
vehicle.
1.
2.
3. 4.
281 284
278
Oil Check
A dding Engine OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
230
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN RESERVE TANK
DIPSTICK
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µ·
µ The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passenger that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Steps f or Determining Correct Load
Limit
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg) f or U.S. vehicles,
and 395 kg for Canadian vehicles.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer.
Label Example (1)
(2)
(3) (6)
(5)
(4)
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
237
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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2008 CR- V

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmission. It also
includes important inf ormation on
parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA) system, the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) and f acts
you need if you are planning to tow a
trailerordriveoff-highway.........................
Driving Guidelines .244
....................
Preparing to Drive .245
.......................
Starting the Engine .246
..............
Automatic Transmission .247
...........................................
Parking .252
.............................
Braking System .253
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .254
Vehicle Stability Assist
............................
(VSA) System .256
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .258
...........................
Towing a Trailer .261
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
................................
Motorhome .266
Of f -Highway Driving ..................................
Guidelines .268
Driving
Driving
243
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µ
µ Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) f or your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shif ting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up f aster. Press the D3 switch on the side of
the shif t lever to turn this mode on
or of f ; the D3 mode indicator comes
on whenever the D3 mode is
selected.
D3 mode can be turned on or of f
only when the ignition switch is in
the ON (II) position and the shif t
lever is in the D position.WhentheD3modeison,the
transmission selects only the f irst
three gears. Use D3 mode when
towing a trailer, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
D3 mode can also keep the
transmission f rom cycling between
third and f ourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.
CONT INUED
Neutral (N)
Drive (D)
Automatic Transmission
D3 Mode
Driving
249
D3 MODE INDICATOR
D3 SWITCH
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2008 CR- V