trailer HONDA CR-V 2011 RD1-RD5, RE7 / 3.G User Guide

Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Check trailer light requirements f or
the areas where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province,
territory, and local regulations.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody. Seeyourtrailerdealerorrental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicles hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
There are two common types of
trailer brakes: surge and electric.
Surge brakes are common f or boat
trailers, since the brakes will get wet.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights
Saf et y Chains Trailer Brakes
HitchesT owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Driving
331
Main MenuTable of Contents

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories require special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Even if they don’t, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the lef t
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer. Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
332
HAZARD
(PINK)
TRAILER
(WHITE)
TAILLIGHT
(RED)
RIGHT
TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN)
BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN) GROUND
(BLACK)
LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(ORANGE)
Main MenuTable of Contents

Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. D is the
proper shif t lever position to use
when towing a trailer in hilly terrain.
(See ‘‘ ’’ in the
f ollowing column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section. If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and use the D3 position.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
3
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears Driving on Hills
Driving Saf ely With a T railerDriving
333
Main MenuTable of Contents

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 f our wheels
on the ground (f lat towing).
When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully.
Perf orm the f ollowing procedure
every day immediately bef ore you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.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 of f so you do
not run down the battery.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t to D position and hold f or 5
seconds, then to N. Let the engine
runfor3minutes,thenturnitoff.
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.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
Always 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 lef t, and
turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
355
Do not overf ill.
bottom
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle Behind a Mot orhome
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome
Parking
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
334
Main MenuTable of Contents

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.
When towing your vehicle f or long
periods, remove the 7.5 A Accessory
Radio f use to reduce drain on battery.
This f use is located in the interior
f use box and is shown as number 34
below.
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
335
INTERIOR FUSE BOXACCESSORY 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.
Main MenuTable of Contents

CONT INUED
Theheadlightswereproperlyaimed
when your vehicle was new. If you
regularly carry heavy items in the
cargo area or pull a trailer,
readjustment may be required.
Adjustmentsshouldbedonebyyour
dealer or another qualif ied
technician.Your vehicle has halogen headlight
bulbs. When replacing a bulb, handle
it by its base, and protect the glass
f rom contact with your skin or hard
objects. If you touch the glass, clean
it with denatured alcohol and a clean
cloth.
Open the hood.
To change the headlight bulb on
the driver’s side, remove the
under-hood f use box f rom its stay
by pulling it out.
1.
Headlight A iming Replacing a Headlight Bulb
Lights
Maint enance
359
Halogen headlight bulbs get very hot
when lit. Oil, perspiration, or a scratch
on the glass can cause the bulb to
overheat and shatter.
Main MenuTable of Contents

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 T ire
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
383
JACK
SPARE TIRE
TOOLSSTRAP
FLOOR LID
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 thejack.
Main MenuTable of Contents

µµ
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Any other method of towing will
damage the drive system. When you
contact the towing agency, inf orm
them a f lat-bed is required.
The operator will load
your vehicle on the back of a truck. Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the f ront tires and lif t them of f
the ground. The rear tires remain on
the ground. If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
Start the engine.
Shif t to the D position and hold f or
5 seconds, then to N.
Turn of f the engine.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Release the parking brake.
On 4WD models On 2WD models
CONT INUED
Emergency Towing
The only way you can saf ely tow
your vehicle is with f lat-bed
equipment.
T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
This is an acceptable
way to tow your vehicle.
Flat -bed Equipment
Wheel-lif t Equipment
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
403
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. Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the all f our wheels of f
the ground.
Main MenuTable of Contents

CONT INUED
..........................
Time, Setting the . 259
....................................
Tire Chains . 375
.........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 383
...........................
Tire Inf ormation . 410
...............................................
Tires . 370
..............................
Air Pressure . 371
........................................
Chains . 375
.........................
Checking Wear . 372
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 410
......................................
Inf lation . 370
..................................
Inspection . 372
.....................................
Labeling . 412
Low Tire Pressure
...........................
Indicator . 66, 326
..............................
Maintenance . 373
..
Pressure Monitoring System . 326
...................................
Replacing . 374
......................................
Rotating . 373
...........................................
Snow . 375
............................
Specif ications . 409
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 383
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer . 329
...............
Behind a Motorhome . 334
................
Emergency Wrecker . 403
....
Equipment and Accessories . 331 ....................
Pre-Tow Checklist . 332
.............................
Weight Limit . 329
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
..................................
System) . 326
...............................
Indicator . 66, 327
Required Federal
............................
Explanation . 414
.....................
Trailer Loading . 329, 330
......................
Trailer Towing Tips . 333
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level,
..............................
Automatic . 355
...........................
Fluid Selection . 355
..............
Identif ication Number . 407
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 315
.....................................
Treadwear . 372
.......................................
Trip Meter . 69
....................................
Turn Signals . 76
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the . 381
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 410
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 294 USB Adapter
..................
Cable . 179, 186, 237, 245
.
USB Flash Memory Device . 184, 242
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 351
............
WARNING, Explanation of . iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 56
....................
Warranty Coverages . 423 .................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 305
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 408
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 406
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System . 324
.....................................
Indicators . 64
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 378
.............................
Ventilation . 132, 138
.................................................
VIN . 406
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 349
...........
Voice Control System . 136, 195
Index
V
UW
INDEX
IX
Main Menu