Get Before Driving Guide for Honda CR-V SUV First Generation (1995-2000)

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Service Station Procedures

Oil Check

DIPSTICK

SUPPORT ROD

2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean

cloth or paper towel.

3. Pull the support rod out of its clip

and insert the end into the hole on

the front of the hood around the

center.

Check the engine oil level every time

you fill the vehicle with fuel. Wait a

few minutes after turning the engine

off before you check the oil.

To close the hood, lift it up slightly to

remove the support rod from the

hole. Put the support rod back into

its holding clip. Lower the hood to

about a foot (30 cm) above the

fender, then let it drop.

1. Remove the dipstick (orange

handle).

After closing the hood, make sure it

is securely latched.

CONTINUED

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Service Station Procedures

Engine Coolant Check

RESERVE TANK

UPPER MARK

LOWER MARK

MAX

MIN

3. Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4. Remove the dipstick again and

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 Adding

Engine Coolant on page 201 for

information on adding the proper

coolant.

check the level. It should be

between the upper and lower

marks.

If it is near or below the lower mark,

see Adding Oil on page 197.

Refer to Owner Maintenance

Checks on page 195 for information

on checking other items in your

Honda.

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Fuel Economy

A cold engine uses more fuel than a

warm engine. It is not necessary to

"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it

idle for a long time. You can drive

away in about a minute, no matter

how cold it is outside. The engine

will warm up faster, and you get

better fuel economy. To cut clown on

the number of "cold starts," try to

combine several short trips into one.

The condition of your vehicle and

your driving habits are the two most

important things that affect the fuel

mileage you get.

Driving Habits

You can improve fuel economy by

driving moderately. Rapid acceler-

ation, abrupt cornering, and hard

braking use more fuel.

Vehicle Condition

Always maintain your vehicle accord-

ing to the maintenance schedule.

This will keep it in top operating-

condition.

Always drive in the highest gear that

allows the engine to run and acceler-

ate smoothly.

Depending on traffic conditions, try

to maintain a constant speed. Every

time you slow down and speed up,

your vehicle uses extra fuel. Use the

cruise control, when appropriate, to

increase fuel economy.

The air conditioning puts an extra

load on the engine which makes it

use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to

cut down on air conditioning use.

Use the flow-through ventilation

when the outside air temperature is

moderate.

An important part of that mainte-

nance is the Owner Maintenance

Checks (see page 195). For

example, an underinflated tire

causes more "rolling resistance,"

which uses fuel. It also wears out

faster, so check the tire pressure at

least monthly.

In winter, the build-up of snow on

your vehicle's underside adds weight

and rolling resistance. Frequent

cleaning helps your fuel mileage and

reduces the chance of corrosion.

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Accessories and Modifications

operation of your vehicle, or even

cause the airbags to deploy.

Modifying your vehicle, or installing

some non-Honda accessories, can

make your vehicle unsafe. Before

you make any modifications or add

any accessories, be sure to read the

following information.

Improper accessories or

modifications can affect your

vehicle's handling, stability and

performance, and cause a

crash in which you can be hurt

or killed.

Before installing any accessory:

Make sure the accessory does not

obscure any lights, or interfere

with proper vehicle operation or

performance.

Accessories

Your dealer has Genuine Honda

accessories that allow you to

personalize your vehicle. These

accessories have been designed and

approved for your vehicle, and are

covered by warranty.

Follow all instructions in this

owner's manual regarding

accessories and modifications.

Be sure electronic accessories do

not overload electrical circuits

(see page 268 ).

Have the installer contact your

Honda dealer for assistance before

installing any electronic accessory.

When properly installed, cellular

phones, alarms, two-way radios, and

low-powered audio systems should

not interfere with your vehicle's

computer-controlled systems, such

as the SRS and anti-lock brake

system.

Non-Honda accessories are usually

designed for universal applications.

Although aftermarket accessories

may fit on your vehicle, they may not

meet factory specifications, and

could adversely affect your vehicle's

handling and stability. (See

If possible, have your dealer inspect

the final installation.

"Modifications" on page 147 for

additional information.)

However, if electronic accessories

are improperly installed, or exceed

your vehicle's electrical system

capacity, they can interfere with the

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Accessories and Modifications

In addition, any modifications that

decrease ground clearance increase

the chance of undercarriage parts

striking a curb, speed bump, or other

raised object, which could cause

your airbags to deploy.

Additional Safety Precaution

Do not attach or place objects on the

airbag covers. Any object attached to

or placed on the covers marked "SRS

AIRBAG," in the center of the

steering wheel and on top of the

dashboard, could interfere with the

proper operation of the airbags. Or,

if the airbags inflate, the objects

could be propelled inside the vehicle

and hurt someone.

Modifications

Do not remove any original

equipment or modify your vehicle in

any way that would alter its design or

operation. This could make your

vehicle unsafe and illegal to drive.

Do not modify your steering wheel

or any other part of your

Supplemental Restraint System.

Modifications could make the

system ineffective.

For example, do not make any

modifications that would change the

ride height of your vehicle, or install

wheels and tires with a different

overall diameter.

Such modifications can adversely

affect handling, and interfere with

the operation of the vehicle's anti-

lock brakes and other systems.

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CarryingCargo

Your vehicle has several convenient

storage areas so you can stow cargo

safely.

SEAT UNDER-BOX

CARGO FLOOR POCKET

TAILGATE

POCKET

DOOR POCKET

The glove box, and the pockets in

the front doors and seat-backs, are

designed for small, lightweight items.

The cargo area is intended for larger,

heavier items. In addition, the back

seat can be folded down to allow you

to cany more cargo or longer items.

However, carrying too much cargo,

or improperly storing it, can affect

your vehicle's handling, stability and

operation and make it unsafe. Before

carrying any type of cargo, be sure to

read the following pages.

CARGO AREA

GLOVE BOX

CENTER POCKET

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CarryingCargo

Load Limit

The maximum load for your vehicle

Carrying Items in the Passenger

Compartment

is 850 Ibs (395 kg).

Overloading or improper

Store or secure all items that could

be thrown around and hurt

someone during a crash.

loading can affect handling and

stability and cause a crash in

which you can be hurt or killed.

This figure includes the total weight

of all occupants, cargo, accessories,

and the tongue weight if you are

towing a trailer.

Be sure items placed on the floor

behind the front seats cannot roll

under the seats and interfere with

the driver's ability to operate the

pedals, or with the proper

Follow all load limits and other

loading guidelines in this

manual.

To figure out how much cargo you

can cany:

operation of the seats.

Add up the weight of all occupants.

Keep the glove box closed while

driving. If the lid is open, a

passenger could injure their knees

during a crash or sudden stop.

If you are towing a trailer, add the

tongue weight to the number

above.

Subtract the total from 850 Ibs

(395 kg).

The final number is the total weight

of cargo you can carry.

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Carrying Cargo

Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area

or on a Roof Rack

Distribute cargo evenly on the

floor of the cargo area, placing the

heaviest items on the bottom and

as far forward as possible. Tie

down items that could be thrown

about the vehicle during a crash or

sudden stop.

If you carry large items that

prevent you from closing the

tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the

passenger area. To avoid the

possibility of carbon monoxide

poisoning, follow the instructions

on page 49 .

If you can carry any items on a

roof rack, be sure the total weight

of the rack and the items does not

exceed 75 Ibs (34 kg). Please

contact your Honda dealer for

further information.

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Driving

Off-Highway Guidelines.............. 178

General Information................. 178

Important Safety

This section gives you tips on

starting the engine under various

conditions, and how to operate the

5-speed manual and automatic

transmissions. It also includes

important information on parking

your vehicle, the braking system,

and facts you need if you are plan-

ning to tow a trailer or drive off-

highway.

Driving Guidelines........................ 152

Preparing to Drive........................ 153

Stalling the Engine....................... 154

Starting in Cold Weather

Precautions............................. 179

Driving Tips............................... 180

at High Altitude.................... 155

5-speed Manual Transmission.... 156

Recommended Shift Points...... 157

Maximum Allowable Speeds.... 157

Automatic Transmission.............. 158

Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 158

Shift Lever Positions................ 158

Maximum Allowable Speeds.... 161

Shift LockRelease.................... 162

Parking...........................................163

The Braking System..................... 164

Brake Wear Indicators............. 164

Brake System Design............... 165

Anti-lock Brakes....................... 165

Important Safety

Reminders......................... 166

ABS Indicator........................ 167

Driving in Bad Weather............... 168

Towing a Trailer........................... 170

Towing Your Vehicle Behind a

Motorhome................................. 176

Driving

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Driving Guidelines

Four-wheelDrive Models

Your CR-V has higher ground

clearance than a passenger vehicle

designed only for use on pavement.

Higher ground clearance has many

advantages for off-highway driving.

It allows you to travel over bumps

and unpaved roads. It also provides

good visibility so you can anticipate

problems earlier.

Avoid sharp turns and abrupt

maneuvers whenever possible.

Your CR-V is equipped with a unique

four-wheel drive (4WD) system.

Normally, power is delivered only to

the front wheels. When the system

senses a loss of front-wheel traction,

it automatically transfers some

power to the rear wheels. This gives

you better traction and mobility.

Do not modify your vehicle in any

way that would raise the center of

gravity.

Do not cany heavy cargo on the

roof.

While this system can provide

increased traction on slippery

surfaces, you still need to exercise

the same care when accelerating,

steering, and braking that you would

in a two-wheel drive vehicle.

These advantages come at some cost.

Because your vehicle is taller and

rides higher off the ground, it has a

high center of gravity. This means

that your vehicle can tip or roll over

if you make abrupt turns. Utility

vehicles have a significantly higher

rollover rate than other types of

vehicles.

See page 177 for additionalguidelines

for driving off-highway.

To prevent the risk of rollover or

loss of control:

Take corners at slower speeds

than you would with a passenger

vehicle.

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Preparing to Drive

You should do the following checks

and adjustments every day before

you drive your vehicle.

5. Check the adjustment of the seat

(see page 77 ).

10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).

Check the indicator lights in the

instrument panel.

6. Check the adjustment of the

inside and outside mirrors (see

page 85 ).

1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,

and outside lights are clean and

unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,

or ice.

11.Start the engine (see page 154 ).

12.Check the gauges and indicator

lights in the instrument panel (see

page 53 ).

7. Check the adjustment of the

steering wheel (see page 64).

2. Check that the hood and tailgate

are fully closed.

8. Make sure the doors are securely

closed and locked.

3. Visually check the tires. If a tire

looks low, use a gauge to check its

pressure.

9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that

your passengers have fastened

their seal belts (see page 15 ).

4. Check that any items you may be

carrying with you inside are stored

properly or fastened clown

securely.

Driving

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Starting the Engine

6. If the engine still does not start,

press the accelerator pedal all the

way down and hold it there while

starting in order to clear flooding.

As before, keep the ignition key in

the START (III) position for no

more than 15 seconds. Return to

step 5 if the engine does not start.

If it starts, lift your foot off the

accelerator pedal so the engine

does not race.

1. Apply the parking brake.

4. Without touching the accelerator

pedal, turn the ignition key to the

START (III) position. If the engine

does not start right away, do not

hold the key in START (III) for

more than 15 seconds at a time.

Pause for at least 10 seconds

before trying again.

2. In cold weather, turn off all

electrical accessories to reduce

the drain on the battery.

3. Manual Transmission:

Push the clutch pedal down all the

way. START (III) does not

function unless the clutch pedal is

depressed.

5. If the engine does not start within

15 seconds, or starts but stalls

right away, repeat step 4 with the

accelerator pedal pressed half-way

down. If the engine starts, release

pressure on the accelerator pedal

so the engine does not race.

Automatic Transmission:

Make sure the shift lever is in

Park. Press on the brake pedal.

Driving

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Starting the Engine

Starting in Cold Weather at High

Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/

2,400 meters)

An engine is harder to start in cold

weather. The thinner air found at

high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400

meters) adds to the problem.

Use the following procedure:

3. If the engine fails to start in step 2,

push the accelerator pedal to the

floor and hold it there while you

try to start the engine for no more

than 15 seconds. If the engine

does not start, return to step 2.

1. Turn off all electrical accessories

to reduce the drain on the battery.

2. Push the accelerator pedal half-

way to the floor and hold it there

while starting the engine. Do not

hold the ignition key in START

(III) for more than 15 seconds.

When the engine starts, release

the accelerator pedal gradually as

the engine speeds up and smooths

out.

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5-speedManualTransmission

Come to a full stop before you shift

into Reverse. You can damage the

transmission by trying to shift into

Reverse with the vehicle moving.

Push down the clutch pedal, and

pause for a few seconds before

shifting into Reverse, or shift into

one of the forward gears for a

moment. This stops the gears so

they won't "grind."

Rapid slowing or speeding-up

can cause loss of control on

slippery surfaces. If you crash,

you can be injured.

Use extra care when driving on

slippery surfaces.

When slowing down, you can get

extra braking from the engine by

shifting to a lower gear. This extra

braking can help you maintain a safe

speed and prevent your brakes from

overheating while going down a

steep hill. Before downshifting,

make sure engine speed will not go

into the tachometer's red zone in the

lower gear.

The manual transmission is syn-

chronized in all forward gears for

smooth operation. It has a lockout so

you cannot shift directly from Fifth

to Reverse. When shifting up or

down, make sure you push the clutch

pedal down all the way, shift to the

next gear, and let the pedal up

gradually. When you are not shifting,

do not rest your foot on the clutch

pedal. This can cause your clutch to

wear out faster.

Driving

Before Driving for Your Honda CR-V SUV First Generation (1995-2000)

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