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

Main Menu  
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.  
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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Table of Contents  
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.  
Driving  
 
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Table of Contents  
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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Table of Contents  
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