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

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TowingaTrailer

Your vehicle tires and spare are

properly inflated (see page 222 ),

and the trailer tires and spare are

inflated as recommended by the

trailer maker.

Additional Trailer Equipment

Pre-Tow Checklist

Many states and Canadian provinces

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.

When preparing to tow, and before

driving away, be sure to check the

following:

The vehicle has been properly

serviced, and the tires, brakes,

suspension, and cooling system

are in good operating condition.

Ask your trailer sales or rental

agency if any other items are

recommended or required for your

towing situation.

All weights and loads are within

limits (see pages 170 and 171).

The hitch, safety chain, and any

other attachments are secure.

All items on and in the trailer are

properly secured and cannot shift

while you drive.

The lights and brakes on your

vehicle and the trailer are working

properly.

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If you must stop when facing uphill,

use the foot 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.

Driving Safely With a Trailer

The added weight, length, and

height of a trailer will affect your

vehicle's handling and performance,

so driving with a trailer requires

some special driving skills and

techniques.

information.)

Making Turns and Braking

Make turns more slowly and wider

than normal. The trailer tracks a

smaller arc than your vehicle, and it

can hit or run over something the

vehicle misses. Allow more time and

distance for braking. Do not brake or

turn suddenly as this could cause the

trailer to jackknife or turn over.

When driving down hills, reduce

your speed and shift down to 2nd

gear. Do not "ride" the brakes, and

remember it will take longer to slow

down and stop when towing a trailer.

For your safety and the safety of

others, take time to practice driving

maneuvers before heading for the

open road, and follow the guidelines

discussed below.

Driving on Hills

When climbing hills, closely watch

your temperature gauge. If it nears

the red mark, turn the air

conditioning off, reduce speed and, if

necessary, pull to the side of the

road to let the engine cool.

Towing Speeds and Gears

Drive slower than normal in all

driving situations, and obey posted

speed limits for vehicles with trailers.

If you have an automatic

transmission, use the Over-Drive

(O/D) mode when towing a trailer

on level roads. Turn off the Over-

Drive (O/D) mode when towing a

trailer in hilly terrain (see page 140 ).

(See "Driving on Hills" in the next

column for additional gear

If the automatic transmission shifts

frequently between 3rd and 4th

gears while going up a hill, turn off

the Over-Drive (O/D) mode (see

page 160 ).

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Towing a Trailer

Handling Crosswinds and Buffeting

Crosswinds and air turbulence

caused by passing trucks can disrupt

your steering and cause trailer

swaying. 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.

Parking

Follow all normal precautions when

parking, including firmly setting the

parking brake and putting the

transmission in Park (automatic) or

in 1st or Reverse (manual). Also,

place wheel chocks at each of the

trailer's tires.

Backing Up

Always drive slowly and have

someone guide you when backing up.

Grip the bottomof the steering

wheel; then turn the wheel to the left

to get the trailer to move to the left,

and turn the wheel right to move the

trailer to the right.

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Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome

Start the engine.

Your CR-V 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, it must be towed

with all four wheels on the ground

(flat towing).

Shift the transmission to Neutral.

Press on the brake pedal. Shift the

lever through all the positions (P,

R, N, D, 2,1)

Leave the key in the ignition

switch and the ignition switch in

ACCESSORY (I) 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.

Shift to D, then to N. Let the

engine run for three minutes, then

turn off the engine.

Release the parking brake.

When purchasing a tow bar, make

sure you select a reputable

Automatic Transmission

manufacturer and installer. Follow

the manufacturer's attachment

instructions carefully.

Leave the ignition switch in

ACCESSORY (I) 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.

When preparing to tow your CR-V,

check the transmission fluid level

(see page 207 ). Maintaining the

correct level is very important. Do

notoverfill. Do the following every

day immediately before you begin

towing. Follow the procedure exactly.

Otherwise, severe automatic

After attaching the tow bar to your

motorhome, do the following to

prepare your CR-V for "flat towing":

transmission damage will occur.

Extended Towing

5-speed Manual Transmission

Make sure the transmission is

filled to the correct level (see page

208). Do not overfill.

If you tow more than 300 miles (500

km) in one day, you should repeat

the above procedure at least every

300 miles (500 km), (when you stop

for fuel, etc.)

Release the parking brake.

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TowingYour Vehicle Behind a Motorhome

If you low your CR-V and it is

equipped w ith an automatic

transmission, replace the

transmission fluid every two years or

30,000 miles (50,000 k m ), whichever

comes first.

NOTICE

The steering system can be damaged if

the steering wheel is locked. Leave the

ignition switch in Accessory (I), and

make sure The steering wheelturns

freely before you begin towing.

NOTICE

Improper towing preparation will

damagethe transmission.Follow the

above procedureexactly.If you cannot

shift the transmissionor start the

engine,yourvehiclemustbe

transported on a flat-bed or trailer.

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Off-Highway Guidelines

General Information

Your CR-V has been designed

primarily for use on pavement. But

its higher ground clearance allows

you to occasionally travel on unpaved

roads, to campgrounds, picnic sites,

and similar locations. It is not

designed for trailblazing, mountain

climbing, or other challenging off-

road activities.

If you decide to drive on unpaved

roads, you will find that it requires

somewhat different driving skills.

Your CR-V will also handle

somewhat differently than it does on

pavement. So be sure to read this

owner's manual, pay special attention

to the precautions and tips in this

section, and get acquainted with

your vehicle before you leave the

pavement.

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Off-Highway Guidelines

Important Safety Precautions

Remember that your CR-V has

higher ground clearance and a

higher center of gravity than

passenger vehicles designed for use

only on pavement. This means your

vehicle can more easily tip or roll

over if you make abrupt turns or

drive on slopes.

The route presents limits (some

roads are too steep and bumpy for

example). You have limits (in driving

skills and comfort). And your vehicle

also has limits (traction, stability, and

power, for instance).

Improperly operating this

vehicle on or off-pavement can

cause an accident or rollover in

which you and your passengers

could be seriously injured or

killed.

Driving off-highway can be

hazardous if you fail to recognize

limits and take proper precautions.

For example, you can have an

accident or rollover during

maneuvers such as turning, driving

on hills, or over large obstacles.

Follow all instructions and

guidelines in the owner's

manual.

Keep your speed low and

don't drive faster than

conditions permit.

Utility vehicles have a significantly

higher rollover rate than other types

of vehicles. To avoid loss of control

or rollover, be sure to follow all

recommendations and precautions

on page 152 and in this section.

Be sure to store cargo properly, and

do not exceed your CR-V's cargo or

trailer load limits (see pages 149 and

170 ).

Seat belts are just as important off-

road as on paved roads. Wherever

you drive, make sure you and your

passengers always wear seat belts. If

children or infants are along for the

ride, see that they are properly

On many unpaved roads, you won't

find lane markers, traffic signals, or

signs to warn you of possible trouble

ahead. It's up to you to continually

assess the situation and drive within

limits.

secured. In a rollover crash, an

unbelted person is more likely to die

than a person wearing a seat belt.

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