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

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Automatic Transmission

If you have done all of the above and

still cannot move the lever out of

Park, see Shift Lock Release on page

162.

You must also pull the shift lever

towards you to shift into Park. To

avoid transmission damage, come to

a complete stop before shifting into

Park. The shift lever must be in Park

before you can remove the key from

the ignition switch.

Park (P) — This position mechani-

cally locks the transmission. Use

Park whenever you are turning off or

starting the engine. To shift out of

Park, you must press on the brake

pedal and have your foot off the

accelerator pedal. Pull the shift lever

towards you, then move it out of

Park.

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Automatic Transmission

Over-Drive (O/D) Mode

Drive (D) — Use this position for

your normal driving. The transmis-

sion automatically selects a suitable

gear for your speed and acceleration.

You may notice the transmission

shifting up at higher speeds when

the engine is cold. This helps the

engine warm up faster.

Reverse (R) — To shift to Reverse

from Park, see the explanation under

Park. To shift to Reverse from

Neutral, come to a complete stop and

then shift. Pull the shift lever

towards you before shifting into

Reverse from Neutral.

Neutral (N) — Use Neutral if you

need to restart a stalled engine, or if

it is necessary to stop briefly with

the engine idling. Shift to Park posi-

tion if you need to leave the vehicle

for any reason. Press on the brake pe-

dal when you are moving the shift

lever from Neutral to another gear.

For faster acceleration, you can get

the transmission to automatically

downshift by pushing the accelerator

pedal to the floor. The transmission

will shift down one or two gears,

depending on your speed.

The Over-Drive (O/D) is on

whenever you turn the ignition ON

(II). You can turn it off by pressing

the O/D switch on the edge of the

shift lever. The O/D OFF indicator

on the instrument panel next to the

shift lever position indicator will

come on.

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Automatic Transmission

Second (2) — To shift to Second,

pull the shift lever towards you, then

shift to the lower gear. This position

locks the transmission in second

gear. It does not downshift to first

gear when you come to a stop.

Second gives you more power when

climbing, and increased engine

braking when going down steep hills.

Use second gear when starting out

on a slippery surface or in deep snow.

It will help reduce wheelspin.

Engine Speed Limiter

If you exceed the maximum speed

for the gear you are in, the engine

speed will enter into the tachometer's

red zone. If this occurs, you may feel

the engine cut in and out. This is

caused by a limiter in the engine's

computer controls. The engine will

run normally when you reduce the

RPM below the red zone.

First (1) — To shift from Second to

First, pull the shift lever towards you,

then shift to the lower gear. With the

lever in this position, the transmis-

sion locks in First gear. By upshift-

ing and downshifting through 1, 2, D,

you can operate this transmission

much like a manual transmission

without a clutch pedal.

When the Over-Drive is off the

transmission selects only the first

three gears, but not the fourth. Turn

the O/D off to provide engine

braking when going down a steep hill.

You can also avoid the transmission

from cycling between third and

fourth gears in stop-and-go driving.

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Automatic Transmission

Shift Lock Release

This allows you to move the shift

lever out of Park if the normal

method of pushing on the brake

pedal and pulling the shift lever does

not work.

1. Set the Parking brake.

2. Remove the key from the ignition

switch.

SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT

3. Place a cloth on the edge of the

shift lock release slot cover on the

steering column. Remove the

cover by carefully prying on the

edge with a small flat-tipped

screwdriver (not included in the

tool kit).

4. Insert the key in the Shift Lock

Release slot on the steering

column.

6. Remove the key from the shift

lock release slot, then reinstall the

cover.

Depress the brake pedal and

restart the engine.

5. Push down on the key while you

pull the shift lever towards you

and move it out of Park to Neutral.

If you need to use the Shift Lock

Release, it means your vehicle is

developing a problem. Have the

vehicle checked by your Honda

dealer.

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Parking

Always use the parking brake when

you park your vehicle. The indicator

on the instrument panel shows that

the parking brake is not fully

If the vehicle is facing uphill, turn

the front wheels away from the curb.

If you have a manual transmission,

put it in first gear.

Parking Tips

Make sure the windows are closed.

Turn off the lights.

released; it does not indicate that the

parking brake is firmly set. Make

sure the parking brake is set firmly

or your vehicle may roll if it is

parked on an incline.

Place any packages, valuables, etc.,

in the cargo area or take them

with you.

If the vehicle is facing downhill, turn

the front wheels toward the curb. If

you have a manual transmission, put

it in reverse gear.

Lock the doors.

If your vehicle has an automatic

transmission, set the parking brake

before you put the transmission in

Park. This keeps the vehicle from

moving and putting pressure on the

parking mechanism in the

transmission — making it easier to

move the shift lever out of Park

when you want to drive away.

Make sure the parking brake is fully

released before driving away.

Driving with the parking brake

partially set can overheat or damage

the rear brakes.

Never park over dry leaves, tall

grass, or other flammable

materials. The three way catalytic

converter gets very hot, and could

cause these materials to catch on

fire.

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The Braking System

Brake Wear Indicators

The front disc brakes on all vehicles

have audible brake wear indicators.

Your Honda is equipped with front

disc brakes. The brakes on the rear

wheels are drum. The braking

system is power-assisted to reduce

the effort needed on the brake pedal.

Constant application of the brakes

when going down a long hill builds

up heat and reduces their effective-

ness. Use the engine to assist the

brakes by downshifting to a lower

gear and taking your foot off the

accelerator pedal.

When the brake pads need replacing,

you will hear a distinctive metallic

"screeching" sound when you apply

the brakes. If you do not have the

brake pads replaced, they will begin

screeching all the time.

Put your foot on the brake pedal only

when you intend to brake. Resting

your foot on the pedal keeps the

brakes applied lightly, causing them

to build up heat. Heat build-up can

reduce how well your brakes work. It

also keeps your brake lights on all

the time, confusing drivers behind

you.

Check your brakes after driving

through deep water. Apply the

brakes moderately to see if they feel

normal. If not, apply them gently and

frequently until they do. Since a

longer distance is needed to stop

with wet brakes, be extra cautious

and alert in your driving.

Your brakes may sometimes squeal

or squeak when you apply them

lightly. Do not confuse this with the

brake wear indicators. They make a

very audible "screeching."

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The Braking System

Anti-lock Brakes

U.S. EX, and Canadian LX and EX

models

ABS helps to prevent the wheels

from locking up and skidding during

hard braking, allowing you to retain

steering control.

When the front tires skid, you lose

steering control; the vehicle

continues straight ahead even

though you turn the steering wheel.

The ABS helps to prevent lock-up

and helps you retain steering control

by pumping the brakes rapidly; much

faster than a person can do it.

Brake System Design

The hydraulic system that operates

the brakes has two separate circuits.

Each circuit works diagonally across

the vehicle (the left-front brake is

connected with the right-rear brake,

etc.). If one circuit should develop a

problem, you will still have braking

at two wheels.

Front

CONTINUED

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The Braking System

You should never pump the

brake pedal, this defeats the

purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS

work for you by always keeping firm,

steady pressure on the brake pedal

as you steer away from the hazard.

This is sometimes referred to as

"stompandsteer."

Important Safety Reminders

A vehicle with ABS may require a

longer distance to stop on loose or

uneven surfaces, such as gravel or

snow, than a vehicle without anti-

lock. Slow down and allow a greater

distance between vehicles under

those conditions.

ABS does not reduce the time or

distance it takes to stop the

vehicle, it only helps with steering

control during braking. You should

always maintain a safe following

distance from other vehicles.

ABS will not prevent a skid that

results from changing direction

abruptly, such as trying to take a

corner too fast or making a sudden

lane change. Always drive at a safe,

prudent speed for the road and

weather conditions.

You will feel a pulsation in the brake

pedal when the ABS activates, and

you may hear some noise. This is

normal, it is the ABS rapidly

pumping the brakes.

Activation varies with the amount of

traction your tires have. On dry

ABS cannot prevent a loss of

stability. Always steer moderately

when you are braking hard. Severe

or sharp steering wheel movement

can still cause your vehicle to veer

into oncoming traffic or off the road.

pavement, you will need to press on

the brake pedal very hard before you

activate the ABS. However, you may

feel the ABS activate immediately if

you are trying to stop on snow or ice.

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