Get Taking Care of the Unexpected -> Overheated Engine Guide for Honda CR-V SUV First Generation (1995-2000)

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If Your Engine Overheats

The pointer of your vehicle's

3. If you do not see steam or spray,

leave the engine running and

temperature gauge should stay in

the midrange under most conditions.

It may go higher if you are driving up

a long steep hill on a very hot day. If

it climbs to the red mark, you should

determine the reason.

watch the temperature gauge. If

the high heat is due to overloading

(climbing a long, steep hill on a

hot day with the A/C running, for

example), the engine should start

to cool down almost immediately.

If it does, wait until the tempera-

ture gauge comes down to the mid-

point then continue driving.

Steam and spray from an

overheated engine can

seriously scald you.

Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.

NOTICE

Driving with the temperature gauge

pointer at the red mark can cause

serious damage to your engine.

1. Safely pull to the side of the road.

Put the transmission in Neutral or

Park and set the parking brake.

Turn off the heating and cooling

system and all other accessories.

Turn on the hazard warning

indicators.

4. If the temperature gauge stays at

the red mark, turn off the engine.

Your vehicle can overheat for several

reasons, such as lack of coolant or a

mechanical problem. The only

indication may be the temperature

gauge climbing to or above the red

mark. Or you may see steam or

spray coming from under the hood.

In either case, you should take

immediate action.

5. Wait until you see no more signs

of steam or spray, then open the

hood.

2. If you see steam and/or spray

coming from under the hood, turn

off the engine.

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If Your Engine Overheats

6. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,

such as a split radiator hose.

Everything is still extremely hot,

so use caution. If you find a leak, it

must be repaired before you

continue driving (see Emergency

Towing on page 273 ).

10. Start the engine and set the

temperature control dial to

maximum. Add coolant to the

radiator up to the base of the filler

neck. If you do not have the

proper coolant mixture available,

you can add plain water.

Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can

cause the coolant to spray out,

seriously scalding you.

Remember to have the cooling

system drained and refilled with

the proper mixture as soon as you

can.

Always let the engine and

radiator cool down before

removing the radiator cap.

7. If you don't find an obvious leak,

check the coolant level in the

radiator reserve tank (see page

144). If the level is below the

MIN mark, add coolant to halfway

between the MIN and MAX marks.

9. Using gloves or a large heavy

cloth, turn the radiator cap

counterclockwise, without pushing

down, to the first stop. This

releases any remaining pressure in

the cooling system. After the

pressure releases, push down on

the cap and turn it until it comes

off.

11.Put the radiator cap back on

tightly. Run the engine and watch

the temperature gauge. If it goes

back to the red mark, the engine

needs repair. (See Emergency

Towing on page 273 .)

8. If there was no coolant in the

reserve tank, you may also have to

add coolant to the radiator. Let the

engine cool down until the pointer

reaches the middle of the tempera-

ture gauge, or lower, before check-

ing the radiator.

12.If the temperature stays normal,

check the coolant level in the

radiator reserve tank. If it has

gone down, add coolant to the

MAX mark. Put the cap back on

tightly.

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Low Oil Pressure Indicator

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the

level back to the full mark on the

dipstick (see page 197).

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR

NOTICE

Running the engine with low oil

pressure can cause serious mechanicl

damage almost immediately. Turn off

the engine as soon as you can safely get

the vehicle.stopped.

4. Start the engine and watch the oil

pressure indicator. If the light

does not go out within ten seconds,

turn off the engine. There is a

mechanical problem that needs to

be repaired before you can

1. Safely pull off the road and shut

off the engine. Turn on the hazard

warning indicators.

continue driving. (See Emergency

Towing on page 273 .)

2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute.

Open the hood and check the oil

level (see page 143). Although oil

level and oil pressure are not

directly connected, an engine that

is very low on oil can lose pressure

during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

This indicator should light when the

ignition switch is ON (II), and go out

after the engine starts. It should

never come on when the engine is

running. If it starts flashing, it

indicates that the oil pressure

dropped very low for a moment, then

recovered. If the indicator stays on

with the engine running, it shows

that the engine has lost oil pressure

and serious engine damage is

possible. In either case, you should

take immediate action.

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Charging System Indicator

By eliminating as much of the

Immediately turn off all electrical

accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear

defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not

to use other electrically-operated

controls such as the power windows.

Keep the engine running and take

extra care not to stall it. Starling the

engine will discharge the battery

rapidly.

CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATOR

electrical load as possible, you can

drive several miles (kilometers)

before the battery is too discharged

to keep the engine running. Drive to

a service station or garage where

you can get technical assistance.

This indicator should come on when

the ignition switch is ON (II), and go

out after the engine starts. If it

comes on brightly when the engine

is running, it indicates that the

charging system has stopped

charging the battery.

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Malfunction Indicator Lamp

If you have recently refueled your

vehicle, the cause of this indicator

coming on could be a loose or

missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap

and tighten it until it clicks several

times. Replace the fuel fill cap if it is

missing. Tightening the cap will not

make the indicator turn off

NOTICE

If you keep driving with the

malfunction indicator lamp on, you can

damage your vehicle's emissions

controls and engine. Those repairs may

not be covered by your vehicle's

warranties.

immediately; it takes three driving

trips.

If the indicator remains on past three

driving trips, or the fuel cap was not

loose or missing, have the vehicle

checked by the dealer as soon as

possible. Drive moderately until the

dealer has inspected the problem.

Avoid full-throttle acceleration and

driving at high speed.

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

This indicator comes on for a few

seconds when you turn the ignition

switch ON (II). If it comes on at any

other time, it indicates one of the

engine's emissions control systems

may have a problem. Even though

you may feel no difference in your

vehicle's performance, it can reduce

your fuel economy and cause your

vehicle to put out excessive

You should also have the dealer

inspect your vehicle if this indicator

comes on repeatedly, even though it

may turn off as you continue driving.

emissions. Continued operation may

cause serious damage.

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Brake System Indicator

If it comes on at any other time, it

indicates a problem with the vehicle's gear, and pull to the side of the road

Slow down by shifting to a lower

BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR

brake system. In most cases, the

problem is a low fluid level in the

brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on

the brake pedal to see if it feels

normal. If it does, check the brake

fluid level the next time you stop at a

service station (see page 210). If the

fluid level is low, take the vehicle to

your dealer and have the brake

system inspected for leaks or worn

brake pads.

when it is safe. Because of the

longer distance needed to stop, it is

hazardous to drive the vehicle. You

should have it towed, and repaired as

soon as possible. (See Emergency

Towing on page 273.)

If you must drive the vehicle a short

distance in this condition, drive

slowly and cautiously.

"U.S. indicatorshown

The Brake System indicator light

should normally come on only when

the parking brake is not fully

released.

However, if the brake pedal does not

feel normal, you should take

immediate action. Because of the

brake system's dual-circuit design, a

problem in one part of the system

will still give you braking at two

wheels. You will feel the brake pedal

go down much farther before the

vehicle begins to slow down, and you

will have to press harder on the

pedal. The distance needed to stop

will be much longer.

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Fuses

ABS FUSE BOX

UNDER-HOOD

TAB

INTERIOR

Vehicles equipped with ABS have a

third fuse box for the ABS. It is in

the engine compartment on the

passenger's side.

The interior fuse box is underneath

the dashboard on the driver's side.

Remove the fuse box lid by swinging

the lid down and pulling it straight

out of its hinges.

All the electrical circuits in your

vehicle have fuses to protect them

from a short circuit or overload.

These fuses are located in two or

three fuse boxes.

The under-hood fuse box is located

in the engine compartment. To open

it. push the tab as shown.

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