Get Before Driving Guide for Honda CR-V SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

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Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation

Break-in Period

Fuel Recommendation

Your vehicle is designed to operate

your authorized dealer for service.

Help assure your vehicle’s future

reliability and performance by paying on unleaded gasoline with a pump

Some gasoline today is blended with

oxygenates such as ethanol or

MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to

operate on oxygenated gasoline

extra attention to how you drive

octane number of 87 or higher. Use

during the first 600 miles (1,000 km). of a lower octane gasoline can cause

During this period:

a persistent, heavy metallic rapping

noise that can lead to engine damage. containing up to 10 percent ethanol

by volume and up to 15 percent

We recommend using gasoline

containing detergent additives that

help prevent fuel system and engine

deposits.

Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid

acceleration.

MTBE by volume. Do not use

gasoline containing methanol.

Do not change the oil until the

scheduled maintenance time.

If you notice any undesirable

operating symptoms, try another

service station or switch to another

brand of gasoline.

Avoid hard braking for the first

200 miles (300 km).

In addition, in order to maintain good

performance, fuel economy, and

emissions control, we strongly

recommend, in areas where it is

available, the use of gasoline that

does NOT contain manganese-based

fuel additives such as MMT.

Do not tow a trailer.

For further important fuel-related

information, please refer to your

Quick Start Guide.

You should also follow these

recommendations with an

overhauled or exchanged engine, or

when the brakes are replaced.

Use of gasoline with these additives

may adversely affect performance,

and cause the malfunction indicator

lamp on your instrument panel to

come on. If this happens, contact

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Service Station Procedures

Refueling

3. Remove the fuel fill cap slowly.

You may hear a hissing sound as

pressure inside the tank escapes.

The fuel fill cap is attached to the

fuel filler with a tether. Put the

attachment on the fuel fill cap into

the slit on the fuel fill door.

Gasoline is highly flammable

and explosive. You can be

burned or seriously injured

when handling fuel.

Stop the engine, and keep

heat, sparks, and flame away.

Handle fuel only outdoors.

Wipe up spills immediately.

4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel

nozzle automatically clicks off. Do

not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank. Leave

some room for the fuel to expand

with temperature changes.

Pull

ATTACHMENT

1. Park with the driver’s side closest

to the service station pump.

If the fuel nozzle keeps clicking off

even though the tank is not full,

there may be a problem with your

vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery

system. The system helps keep

fuel vapors from going into the

atmosphere. Try filling at another

pump. If this does not fix the

problem, consult your dealer.

2. Open the fuel fill door by pulling

on the handle located under the

lower left corner of the dashboard.

FUEL FILL

CAP

TETHER

CONTINUED

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Service Station Procedures

5. Screw the fuel fill cap back on

until it clicks at least once. If you

do not properly tighten the cap,

the malfunction indicator lamp

may come on (see page 234 ).

Opening and Closing the Hood

HOOD RELEASE HANDLE

LATCH

6. Push the fuel fill door closed until

it latches.

1. Park the vehicle, and set the

parking brake. Pull the hood

release handle located under the

lower left corner of the dashboard.

The hood will pop up slightly.

2. Reach in between the hood and

the front grille with your fingers.

The hood latch handle is above

the ‘‘H’’ logo. Push this handle up

until it releases the hood. Lift the

hood.

If the hood latch handle moves

stiffly, or if you can open the hood

without lifting the handle, the

mechanism should be cleaned and

lubricated.

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Service Station Procedures

Oil Check

SUPPORT ROD

DIPSTICK

UPPER MARK

LOWER MARK

CLIP

3. Pull the support rod out of its clip,

and insert the end into the

Wait a few minutes after turning the

engine off before you check the oil.

4. Remove the dipstick again, and

check the level. It should be

between the upper and lower

marks.

designated hole in the hood.

1. Remove the dipstick (orange

handle).

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. Make sure it

is securely latched.

If it is near or below the lower mark,

see Adding Engine Oil on page 193 .

2. Wipe off the dipstick with a clean

cloth or paper towel.

3. Insert it all the way back in its hole.

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Service Station Procedures

Engine Coolant Check

Refer to Owner’s Maintenance

Checks on page 186 for

information about checking other

items on your vehicle.

MAX

RESERVE TANK

MIN

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 196 for

information on adding the proper

coolant.

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Fuel Economy

Improving Fuel Economy

Always maintain your vehicle

according to the maintenance

schedule. See Owner’s

Try to maintain a constant speed.

Every time you slow down and

speed up, your vehicle uses extra

fuel. Use cruise control when

appropriate.

Maintenance Checks (see page

).

186

Combine several short trips into

one.

For example, an underinflated tire

causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’

which uses more fuel.

The air conditioning puts an extra

load on the engine which makes it

use more fuel. Use the fresh-air

ventilation when possible.

The build-up of snow or mud on

your vehicle’s underside adds

weight and rolling resistance.

Frequent cleaning helps your fuel

mileage and reduces the chance of

corrosion.

Drive moderately. Rapid

acceleration, abrupt cornering,

and hard braking use more fuel.

Always drive in the highest gear

possible.

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Accessories and Modifications

Modifying your vehicle, or installing

some non-Honda accessories, can

make it unsafe. Before you make any

modifications or add any accessories,

be sure to read the following

information.

Before installing any accessory:

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.

Make sure the accessory does not

obscure any lights, or interfere

with proper vehicle operation or

performance.

Accessories

Be sure electronic accessories do

not overload electrical circuits

(see page 237 ) or interfere with

proper operation of your vehicle.

Your dealer has 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.

Before installing any electronic

accessory, have the installer

contact your dealer for assistance.

If possible, have your dealer

inspect the final installation.

Although non-Honda accessories

may fit on your vehicle, they may not

meet factory specifications, and

could adversely affect your vehicle’s

handling and stability.

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 your airbags and anti-lock brakes.

Do not install accessories on the

side pillars or across the rear

windows. In these areas,

accessories may interfere with

proper operation of the side

curtain airbags.

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Accessories and Modifications

Modifying Your Vehicle

Larger or smaller wheels and tires

can interfere with the operation of

your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and

other systems.

Removing parts from your vehicle,

or replacing components, with

non-Honda components could

seriously affect your vehicle’s

handling, stability, and reliability.

Modifying your steering wheel or

any other part of your vehicle’s

safety features can make the

systems ineffective.

Some examples are

Lowering your vehicle with a

non-Honda suspension kit that

significantly reduces ground

clearance can allow the

undercarriage to hit speed bumps

or other raised objects, which

could cause the airbags to deploy.

If you plan to modify your vehicle,

consult your dealer.

Raising your vehicle with a

non-Honda suspension kit can

affect the handling and stability.

Non-Honda wheels, because they

are a universal design, can cause

excessive stress on suspension

components.

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Carrying Cargo

Your vehicle has several convenient

storage areas:

Tailgate pockets

Glove box

TAILGATE POCKETS

DOOR POCKETS

DASHBOARD POCKET

Dashboard pocket

Door pockets

Seat-back pockets

Center pocket

Cargo area, including the rear

seats when folded up or down.

However, carrying too much cargo,

or improperly storing it, can affect

your vehicle’s handling, stability,

stopping distance, and tires, and

make it unsafe. Before carrying any

type of cargo, be sure to read the

following pages.

CARGO AREA

SEAT-BACK

POCKETS

CENTER POCKET^＊

GLOVE BOX

^＊A/T model only

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Carrying Cargo

Load Limits

Steps for determining correct load

limit:

Determine the combined weight

of luggage and cargo being loaded

in the vehicle. That weight may

not safely exceed the available

cargo and luggage load capacity in

step 4.

5.

6.

The maximum load for your vehicle

is 850 lbs (385 kg) for U.S.A, 395 kg

for Canada. This figure includes the

total weight of all occupants, cargo,

and accessories, and the tongue load

if you are towing a trailer.

Locate the statement, ‘‘the

combined weight of occupants and

cargo should never exceed 850

lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.

[The placard is on the driver’s

doorjamb.]

1.

If your vehicle will be towing a

trailer, load from your trailer will

be transferred to your vehicle.

Consult this manual to determine

how this reduces the available

cargo and luggage load capacity of

Determine the combined weight

of the driver and passengers that

will be riding in your vehicle.

2.

3.

4.

Overloading or improper

loading can affect handling and

stability and cause a crash in

which you can be hurt or killed.

Subtract the combined weight of

the driver and passengers from

850 lbs.

your vehicle. [See page

172

.]

Follow all load limits and other

loading guidelines in this

manual.

In addition, the total weight of the

vehicle, all occupants, accessories,

cargo, and trailer tongue load must

not exceed the gross vehicle weight

rating (GVWR) or the gross axle

weight rating (GAWR). Both are on

The resulting figure equals the

available amount of cargo and

luggage load capacity. For

example, if the maximum load is

850 lbs and there will be five 150 lb. a label on the driver’s doorjamb.

passengers in your vehicle, the

amount of available cargo and

luggage load capacity is 100 lbs.

CONTINUED

[850 － 750 (5 × 150) = 100 lbs.]

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Carrying Cargo

Carrying Cargo in the Passenger

Compartment

If you fold the rear seats up or

down, tie down items that could be

thrown about the vehicle during a

crash or sudden stop. Also, keep

all cargo below the bottom of the

windows. If it is higher, it could

interfere with the proper operation

of the side curtain airbags.

Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area

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.

Store or secure all items that could

be thrown around and hurt

someone during a crash.

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, the proper operation of the

seats, or the advanced front

airbags.

If you carry large items that

prevent you from closing the

tailgate or the hatch glass, exhaust

gas can enter the passenger area.

To avoid the possibility of carbon

monoxide poisoning

, follow the

Keep the glove box closed while

driving. If it is open, a passenger

could injure their knees during a

crash or sudden stop.

instructions on page 50 .

If you carry any items on a roof

rack, be sure the total weight of

the rack and the items does not

exceed the maximum allowable

weight. Please contact your dealer

for further information.

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Carrying Cargo

If you use an accessory roof rack,

the roof rack weight limit may be

lower. Refer to the information that

came with your roof rack.

Optional Separation Net

HOOK

The separation net can be used to

hold back soft, lightweight items

stored in the cargo area. Heavy

items should be properly secured on

the floor of the cargo area. The net

may not prevent heavy items from

being thrown forward in a crash or a

sudden stop.

The four hooks on the floor can be

used to install a net for securing

items.

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Before Driving for Your Honda CR-V SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

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