Get Taking Care of the Unexpected -> If Your Engine Overheats Guide for Honda CR-V SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

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If the Engine Overheats

The pointer of the vehicle’s

temperature gauge should stay in

the midrange. If it climbs to the red

mark, you should determine the

reason (hot day, driving up a steep

hill, etc.).

3. If you do not see steam or spray,

leave the engine running, and

watch the temperature gauge. If

the high heat is due to overloading,

the engine should start to cool

down almost immediately. If it

does, wait until the temperature

gauge comes down to the midpoint,

then continue driving.

Steam and spray from an

overheated engine can

seriously scald you.

Do not open the hood if steam

is coming out.

If the vehicle overheats, you should

take immediate action. 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.

1. Safely pull to the side of the road.

Put the transmission in neutral

(manual) or Park (automatic), and

set the parking brake. Turn off all

the accessories, and turn on the

hazard indicators.

4. If the temperature gauge stays at

the red mark, turn off the engine.

Driving with the temperature gauge

pointer at the red mark can cause

serious damage to the engine.

2. If you see steam and/or spray

coming from under the hood, turn

off the engine. Wait until you see

no more signs of steam or spray,

then open the hood.

CONTINUED

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If the Engine Overheats

Look for any obvious coolant leaks,

such as a split radiator hose.

5.

9. Start the engine, and set the

temperature control dial to

maximum heat. 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.

Everything is still extremely hot,

so use caution. If you find a leak, it

must be repaired before you

Removing the radiator cap

while the engine is hot can

cause the coolant to spray out,

seriously scalding you.

continue driving (see

Emergency

).

242

on page

Towing

Always let the engine and

radiator cool down before

removing the radiator cap.

Remember to have the cooling

system drained and refilled with

the proper mixture as soon as you

can.

If you don’t find an obvious leak,

check the coolant level in the

radiator reserve tank (see page

6.

).

146

Using gloves or a large heavy

cloth, turn the radiator cap

counterclockwise, without pushing

down, to the first stop. After the

pressure releases, push down on

the cap, and turn it until it comes

off.

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 242 ).

8.

10.

7. If there was no coolant in the

reserve tank, you may need to add

coolant to the radiator. Let the

engine cool down until the pointer

reaches the middle of the

temperature gauge or lower

before checking the radiator.

11.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, Charging System Indicator

Low Oil Pressure Indicator

This indicator should never

1. Safely pull off the road, and shut

off the engine. Turn on the hazard

warning lights.

Charging System Indicator

If the charging system

come on when the engine is

running. If it starts flashing or stays

on, the oil pressure has dropped very

low or lost pressure. Serious engine

damage is possible, and you should

take immediate action.

indicator comes on brightly

when the engine is running, the

battery is not being charged.

2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute.

Open the hood, and check the oil

level (see page 145 ). An engine

very low on oil can lose pressure

during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

Immediately turn off all electrical

accessories. Try not to use other

electrically operated controls such as

the power windows. Keep the engine

running; starting the engine will

discharge the battery rapidly.

Running the engine with low oil

pressure can cause serious mechanical

damage almost immediately. Turn off

the engine as soon as you can safely get

the vehicle stopped.

If necessary, add oil to bring the

level back to the full mark on the

dipstick (see page 193 ).

3.

Go to a service station or garage

where you can get technical

assistance.

4. Start the engine, and watch the oil

pressure indicator. If it does not go

out within 10 seconds, turn off the

engine. There is a mechanical

problem that needs to be repaired

before you can continue driving

(see Emergency Towing on page

242 ).

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Malfunction Indicator Lamp

If the indicator comes on

while driving, it means one

If the indicator comes on repeatedly,

even though it may turn off as you

continue driving, have the vehicle

checked by the dealer as soon as

possible.

If the battery in your vehicle has

been disconnected or gone dead,

these codes are erased. It takes at

least three days of driving under

various conditions to set the codes

again.

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

increased emissions. Continued

To check if they are set, turn the

ignition to the ON (II) position,

without starting the engine. The

malfunction indicator lamp will come

on for 20 seconds. If it then goes off,

the readiness codes are set. If it

blinks five times, the readiness

codes are not set. If possible, do not

take your vehicle for a state

operation may cause serious damage. 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.

If you have recently refueled your

vehicle, the indicator could come on

because of a loose or missing fuel fill

cap. You will also see a ‘‘CHECK

FUEL CAP’’ message on the

odometer display. Tighten the cap

until it clicks at least once.

Tightening the cap will not turn the

indicator turn off immediately; it

takes at least three days of normal

driving.

This indicator may also come on

along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.

emissions test until the readiness

State

codes are set. Refer to

Readiness Codes

Emissions Testing

for more

Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness

codes’’ that are part of the on-board

diagnostics for the emissions

systems. In some states, part of the

emissions testing is to make sure

these codes are set. If they are not

set, the test cannot be completed.

information (see page

254

).

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Brake System Indicator

U.S.

Canada

However, if the brake pedal does not

feel normal, you should take

If the ABS indicator and the VSA

system indicator come on with the

brake system indicator, have your

vehicle inspected by your dealer

immediately.

immediate action. A problem in one

part of the system’s dual circuit

design 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 brake system indicator normally

comes on when you turn the ignition

switch to the ON (II) position, and as

a reminder to check the parking

brake. It will stay on if you do not

fully release the parking brake.

If the brake system indicator comes

on while driving, the brake fluid level

is probably low. 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 201 ).

Slow down by shifting to a lower

gear, and pull to the side of the road

when it is safe. Because of the long

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 242 ).

If the fluid level is low, take your

vehicle to a dealer, and have the

brake system inspected for leaks or

worn brake pads.

If you must drive the vehicle a short

distance in this condition, drive

slowly and carefully.

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Closing the Moonroof

If equipped

TAB

NOTCH

SOCKET

If the electric motor will not close

the moonroof, do the following:

1. Check the fuse for the moonroof

motor (see page 237 ). If the fuse

is blown, replace it with one of the

same or lower rating.

2. Try closing the moonroof. If the

new fuse blows immediately or the

moonroof motor still does not

operate, you can close the

MOONROOF WRENCH

ROUND PLUG

moonroof manually.

4. To remove the round plug in the

center of the headliner, turn the

plug by using a screwdriver or

coin, then pry it out. Make sure to

align the tabs on the round plug to

the notches on the ceilling as

shown in the illustration.

5. Insert the moonroof wrench into

the socket behind this plug. Turn

the wrench until the moonroof is

fully closed.

3. Get the moonroof wrench out of

the tool kit in the cargo area.

6. Remove the wrench. Reinstall the

round plug.

If you need to close the moonroof

manually, it means the moonroof

opening/closing function is

developing a problem. Have your

vehicle checked by your dealer.

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Taking Care of the Unexpected -> If Your Engine Overheats for Your Honda CR-V SUV Second Generation (2001-2005)

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