Get Safe Driving Guide for Honda CR-V SUV Fourth Generation (2011-2015)

For Safe Driving

The following pages explain your vehicle's safety features and how to use them

properly. The safety precautions below are ones that we consider to be among the

most important.

Important Safety Precautions

1Important Safety Precautions

■

Always wear your seat belt

Some states, provinces and territories prohibit the use

of cell phones other than hands-free devices by the

driver while driving.

A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags are designed to

supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is equipped

with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts, and

wear them properly.

■

Restrain all children

Children ages 12 and under should ride properly restrained in a back seat, not the

front seat. Infants and small children should be restrained in a child seat. Larger

children should use a booster seat and a lap/shoulder seat belt until they can use the

belt properly without a booster seat.

■

Be aware of airbag hazards

While airbags can save lives, they can cause serious or fatal injuries to occupants

who sit too close to them, or are not properly restrained. Infants, young children,

and short adults are at the greatest risk. Be sure to follow all instructions and

warnings in this manual.

■

Don't drink and drive

Alcohol and driving don't mix. Even one drink can reduce your ability to respond to

changing conditions, and your reaction time gets worse with every additional drink.

So don't drink and drive, and don't let your friends drink and drive, either.

28

uuFor Safe DrivinguImportant Safety Precautions

■

Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely

Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying

close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.

Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to

divert some attention away from driving.

■

Control your speed

Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher

the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum

speed posted.

■

Keep your vehicle in safe condition

Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.

To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition

frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.

29

uuFor Safe DrivinguImportant Handling Information

Important Handling Information

Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designed for use

only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for off-highway

driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and rough terrain. It also

provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.

1Important Handling Information

For information on how to reduce the risk of rollover,

read:

2 Precautions While Driving P. 366

2 Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 358

These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides higher

off the ground, it has a higher center gravity making it more susceptible to tripping

or roll over if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a significantly higher

rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is

significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. As a reminder,

make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.

Failure to operate your vehicle correctly might result

in a crash or a rollover.

30

uuFor Safe Drivin guYour Vehicle's Safety Features

1Your Vehicle's Safety Features

Your Vehicle's Safety Features

Your vehicle is equipped with many features that

work together to help protect you and your

passengers during a crash.

9

8

9

Some features do not require any action on your part.

These include a strong steel framework that forms a

safety cage around the passenger compartment,

front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering

column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat

belts in a sufficient crash.

6

10

7

8

10

However, you and your passengers cannot take full

advantage of these features unless you remain seated

in the correct position and always wear your seat

belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to

injuries if they are not used properly.

11

Safety Cage

7

Crush Zones

Seats and Seat-Backs

Head Restraints

Collapsible Steering Column

Seat Belts

Front Airbags

Side Airbags

Side Curtain Airbags

Door Locks

Seat Belt Tensioners

6

7

8

9

10

11

The following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and

your passengers.

Continued

31

uuFor Safe DrivinguYour Vehicle's Safety Features

1Safety Checklist

Safety Checklist

■

If the door and/or the tailgate open indicator will

come on and a message appears on the multi-

information display^*, a door and/or the tailgate is not

completely closed. Close all doors and the tailgate

tightly until the indicator goes off.

2 Door and Tailgate Open Indicator P. 75

2 Door Open Indicator P. 75

2 Tailgate Open Indicator P. 75

For the safety of you and your passengers, make a habit of checking these items

each time before you drive.

• After everyone has entered the vehicle, be sure all doors and the tailgate are

closed and locked. Locking the doors and the tailgate helps prevent an occupant

from being ejected and an outsider from unexpectedly opening a door or the

tailgate.

2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 137

• Adjust your seat to a position suitable for driving. Be sure the front seats are

adjusted as far to the rear as possible while allowing the driver to control the

vehicle. Sitting too close to a front airbag can result in serious or fatal injury in a

crash.

*

2 Adjusting the Seats P. 175

• Adjust head restraints to the proper position. Head restraints are most effective

when the center of the head restraint aligns with the center of your head. Taller

persons should adjust their head restraint to the highest position.

2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 178

• Always wear your seat belt, and make sure you wear it properly. Confirm that any

passengers are properly belted as well.

2 Fastening a Seat Belt P. 36

• Protect children by using seat belts or child seats according to a child's age, height

and weight.

2 Child Safety P. 54

* Not available on all models

32

Seat Belts

About Your Seat Belts

Seat belts are the single most effective safety device because they keep you

connected to the vehicle so that you can take advantage of many built-in safety

features. They also help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the

vehicle, against other passengers, or out of the vehicle. When worn properly, seat

belts also keep your body properly positioned in a crash so that you can take full

advantage of the additional protection provided by the airbags.

1About Your Seat Belts

3

WARNING

Not wearing a seat belt properly increases

the chance of serious injury or death in a

crash, even though your vehicle has

airbags.

In addition, seat belts help protect you in almost every type of crash, including:

Be sure you and your passengers always

wear seat belts and wear them properly.

- frontal impacts

- side impacts

- rear impacts

- rollovers

Seat belts cannot completely protect you in every

crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your

risk of serious injury.

■

Lap/shoulder seat belts

All five seating positions are equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts with emergency

locking retractors. In normal driving the retractor lets you move freely while keeping

some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop the retractor locks to

restrain your body. The rear seat belts also have a lockable retractor for use with

child seats.

Most states and all Canadian provinces and territories

require you to wear seat belts.

The emergency locking retractor may lock if you lean

forward too quickly. Slower movements will allow

the belt to extend fully without locking.

2 Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt P. 62

Continued

33

uuSeat BeltsuAbout Your Seat Belts

■

Proper use of seat belts

1About Your Seat Belts

Follow these guidelines for proper use:

If a rear seat passenger moves around and extends

the seat belt, the lockable retractor may activate. If

this happens, release the retractor by unfastening the

seat belt and allow the belt to retract completely.

Then refasten the belt.

• All occupants should sit upright, well back in the seat, and remain in that position

for the duration of the trip. Slouching and leaning reduce the effectiveness of the

belt and can increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

• Never place the shoulder part of a lap/shoulder seat belt under your arm or

behind your back. This could cause very serious injuries in a crash.

• Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could be very

seriously injured in a crash.

• Do not put any accessories on the seat belts. Devices intended to improve comfort

or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability

and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

1Seat Belt Reminder

Seat Belt Reminder

■

The indicator will also come on if a front passenger

does not fasten their seat belt within six seconds after

Your vehicle monitors front seat belt use. If

the ignition switch is turned to ON (w^*1

before the driver’s seat belt is fastened, the

beeper will sound and the indicator will blink.

If the driver does not fasten the belt before

the beeper stops, the indicator will remain on.

*

the ignition switch is turned to ON (w^*1

.

When no one is sitting in the front passenger’s seat,

the indicator will not come on and the beeper will not

sound.

The indicator also may not come on and the beeper

may not sound when the occupant is not heavy

enough to trigger the weight sensor. Such occupants

(e.g., infants and smaller children) should be moved

to the rear seat as a deploying front airbag likely will

injure or kill them.

The beeper will also periodically sound and

the indicator will blink while driving until the

driver's and front passenger’s seat belts are

fastened.

2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 54

*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button

instead of an ignition switch.

* Not available on all models

34

uuSeat BeltsuAbout Your Seat Belts

1Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

■

The seat belt tensioners can only operate once.

If a tensioner is activated, the SRS indicator will come

on. Have a dealer replace the tensioner and

thoroughly inspect the seat belt system as it may not

offer protection in a subsequent crash.

The front seats are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners to enhance safety.

The tensioners automatically tighten the front seat belts during a moderate-to-

severe frontal collision, sometimes even if the collision is not severe enough to

inflate the front airbags.

During a moderate-to-severe side impact, the

tensioner on that side of the vehicle also activates.

35

uuSeat BeltsuFastening a Seat Belt

Fastening a Seat Belt

After adjusting a front seat to the proper position, and while sitting upright and well

1Fastening a Seat Belt

back in the seat:

2 Adjusting the Seats P. 175

No one should sit in a seat with an inoperative seat

belt or one that does not appear to be working

correctly. Using a seat belt that is not working

properly may not protect the occupant in a crash.

Have a dealer check the belt as soon as possible.

1. Pull the seat belt out slowly.

Pull out slowly.

Correct

Seated

Posture.

Never insert any foreign objects into the buckle or

retractor mechanism.

2. Insert the latch plate into the buckle, then

tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is

secure.

Latch

Plate

u Make sure that the belt is not twisted or

caught on anything.

Buckle

36

uuSeat BeltsuFastening a Seat Belt

3. Position the lap part of the belt as low as

possible across your hips, then pull up on

the shoulder part of the belt so the lap part

fits snugly. This lets your strong pelvic

bones take the force of a crash and reduces

the chance of internal injuries.

4. If necessary, pull up on the belt again to

remove any slack, then check that the belt

rests across the center of your chest and

over your shoulder. This spreads the forces

of a crash over the strongest bones in your

upper body.

1Fastening a Seat Belt

3

WARNING

Lap belt

as low as

possible

Improperly positioning the seat belts can

cause serious injury or death in a crash.

Make sure all seat belts are properly

positioned before driving.

To release the belt, push the red PRESS button then

guide the belt by hand until it has retracted

completely.

When exiting the vehicle, be sure the belt is out of

the way and will not get caught by closing the door.

1Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor

Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor

■

The shoulder anchor height can be adjusted to four

levels. If the belt contacts your neck, lower the height

one level at a time.

The front seats have adjustable shoulder anchors to accommodate taller and shorter

occupants.

1. Move the anchor up and down while

holding the release buttons.

2. Position the anchor so that the belt rests

After an adjustment, make sure that the shoulder

anchor position is secure.

Push

across the center of your chest and over

your shoulder.

Continued

37

uuSeat BeltsuFastening a Seat Belt

1Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor

Seat Belt with Detachable Anchor

■

1. Pull out the seat belt’s small latch plate and

the latch plate from each holding slot in the

ceiling.

3

WARNING

Small Latch Plate

Using the seat belt with the detachable

anchor unlatched increases the chance of

serious injury or death in a crash.

Before using the seat belt, make sure the

detachable anchor is correctly latched.

Latch Plate

To unlatch the detachable anchor, insert the latch

plate into the slot on the side of the anchor buckle.

2. Line up the triangle marks on the small

latch plate and anchor buckle. Make sure

the seat belt is not twisted. Attach the belt

to the anchor buckle.

Small Latch Plate

Latch Plate

Anchor Buckle

3. Insert the latch plate into the buckle.

Properly fasten the seat belt the same way

you fasten the lap/shoulder seat belt.

Small Latch Plate

Latch

Plate

Buckle

38

uuSeat BeltsuFastening a Seat Belt

1Advice for Pregnant Women

Advice for Pregnant Women

■

Each time you have a checkup, ask your doctor if it is

okay for you to drive.

If you are pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child when

driving or riding in a vehicle is to always wear a seat belt and keep the lap part of the

belt as low as possible across the hips.

To reduce the risk of injuries to both you and your

unborn child that can be caused by an inflating front

airbag:

Wear the shoulder belt

across the chest avoiding

the abdomen.

•

When driving, sit upright and adjust the seat as far

back as possible while allowing full control of the

vehicle.

•

When sitting in the front passenger's seat, adjust

the seat as far back as possible.

Wear the lap part of the

belt as low as possible

across the hips.

39

uuSeat BeltsuSeat Belt Inspection

Seat Belt Inspection

Regularly check the condition of your seat belts as follows:

1Seat Belt Inspection

3

WARNING

• Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear.

• Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily.

u If a belt does not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem. Only

use a mild soap and warm water. Do not use bleach or cleaning solvents. Make

sure the belt is completely dry before allowing it to retract.

Not checking or maintaining seat belts can

result in serious injury or death if the seat

belts do not work properly when needed.

Check your seat belts regularly and have

any problem corrected as soon as possible.

Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide proper

protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.

A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of

protection in a subsequent crash. Have your seat belts inspected by a dealer after

any collision.

40

Airbags

Airbag System Components

8

10

9

8

7

12

6

8

11

8

Continued

41

uuAirbagsuAirbag System Components

The front, front side, and side curtain

airbags are deployed according to the

direction and severity of impact. Both side

curtain airbags are deployed in a rollover.

The airbag system includes:

d

e

An electronic control unit that continually

monitors and can record information

about the sensors, the airbag activators,

the seat belt tensioners, and driver and

front passenger seat belt use when the

h

i

Impact sensors that can detect a

moderate-to-severe front or side impact.

An indicator on the dashboard that alerts

you that the front passenger's front

airbag has been turned off.

ignition switch is in ON (w^*1

.

a

Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)

front airbags. The driver's airbag is stored

in the center of the steering wheel; the

front passenger's airbag is stored in the

dashboard. Both are marked SRS

AIRBAG.

Automatic front seat belt tensioners. The

driver's and front passenger's seat belts

incorporate sensors that detect whether

or not they are fastened.

j

An indicator on the instrument panel that

alerts you to a possible problem with your

airbag system or seat belt tensioners.

k

l

Safing Sensor

f

g

A driver's seat position sensor. If the seat

is too far forward, the airbag will inflate

with less force.

b

c

Two side airbags, one for the driver and

one for a front passenger. The airbags are

stored in the outer edges of the seat-

backs. Both are marked SIDE AIRBAG.

A rollover sensor that detects whether

the vehicle is about to roll over.

Weight sensors in the front passenger's

seat. The front passenger's airbag will be

turned off if the weight on the seat is 65

lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant

or small child).

Two side curtain airbags, one for each

side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored

in the ceiling, above the side windows.

The front and rear pillars are marked

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG.

*1: Models with the smart entry system

have an ENGINE START/STOP button

instead of an ignition switch.

42

uuAirbagsuAirbag System Components

1Important Facts About Your Airbags

Important Facts About Your Airbags

■

Do not attempt to deactivate your airbags. Together,

airbags and seat belts provide the best protection.

Airbags can pose serious hazards. To do their job, airbags must inflate with

tremendous force. So, while airbags help save lives, they can cause burns, bruises,

and other minor injuries, sometimes even fatal ones if occupants are not wearing

their seat belts properly and sitting correctly.

When driving, keep hands and arms out of the

deployment path of the front airbag by holding each

side of the steering wheel. Do not cross an arm over

the airbag cover.

What you should do: Always wear your seat belt properly, and sit upright and as

far back from the steering wheel as possible while allowing full control of the

vehicle. A front passenger should move their seat as far back from the dashboard as

possible.

Remember, however, that no safety system can prevent all injuries or deaths that

can occur in a severe crash, even when seat belts are properly worn and the airbags

deploy.

Do not place hard or sharp objects between yourself and a front airbag.

Carrying hard or sharp objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp

object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag inflates.

Do not attach or place objects on the front airbag covers. Objects on the

covers marked SRS AIRBAG could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags

or be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone if the airbags inflate.

43

uuAirbagsuTypes of Airbags

Types of Airbags

Your vehicle is equipped with three types of airbags:

1Types of Airbags

• Front airbags: Airbags in front of the driver's and front passenger's seats.

• Side airbags: Airbags in the driver's and front passenger's seat-backs.

• Side curtain airbags: Airbags above the side windows.

Each is discussed in the following pages.

The airbags can inflate whenever the ignition switch

is in ON (w^*1

.

After an airbag inflates in a crash, you may see a

small amount of smoke. This is from the combustion

process of the inflator material and is not harmful.

People with respiratory problems may experience

some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of

the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Front Airbags (SRS)

The front SRS airbags inflate in a moderate-to-severe frontal collision to help protect

the head and chest of the driver and/or front passenger.

1Front Airbags (SRS)

Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags

(SRS)

Your vehicle is equipped with dual-stage, multiple-

threshold front airbags (SRS).

During a frontal crash severe enough to cause one or

both front airbags to deploy, the airbags can inflate

at different rates, depending on the severity of the

crash, whether the seat belts are latched, and/or

other factors. Frontal airbags are designed to

supplement the seat belts to help reduce the

likelihood of head and chest injuries in frontal

crashes.

SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indicates that the airbags are designed to

supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant's primary

restraint system.

Housing Locations

■

The front airbags are housed in the center of the steering wheel for the driver, and

in the dashboard for the front passenger. Both airbags are marked SRS AIRBAG.

*1: Models with the smart entry system have an

ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition

switch.

44

uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)

Operation

■

Front airbags are designed to inflate during moderate-to-severe frontal collisions.

When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the sensors send information to the control

unit which signals one or both front airbags to inflate.

A frontal collision can be either head-on or angled between two vehicles, or when a

vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a concrete wall.

1How the Front Airbags Work

How the Front Airbags Work

■

Although the driver's and front passenger's airbags

normally inflate within a split second of each other, it

is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can

happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin,

or threshold that determines whether or not the

airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will

provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental

protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

While your seat belt restrains your torso, the

front airbag provides supplemental protection

for your head and chest.

The front airbags deflate immediately so that

they won't interfere with the driver's visibility

or the ability to steer or operate other

controls.

The total time for inflation and deflation is so fast that most occupants are not

aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in front of them.

Continued

45

uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)

■

When front airbags should not deploy

Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and

help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur

during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.

Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration

causes a driver or front passenger to move toward the front of the vehicle. Side

airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the

severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which

can cause the driver or passenger to move toward the side of the vehicle.

Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear

impact. Front airbags cannot provide any significant protection and are not designed

to deploy in such collisions.

Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags

and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags

could provide little if any protection, they are not designed to deploy during a

rollover.

■

When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden deceleration, a strong impact to the

vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.

Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object

that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is

underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.

■

When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage

appears severe

Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of

visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some

collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags

would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they

had deployed.

46

uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)

1Advanced Airbags

Advanced Airbags

■

If there is a problem with the driver's seat position

sensor, the SRS indicator will come on and the airbag

will inflate with full (normal) force, regardless of the

driver's seating position.

Your front airbags have advanced features to help reduce the likelihood of airbag

related injuries to smaller occupants.

The driver's advanced front airbag system

includes a seat position sensor.

For both advanced front airbags to work properly:

•

Do not spill any liquid on or under the seats.

Do not put any object under the passenger’s seat.

Make sure any objects are positioned properly on

the floor. Improperly positioned objects can

interfere with the advanced airbag sensors.

All occupants should sit upright and wear their seat

belts properly.

If the seat is too far forward, the airbag

inflates with less force, regardless of the

severity of the impact.

Driver’s

Seat

Position

Sensor

•

Do not place any cover over the passenger side

dashboard.

The passenger's advanced front airbag system

has weight sensors.

Although we recommend against carrying an

infant or small child in front, if the sensors

detect the weight of a child (up to about 65

lbs or 29 kg), the system will automatically

turn off the passenger's front airbag.

Passenger’s

Seat

Weight

Sensors

47

uuAirbagsuSide Airbags

Side Airbags

The side airbags help protect the torso and pelvis of the driver or a front passenger

during a moderate-to-severe side impact.

1Side Airbags

Do not let the front passenger lean sideways with

their head in the deployment path of the side airbag.

An inflating side airbag can strike with strong force

and seriously injure the passenger.

Housing Locations

■

The side airbags are housed in the outside

edge of the driver's and passenger's seat-

backs.

Do not attach accessories on or near the side airbags.

They can interfere with the proper operation of the

airbags, or hurt someone if an airbag inflates.

Both are marked SIDE AIRBAG.

If the impact is on the passenger's side, the airbag

may not deploy when there is no passenger in the

front passenger seat.

Housing

Location

Do not cover or replace the front seat-back covers

without consulting a dealer.

Improperly replacing or covering front seat-back

covers can prevent your side airbags from properly

deploying during a side impact.

Operation

■

When the sensors detect a moderate-to-

severe side impact, the control unit signals the

side airbag on the impact side to immediately

inflate.

When

inflated

Side

Airbag

48

uuAirbagsuSide Airbags

■

When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side

of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there

may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough

impact to deploy the airbag.

■

When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears

severe

It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in

apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was toward the

far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle's crushable body parts absorbed

most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have been

needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

49

uuAirbagsuSide Curtain Airbags

Side Curtain Airbags

The side curtain airbags help protect the heads of the driver and passengers in outer

seating positions during a moderate-to-severe side impact. The side curtain airbags

equipped in this vehicle are also designed to help reduce the likelihood of partial and

complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes, particularly

rollover crashes.

1Side Curtain Airbags

If the SRS control unit senses that your vehicle is

about to rollover, it immediately deploys both side

curtain airbags and activates both front seat belt

tensioners.

If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the

passenger’s side curtain airbag will inflate even if

there are no occupants on that side of the vehicle.

Housing Locations

■

The side curtain airbags are located in the

ceiling above the side windows on both sides

of the vehicle.

To get the best protection from the side curtain

airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts

properly and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof

pillars as they can interfere with the proper operation

of the side curtain airbags.

Side Curtain Airbag Storage

Operation

■

The side curtain airbag is designed to deploy

in a rollover or a moderate-to-severe side

impact.

Deployed Side Curtain Airbag

50

uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators

■

When side curtain airbags deploy in a frontal collision

One or both side curtain airbags may inflate in a moderate-to-severe angled frontal

collision.

In this case, the side curtain airbags will deploy slightly after the front airbags.

Airbag System Indicators

If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on.

1Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

■

When the ignition switch is turned to

ON (w^*1

3

WARNING

*

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in

serious injury or death if the airbag systems

or tensioners do not work properly.

The indicator comes on for a few seconds,

then goes off. This tells you the system is

working properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as

soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts

you to a possible problem.

If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, have the

system checked by a dealer as soon as possible. If you don't, your airbags and seat

belt tensioners may not work properly when they are needed.

*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button

instead of an ignition switch.

* Not available on all models

Continued

51

uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators

1Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

■

If the indicator comes on with no front passenger and

no objects on the passenger’s seat, or with an adult

riding there, something may be interfering with the

weight sensors, such as:

■

When the passenger airbag off

indicator comes on

U.S.

Canada

The indicator comes on to alert you that the

passenger's front airbag has been turned off.

This occurs when the weight sensors detect

65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an infant

or small child, on the seat.

•

An object hanging on the seat or in the seat-back

pocket.

A child seat or other object pressing against the

rear of the seat-back.

A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of

the front passenger's seat.

The front seat or seat-back is forced back against

an object on the seat or floor behind it.

An object placed under the front passenger's seat.

Infants and small children should always ride properly restrained in a back seat.

2 Child Safety P. 54

If none of these conditions exist, have your vehicle

checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.

If the front passenger seat is empty, the passenger's front airbag will not deploy and

the indicator will not come on.

The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and

goes off repeatedly if the total weight on the seat is

near the airbag cutoff threshold.

52

uuAirbagsuAirbag Care

Airbag Care

You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any

airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle

inspected by a dealer in the following situations:

1Airbag Care

We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag

system components, including the airbag, tensioners,

sensors, and control unit.

■

When the airbags have deployed

If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.

Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be

replaced.

■

When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision

Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s

seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt

tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.

■

Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer

This would likely disable the driver's seat position sensor or the weight sensors in the

passenger's seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate

a person with disabilities, contact a Honda dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, American

Honda Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009 and for Canadian vehicles,

Honda Canada Customer Relations at 888-9-HONDA-9.

53

Child Safety

Protecting Child Passengers

Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are

either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle accidents are the

number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

1Protecting Child Passengers

3

WARNING

Children who are unrestrained or

improperly restrained can be seriously

injured or killed in a crash.

To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province

and territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride

in a vehicle.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be

properly restrained in a child seat. A larger

child should be properly restrained with a

seat belt, using a booster seat if necessary.

Children should sit properly restrained in a rear seat. This is because:

• An inflating front or side airbag can injure

or kill a child sitting in the front seat.

• A child in the front seat is more likely to

interfere with the driver's ability to safely

control the vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

and Transport Canada recommend that all children

ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear

seat. Some states or provinces/territories have laws

restricting where children may ride.

• Statistics show that children of all sizes and

ages are safer when they are properly

restrained in a rear seat.

54

uuChild SafetyuProtecting Child Passengers

• Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an

approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt

portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.

1Protecting Child Passengers

3

WARNING

Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or

wrap one around their neck can result in

serious injury or death.

• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the

event of a collision.

Instruct children not to play with any seat

belt and make sure any unused seat belt a

child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,

and locked.

• Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would

likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

• Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very

seriously injured in a crash.

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle

and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.

To remind you of the passenger's front airbag

hazards and child safety, your vehicle warning came

with a label on the dashboard (U.S. models) and has

labels on the front visors. Please read and follow the

instructions on these labels.

• Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when

the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate

vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.

2 Safety Labels P. 68

55

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

Safety of Infants and Small Children

1Protecting Infants

Protecting Infants

■

An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the

infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the

infant is at least one year old.

3

WARNING

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front

seat can result in serious injury or death

during a crash.

■

Positioning a rear-facing child seat

Child seats must be placed and secured in a

rear seating position.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the

rear seat, not the front.

Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a

forward facing position.

Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s

instructions before installation.

When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front

passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-back

in the desired position.

It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger's advanced front airbag

system.

2 Airbags P. 41

If this occurs, we recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front

passenger's seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied.

Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.

56

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Protecting Smaller Children

Protecting Smaller Children

■

If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the child

seat manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured

forward-facing child seat.

3

WARNING

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the

front seat can result in serious injury or

death if the front airbag inflates.

■

Forward-facing child seat placement

We strongly recommend placing a forward-

facing child seat in a rear seating position.

If you must place a forward-facing child

seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far

back as possible, and properly restrain the

child.

Educate yourself about the laws and regulations

regarding child seat use where you are driving, and

follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with

advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off. A

rear seat is the safest place for a child.

Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat

for a child up to two years old if the child’s height and

weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.

Continued

57

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Selecting a Child Seat

Selecting a Child Seat

■

Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is

simple.

Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).

Some have a rigid-type connector while others have a flexible-type connector. Both

are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be

installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat

manufacturer's use and care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual.

Proper installation is key to maximizing your child's safety.

LATCH-compatible child seats have been developed

to simplify the installation process and reduce the

likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible

child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security.

This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured

with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat

manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat

once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual

for proper installation instructions.

■

Important consideration when selecting a child seat

Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:

• The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.

• The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.

• The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or

Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

58

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

■

A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in rear seats. A child seat is attached

to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.

1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.

Marks

2. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat then

attach the child seat to the lower anchors

according to the instructions that came

with the child seat.

Lower Anchors

u When installing the child seat, make sure

that the lower anchors are not

obstructed by the seat belt or any other

object.

Rigid Type

Continued

59

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat

installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the

child seat is properly secured to the vehicle. A child

seat that is not properly secured will not adequately

protect a child in a crash and may cause injury to the

child or other vehicle occupants.

Flexible Type

Outer position

Tether

Strap

Hook

3. Put the head restraint to its upper-most

position, then route the tether strap

between the head restraint legs, and secure

the tether strap hook onto the anchor.

4. Go to step 7.

Anchor

Center position

Cover

3. Lower the head restraint to its lowest

position.

4. Open the anchor cover.

Center Lower Anchor

60

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

5. Route the tether strap over the head

restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.

6. Secure the tether strap hook onto the

anchor.

Center position

Anchor

All models

7. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

Tether Strap

Hook

8. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to

side; little movement should be felt.

9. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor

is activated, and the belt is fully retracted

and locked.

Continued

61

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

■

A child seat that is not properly secured will not

adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause

injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.

2. Route the seat belt through the child seat

according to the seat manufacturer’s

instructions, and insert the latch plate into

the buckle.

u Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.

3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all

the way out until it stops. This activates the

lockable retractor.

4. Let the seat belt completely wind up into

the retractor, then try to pull it out to make

sure the retractor is locked.

u If you are able to pull the shoulder belt

out, the lockable retractor is not

activated. Pull the seat belt all the way

out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.

5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near

the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack

from the lap part of the belt.

u When doing this, place your weight on

the child seat and push it into the vehicle

seat.

62

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by

rocking it forward and back and side to

side; little movement should be felt.

7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child

can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor

is activated, and the belt is fully retracted

and locked.

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle

and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

1Adding Security with a Tether

Adding Security with a Tether

■

Since a tether can provide additional security to the

lap/shoulder seat belt installation, we recommend

using a tether whenever one is available.

Two tether anchorage points are provided

behind the rear outer seating positions and

one in the ceiling for the rear center. A child

seat that is installed with a seat belt and

comes with a tether can use the tether for

additional security.

Anchor Fitting

Tether Anchorage Points

Continued

63

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Infants and Small Children

■

Using an outer anchor

Tether

Strap

Hook

1. Put the head restraint to its upper-most

position, then route the tether strap

through the head restraint legs.

Make sure the strap is not twisted.

2. Secure the tether strap hook onto the

anchor.

3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

Anchor

■

Using the center anchor

Anchor

1. Lower the head restraint to its lowest

position.

2. Open the anchor cover.

3. Route the tether strap over the head

restraint.

Tether Strap

Hook

Make sure the strap is not twisted.

4. Secure the tether strap hook onto the

anchor.

5. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the

child seat manufacturer.

64

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Larger Children

Safety of Larger Children

1Safety of Larger Children

Protecting Larger Children

■

The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind

of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who

must sit in front.

3

WARNING

Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in

front can result in injury or death if the

passenger's front airbag inflates.

Checking Seat Belt Fit

■

If a larger child must ride in front, move the

vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible,

have the child sit up properly and wear the

seat belt properly, using a booster seat if

needed.

When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/

shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the

following questions.

■

Checklist

• Do the child's knees bend comfortably over

the edge of the seat?

• Does the shoulder belt cross between the

child's neck and arm?

• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as

possible, touching the child's thighs?

• Will the child be able to stay seated like this

for the whole trip?

If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder

seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a

booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.

Continued

65

uuChild SafetyuSafety of Larger Children

1Booster Seats

Booster Seats

■

When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the

instructions that came with it, and install the seat

accordingly.

There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a

booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat

belt correctly.

If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used

properly, position the child in a booster seat in

a rear seating position. For the child's safety,

check that the child meets the booster seat

manufacturer's recommendations.

Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces and

territories require children to use a booster seat until

they reach a given age or weight (e.g. 6 years or 60

lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or

province, or territory where you intend to drive.

Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks

■

Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever

have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:

• Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information

in this manual.

• Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.

• Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the

seat.

■

Monitoring child passengers

We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on child passengers. Even older, more

mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts and sit up

properly.

66

Exhaust Gas Hazard

Carbon Monoxide Gas

The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,

odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon

monoxide gas will not get into the interior.

1Carbon Monoxide Gas

3

WARNING

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.

Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and

even kill you.

■

Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever

• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.

• The exhaust system may have been damaged.

• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.

Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that

expose you to carbon monoxide.

When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into

the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the tailgate

open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling system^*/climate control

system^*as shown below.

An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up

with carbon monoxide gas.

Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.

Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the

garage immediately after starting the engine.

1. Select the fresh air mode.

2. Select the

mode.

3. Set the fan speed to high.

4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.

Adjust the heating and cooling system^*/climate control system^*in the same manner

if you sit in your parked vehicle with the engine running.

* Not available on all models

67

Safety Labels

Label Locations

These labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels

carefully.

If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the U.S. dashboard label which may be removed by the owner), contact a dealer

for a replacement.

Sun Visor

U.S. models

Sun Visor

U.S. models only

Canadian models

Dashboard

U.S. models only

Radiator Cap

68

Safe Driving for Your Honda CR-V SUV Fourth Generation (2011-2015)

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