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EnglishBefore Driving for your Honda CR-V 1995-2000
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Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
DIPSTICK
SUPPORT ROD
2. Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
3. Pull the support rod out of its clip
and insert the end into the hole on
the front of the hood around the
center.
Check the engine oil level every time
you fill the vehicle with fuel. Wait a
few minutes after turning the engine
off before you check the oil.
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.
1. Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
After closing the hood, make sure it
is securely latched.
CONTINUED
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Service Station Procedures
Engine Coolant Check
RESERVE TANK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
MAX
MIN
3. Insert it all the way back in its tube. 4. Remove the dipstick again and
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 201 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see Adding Oil on page 197.
Refer to Owner Maintenance
Checks on page 195 for information
on checking other items in your
Honda.
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Fuel Economy
A cold engine uses more fuel than a
warm engine. It is not necessary to
"warm-up" a cold engine by letting it
idle for a long time. You can drive
away in about a minute, no matter
how cold it is outside. The engine
will warm up faster, and you get
better fuel economy. To cut clown on
the number of "cold starts," try to
combine several short trips into one.
The condition of your vehicle and
your driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Driving Habits
You can improve fuel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more fuel.
Vehicle Condition
Always maintain your vehicle accord-
ing to the maintenance schedule.
This will keep it in top operating-
condition.
Always drive in the highest gear that
allows the engine to run and acceler-
ate smoothly.
Depending on traffic conditions, try
to maintain a constant speed. Every
time you slow down and speed up,
your vehicle uses extra fuel. Use the
cruise control, when appropriate, to
increase fuel economy.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
use more fuel. Turn off the A/C to
cut down on air conditioning use.
Use the flow-through ventilation
when the outside air temperature is
moderate.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the Owner Maintenance
Checks (see page 195). For
example, an underinflated tire
causes more "rolling resistance,"
which uses fuel. It also wears out
faster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your vehicle's underside adds weight
and rolling resistance. Frequent
cleaning helps your fuel mileage and
reduces the chance of corrosion.
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Accessories and Modifications
operation of your vehicle, or even
cause the airbags to deploy.
Modifying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your vehicle unsafe. Before
you make any modifications or add
any accessories, be sure to read the
following information.
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.
Before installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
Accessories
Your dealer has Genuine 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.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page 268 ).
Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer for assistance before
installing any electronic accessory.
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 the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.
Non-Honda accessories are usually
designed for universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may fit on your vehicle, they may not
meet factory specifications, and
could adversely affect your vehicle's
If possible, have your dealer inspect
the final installation.
"Modifications" on page 147 for
additional information.)
However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your vehicle's electrical system
capacity, they can interfere with the
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Accessories and Modifications
In addition, any modifications that
decrease ground clearance increase
the chance of undercarriage parts
striking a curb, speed bump, or other
raised object, which could cause
your airbags to deploy.
Additional Safety Precaution
Do not attach or place objects on the
airbag covers. Any object attached to
or placed on the covers marked "SRS
AIRBAG," in the center of the
steering wheel and on top of the
dashboard, could interfere with the
proper operation of the airbags. Or,
if the airbags inflate, the objects
could be propelled inside the vehicle
and hurt someone.
Modifications
Do not remove any original
equipment or modify your vehicle in
any way that would alter its design or
operation. This could make your
vehicle unsafe and illegal to drive.
Do not modify your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modifications could make the
system ineffective.
For example, do not make any
modifications that would change the
ride height of your vehicle, or install
wheels and tires with a different
overall diameter.
Such modifications can adversely
affect handling, and interfere with
the operation of the vehicle's anti-
lock brakes and other systems.
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CarryingCargo
Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas so you can stow cargo
safely.
SEAT UNDER-BOX
CARGO FLOOR POCKET
TAILGATE
POCKET
DOOR POCKET
The glove box, and the pockets in
the front doors and seat-backs, are
designed for small, lightweight items.
The cargo area is intended for larger,
heavier items. In addition, the back
seat can be folded down to allow you
to cany more cargo or longer items.
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can affect
your vehicle's handling, stability and
operation and make it unsafe. Before
carrying any type of cargo, be sure to
read the following pages.
CARGO AREA
GLOVE BOX
CENTER POCKET
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CarryingCargo
Load Limit
The maximum load for your vehicle
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
is 850 Ibs (395 kg).
Overloading or improper
Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
This figure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, accessories,
and the tongue weight if you are
towing a trailer.
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, or with the proper
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
To figure out how much cargo you
can cany:
operation of the seats.
Add up the weight of all occupants.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If the lid is open, a
passenger could injure their knees
during a crash or sudden stop.
If you are towing a trailer, add the
tongue weight to the number
above.
Subtract the total from 850 Ibs
(395 kg).
The final number is the total weight
of cargo you can carry.
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Carrying Cargo
Carrying Cargo in the Cargo Area
or on a Roof Rack
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.
If you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the
tailgate, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, follow the instructions
on page 49 .
If you can carry any items on a
roof rack, be sure the total weight
of the rack and the items does not
exceed 75 Ibs (34 kg). Please
contact your Honda dealer for
further information.
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Driving
Off-Highway Guidelines.............. 178
General Information................. 178
Important Safety
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes
important information on parking
your vehicle, the braking system,
and facts you need if you are plan-
ning to tow a trailer or drive off-
highway.
Stalling the Engine....................... 154
Starting in Cold Weather
Precautions............................. 179
Driving Tips............................... 180
at High Altitude.................... 155
Recommended Shift Points...... 157
Maximum Allowable Speeds.... 157
Automatic Transmission.............. 158
Shift Lever Position Indicator.. 158
Shift Lever Positions................ 158
Maximum Allowable Speeds.... 161
Shift LockRelease.................... 162
Parking...........................................163
The Braking System..................... 164
Brake Wear Indicators............. 164
Brake System Design............... 165
Anti-lock Brakes....................... 165
Important Safety
Reminders......................... 166
ABS Indicator........................ 167
Driving in Bad Weather............... 168
Towing a Trailer........................... 170
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome................................. 176
Driving
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Driving Guidelines
Four-wheelDrive Models
Your CR-V has higher ground
clearance than a passenger vehicle
designed only for use on pavement.
Higher ground clearance has many
advantages for off-highway driving.
It allows you to travel over bumps
and unpaved roads. It also provides
good visibility so you can anticipate
problems earlier.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
Your CR-V is equipped with a unique
four-wheel drive (4WD) system.
Normally, power is delivered only to
the front wheels. When the system
senses a loss of front-wheel traction,
it automatically transfers some
power to the rear wheels. This gives
you better traction and mobility.
Do not modify your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not cany heavy cargo on the
roof.
While this system can provide
increased traction on slippery
surfaces, you still need to exercise
the same care when accelerating,
steering, and braking that you would
in a two-wheel drive vehicle.
These advantages come at some cost.
Because your vehicle is taller and
rides higher off the ground, it has a
high center of gravity. This means
that your vehicle can tip or roll over
if you make abrupt turns. Utility
vehicles have a significantly higher
rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.
See page 177 for additionalguidelines
for driving off-highway.
To prevent the risk of rollover or
loss of control:
Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
Driving
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Preparing to Drive
You should do the following checks
and adjustments every day before
you drive your vehicle.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page 77 ).
10.Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
6. Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page 85 ).
1. Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice.
11.Start the engine (see page 154 ).
12.Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page 53 ).
7. Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page 64).
2. Check that the hood and tailgate
are fully closed.
8. Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
3. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
9. Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seal belts (see page 15 ).
4. Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or fastened clown
securely.
Driving
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Starting the Engine
6. If the engine still does not start,
press the accelerator pedal all the
way down and hold it there while
starting in order to clear flooding.
As before, keep the ignition key in
the START (III) position for no
more than 15 seconds. Return to
step 5 if the engine does not start.
If it starts, lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal so the engine
does not race.
1. Apply the parking brake.
4. Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. If the engine
does not start right away, do not
hold the key in START (III) for
more than 15 seconds at a time.
Pause for at least 10 seconds
before trying again.
2. In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
3. Manual Transmission:
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way. START (III) does not
function unless the clutch pedal is
depressed.
5. If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed half-way
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
Automatic Transmission:
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Driving
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Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather at High
Altitude (Above 8,000 feet/
2,400 meters)
An engine is harder to start in cold
weather. The thinner air found at
high altitude above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to the problem.
Use the following procedure:
3. If the engine fails to start in step 2,
push the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it there while you
try to start the engine for no more
than 15 seconds. If the engine
does not start, return to step 2.
1. Turn off all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
2. Push the accelerator pedal half-
way to the floor and hold it there
while starting the engine. Do not
hold the ignition key in START
(III) for more than 15 seconds.
When the engine starts, release
the accelerator pedal gradually as
the engine speeds up and smooths
out.
Driving
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5-speedManualTransmission
Come to a full stop before you shift
into Reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
Reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause for a few seconds before
shifting into Reverse, or shift into
one of the forward gears for a
moment. This stops the gears so
they won't "grind."
Rapid slowing or speeding-up
can cause loss of control on
slippery surfaces. If you crash,
you can be injured.
Use extra care when driving on
slippery surfaces.
When slowing down, you can get
extra braking from the engine by
shifting to a lower gear. This extra
braking can help you maintain a safe
speed and prevent your brakes from
overheating while going down a
steep hill. Before downshifting,
make sure engine speed will not go
into the tachometer's red zone in the
lower gear.
The manual transmission is syn-
chronized in all forward gears for
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot shift directly from Fifth
to Reverse. When shifting up or
down, make sure you push the clutch
pedal down all the way, shift to the
next gear, and let the pedal up
gradually. When you are not shifting,
do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal. This can cause your clutch to
wear out faster.
Driving
