2000 HONDA CR-V Fluid

Befor
e Drivin g

Befor e yo u begi n drivin g you r Honda ,
yo u shoul d kno w wha t gasolin e t o
use , an d ho w to chec k th e level s o f
importan t fluids . Yo u als o nee d to
kno w ho w to properl y stor e luggag e
o r packages . Th e informatio n in thi s
sectio n wil l hel p you . I f yo u pla n t o
ad d an y accessorie s t o you r vehicle ,
pleas e rea d th e informatio n in thi s
sectio n first . Break-i
n Period............................. . 14 0
Gasoline......................................... . 14 0
Servic e Statio n Procedure s ......... . 14 1
Fillin g th e Fue l Tank................ . 14 1
Openin g th e Hood.................... . 14 2
Oi l Check................................ 143
Engin e Coolan t Check......... . 14 4
Fue l Economy............................... . 14 5
Vehicl e Condition..................... . 14 5
Drivin g Habits........................... . 14 5
Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 14 6
Carryin g Cargo............................. . 14 8

Befor e Drivin g

Drivin
g i n Ba d Weathe r

Rain , fog , an d sno w condition s re -
quir e a differen t drivin g techniqu e
becaus e o f reduce d tractio n an d
visibility . Kee p you r vehicl e well -
maintaine d an d exercis e greate r
cautio n whe n yo u nee d t o driv e in
ba d weather . Th e cruis e contro l
shoul d no t b e use d in thes e condi -

tions .
Drivin
g Techniqu e — Alway s driv e
slowe r tha n yo u woul d in dr y
weather . I t take s you r vehicl e longe r
t o react , eve n in condition s tha t ma y
see m jus t barel y damp . Appl y
smooth , eve n pressur e to al l th e
controls . Abrup t steerin g whee l
movement s o r sudden , har d appli -
catio n o f th e brake s ca n caus e los s o f
contro l i n we t weather . B e extr a
cautiou s fo r th e firs t fe w mile s
(kilometers ) o f drivin g whil e yo u
adjus t t o th e chang e in drivin g
conditions . Thi s i s especiall y tru e in
snow . A perso n ca n forge t som e
snow-drivin g technique s durin g th e
summe r months . Practic e is neede d
t o relear n thos e skills .
Exercis e extr a cautio n whe n drivin g
i n rai n afte r a lon g dr y spell . Afte r
month s o f dr y weather , th e firs t
rain s brin g oi l t o th e surfac e o f th e
roadway , makin g it slippery . Visibilit
y — Bein g abl e to se e
clearl y i n al l direction s an d bein g
visibl e t o othe r driver s ar e importan t
i n al l weathe r conditions . Thi s i s
mor e difficul t i n ba d weather . T o b e
see n mor e clearl y durin g dayligh t
hours , tur n o n you r headlights .
Inspec t you r windshiel d wiper s an d
washer s frequently . Kee p th e wind -
shiel d washe r reservoi r ful l o f th e
prope r fluid . Hav e th e windshiel d
wipe r blade s replace d i f the y star t t o
strea k th e windshiel d o r leav e part s
unwiped . Us e th e defroster s an d ai r
conditionin g to kee p th e window s
fro m foggin g u p o n th e insid e (se e
pag e 103 ).
Drivin g

Maintenanc
e

Thi s sectio n explain s wh y i t i s
importan t t o kee p you r vehicl e wel l
maintaine d an d t o follo w basi c
maintenanc e safet y precautions .
Thi s sectio n als o include s
Maintenanc e Schedule s fo r norma l
drivin g an d sever e drivin g conditions ,
a Maintenanc e Record , an d instruc -
tion s fo r simpl e maintenanc e task s
yo u ma y wan t t o tak e car e o f

yourself .

I f yo u hav e th e skill s an d tool s t o per -
for m mor e comple x maintenanc e
task s o n you r Honda , yo u ma y wan t
t o purchas e th e Servic e Manual . Se e
pag e 29 3 fo r informatio n o n ho w to
obtai n a copy , o r se e you r Hond a
dealer .
Maintenanc e Safety...................... . 18 4
Importan t Safet y Precautions. . 18 5
Maintenanc e Schedule................. . 18 6 Require
d Maintenanc e Record... . 19 3
Owne r Maintenanc e Checks....... . 19 5
Flui d Locations.............................. . 19 6

Engin e Oil...................................... . 19 7

Addin g Oil.................................. . 19 7

Recommende d Oil.................... . 19 7

Syntheti c Oil.............................. . 19 8

Additives.................................... . 19 8
Changin g th e Oi l an d Filter..... . 19 9

Coolin g System............................. . 20 1

Addin g Engin e Coolant............ . 20 1

Replacin g Engin e Coolant....... . 20 3

Windshiel d Washers.................... . 20 6
Transmissio n Fluid....................... . 20 7
Automati c Transmission.......... . 20 7
5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 20 8
Rea r Differentia l Fluid................. . 20 9
Brak e an d Clutc h Fluid................ . 21 0
Brak e System............................ . 21 0
Clutc h System........................... . 21 1

Powe r Steering.............................. . 21 1

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 21 2
Hoo d Latch.................................... . 21 3

Spar k Plugs.................................... . 21 3

Replacement.............................. . 21 3
Specifications............................
. 21 4

Battery........................................... . 21 5
Wipe r Blades................................. . 21 7
Ai r Conditionin g System.............. . 21 9

Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 22 0

Driv e Belts..................................... . 22 0

Timin g Belt.................................... . 22 1

Tires............................................... . 22 1

Inflation...................................... . 22 1
Recommende d Tir e
Pressure s fo r Norma l

Driving........................... . 22 2

Inspection.................................. . 22 3

Maintenance.............................. . 22 3

Tir e Rotation............................. . 22 4

Replacin g Tire s an d Wheels... . 22 5
Wheel s an d Tires...................... . 22 6

Winte r Driving.......................... . 22 6

Sno w Tires............................. . 22 6
Tir e Chains............................ . 22 7
Lights............................................. . 22 8
Headligh t Aiming..................... . 23 0

Replacin g Bulbs........................ . 23 2

Storin g You r Vehicle.................... . 23 9

Maintenanc e

Maintenanc
e Schedul e

You r authorize d Hond a deale r
know s you r vehicl e bes t an d ca n
provid e competent , efficien t service .
However , servic e a t a deale r i s no t
mandator y t o kee p you r warrantie s
i n effect . Maintenanc e ma y b e don e
b y an y qualifie d servic e facilit y o r
perso n wh o is skille d in thi s typ e o f
automotiv e service . Kee p al l th e
receipt s a s proo f o f completion , an d
hav e th e perso n wh o doe s th e wor k
fil l ou t th e Maintenanc e Record .
Chec k you r warrant y bookle t fo r
mor e information . W
e recommen d th e us e o f Genuin e
Hond a part s an d fluid s wheneve r yo u
hav e maintenanc e done . Thes e ar e
manufacture d to th e sam e high -
qualit y standard s a s th e origina l
components , s o yo u ca n b e confiden t
o f thei r performanc e an d durability .
U.S . Vehicles :

Maintenance , replacemen t or

repai r o f emission s contro l
device s an d system s ma y b e don e
b y an y automotiv e repai r
establishmen t o r individua l usin g

part s tha t ar e "certified " t o EP A
standards . Accordin
g to stat e an d federa l
regulations , failur e t o perfor m
maintenanc e o n th e item s marke d
wit h # wil l rio t voi d you r emission s
warranties . However , Hond a
recommend s tha t al l maintenanc e
service s b e performe d a t th e
recommende d tim e o r mileag e
perio d t o ensur e long-ter m reliability .
Maintenanc e

Windshiel
d Washer s

Chec k th e leve l i n th e windshiel d
washe r reservoi r a t leas t monthl y
durin g norma l usage . I n ba d weather ,
whe n yo u us e th e washer s often ,
chec k th e leve l ever y tim e yo u sto p

fo r fuel .
The windshiel d washe r reservoi r i s
locate d behin d th e driver' s sid e
headlight . Chec k th e reservoir' s flui d
leve l b y removin g th e ca p an d
lookin g a t th e leve l gaug e attache d

t o
th e cap .
Fil l th e reservoi r wit h a good-qualit y
windshiel d washe r fluid . Thi s
increase s th e cleanin g capabilit y an d
prevent s freezin g in col d weather .
Do
not use engine antifreeze or a
vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir.
Antifreeze can damage \your vehicle's
paint, while a vinegar/water solution
can damage the windshield washer

pump.

Use only commercially-available
windshield washer fluid.

Maintenanc e
NOTIC
E
LEVE L GAUG E

Brak
e an d Clutc h Flui d

Chec k th e flui d leve l i n th e reser -
voir s monthly . Ther e ar e u p t o tw o
reservoirs , dependin g on the model .
The y are :
Brak e flui d reservoi r (al l models )
Clutc h flui d reservoi r
(manua l transmissio n only )
Th e brak e flui d shoul d b e replace d
accordin g to th e tim e an d distanc e
recommendation s i n th e mainte -
nanc e schedule . Alway
s us e Genuin e Hond a DO T 3
brak e fluid . I f i t i s no t available , yo u
shoul d us e onl y DO T 3 o r DO T 4
fluid , fro m a seale d container , a s a
temporar y replacement . However ,
th e us e o f an y non-Hond a brak e flui d
ca n caus e corrosio n an d decreas e
th e lif e o f th e system . Hav e th e
brak e syste m flushe d an d refille d
wit h Hond a DO T 3 brak e flui d a s
soo n a s possible .
Brak e flui d marke d DO T 5 is no t
compatibl e wit h you r vehicle' s
brakin g syste m an d ca n caus e
extensiv e damage . Brak
e Syste m
Th e flui d leve l shoul d b e betwee n
th e MI N an d MA X mark s o n th e sid e
o f th e reservoir . I f th e leve l i s a t o r
belo w th e MI N mark , you r brak e
syste m need s attention . Hav e th e
brak e syste m inspecte d fo r leak s o r
wor n brak e pads .

Maintenanc e
MA
X
MI N

Brak
e an d Clutc h Fluid , Powe r Steerin g
Clutc h Syste m

MI N
MAX

Th e flui d shoul d b e betwee n th e
MI N an d MA X mark s o n th e sid e o f
th e reservoir . I f i t i s not , ad d brak e
flui d t o brin g it u p t o tha t level . Us e
th e sam e flui d specifie d fo r th e
brak e system .
Lo w flui d leve l ca n indicat e a lea k i n
th e clutc h system . Hav e thi s syste m
inspecte d a s soo n a s possible . Powe
r Steerin g

UPPER LEVE L

LOWE R LEVE L
Chec k th e leve l whe n th e engin e i s
cold . Loo k a t th e sid e o f th e
reservoir . Th e flui d shoul d b e
betwee n th e UPPE R LEVE L an d
LOWE R LEVEL . I f i t i s belo w th e
LOWE R LEVEL , ad d powe r steering -
flui d t o th e UPPE R LEVEL . Alway
s us e Genuin e Hond a Powe r
Steerin g Fluid . I f i t i s no t available ,
yo u ma y us e anothe r powe r steerin g
flui d a s a n emergenc y replacement .
However , continue d us e ca n caus e
increase d wea r an d poo r steerin g in
col d weather . Hav e th e powe r
steerin g syste m flushe d an d refille d
wit h Hond a PS F a s soo n a s possible .
A lo w powe r steerin g flui d leve l ca n
indicat e a lea k in th e system . Chec k
th e flui d leve l frequentl y an d hav e
th e syste m inspecte d a s soo n a s

possible .

Turning the steering wheel to full left
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Maintenanc e

NOTIC
E

Inde
x

Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 14 6

Accessories................................ . 14 0

Additiona l Safel y Precautions. . 14 7
Modifications............................ . 14 7
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 7 0
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 9 2

Addin g

Automati c Transmissio n

Fluid....................................... . 20 7

Drak e Fluid................................ . 21 0
Clutc h Fluid............................... . 21 1
Engin e Coolant.......................... . 20 1
Engin e Oil.................................. . 19 7
Manua l Transmissio n Fluid.... . 20 8
Powe r Steerin g Fluid................ . 21 1
Rea r Differentia l Fluid............. . 20 9
Windshiel d Washe r Fluid........ . 20 0
Additiona l Informatio n Abou t
You r Sea t Belts....................... . 4 2

La p Belt........................................ . 4 3

Lap/Shoulde r Belt...................... . 4 2

Sca t Bel t Maintenance............... . 4 3
Sea t Bel t Syste m Components.. . 4 2 Additiona
l Informatio n Abou t

You r SR S .......................... . 4 5

Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 4 8
Ho w th e Automati c Sea t Bel t

Tensioner s Work.................... . 4 7

Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t

Works....................................... . 4 7

Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 4 5

SR S Components........................ . 4 5
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 19 8
Adjustment s
Headlights................................. . 23 0
Hea d Restraints.......................... . 7 9

Mirrors......................................... . 8 6

Seats............................................. . 7 7

Steerin g Wheel........................... . 6 4

Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9

Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 21 2

Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 9 8

Maintenance.............................. . 21 9

Usage............................................ . 9 8

Ai r Conditionin g Filter................. . 22 0

Ai r Outlet s (Vents)....................... . 10 0
Ai r Pressure , Tires....................... . 22 1
Norma l Driving......................... . 22 2
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 28 2 Antifreeze......................................
. 20 1
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )

Indicato r Light.................... 55, 167

Operation................................... . 16 5

Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n

Lock.............................................. . 7 0

Appearanc e Care.......................... . 24 1

Ashtrays........................................... . 9 4

Audi o System................................ . 10 6

Automati c Spee d Control............... . 6 6

Automati c Transmission............... 158

Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 27 8
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 20 7
Shifting....................................... . 15 8
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 15 8
Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 15 8
Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 16 2

CONTINUED