
Drivin
g in Ba d Weathe r
Tractio n — Chec k you r tire s
frequentl y fo r wea r an d prope r
pressure . Bot h ar e importan t i n
preventin g "hydroplaning " (los s o f
tractio n o n a we t surface) . I n th e
winter , moun t sno w tire s o n al l fou r
wheel s fo r the bes t handling .
Watc h roa d condition s carefully ,
the y ca n chang e fro m momen t t o
moment . We t leave s ca n b e a s slip -
per y a s ice . "Clear " road s ca n hav e
patche s o f ice . Drivin g condition s
ca n b e ver y hazardou s whe n th e
outsid e temperatur e is nea r freezing .
Th e roa d surfac e ca n becom e
covere d wit h area s o f wate r puddle s
mixe d wit h area s o f ice , s o you r
tractio n ca n chang e withou t warning .
B e carefu l whe n downshifting . I f
tractio n is low , yo u ca n loc k u p th e
driv e wheel s fo r a momen t an d caus e
a skid .
B
e ver y cautiou s whe n passing , o r
bein g passe d b y othe r vehicles . Th e
spra y fro m larg e vehicle s reduce s
you r visibility , an d th e win d buffetin g
ca n caus e yo u to los e control .
Driving

Towin
g a Traile r
Drivin g Safel y Wit h a Traile r
Th e adde d weight , length , an d
heigh t o f a traile r wil l affec t you r
vehicle' s handlin g an d performance ,
s o drivin g wit h a traile r require s
som e specia l drivin g skill s an d
techniques .
Fo r you r safet y an d th e safet y o f
others , tak e tim e t o practic e drivin g
maneuver s befor e headin g fo r th e
ope n road , an d follo w th e guideline s
discusse d below .
Towing Speeds and Gears
Driv e slowe r tha n norma l i n al l
drivin g situations , an d obe y poste d
spee d limit s fo r vehicle s wit h trailers .
I f yo u hav e a n automati c
transmission , us e th e Over-Driv e
(O/D ) mod e whe n towin g a traile r
o n leve l roads . Tur n of f th e Over -
Driv e (O/D ) mod e whe n towin g a
traile r in hill y terrai n (se e pag e 152 ).
(Se e "Driving on Hills" in th e nex t
colum n fo r additiona l gea r information.
)
Making Turns and Braking
Mak e turn s mor e slowl y an d wide r
tha n normal . Th e traile r track s a
smalle r ar c tha n you r vehicle , an d it
ca n hi t o r ru n ove r somethin g th e
vehicl e misses . Allo w mor e tim e an d
distanc e fo r braking . D o no t brak e o r
tur n suddenl y a s thi s coul d caus e th e
traile r t o jackknif e o r tur n over .
Driving on Hills
Whe n climbin g hills , closel y watc h
you r temperatur e gauge . I f i t near s
th e re d mark , tur n th e ai r
conditionin g off , reduc e spee d and , i f
necessary , pul l t o th e sid e o f th e
roa d to le t th e engin e cool .
I f th e automati c transmissio n shift s
frequentl y betwee n 3r d an d 4t h
gear s whil e goin g u p a hill , tur n of f
th e Over-Driv e (O/D ) mod e (se e
pag e 172 ). I
f yo u mus t sto p whe n facin g uphill ,
us e th e foo t brak e o r parkin g brake .
D o no t tr y t o hol d th e vehicl e i n
plac e b y pressin g o n th e accelerator ,
a s thi s ca n caus e th e automati c
transmissio n to overheat .
Whe n drivin g dow n hills , reduc e
you r spee d an d shif t dow n to 2n d
gear . D o no t "ride " th e brakes , an d
remembe r i t wil l tak e longe r t o slo w
dow n an d sto p whe n towin g a trailer .
CONTINUED
Drivin g

Towin
g You r Vehicl e Behin d a Motorhom e
Star
t th e engine .
Pres s o n th e brak e pedal . Shif t th e
leve r throug h al l th e position s (P ,
R , N , D , 2,1 )
Shif t t o D , the n t o N . Le t th e
engin e ru n fo r thre e minutes , the n
tur n of f th e engine .
Releas e th e parkin g brake .
Leav e th e ignitio n switc h i n
ACCESSOR Y (I ) s o th e steering -
whee l doe s no t lock . Mak e sur e
th e radi o an d an y item s plugge d
int o th e accessor y powe r socket s
ar e turne d of f s o yo u d o no t ru n
dow n th e battery .
Extended
Towing
I f yo u to w mor e tha n 8 hour s in on e
day , repea t th e abov e procedur e a t
leas t ever y 8 hours , (whe n yo u sto p
fo r fuel , etc. )
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
freelv before you begin towing.
Failure to follow the above instructions
exactly will result in severe automatic
transmission damage. If vou cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a flat-bed truck or
trailer.
Severe
automatic transmission damage
will occur if the vehicle is shifted from
reverse to neutral and then towed with
the drive wheels on the ground.
I f yo u to w a CR- V wit h a n automati c
transmission , th e transmissio n flui d
mus t b e change d ever y tw o year s o r
30,00 0 mile s (50,00 0 km) , whicheve r
come s first .
Drivin g
NOTIC
E
NOTIC E NOTIC
E

Transmissio
n Flui d
6 . Inser t th e dipstic k al l th e wa y bac k
int o th e transmissio n securel y a s
show n in th e illustration .
Th e transmissio n shoul d b e draine d
an d refille d wit h ne w flui d accordin g
t o th e tim e an d distanc e recommen -
dation s i n th e maintenanc e schedule .5-spee
d Manua l Transmissio n
Correc t leve l FILLER BOL T
Chec k th e flui d leve l wit h th e
transmissio n a t norma l operatin g
temperatur e an d th e vehicl e sittin g
o n leve l ground . Remov e th e
transmissio n fille r bol t an d carefull y
fee l insid e th e bol t hol e wit h you r
finger . Th e flui d leve l shoul d b e u p
t o th e edg e o f th e bol t hole . I f i t i s
not , ad d Hond a Manua l Transmis -
sio n Flui d (MTF ) unti l i t start s t o
ru n ou t o f th e hole . Reinstal l th e
fille r bol t an d tighte n i t securely .I
f Hond a MT F is no t available , yo u
ma y us e a n AP I servic e SG , S H o r S J
grad e moto r oi l wit h a viscosit y o f
SA E 10W-3 0 o r 10W-4 0 a s a
temporar y replacement . A n S G
grade is preferred , bu t a n S H o r S J
grade may b e use d if S G is no t
available . However , moto r oi l doe s
no t contai n th e prope r additive s an d
continue d us e ca n caus e stiffe r
shifting . Replac e a s soo n a s it i s
convenient .
Th e transmissio n shoul d b e draine d
an d refille d wit h ne w flui d accordin g
t o th e tim e an d distanc e recommen -
dation s i n th e maintenanc e schedule .
Maintenanc e

Brak
e Syste m Indicato r
Th e Brak e Syste m Indicato r
normall y come s o n whe n yo u tur n
th e ignitio n switc h O N (II) . I t i s a
reminde r t o chec k th e parkin g brake .
I t come s o n an d stay s li t i f yo u d o no t
full y releas e th e parkin g brake . I
f i t come s o n a t an y othe r time , i t
indicate s a proble m wit h th e vehicle' s
brak e system . I n mos t cases , th e
proble m is a lo w flui d leve l i n th e
brak e flui d reservoir . Pres s lightl y o n
th e brak e peda l t o se e if i t feel s
normal . I f i t does , chec k th e brak e
flui d leve l th e nex t tim e yo u sto p a t a
servic e statio n (se e pag e 210 ). I f th e
flui d leve l i s low , tak e th e vehicl e t o
you r deale r an d hav e th e brak e
syste m inspecte d fo r leak s o r wor n
brak e pads .
However , i f th e brak e peda l doe s no t
fee l normal , yo u shoul d tak e
immediat e action . Becaus e o f th e
brak e system' s dual-circui t design , a
proble m in on e par t o f th e syste m
wil l stil l giv e yo u brakin g a t tw o
wheels . Yo u wil l fee l th e brak e peda l
g o dow n muc h farthe r befor e th e
vehicl e begin s t o slo w down , an d yo u
wil l hav e t o pres s harde r o n th e
pedal . Th e distanc e neede d to sto p
wil l b e muc h longer . Slo
w dow n b y shiftin g to a lowe r
gear , an d pul l t o th e sid e o f th e roa d
whe n it i s safe . Becaus e o f th e
longe r distanc e neede d to stop , i t i s
hazardou s t o driv e th e vehicle . Yo u
shoul d hav e it towed , an d repaire d a s
soo n a s possible . (Se e Emergenc y
Towin g o n pag e 29 0.)
I f yo u mus t driv e th e vehicl e a shor t
distanc e in thi s condition , driv e
slowl y an d cautiously .
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d
BRAK
E SYSTE M INDICATOR *
100
'U.S . indicato r show n

Inde
x
Accessorie s an d Modifications... . 158
Accessories................................ . 158
Additiona l Safet y Precautions. . 159
Modifications............................ . 159
ACCESSOR Y (Ignitio n Ke y
Position)....................................... . 70
Accessor y Powe r Socket............... . 92
Additives , Engin e Oil.................... . 212
Airba g (SRS)..................................... . 9
Ai r Cleane r Element..................... . 226
Ai r Conditioning.............................. . 98
Maintenance.............................. . 233
Usage............................................ . 98
Ai r Conditionin g
Filter................. . 234
Ai r Outlet s
(Vents)....................... . 100
Ai r Pressure ,
Tires.......................
. 235
Norma l Driving......................... . 236
Alcoho l i n Gasoline....................... . 298
Antifreeze...................................... . 215
Anti-loc k Brake s (ABS )
Indicato r Light................... . 55 , 179
Operation................................... . 177
Anti-thef t Steerin g Colum n
Lock.............................................. 69
Appearanc
e Care.......................... . 225
Ashtrays........................................... . 94
Audi o System................................ . 106
Automati c Spee d Control............... . 66
Automati c Transmission.............. . 170
Capacity , Fluid.......................... . 294
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 221
Shifting....................................... . 170
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator. . 170
Shif t Leve r Positions................ . 170
Shif t Loc k Release.................... . 174
Batter y
Chargin g Syste m
Indicator............................ 54 , 281
Jum p Starting............................ . 277
Maintenance.............................. . 229
Specifications............................ . 294
Befor e Driving.............................. . 151
Belts , Seat.......................................... . 8
Beverag e Holder............................. . 88
Bod y Repair................................... . 263
Brake s
Anti-loc k Syste m (ABS)........... . 177 Break-in
, Ne w Lining s ............. .
152
Fluid........................................... . 224
Bul b Replacement.................... . 247
Parking......................................... . 86
Syste m
Indicator.................
. 54 , 284
Wea r Indicators........................ . 176
Brakin g System............................. . 176
Break-in , Ne w Car........................ . 152
Brightnes s Control , Instruments.. . 61
Brights , Headlights........................ . 60
Built-i n Table................................... . 89
Bul b Replacemen t
Back-u p Lights.......................... . 248
Brak e Lights.............................. . 248
Carg o Are a Light...................... . 252
Ceilin g Light.............................. . 252
Fron t Parkin g Lights................ . 247
Fron t Sid e Marke r Lights........ . 247
Headlights................................. . 246
High-moun t Brak e Light......... . 251
Interio r Light............................. . 252
Licens e Plat e Lights................. . 249
Rea r Sid e Marke r Lights......... . 248
Specifications............................. . 295
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Disposa l o f Use d Oil..................... . 214
Door s
Lockin g an d Unlocking.............. . 70
Powe r Doo r Locks...................... . 71
DO T Tir e Qualit y Grading.......... . 296
Downshifting , 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission............................. . 168
Driv e Belts..................................... . 234
Driving........................................... . 163
Economy.................................... . 157
I n Ba d Weather......................... . 180
I n Foreig n Countries................ . 299
Drivin g Guidelines........................ . 164
Economy , Fuel.............................. . 157
Emergencie s o n th e Road............ . 265
Battery , Jum p Starting............. . 276
Brak e Syste m Indicator........... . 284
Changin g a Fla t Tire................ . 266
Chargin g Syste m Indicator..... . 282
Checkin g th e Fuses.................. . 286
Lo w Oi l Pressur e Indicator..... . 281
Malfunctio n Indicato r Lamp... . 283
Overheate d Engine.................. . 279 Emergenc
y Brake........................... . 86
Emergenc y Flashers...................... . 63
Emergenc y Towing...................... . 290
Emissio n Controls........................ . 300
Engin e
Coolan t Temperatur e Gauge ..... 57
Malfunctio n Indicato r
Lamp .................................... 54,
282
Oil Pressur e
Indicator........
. 54 ,
281
Oil , Wha t
Kin
d t o Use.............. . 211
Overheating............................... . 279
Specifications............................ . 294
Starting....................................... . 166
Ethano l i n Gasolin e ...................... . 298
Evaporativ e Emissio n Controls... . 300
Exhaus t Fumes............................... . 49
Expectan t Mothers , Us e o f Sea t
Belt s by........................................ . 19
Exterior , Cleanin g the.................. . 256
Fabric , Cleaning............................ . 260
Fan , Interior..................................... . 98
Features , Comfor t an d
Convenience................................ . 97 Fillin
g th e Fue l Tank.................... . 157
Filter s
Air............................................... . 226
Ai r Conditioning....................... .
234
Oil............................................... . 213
5-spee d Manua l
Transmissio
n
Checkin g Flui d Level............... . 222
Shiftin g the................................ . 169
Flashers , Hazard Warning............. . 63
Fla t Tire , Changin g a................... . 213
Fluid s
Automati c Transmission ...........
221
Brake.......................................... . 224
Clutch......................................... . 224
Manua l Transmission.............. . 222
Powe r
Steering..........................
. 225
Rea r Differential....................... . 223
Windshiel d Washer.................. . 220
F M Stere o Radi o
Reception................................... . 125
Foldin g Rea r Seat........................... . 82
Foreig n Countries , Drivin g in..... . 299
Four-wa y Flashers.......................... . 63
CONTINUED

Inde
x
Syste m Components................... . 42
Us e Durin g Pregnancy............... . 19
Wearin g a Lap/Shoulde r Belt... . 15
Wearin g th e La p Belt................. . 16
Seats , Adjustin g the........................ . 77
Seria l Number............................... . 292
Servic e Intervals........................... . 202
Servic e Manual * ........................... . 311
Servic e Statio n Procedure s ......... . 153
Settin g th e Clock............................ . 87
Shiftin g
Th e 5-spee d Manua l
Transmission......................... . 169
Shif t Leve r Positio n Indicator..... . 170
Shif t Loc k Release........................ . 17 4
Sid e Marke r Lights , Bul b
Replacement.............................. . 247
Signalin g Turns............................... . 61
Sno w Tires..................................... . 240
Solvent-typ e Cleaners................... . 259
Soun d System................................ . 106
Spar k Plugs , Replacing................ . 227
Specification s Charts.................... . 294
Spee d Control.................................. . 66
Speedometer................................... . 56
SRS
, Additiona l Information.......... . 45
Additiona l Safet y Precautions... . 48
Ho w th e Automati c Sea t Bel t
Tensioner s Work.................... . 47
Ho w th e SR S Indicato r Ligh t
Works....................................... . 47
Ho w You r Airbag s Work........... . 45
SR S Components........................ . 45
SR S Service.................................. . 48
SR S Indicator............................ . 47 ,
54
STAR T (Ignitio n
Ke
y Position).... . 70
Startin g th e Engine....................... .
166
I n Col d
Weathe
r a t Hig h
Altitude.................................. .
167
Wit h a
Dea
d Battery................ . 277
Stea m Comin g fro m Engine........ . 27 9
Steerin g Whee l
Adjustment.................................. . 64
Anti-thef t Colum n Lock............. . 70
Stere o Soun d System................... . 106
Storag e Box..................................... . 91
Storin g You r Vehicle.................... . 253
Supplementa l Restrain t System...... . 9
Servic e Precautions.................... . 48
Servicing...................................... . 48
SRS Indicator.............................. .
47
Syste m Components................... . 45
Tensioners ,
Sea
t Belts............... . 47
Syntheti c Oil.................................. . 212
Tachometer..................................... . 56
Tailgat e
Openin g the................................. . 7 5
Ope n Indicator............................ . 55
Taillights , Changin g Bulb s in...... . 248
Takin g Car e o f th e Unexpecte d .. 265
Tap e Playe r .......................... . 112 ,
133
Technica l Description s
Emissio n
Contro
l Systems....... . 284
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c
Converter............................... . 286
Temperatur e Gauge....................... . 57
Tensioners , Sea t Belt s ................... . 47
Tethe r Attachmen t Points............. . 40
Thre e Wa y Catalyti c Converter.. .
304
Time , Settin g
the............................
.
87
Timin g Belt.................................... .
235
Tir e Chains.................................... .
241
CONTINUED