2003 HONDA CR-V 4WD

Your CR-V has higher ground
clearance than a passenger vehicle
designed only f or 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.
Theseadvantagescomeatsomecost.
Because your vehicle is taller and
rides higher of f 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 signif icantly higher
rollover rate than other types of
vehicles.Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
maneuvers whenever possible.
Do not modif y your vehicle in any
way that would raise the center of
gravity.
Do not carry heavy cargo on the
roof .
Your CR-V is equipped with a unique
f our-wheel drive (4WD) system.
Normally, power is delivered only to
the f ront wheels. When the system
senses a loss of f ront-wheel traction,
it automatically transfers some
power to the rear wheels. This gives
you better traction and mobility.
While this system can provide
increasedtractiononslippery
surf aces, you still need to exercise
thesamecarewhenaccelerating,
steering, and braking that you would
in a two-wheel drive vehicle.
To prevent the risk of rollover or
loss of control: Take corners at slower speeds
than you would with a passenger
vehicle.
See page f or additional guidelinesf or driving of f -highway.
Four-wheel Drive Models
226
Driving Guidelines
Driving198

When preparing to tow your CR-V,
make sure the transmission is
f illed to the correct level (see page). Do not overf ill.
Leave the key in the ignition
switch and the ignition switch in
ACCESSORY (I) so the steering
wheel does not lock. Make sure
the radio and any items plugged
into the accessory power sockets
are turned of f so you do not run
down the battery. Shif t the transmission to Neutral. Release the parking brake.
After attaching the tow bar to your
motorhome, do the following to
prepare your CR-V f or ‘‘f lat towing’’: When purchasing a tow bar, make
sure you select a reputable
manuf acturer and installer. Follow
the manufacturer’s attachment
instructions caref ully. Your CR-V can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph(100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph(100km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, it must be towed
with all f our wheels on the ground
(f lat towing). When preparing to tow your CR-V,
make sure the transmission is f ull of
fluid (see page ). Maintaining
the correct level is very important.
Do not overf ill. Do the f ollowing
Follow the procedure exactly.
Otherwise, severe automatic
transmission damage will occur.
261
260
every day immediately bef ore you begin
towing.
5-speed Manual T ransmission A ut omat ic T ransmission
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving224

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Maint enance238
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first.miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months 10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Replace at 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years, then every 90,000 miles (144,000 km) or 5 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page .
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid ( 4WD)
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
20
32
30
4840
64 60
9680
128 100
160120
192
90
144
24 4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T 237
:
:
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions

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Maint enance239
U.S. Owners
Canadian Owners
A, B, C, D
A
B
C
D
Refer to page to determine which schedule to use.
Use the Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions.
Service at the indicated distance or time, whichever comes first. Do the items in as required for each distance/time.
Replace engine oil.
Rotate tires (follow pattern on page281).
Replace engine oil filter.
Inspect front and rear brakes.
Check parking brake adjustment.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS).
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids, and check
for leaks. Inspect exhaust system.
Inspect fuel lines and connections.
Inspect and adjust drive belts.
Replace dust and pollen filter.
Replace air cleaner element every 30,000 mi/48,000 km
(independent of time).
10,000 mi/16,000 km/1 yr
20,000 mi/32,000 km/1 yr
30,000 mi/48,000 km
30,000 mi/48,000 km/2 yrs
40,000 mi/64,000 km/2 yrs
3yrs
50,000 mi/80,000 km/3 yrs
60,000 mi/96,000 km
60,000 mi/96,000 km/3 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km/4 yrs
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
6yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 yrs Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in D.
Do items in A, C.
Do items in A, B.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Do items in A.
Do item in D.
DoitemsinA,B,C.
Do items in A.
Do items in A, B.
Do item in D.
Do items in A, C. Replace rear differential fluid (4WD).
Do items in A, B. Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Do items in A.
Do item in D. Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
Replace transmission fluid (A/T), then
replace every 90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs.
DoitemsinA,B,C. Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs. Inspect idle speed.
236
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty,
last column, page .
237
NOTE:
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions (listed by distance/time)

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Maint enance240
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months
Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 monthsCheck oil and coolant at each fuel stop
At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
At 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 3 years, then every 30,000 miles
(48,000 km) or 2 years
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)
Every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) in dusty conditions,
otherwise use normal schedule
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information under special driving conditions.
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Lubricate door hinges, lo
cks, and latches
Visually inspect the following items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items: Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system, Fuel lines and connections
Lights and controls, Vehicle underbody
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD)
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid 10
16
20
3230
4840
6450
8060
9670
112 80
128 90
144 100
160110
176120
192
Every 160,000 miles (256,000 km) or 8 years 24
4872
12 3660
M/T
A/T
:
: 237
275
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions

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Maint enance242
Check engine oil and coolant at each fuel stop.
Check and adjust valve clearance, cold engine, only if noisy.
See dust and pollen filter on page for replacement information
under special driving conditions.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last
column, page .
NOTE: 275
237
65,000 mi/104,000 km/6-½ yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km/4 yrs
70,000 mi/112,000 km/7 yrs
75,000 mi/120,000 km
75,000 mi/120,000 km/7-½ yrs
80,000 mi/128,000 km/4 yrs
80,000 mi/128,000 km/8 yrs
85,000 mi/136,000 km/8-½ yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km
90,000 mi/144,000 km/5 yrs
90,000 mi/144,000 km/9 yrs
95,000 mi/152,000 km/9-½ yrs
100,000 mi/160,000 km/5 yrs
100,000 mi/160,000 km/10 yrs
105,000 mi/168,000 km
105,000 mi/168,000 km/10-½ yrs
6yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km
110,000 mi/176,000 km/6 yrs
110,000 mi/176,000 km/11 yrs
115,000 mi/184,000 km/11-½ yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km
120,000 mi/192,000 km/6 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/7 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/10 yrs
120,000 mi/192,000 km/12 yrs
160,000 mi/256,000 km/8 years Do item in A.
Do item in B.
Do item in A.
Do item in E.
Do item in A.
Do items in B, C.
Do item in A.
Do item in A.
Do item in E.
Replace transmission fluid (A/T).
Replace rear differential fluid (4WD).
Do items in B, D.
Do item in A.
Do item in A.
Do items in B, C.
Do item in A.
Do item in E.
Do item in A. Replace brake fluid (independent of mileage).
Inspect valve clearance, cold engine.
Replace spark plugs.
Do item in B.
Do item in A.
Do item in A.
Do item in E. Replace transmission fluid (M/T).
DoitemsinB,C,D. Replace transmission fluid (A/T).
Replace engine coolant, then replace every
60,000 mi/96,000 km/5 yrs.
Do item in A. Inspect idle speed. :
:
Maintenance Schedule for Severe Conditions (listed by distance/time)

Put a new washer on the f iller bolt,
then reinstall the f iller bolt and
tighten it securely.
Only use Honda Dual Pump Fluid.
Do not use Automatic Transmission
Fluid (ATF).
The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
accordingtothetimeanddistance
recommendations in the mainte-
nance schedule.
Check the f luid level with the rear
dif f erential at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground. Remove the
dif f erential f luid f iller bolt and
washer and caref ully f eel inside the
bolt hole with your f inger. The f luid
level should be up to the edge of the
bolt hole. If it is not, slowly add
Honda Dual Pump Fluid until it
starts to run out of the hole.
Rear Dif f erential Fluid
Maint enance
4WD models only
262
Correct
level FILLER BOLT WASHER

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If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or,
if youbelongtoone,anorganization
that provides roadside assistance.
Never tow your vehicle behind
another vehicle with just a rope or
chain. It is very dangerous.
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
cables lif t that end of the vehicle of f
the ground. Your vehicle’s
suspension and body can be
seriously damaged.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Any other
method of towing will damage the
drive system. When you contact the
towing agency, inf orm them that a
f lat-bed is required. Refer to
on page
for non-emergency towing
inf ormation. 224Wheel L if t Equipment
Sling-t ype Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
Never tow your vehicle with
wheel lif t equipment.
T his method of
towing your CR-V is unacceptable.
T his is the only way to
transport your vehicle. Towing Your Vehicle
Behind a Motorhome
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed337
Towing a 4WD CR-V with only two
tires on the ground will damage parts
of the 4WD system. It should be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.