2003 HONDA CR-V service

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If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the vehicle’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
f luid level is low, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have the brake
system inspected f or leaks or worn
brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the
vehicle begins to slow down, and you
will have to press harder on the
pedal. The distance needed to stop
will be much longer. Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See
on page .)
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake. If the ABS indicator comes on with
this indicator, have the vehicle
inspected by your Honda dealer
immediately.
263
337
On models equipped with ABS
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed329
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

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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.

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The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate. The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conf orm
to Federal Saf ety Requirements in
addition to these grades. Treadwear
Traction AA, A, B, C
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
DOT T ire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
T echnical Inf ormation344

Some conventional gasolines are
being blended with alcohol or an
ether compound. These gasolines
are collectively ref erred to as
oxygenated f uels. To meet clean air
standards, some areas of the United
States and Canada use oxygenated
f uels to help reduce emissions.
If you use an oxygenated f uel, be
sure it is unleaded and meets the
minimum octane rating requirement.
Bef ore using an oxygenated f uel, try
to conf irm the f uel’s contents. Some
states/provinces require this
informationtobepostedonthe
pump.The f ollowing are the U.S. EPA and
Canadian CGSB approved
percentages of oxygenates:
(methyl or wood
alcohol)
Your vehicle was not designed to use
fuel that contains methanol.
Methanol can corrode metal parts in
the fuel system, and also damage
plastic and rubber components. This
damage would not be covered by
your warranties. (Methyl Tertiary Butyl
Ether)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 15 percent MTBE by volume. (ethyl or grain alcohol)
You may use gasoline containing up
to 10 percent ethanol by volume.
Gasoline containing ethanol may be
marketed under the name ‘‘Gasohol.’’ If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
Fuel system damage or perf ormance
problems resulting f rom the use of
an oxygenated f uel containing more
than the percentages of oxygenates
given above are not covered under
warranty.
MET HA NOL MT BE ET HA NOL
Oxygenated Fuels
T echnical Inf ormation347

When you call or write, please give
us this inf ormation:
Honda dealership personnel are
trained prof essionals. They should
be able to answer all your questions.
If you encounter a problem that your
dealership does not solve to your
satisf action, please discuss it with
the dealership’s management. The
Service Manager or General
Manager can help. Almost all
problems are solved in this way.
If you are dissatisf ied with the
decision made by the dealership’s
management, contact your Honda
Customer Relations Of f ice.
U.S. Owners: Canadian Owners:
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Vehicle Identif ication Number
(see page )
Name and address of the dealer
who services your vehicle
Date of purchase
Mileage on your vehicle
Your name, address, and tele-
phone number
A detailed description of the
problem
Name of the dealer who sold the
vehicle to you340
Warrant y and Cust omer Relat ions
Cust omer Relat ions Inf ormat ion
356
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
RELATIONS AVEC LA CLIENTÈLE
Honda Canada Inc.
715 Milner Avenue
Toronto, ON
M1B 2K8
Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: Toll-free 1-877-939-0909 Toronto (416) 287-4776
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 250-4318
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Automobile Customer Service
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, California 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009

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Valid only f or sales within the U.S. Canadian owners should
contact their authorized Honda dealer.
T he publications shown below can be purchased f rom Helm
Incorporated. You can order in any of three ways:
Detach and mail the order f orm on the right half of this page
Call Helm Inc. at 1-800-782-4356
Go online at
If you are interested in other years or models, contact Helm Inc.
at 1-800-782-4356
(credit card orders only)
Authorized Manuals
Purchasing Factory Authorized Manuals
(U.S. only)
359
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Publication
Form Number 61S9A01
61S9A01EL 61S9A30
31S9A610
31S9AQ00 HON-R Form Description
2002-03 Honda CR-V Service Manual
2002-03 Honda CR-V
Electrical Troubleshooting Manual 2002-03 Honda CR-VBody Repair Manual 2003 Honda CR-VOwner’s Manual
2003 Honda CR-V
Quick Start Guide
Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
PUBLICATION NUMBER VEHICLE MODEL
Name Year Qty
Price
Each Total
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Add 6% Sales Tax TOTAL MATERIAL
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By completing this form you can order the materials desired. You can
pay by check or money order, or charge to your credit card. Mail to
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Prices are subject to change without
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Orders are mailed within 10 days. Please
allow adequate time for delivery.
Prices are subject to change without notice and without incurring
obligation. www. helminc. com

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) This manual complements the Service Manual by
providing in-depth troubleshooting inf ormation f or each
electrical circuit in your vehicle.
This manual describes the procedures involved in the
replacement of damaged body parts. This manual covers maintenance and recommended
procedures f or repair to engine and chassis components.
It is written f or the Journeyman mechanic, but is simple
enough f or most mechanically-inclined owners to under-
stand.
Authorized Manuals
Service Manual:
Electrical T roubleshooting Manual:
Body Repair Manual:
360
NOTE: Dealers and Companies please provide dealer or company name,
and also the name of the person to whose attention the shipment should
be sent. For purchases outside U.S.A. please write to the address shown
below for a quotation.
P.O. BOX 07280·DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48207·1-800-782-4356
Customer Name Attention
Apartment Number
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City
Daytime Telephone Number
Check or money order enclosed payable to Helm Inc U.S. funds only.
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Account Number Expiration: Mo. Yr.
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()
These Publications cannot be returned for credit without receiving advance authorization within 14
days of delivery. On returns, a restocking fee may be applied against the original order.

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CONT INUED
Replacement Inf ormation
.................
Air Cleaner Element . 265
..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 275
..........................
Engine Coolant .253
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 249
..........................................
Fuses .331
................................
Light Bulbs .287
....................................
Schedule .238
................................
Spark Plugs .267
...........................................
Tires .282
.............................
Wiper Blades .271
Replacing Seat Belts Af ter a ............................................
Crash .53
Reserve Tank, Engine ...............................
Coolant .189, 251
...............................
Restraint, Child .24
..................
Reverse Gear Position . 206
...........................
Reverse Lockout .209
................................
Rotation, Tire .281
..................................
Saf ety Belts .8, 50
.........
Safety Defects, Reporting . 358
...........
Saf ety Checklist, Pre-Drive . 12.................................
Saf ety Features .7
.........................................
Airbags .10
..................................
Door Locks .11
..........................
Head Restraints .11
.......................................
Seat Belts .8
..................
Seats and Seat-Backs . 11
.............
Saf ety Labels, Location of . 61
...............................
Saf ety Messages .ii
.....................................
Seat Belts .8, 50
...............
Additional Information . 50
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 21
Automatic Seat Belt ...............................
Tensioners .52
.....................................
Cleaning .302
...................
Detachable Anchor . 108
................
Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17,50
................................
Maintenance .53
Reminder Light and ................................
Beeper .50, 67
................................
Replacement .53
...................
System Components . 50
...............
Use During Pregnancy . 21
...
Wearing a Lap/Shoulder Belt . 17
..................................
Seat Heaters .109
........................
Seats, Adjusting the .97
...............................
Serial Number .340 ...........................
Service Intervals .238
...........................
Service Manual .359
.........
Service Station Procedures . 185
..................
Setting the Clock . 144,162
.....
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 204
........................
Shif t Lock Release .209
..............................
Side Airbags .10, 56
....................
Cutof f Indicator .58, 67
Side Marker Lights, Bulb ..............................
Replacement .288
...............................
Signaling Turns .77
.....................................
Snow Tires .283
...................
Solvent-type Cleaners . 298
................................
Sound System .137
......................................
Spare Tire .308
................
Spark Plugs, Replacing . 267
....................
Specif ications Charts . 342
................................
Speed Control .179
...................................
Speedometer .72
.......................................
Spotlights .124
Index
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VII