2004 HONDA CR-V radiator

On models without side airbagsOn models with side airbags
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety52
HOOD
RADIATOR CAP

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . 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
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant. Refer to
on page f or
inf ormation on checking other
items in your Honda.
4. 173 176167
Service Station Procedure
Bef ore Driving
A dding Oil Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
128
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK MAX RESERVE TANK
MIN

µµ µ
µ
µ µ µ
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page .Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page
.
Windshield washer f luid Check
the level in the reservoir monthly.
If weather conditions cause you to
use the washers f requently, check
the reservoir each time you stop
f or f uel. See page .
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page . Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page . Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
turn signals, brake lights, and
license plate light monthly. See
page .
127
128
178
179 183
190
181
Maintenance Schedule
Maint enance
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
167

Fluid Locations
Maint enance172
ENGINE OIL
FILL CAP
POWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap)
ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIRRADIATOR CAP BRAKE FLUID
(Gray cap)
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap)
CLUTCH FLUID
(5
-speed Manual
Transmission only)
(Gray cap)
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)

If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.Always use Honda All Season
Antif reeze/Coolant Type 2. This
coolant is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water.
If Honda antif reeze/coolant is not
available, you may use another
major-brand non-silicate coolant as a
temporaryreplacement.Makesureit
is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causing the cooling system to
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda antif reeze/coolant as soon as
possible.If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
A dding Engine Coolant
176
RESERVE TANK
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components.
3.
4. 5.
2. 1.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance177
RADIATOR CAP RESERVE TANK

The f ront parking light is next to
the headlight bulb.Remove the socket from the
headlight assembly by turning it
one-quarter turn counterclockwise.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket.
Push the new bulb straight into
the socket until it bottoms.Insert the socket back into the
headlight assembly. Turn it
clockwise to lock it in place.
Turn on the parking lights and
check that the new bulb is
working.
Reinstall the radiator support
cover. Lock the holding clips by
pushing on the center of each clip.
Tighten the bolt on the battery
hold-down.
Use a wrench to loosen the bolt on
the battery hold-down. Remove
the seven holding clips f rom the
cover by using a flat-tipped
screwdriver. Then pull the
radiator support cover away.
1.
2.
3.
4.5.
6.
7.
Replacing a Front Parking L ight
Bulb
Lights
Maint enance185
BOLT
BULB
HOLDING
CLIP
COVER

Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (seeon page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise without pushing
down to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off. Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator. 9.
8.
7. 6. 5.
11. 10.
216
128
216
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed212
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.