2005 HONDA CR-V Owners Manual

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.
Make sure the moonroof (if
equipped) and the windows are
closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the cargo area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors and the tailgate.
Make sure the hatch glass is
closed securely.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Parking T ips
Parking
166

Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious and alert in your driving.
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
The f ront and rear disc brakes on all
models have audible brake wear
indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness.
It also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you.
Braking System
Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Driving
167

The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helps prevent the brakes f rom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to-
rear braking distribution according
to vehicle loading.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforethe
ABS activates. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
If this indicator comes on, the anti-
lock f unction of the braking system
has shut down. The brakes still work
like a conventional system, but
without anti-lock. You should have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as shown on
page .
235
You should never pump the brake pedal.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
ABS Indicator
168

on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down, and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
It only helps with the
steering control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator.
235
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability. Important Saf ety Reminders
Driving
169

The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety. The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink (see
page ).
The VSA system indicator (see page
) comes on and stays on when
there is a problem with the VSA
system. The VSA activation indicator
will also come on.
58
58
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Vehicle Stability A ssist
(VSA ) System Indicator
170

When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Pressing the switch again turns the
system back on.VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.
Driving with varying tire or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tires,
make sure they are the same size
and type as your original tires (see
page ).
If this indicator comes on while
driving, pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e, and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on, or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.
If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
This button is under the driver’s side
vent. Press it to turn the VSA system
on or of f .
If you install winter tires, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA.215
VSA Of f Switch
VSA and Tire Sizes
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
Driving
171
VSA OFF SWITCH

Your vehicle has been designed to
primarily carry passengers and their
cargo. You can also use it to tow a
trailer if you caref ully observe the
load limits, use the proper equipment,
and f ollow the guidelines in this
section.
Be sure to read thesectiononpage
if you plan to tow of f paved
surf aces.
The
maximum allowable weight of the
trailer and everything in or on it
must not exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg).
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain. Theweightthatthe
tongue of a f ully-loaded trailer puts
on the hitch should be approximately
10 percent of the total trailer weight.
Too much tongue load reduces f ront-
tire traction and steering control.
Too little tongue load can make the
trailer unstable and cause it to sway.
179
Off-Highway
Driving Guidelines Load Limits
T otal T railer Weight:
T ongue L oad:
Towing a Trailer
172
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your vehicle
and trailer can cause a crash in
which you can be seriously hurt
or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
beforestartingtodrive.

µ
µ
µ
To achieve a proper tongue load,
start by loading 60 percent of the
load toward the front of the trailer
and 40 percent toward the rear, then
re-adjust the load as needed.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets f ederal, state, province, and
local regulations.
Any hitch used on your vehicle must
be properly bolted to the underbody.
Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and hitch,
and that they cross under the tongue
and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load is 4,450 lbs
(2,020 kg).
The maximum
allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all accessories, all cargo,
and the tongue load must not exceed
2,200 lbs (1,000 kg) on the f ront axle,
and 2,290 lbs (1,040 kg) on the rear
axle.
The maximum
allowable weight of the f ully loaded
vehicle and trailer is 5,950 lbs (2,700
kg)
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the f irst time you set up a
towing combination (a f ully-loaded
vehicle and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Thebestwaytoconfirmthatvehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Hitches
Saf et y Chains
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GA WR)
Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR)
T owing Equipment and
A ccessories
Checking L oads
Driving
173