2005 HONDA CR-V tow

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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

Honda requires that any trailer with
a total weight of 1,000 lbs (455 kg) or
more be equipped with its own
electric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electrically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your
vehicle’s hydraulic system. No
matter how successf ul it may seem,
any attempt to attach trailer brakes
to your vehicle’s hydraulic system
will lower braking ef f ectiveness and
create a potential hazard.
Seeyourtrailerdealerformore
inf ormation on installing electric
brakes.
Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with f ederal, state, province,
and local regulations. Check with
your local trailer sales or rental
agencies f or the requirements in
your area where you plan to tow, and
use only equipment designed f or
your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the lef t
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
the drawing above f or the wiring
color code and purpose of each pin.
If you use a non-Honda trailer
lighting harness and converter, you
can get the connector and pins that
mate with the connector in your
vehicle f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualified technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system and af f ect your vehicle
warranty.
Towing a Trailer
T railer L ights Trailer Brakes
174
BACK-UP LIGHT(GREEN/BLACK)
LEFT TURN SIGNAL(GREEN/RED)
GROUND (BLACK)
TAILLIGHT (RED/YELLOW)
RIGHT TURN SIGNAL(GREEN/YELLOW)
BRAKE LIGHT(WHITE/BLACK)

The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tires, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
(If you tow f requently, f ollow the
severe conditions maintenance
schedule.)
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
Thehitch,safetychains,andany
other attachments are secure.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive.
The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.
Many states and Canadian provinces
require special outside mirrors when
towing a trailer. Even if they don’t,
you should install special mirrors if
you cannot clearly see behind you, or
if the trailer creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others, take time to practice driving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
Driving
175

Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
If you have an automatic
transmission, use the D position
when towing a trailer on level roads.
D is the proper shif t lever position
to use when towing a trailer in hilly
terrain. (See ‘‘ ’’ in the
f ollowing column f or additional gear
inf ormation.)
Maketurnsmoreslowlyandwider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller arc than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red (Hot) mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 3rd
gear on the manual transmission, or
use the D3 position on the automatic
transmission. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the
brakes, and remember it will take
longer to slow down and stop when
towing a trailer.
If you must stop when f acing uphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
Crosswinds and air turbulence
caused by passing trucks can disrupt
your steering and cause the trailer to
sway. When being passed by a large
vehicle, keep a constant speed, and
steer straight ahead. Do not try to
make quick steering or braking
corrections.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering wheel,
then turn the wheel to the left to get
the trailer to move to the left, and
turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park (automatic) or
in 1st or reverse (manual). Also,
place wheel chocks at each of the
trailer’s tires.
3
bottom
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on Hills
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
Backing Up
Parking
Towing a Trailer
176

Your vehicle can be towed behind a
motorhome at legal highway speeds
up to 65 mph (100 km/h). Do not
exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
Otherwise, severe transmission
damage will occur. To avoid damage
to the 4WD system, your vehicle
must be towed with all f our wheels
on the ground (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.Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position 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.
Perf orm the f ollowing procedure
every day immediately bef ore you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur. Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Start the engine. Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
ShifttoD,thentoN.Letthe
engine run f or 3 minutes, then
turn it off.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position 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.
When you stop towing your vehicle
and shif t out of the neutral position,
youmaynotbeabletomovethe
shif t lever f rom neutral to reverse or
Park.If thishappens,pressthe
brake pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position, then
shif t out of neutral. Shif t to neutral.
199 200On models with manual transmission
Do not overf ill.
On models with automatic transmission Do not overf ill.
CONT INUED
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
177

Only remove the fuse after you have
perf ormed the transmission shif ting
procedure, and the key is in the
ACCESSORY (I) position. Store the
f use in an obvious location (center
tray, coin pockets, etc) as a reminder
to re-install the fuse before driving
the vehicle.
If youtowaCR-Vwithanautomatic
transmission, the transmission f luid
must be changed every two years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever
comes f irst.
When towing your vehicle f or long
periods, remove the 15 A Front
Accessory Power Socket f use to
reduce drain on battery. This f use is
located in the interior f use box and is
shown as number 18 below.
If you tow more than 8 hours in one
day, you should repeat the above
procedure at least every 8 hours
(when you stop f or f uel, etc.)
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Automatic Transmission
Ext ended T owing
Ext ended T owing
178
INTERIOR FUSE BOX
FRONT ACCESSORY POWER SOCKET FUSE
Severe automatic transmission damage
will occur if the vehicle is shif ted f rom
reverse to neutral and then towed with
the drive wheels on the ground.
This f use MUST be re-installed bef ore
driving the vehicle. Failure to re-install
the f use may allow you to remove the
key with the transmission in gear.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
Failure to f ollow the recommended
instructions exactly will result in severe
automatic transmission damage. If you
cannot shif t the transmission or start
the engine, your vehicle must be
transported on a f lat-bed truck or
trailer.

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The maintenance schedule assumes
you will use your vehicle as normal
transportation for passengers and
their possessions. You should also
f ollow these recommendations:
Avoid exceeding your vehicle’s
load limit. This puts excess stress
on the engine, brakes, and many
other vehicle parts. The load limit
is shown on the tire inf ormation
label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Operate your vehicle on
reasonable roads within the legal
speed limit.
Drive your vehicle regularly over a
distance of several miles
(kilometers).
Always use unleaded gasoline with
theproperoctanerating(seepage ). Driving in extremely hot [over
90°F (32°C)] conditions.
Extensive idling or long periods of
stop-and-go driving, such as a taxi
or a commercial delivery vehicle. Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-
iced roads.
Follow the
maintenance schedule f or severe
conditions if you drive your vehicle
MAINLY under one or more of the
f ollowing conditions: Service your vehicle according to the
time and mileage periods on one of
the maintenance schedules on the
f ollowing pages. Trailer towing, driving with a
loaded roof rack, or driving in
mountainous conditions.
If you only OCCASIONALLY
drive under a ‘‘severe’’ condition, you
should f ollow the maintenance
schedule f or normal conditions.
Follow the
maintenance schedule f or severe
conditions.
Driving less than 5 miles (8 km)
per trip, in f reezing temperatures,
or driving less than 10 miles (16
km) per trip.
142
Maintenance Schedule
Which Schedule to Follow:
U.S. Owners Canadian Owners
Maint enance
185
NOTE:

Check the condition of the wiper
blades at least every six months.
Replace them if you f ind signs of
cracking in the rubber, areas that are
getting hard, or if they leave streaks
and unwiped areas when used.
Disconnect the blade assembly
fromthewiperarmbypushingin
the lock tab. Hold the lock tab in
while you push the blade assembly
toward the base of the arm.
Raise the wiper arm of f the
windshield.
Front: If you are changing the rear
wiperblade,gotostep6.
Raise the wiper arm of f the hatch
glass and hold it.
Rear:
1.
2.
Wiper Blades
210
LOCK TAB
WIPER ARMS
FRONT
REAR
Do not open the hood when the wiper
arms are raised, or you will damage
the hood and the wiper arms.