Page 59 of 373
CONT INUED
These labels are in the locations 
shown. They warn you of potential
hazards that could cause serious 
injury or death. Read these labels 
caref ully. 
If a label comes of f or becomes hard 
to read (except for the U.S.
dashboard label which may be 
removed by the owner), contact your
dealer f or a replacement.
U.S. models onlyU.S. models
Canadian models
U.S. models only
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
55
SUN VISOR
DASHBOARD RADIATOR CAP
SUN VISOR
\f—\f—y
y
(,
\fy\f\f\fy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 234 of 373
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the 
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange
handle). 
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean 
cloth or paper towel. 
Insert the dipstick all the way back 
into its hole. 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
about checking other items on your 
vehicle.
1. 
2.
3. 4.
281 284
278
Oil Check
A dding Engine OilEngine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
230
UPPER MARK 
LOWER MARK MAX
MIN RESERVE TANK
DIPSTICK
\f—\f—y
\f
y
(,
\fy\fy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 282 of 373

µµµ
µ
µ
Ì
µ
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 .
Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed. U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
Lights Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate light monthly.
See page .
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability. However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation. 230
230
287 289
302
291
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards.
278
——y
y
(,
yy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 284 of 373
Fluid Locations
280
ENGINE OIL 
FILL CAPPOWER STEERING
FLUID
(Red cap) ENGINE
COOLANT
RESERVOIR
RADIATOR CAP
WASHER FLUID
(Blue cap) 
AUTOMATIC 
TRANSMISSION
FLUID DIPSTICK
(Yellow loop)
ENGINE OIL
DIPSTICK
(Orange handle)
BRAKE FLUID
(Black cap)
\f—\f—y
\fy
(,
\fy\fy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 288 of 373

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.
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 Long-lif e Anti- 
f 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.
Engine Coolant
A dding Engine Coolant
284
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.
\f—\f—y
y
(,
\fy\fy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 289 of 373
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.Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Make sure the engine and radiator 
are cool. 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 any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment. 
Put the radiator cap back on, and 
tighten it fully.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling 
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down. 
Remove the radiator cap by 
pushingitdownandturningit
counterclockwise.
3. 4.
2. 
1. 5.6.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
285
RADIATOR CAP
\f—\f—y
y
(,
\fy\f\fy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 291 of 373

CONT INUED
Check the f luid level with the engine 
at normal operating temperature.Park the vehicle on level ground.
Start the engine, let it run until the
radiator f an comes on, then shut
of f the engine. For accurate
results, wait about 60 seconds (but 
no longer than 90 seconds) bef ore
doing step 2. Remove the dipstick and check
the f luid level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks. 
If the level is below the lower 
mark, add f luid into the dipstick
hole to bring it to the level
between the upper and lower
marks.
Insert the dipstick all the way into
the transmission securely as
shown in the illustration. 
Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) 
f rom the transmission, and wipe it
with a clean cloth. Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. 
Always use Honda ATF-Z1 
(automatic transmission f luid).
1. 2. 
3.5. 
4.
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Maint enance
287
DIPSTICK
UPPER 
MARK 
LOWER 
MARK
\f—\f—y
\fy
(,
\fy\fy
 2008  CR- V   
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 327 of 373

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 (see
on page ).
Using gloves or a large heavy 
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
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. 
Start the engine, and set the 
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. 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.
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark. 
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 reading 
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower
bef ore checking the radiator.
9.
8.
7. 
6. 
5.
10. 
11.
332
332
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
323
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.
——y
y
(,
yy
 2008  CR- V