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To eliminate potential hazards, read
the instructions bef ore you begin,
and make sure you have the tools
and skills required.
Make sure your vehicle is parked
on level ground, the parking brake
is set, and the engine is of f .
To clean parts, use a commercially
available degreaser or parts
cleaner, not gasoline.
To reduce the possibility of f ire or
explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks,
and flames away from the battery
and all f uel-related parts.
Wear eye protection and
protective clothing when working
with the battery or compressed air.
Be sure there is
adequate ventilation whenever you
operate the engine.
Let the
engine and exhaust system cool
down bef ore touching any parts.
Do
not run the engine unless
instructed to do so.
All service items not detailed in this
section should be perf ormed by a
certif ied technician or other qualif ied
mechanic.
Some of the most important saf ety
precautions are given here. However,
we cannot warn you of every
conceivable hazard that can arise in
perf orming maintenance. Only you
can decide whether or not you
should perf orm a given task.
Maintenance Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Potential Vehicle Hazards
Carbon Monoxide poison f rom
engine exhaust.
Burns f rom hot parts.
Injury f rom moving parts.
272
Improperly maintaining this
vehicle, or failing to correct a
problem before driving can
cause a crash in which you can
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection
and maintenance
recommendations and
schedules in this owner’s
manual.
Failure to properly follow
maintenance instructions and
precautions can cause you to
be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures
and precautions in this owner’s
manual.
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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
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Maintenance Minder
279
:See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
If the message ‘‘SERVICE’’ does not appear more than 12 months after the
display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
Independent of the maintenance items in the information display, replace
the brake fluid every 3 years.
NOTE: 1:
2:
278
Maintenance Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items: Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections Maintenance Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element If you drive in dusty conditions, replace every
15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid If you tow a CR-V behind a motorhome, the
transmission fluid must be changed every 2 years
or 30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Replace rear differential fluid
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
4WD
61
1
2
Maintenance Minder
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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)
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4WD model only
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
The rear dif f erential should be
drained and ref illed with new f luid
according to the maintenance
messages shown on the inf ormation
display. Have your dealer replace the
rear dif f erential f luid.
Replace the brake f luid according to
the maintenance messages shown on
the information display.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Check the f luid level in the brake
f luid reservoir monthly.
Use Honda Dual Pump Fluid II only.
Do not use automatic transmission
fluid (ATF).
Rear Dif f erential Fluid Brake Fluid
Rear Dif f erential Fluid, Brake Fluid
Maint enance
289
MAX
MIN
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Reinstall the socket into the light
assembly by turning it clockwise
until it locks.
Align the clips on the taillight
assembly with the holes in the
body, then push the taillight
assembly into place. Tighten the
two mounting screws securely and
reinstall the covers.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Turn on the lights to make sure
the new bulb is working.Open the tailgate. Place a cloth on the side edge ofthe cover. Remove the cover by
caref ully prying on the edge with a
small f lat-tip screwdriver and
pulling the cover of f .
Remove the socket f rom the light
assembly by turning it one-quarter
turn counterclockwise.
Unlatch the top of the cover by
pulling back on it with your hands.
1. 2.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.
Replacing a High-mount Brake
Light Bulb
Lights
296
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The driver’s f loor mat that came
with your vehicle hooks over the
f loor mat anchors. This keeps the
f loor mat f rom sliding f orward and
possibly interf ering with the pedals.
Dirt build-up in the loops of the seat
belt anchors can cause the belts to
retract slowly. Wipe the insides of
the loops with a clean cloth
dampened in mild soap and warm
water or isopropyl alcohol.
If your seat belts get dirty, use a sof t
brush with a mixture of mild soap
and warm water to clean them. Do
not use bleach, dye, or cleaning
solvents. Let the belts air-dry bef ore
you use the vehicle.
Pull the bulb straight out of its
socket. Push the new bulb straight
into the socket until it bottoms.
Press the brake pedal to make
sure the new bulb is working.
Put the socket back into the light
assembly, and turn it clockwise to
lock it in place.
Put the cover back on the light
assembly. Push it in until it locks
in place.
4.
5.
6.
7.
CONT INUED
Floor Mats
Cleaning the Seat Belts
Lights, Cleaning the Seat Belts, Floor Mats
Maint enance
297
LOOP
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When installing cables, f ollow the
manuf acturer’s instructions, and
mount them as tight as you can.
Make sure they are not contacting
the brake lines or suspension. Drive
slowly with them installed. If you
hear them coming into contact with
the body or chassis, stop and
investigate. Remove them as soon as
you begin driving on cleared roads.Clean the wheels as you would the
rest of the exterior. Wash them with
thesamesolution,andrinsethem
thoroughly.
Aluminum alloy wheels have a
protective clear-coat that keeps the
aluminum f rom corroding and
tarnishing. Cleaning the wheels with
harsh chemicals (including some
commercial wheel cleaners) or a stif f
brush can damage the clear-coat. To
clean the wheels, use a mild
detergent and a sof t brush or sponge.
Check the condition of the battery
monthlybylookingatthetest
indicator window. The label on the
battery explains the test indicator’s
colors.
If equipped
Wheels Checking the Battery
Tires, Wheels, Checking the Battery
308
TEST INDICATOR WINDOW
Traction devices that are the wrong
size or improperly installed can
damage your vehicle’s brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop
driving if they are hitting any part of
the vehicle.
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2008 CR- V