2008 HONDA CR-V ignition

µ
µ Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear (1 through 5) f or your
speed and acceleration. You may
notice the transmission shif ting up at
higher engine speeds when the
engine is cold. This helps the engine
warm up f aster. Press the D3 switch on the side of
the shif t lever to turn this mode on
or of f ; the D3 mode indicator comes
on whenever the D3 mode is
selected.
D3 mode can be turned on or of f
only when the ignition switch is in
the ON (II) position and the shif t
lever is in the D position.WhentheD3modeison,the
transmission selects only the f irst
three gears. Use D3 mode when
towing a trailer, or to provide engine
braking when going down a steep hill.
D3 mode can also keep the
transmission f rom cycling between
third and f ourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.
CONT INUED
Neutral (N)
Drive (D)
Automatic Transmission
D3 Mode
Driving
249
D3 MODE INDICATOR
D3 SWITCH
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2008 CR- V

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Turning the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position turns this mode
of f . When you restart the engine,
select the D position and press the
D3 mode switch again to use this
mode.
TheD3modeindicatoralsocomes
on f or a f ew seconds when you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If you shif t into f irst position when
the vehicle speed is above 31 mph
(50 km/h), the transmission shif ts
into second gear first to avoid
sudden engine braking.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
rpm below the red zone.
Use second gear:
For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin.
When driving downhill with a
trailer.
To shif t to second,
pressthereleasebuttonontheside
of the shif t lever. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop. To shif t f rom second to
first, press the release button on the
side of the shif t lever. This position
locks the transmission in f irst gear.
By upshif ting and downshif ting
through 1, 2, D , and D, you can
operate the transmission much like a
manual transmission without a
clutch pedal.
Shif ting out f rom the D position will
canceltheD3mode,andtheD3
indicator will go out. Selecting the D
position again will resume the D3
mode and the indicator comes on.
3
Automatic Transmission
Engine Speed L imiter
Second (2) First (1)
250
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2008 CR- V

If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have the
vehicle checked by your dealer.
This allows you to move the shif t
lever out of Park if the normal
method of pushing on the brake
pedal and pressing the release
button does not work.
Set the parking brake.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Put a cloth on the edge of the shif t
lock release slot cover. Using a
small f lat-tipped screwdriver or
metal f ingernail f ile, caref ully pry
on the edge of the cover to remove
it. Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral.Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then reinstall the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the right side. Press
the brake pedal, and restart the
engine.
6.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ock Release
Driving
251
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOTRELEASE BUTTON
COVER
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2008 CR- V

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. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
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.When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA activation indicator blink.
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.
If the low tire pressure indicator or
TPMS indicator comes on, the VSA
system automatically turns on even if
the VSA system is turned of f by
pressing the VSA OFF switch (see
page ). If this happens, you
cannot turn the VSA system of f by
pressing the VSA of f switch again.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
257
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
VSA A ctivation Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist
(VSA ) System Indicator
256
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2008 CR- V

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.
Perf orm the f ollowing procedure
every day immediately bef ore you
begin towing. Otherwise severe
automatic transmission damage will
occur.
Always drive slowly and have
someone guide you when backing up.
Grip the of the steering
wheel; then turn the wheel to the lef t
to get the trailer to move to the lef t,
andturnthewheelrighttomovethe
trailer to the right.
Follow all normal precautions when
parking, including f irmly setting the
parking brake and putting the
transmission in Park. Also, place
wheel chocks at each of the trailer’s
tires.
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.
Release the parking brake.
Shif t to D position and hold f or 5
seconds, then to N. Let the engine
runfor3minutes,thenturnitoff.
Press on the brake pedal. Move
the shif t lever through all its
positions.
Check the transmission f luid level
(see page ).
Start the engine.
287
bottom Do not overf ill.
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
MotorhomeBacking Up
Parking
266
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2008 CR- V

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.)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 drivingthe vehicle.
When towing your vehicle f or long
periods, remove the 7.5 A Accessory
Radio f use to reduce drain on battery.
This f use is located in the interior
f use box and is shown as number 34
below.
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 f irst.
Ext ended T owing
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome
Driving
267
INTERIOR FUSE BOXACCESSORY RADIO FUSE
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. Severe 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.
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2008 CR- V

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CONT INUED
Calculated Engine Oil Lif e (%)
100 % 91 % 90 % 81 %
80 % 71 %
70 % 61 %
60 % 51 %
50 % 41 %
40 % 31 %
30 % 21 %
20 % 16 %
15 % 11 %10 % 6 % 5% 1% 0% Displayed
Engine Oil Lif e (%) 100 %90 %
80 %
70 %
60 %
50 %
40 %
30 %
20 %
15 %
10 %5%
0%
The remaining engine oil lif e is
shownonthedisplayaccordingto
this table:
To see the current engine oil lif e,
turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position, then press and release
the select/reset knob repeatedly
until the engine oil lif e indicator
appears (see page ).
Your vehicle displays engine oil lif e
and maintenance service items on
the inf ormation display to show you
when you should have your dealer do
engine oil replacement and indicated
maintenance service.
Based on the engine operating
conditions, the onboard computer in
your vehicle calculates the remaining
engine oil lif e and displays it as a
percentage.
66
Maintenance Minder
Engine Oil L if e Display
Maint enance
273
SELECT/RESET KNOB
ENGINE OIL LIFE INDICATOR
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2008 CR- V

When the remaining engine oil lif e is
5 to 1 percent, you will see a
‘‘SERVICE’’ message along with the
same maintenance item code(s),
everytimeyouturntheignition
switch to the ON (II) position.
The 15 and 10 percent oil lif e
indicator reminds you that the time
is coming soon to take your vehicle
in f or the required maintenance.
If the remaining engine oil lif e is 15
to 6 percent, you will see the engine
oil lif e indicator every time you turn
the ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. The maintenance minder
indicator will also come on, and the
maintenance item code(s) for other
scheduled maintenance items
needing service will be displayed
below the engine oil lif e indicator.
Maintenance Minder
274
MAINTENANCE ITEM CODE (S)
MAINTENANCE MINDER INDICATOR
ENGINE LIFE
INDICATOR
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2008 CR- V