2011 HONDA CR-V Owners Manual

When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the suspension and
the cooling system are in good
operating condition.
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.
Many states and Canadian
provinces/territories 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.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied 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.
Your vehicle has a trailer lighting
connector located behind the lef t
side panel in the cargo area. Ref er to
thedrawingaboveforthewiring
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. Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
Towing a Trailer
Pre-T ow Checklist
A ddit ional T owing Equipment
332
HAZARD
(PINK)
TRAILER
(WHITE)
TAILLIGHT
(RED)
RIGHT
TURN
SIGNAL
(BROWN)
BRAKE
LIGHT
(LIGHT
GREEN) GROUND
(BLACK)
LEFT TURN
SIGNAL
(ORANGE)
Main MenuTable of Contents

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.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
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.)
The lights and brakes on your
vehicle and the trailer are working
properly.
Your vehicle tires and spare are
properly inf lated, and the trailer
tires and spare are inf lated as
recommended by the trailer
maker.
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.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section. If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
place by pressing on the accelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and use the D3 position.
Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
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.
3
CONT INUED
Towing a Trailer
Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
T owing Speeds and Gears Driving on Hills
Driving Saf ely With a T railerDriving
333
Main MenuTable of Contents

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.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.
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.
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 lef t, and
turn the wheel right to move the
trailer to the right.
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.
355
Do not overf ill.
bottom
T owing a T railer, T owing Your Vehicle Behind a Mot orhome
Towing Your Vehicle Behind a
Motorhome
Parking
Backing Up
Handling Crosswinds and Buf f et ing
334
Main MenuTable of Contents

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
335
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.
Main MenuTable of Contents

To avoid loss of control or rollover,
be sure to f ollow all precautions and
recommendations.
If you decide to drive on unpaved
roads, you will f ind that it requires
somewhat dif f erent driving skills.
Your vehicle will also handle
somewhat dif f erently than it does on
pavement. So be sure to read this
owner’s manual, pay special attention
to the precautions and tips in this
section, and get acquainted with
your vehicle before you leave the
pavement.
Your vehicle has been designed
primarily f or use on pavement. But
its higher ground clearance allows
you to occasionally travel on unpaved
roads, such as campgrounds, picnic
sites, and similar locations. It is not
designed f or trail-blazing, mountain
climbing, or other challenging of f -
road activities.
Be sure to store cargo properly
and do not exceed your cargo load
limits (see page and ).
Wherever you drive, make sure
you and your passengers always
wear seat belts.
Keep your speed low, and never
go faster than the conditions allow.
It’s up to you to continually assess
the situation and drive within the
limits.305 330
General Inf ormation
Important Saf ety Precautions
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
336
Follow all instructions and
guidelines in this owner’smanual.
Keep your speed low, and
don’t drive faster than
conditions permit.
Improperly operating this
vehicle on or off pavement can
cause a crash or rollover in
which you and your passengers
could be seriously injured orkilled.
Main MenuTable of Contents

Before you leave the pavement, be
sure to do all scheduled maintenance
and service, and inspect your vehicle
f or any problems. Pay special
attention to the condition of the tires,
and check the tire pressures.
After you return to the pavement,
caref ully inspect your vehicle to
make sure there is no damage that
could make driving it unsaf e.
Recheck the condition of the tires
and the tire pressures.
The route presents limits (too steep
or bumpy roads). You have limits
(driving skill and comf ort). And your
vehicle has limits (traction, stability,
and power).
Driving of f -highway can be
hazardous if you f ail to recognize
limits and take the proper
precautions.Forbettertractiononallsurfaces,
accelerate slowly and gradually build
up speed. If you try to start too fast
on wet soil, mud, snow, or ice, you
might not have enough traction to
get underway, and you may dig
yourself a hole. Starting with the
shif t lever in second (2) gear will
help you have a smoother start on
snow or ice.
Keep in mind that you will usually
need more time and distance to
brake to a stop on unpaved surf aces.
Avoid hard braking. Do not ‘‘pump’’
the brakes; let the anti-lock braking
system pump them f or you.
Debris in the road can damage your
suspension or other components.
Because your vehicle has a high
center of gravity, driving over a large
obstacle, or allowing a wheel to drop
into a deep hole can cause your
vehicle to tip or roll over.
If you can’t clearly see all conditions
or obstacles on a slope, walk the
slope bef ore you drive on it. If you
have any doubt whether or not you
can saf ely drive on the slope, don’t
do it. Find another route.
If you are driving up a hill and f ind
that you cannot continue,
. Your vehicle could roll
over. Slowly back down the hill,
f ollowing the same route you took up
the hill.
do not try to
turn around
Check Out Your Vehicle
Remember A ccelerating and Braking A voiding Obstacles
Driving on Slopes
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
Driving
337
Main MenuTable of Contents

Avoid driving through deep water. If
you encounter water in your route (a
small stream or large puddle, f or
example), evaluate it caref ully bef ore
going ahead. Make sure it is shallow,
f lowing slowly, and has f irm ground
underneath. If you are not sure of
the depth or the ground, turn around
andfindanotherroute.
Driving through deep water can also
damage your vehicle. The water can
get into the transmission and
dif f erential, diluting the lubricant
and causing an eventual failure. It
can also wash the grease out of the
wheel bearings.Avoid driving on sof t sand, deep mud,
or other surf aces where you could
get stuck. If you do happen to get
stuck because of inclement weather
or other conditions, choose a saf e
and appropriate course of action.
You should never use a jack to try
getting unstuck. A jack only works
on f irm, level ground. Also, your
vehicle could easily slip of f the jack
and hurt you or someone else.
If you spin the wheels excessively
trying to get unstuck, you may
overheat the components of the
4-wheel drive system. If this happens,
the 4-wheel drive system shuts off
and only the f ront wheels receive
power. If this happens, stop and
allow everything to cool down. The
4-wheel drive system will work again
after its temperature drops.
If you slip the clutch f or a long time
while trying to get unstuck, you may
overheat and damage it.
If You Get Stuck
Crossing a Stream
4-Wheel Drive Vehicles
Of f -Highway Driving Guidelines
338
Main MenuTable of Contents

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.U.S. Vehicles:
......................
Maintenance Saf ety . 340
.................
Maintenance Minder . 341
..............................
Fluid Locations . 348
........................
Adding Engine Oil . 349
Changing the Engine Oil and
...........................................
Filter . 350
..............................
Engine Coolant . 352
....................
Windshield Washers . 354
....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 355
.................
Rear Dif f erential Fluid . 357
....................................
Brake Fluid . 357
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 358
.............................................
Lights . 359
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 365
.....................................
Floor Mats . 366
..............................
Audio Antenna . 366
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 366
.................................
Wiper Blades . 367
...............................................
Tires . 370
...........................................
Wheels . 376
...................
Checking the Battery . 376
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 378
..................................
Interior Care . 379
425
Maintenance
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.
Maint enance
339
TM
Main Menu