2012 HONDA CR-V engine

Continued139
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Controls
The ignition switch must be in ON (w to use
the seat heaters. The HI setting heats the seats
faster than the LO setting.
There is no heater in the passenger's seat-
back due to the side airbag cutoff system.
While in HI, the heater cycles on and off.
uThe appropriate indicator will be on
while the seat heater is on. Briefly press
the switch on the opposite side to turn
the heater off. The indicator will be off.
When a comfortable temperature is
reached, select LO to keep the seat
warm.
■Seat Heaters *1Seat Heaters
*
Do not use the seat heaters even in LO when the
engine is off. Under such conditions, the battery may
be weakened, making the engine difficult to start. In the LO setting, the heater runs continuously and
does not automatically turn off.
3WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminish ed ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or
with sensitive skin should not use seat
heaters.
* Not available on all models

Continued143
uuHeating and Cooling System*uUsing Vents, Heating and A/C
Controls
The heater uses heat from the engine coolant
to warm the air. 1.
Adjust the fan speed using the fan control
dial.
2. Select .
3. Adjust the temperature using the
temperature control dial.
4. Press the button (the indicator off).
■ To rapidly warm up the interior
1. Set the fan to the maximum speed.
2. Select .
3. Set the temperature to maximum heat.
4. Press the button (the indicator on).
■ To dehumidify the interior
When used in combination with the heater, the air conditioning system makes the
interior warm and dry and can prevent the windows from fogging up. 1. Adjust the fan speed using the fan control dial.
2. Press the A/C button to turn on the air conditioning.
3. Select .
4. Adjust the temperature using the temperature control dial.
■Heating1Heating
When you select , the mode automatically
switches to fresh air.
1To rapidly warm up the interior
Change to fresh air mode as soon as the interior gets
warm enough. The windows may fog up if kept in
recirculation mode.

145
Continued
Controls
Climate Control System *
Using Automatic Climate Control
The automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you select.
The system also selects the proper mix of heated or cooled air that will as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior temperature to your preference.
Use the system when the engine is running. 1.
Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the interior temperature using the driver's side or passenger's side control dial.
3. Press the button to cancel.
■ Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the button and switch the mode depending on environmental conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicat or on) : Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior
through the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off): Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system in
fresh air mode in normal situations.
1Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are pressed while using the climate
control system in AUTO, the function of the button
that was pressed will take priority.
The AUTO indicator will go off, but functions
unrelated to the button that was pressed will be
controlled automatically.
To prevent cold air from blowing in from outside, the
fan may not start immediately when the AUTO
button is pressed.
Once you have set the desired temperature, do not
use the temperature control switches more than necessary.
Doing so may delay the time it takes to reach the set
temperature.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down
more rapidly by partially opening the windows,
turning the system on AUTO, and setting the
temperature to low. Change the fresh mode to
recirculation mode until the temperature cools down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or upper
limit, Lo or Hi is displayed.
Pressing the button switches the climate
control system between on and off. When turned on,
the system returns to your last selection.
While in the ECON mode, the system has greater
temperature fluctuations.
Floor and
defroster vents
Floor vents
Dashboard and
floor vents
Dashboard vents
AUTO Button
Driver's Side
Temperature
Control Dial Passenger's Side
Temperature
Control Dial
/ (Fan Control) Buttons
(Recirculation) Button
A/C (Air Conditioning) Button
* Not available on all models

225
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving Driving Preparation .......................... 226
Maximum Load Limit........................ 229
Towing a Trailer Towing Preparation .......................... 231
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 234
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 235
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines General Information ......................... 237
Important Safety Precautions............ 237
Avoiding Trouble ............................. 238
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 239
Precautions While Driving................. 241 Automatic Transmission ................... 242
Shifting ............................................ 243
Cruise Control ................................. 245
VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 248
REAL TIME AWD with Intelligent Control System™ *
......................................... 250
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 250Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 251
Braking Brake System ................................... 253
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 255 Brake Assist System ......................... 256
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 257
Parking ............................................ 257
Multi-View Rear Camera .................. 258
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 259
How to Refuel ................................. 260
Fuel Economy .................................... 262
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 262
Accessories and Modifications Accessories ...................................... 263
Modifications................................... 263
* Not available on all models

226
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving. •Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressure, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 296
• Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICEWhen doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable materials left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you've parked your vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal. Also check under the hood for leftover
flammable materials after you or someone else has
performed maintenance on your vehicle.

231
Continued
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelines. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,500 lbs (680 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain.
■ Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight. • Excessive tongue load reduces front tire
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
• To achieve a proper tongue load, start by
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the load as needed.
■Towing Load Limits1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not available, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by the manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer during your vehicle's first 600
miles (1,000 km).
Never exceed the gross weight ratings.
Gross weight information
2 Vehicle Specifications P. 340
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
Tongue LoadTongue Load

234
uuTowing a TraileruDriving Safely with a Trailer
Driving
Driving Safely with a Trailer •Have the trailer properly serviced and keep it in good condition.
• Make sure that all the weights and load in the vehicle and trailer are within limits.
2 Towing Load Limits P. 231
• Securely attach the hitch, safety chains, and other necessary parts to the trailer.
• Securely store all the items in and on the trailer so that they do not shift while
driving.
• Check if the lights and brakes on the trailer are working properly.
• Check the pressures of the trailer tires, including the spare.
• Drive slower than normal.
• Obey posted speed limits for vehicles with trailers.
• Use the
(D position when towing a trailer on level roads.
• Turn more slowly and with a wider turning arc than normal.
• Allow more time and distance for braking.
• Do not brake or turn suddenly.
• Monitor your temperature gauge. If it nears the red (Hot) mark, turn off the
heating and cooling system *
/climate control system *
and reduce speed. Pull to the
side of the road safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(d position if the transmission shifts frequently.
■Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer
■Towing Speeds and Gears
■Turning and Braking
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
1Driving Safely with a Trailer
Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer's tires.
* Not available on all models

235
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Continued
Driving
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome.
Perform the following procedure before towing your vehicle. 1.Check the transmission fluid level.
uMake sure the fluid level is between the upper and lower marks.
2. Start the engine.
3. Depress the brake pedal. Move the shift lever through all its positions.
4. Shift to
(D and hold for five seconds, then to (N. Let the engine run for three
minutes, then turn it off.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY
(q .uMake sure the steering wheel does not lock.
7. Turn off all the electric devices. Do not use any accessory power sockets.
uThis can prevent the battery from running down.
■When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
1Towing Your Vehicle
NOTICEFailure to follow the recommended instructions
exactly will result in severe automatic transmission
damage. If you cannot shift the transmission or start
the engine, your vehicle must be transported on a
flat-bed truck or trailer.
Do not exceed 65 mph (100 km/h).
To avoid damage to the AWD system, your vehicle
must be towed with all four wheels on the ground.
Consult your towing parts sales or rental agency if
any other items are recommended or required for
your towing situation.
If you tow your vehicle behind a motorhome, the
transmission fluid must be changed every 2 years or
30,000 miles (48,000 km), whichever comes first.
AWD models
1When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
NOTICESevere transmission damage will occur if the vehicle is
shifted from (R to (N and then towed with the drive
wheels on the ground.