2013 HONDA CR-V towing

uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
232
Driving
Towing equipment varies by the size of your trailer, how much load you are towing,
and where you are towing.
■Hitches
The hitch must be of an approved type and properly bolted to the underbody.
■Safety chains
Always use safety chains when you tow a trailer. Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
■Trailer brakes
Recommended for any trailer with a total weight of 1,000 lbs (450 kg) or more:
There are two common types of trailer brakes: surge and electric. Surge brakes are
common for boat trailers, since the brakes will get wet. If you choose electric brakes,
be sure they are electronically actuated. Do not attempt to attach trailer brakes to
your vehicle's hydraulic system, as it will lower braking effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
■Additional towing equipment
Many states and provinces/territories require special outside mirrors when towing a
trailer. Even if mirrors are not required in your locale, you should install special
mirrors if visibility is restricted in any way.
■Towing Equipment and Accessories1Towing Equipment and Accessories
Make sure that all equipment is properly installed and
maintained, and that it meets federal, state, province/
territory, and local regulations.
Consult your trailer sales or rental agency if any other
items are recommended or required for your towing
situation.
The lighting and wiring of trailers can vary by type
and brand. If a connector is required, it should only
be installed by a qualified technician.

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uuTowing a TraileruTowing Preparation
Driving
■Trailer light
Trailer lights and equipment must comply with federal, state, province/territory, and
local regulations. Check with your local trailer sales or rental agency for the
requirements in the area where you plan to tow.
Your trailer lighting connector is located behind the left side panel in the cargo area.
Each pin’s purpose and wiring color code are shown in the image.
When using a non-Honda trailer lighting harness and converter, get the connector
and pins for your vehicle from a dealer.
Right Turn Signal (Green) Left Turn Signal (Violet) Small (Red)Backup Light (Brown)
Brake Light (Pink)
Option (Yellow)
Grand (Black)

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.
2Towing 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 VehicleNOTICEFailure 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 MotorhomeNOTICESevere transmission damage will occur if the vehicle is
shifted from (R to (N and then towed with the drive
wheels on the ground.

236
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
■Extended towing
If you tow more than eight hours in one day, you should repeat the “before towing
your vehicle procedure” at least every eight hours. You also need to perform the
following procedure to prevent the battery from running down.
1.Remove the 7.5 A accessory radio fuse. This
fuse is located in the interior fuse box.
2Interior Fuse Box P. 3362.Store the fuse in a safe place so you do not
lose it.
uMake sure to reinstall the fuse before
you start driving your vehicle.
Accessory Radio Fuse

243
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0 and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in (P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal driving (gears change
between 1st and 5th automatically)
Drive (D3)
Press the
(d button while the shift lever
is in (D.
Used when:
●Going up or down hills●Towing a trailer in hilly terrain Second
Used to increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 2nd gear)
First
Used to further increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 1st gear) Release Button
(d Button

317
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 318
If a Tire Goes Flat
Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 319
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 325
Jump Starting.................................... 326
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 328
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating ............. 329Indicator, Coming On/BlinkingIf the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 331
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 331
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ................................... 332
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On
(Red) .............................................. 333
If the EPS System Indicator Comes On ... 333If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 334If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 334
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 335
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 337
Emergency Towing........................... 338
When You Cannot Open the Tailgate.. 339

325
Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine
If the engine does not start, check the starter.
Starter conditionChecklistStarter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.Check the brightness of the interior lights.
Turn on the interior lights and check the brightness.
●If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all2Battery P. 307●If the interior lights come on normally 2 Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 337The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with the
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly.Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again. 2 Starting the Engine P. 239Check the immobilizer system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2Immobilizer System P. 106Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank. 2 Fuel Gauge P. 77Check the fuse.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 337If the problem continues:2Emergency Towing P. 338
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehicle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2Jump Starting P. 326