2017 HONDA HR-V ground clearance

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S AFETY
S
AFETY
Important Handling Information
Your vehicle has higher ground clearance than a passenger vehicle designe\
d for
use only on pavement. Higher ground clearance has many advantages for of\
f-
highway driving. It allows you to travel over bumps, obstacles, and roug\
h terrain.
It also provides good visibility so you can anticipate problems earlier.
These advantages come at some cost. Because your vehicle is taller and rides
higher off the ground, it has a higher center gravity making it more sus\
ceptible
to tipping or rollover if you make abrupt turns. Utility vehicles have a\
significantly
higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. In a rollover crash, \
an unbelted
person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a sea\
t belt. As a
reminder, make sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts.
Carbon Monoxide GasThe engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorle\
ss,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your ve\
hicle and
follow the instructions set forth below, you will not accumulate dangerous levels
of carbon monoxide gas in the vehicle interior.
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever:
•

The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
•


The exhaust system may have been damaged.
•


The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull ex\
haust gas
into the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive wi\
th the
tailgate open, open all the windows and set the climate control system a\
s

shown
below.
1.

Select the fresh air mode.
2.


Select the mode.
3.

Set the fan speed to high.
4.


Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your \
p

arked
vehicle with the engine running.
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up with carbon mono\
xide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed. Even when the garage \
door is
open, drive out of the garage immediately after starting the engine.
Seat Belts
A seat belt is your best protection in all types of collisions. Airbags \
are designed to
supplement seat belts, not replace them. So even though your vehicle is \
equipped
with airbags, make sure you and your passengers always wear your seat belts and
wear them properly.
Lap/Shoulder Seat Belts
All five seating positions are equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts w\
ith
emergency locking retractors. In normal driving, the retractor lets you \
move
freely while keeping some tension on the belt. During a collision or sud\
den stop,
the retractor locks to restrain your body. The rear seat belts also have a lockable
retractor for use with child seats.
The front seats are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners to enha\
nce
safety. The tensioners automatically tighten the front seat belts during a mod\
erate
to severe frontal collision, sometimes even if the collision is not seve\
re enough to
inflate the front airbags.
Proper Use of Seat BeltsFollow these guidelines for proper use:
•

All occupants should sit upright, well back in the seat, and remain in t\
ha
t
position for the duration of the trip. Slouching and leaning reduces the\

effectiveness of the belt and can increase the chance of serious injury \
in a
crash.
•

Never place the shoulder part of a lap/shoulder seat belt under your arm\
or
behind your back. This could cause very serious injuries in a crash.
•


T
wo people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could be\
very
seriously injured in a crash.
•

Do not put any accessories on the seat belts. Devices intended to improv\
e
comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the pr\
otective
capability and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.
•


No one should sit in a seat with an inoperative seat belt or one that do\
es not

appear to be working correctly. Using a seat belt that is not working properly
may not protect the occupant in a crash. Have a dealer check the belt as\
soon
as possible.
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic. Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and\

even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that expose you to carbon monoxide\
.
WARNING
Not wearing a seat belt properly increases the chance of a serious injur\
y or
death in a crash, even though your vehicle has airbags.
Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear them
properly.
WARNING

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DRIVING
DRIVING
Improper accessories or modifications can affect your vehicle’s handling, and
stability, and performance, and cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in the vehicle owner’s guide regarding accessories and
modifications.
WARNING
In addition:
•
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acc\
elerat
ion or
full throttle operation so as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
•

A
void hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this
when the brake pads are replaced.
Your vehicle has been designed primarily for use on pavement; however, its higher
ground clearance allows you to occasionally travel on unpaved roads. It \
is not
designed for trail-blazing or other challenging off-road activities.
If you decide to drive on unpaved roads, you will find that it require\
s somewhat
different driving skills and that your vehicle will handle somewhat diff\
erently than
it does on pavement. Pay attention to the precautions and tips in this s\
ection, and
get acquainted with your vehicle before leaving the pavement.
Improperly operating this vehicle on or off pavement can cause a crash o\
r
rollover in which you and your passengers can be seriously hurt or kille\
d.
Follow all instructions and guidelines in this guide.
Keep your speed low, and don’t drive faster than conditions permit.
WARNING
Maximum Load Limit
Carrying too much cargo or improperly storing it can affect your vehicle\
’s handling,
stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
The maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg). See the Tire and Loading
Information label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Label example
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer. Below are the
steps for determining the correct load limit:
1.
Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’

s placard.
2.

Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be \
riding in your vehicle.
3.


Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
4.


The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage \
load capacity

. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 \
x 150)
= 650 lbs.)
5.

Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6.


If your vehicle will be towing a trailer
, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult the Owner’s Manual on the Owner
Information CD or at owners.honda.com (U.S.) or myhonda.ca (Canada)
to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories\
,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label
on the driver’s doorjamb.
Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing CO2 Emissions
Achieving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions is dependent on severa\
l
factors, including driving conditions, load weight, idling time, driving\
habits, and
vehicle condition. Depending on these and other factors, you may not ach\
ieve the
rated fuel economy of this vehicle.