Driving -> Braking System for Your Honda CR-V SUV Third Generation (2006-2010)

09/07/16 18:40:57 31SWA630_326  
Braking System  
Your vehicle is equipped with disc  
brakes at all four wheels. A power  
assist helps reduce the effort needed  
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock  
brake system (ABS) helps you retain  
steering control when braking very  
hard.  
Check your brakes after driving  
through deep water. Apply the  
brakes moderately to see if they feel  
normal. If not, apply them gently and  
frequently until they do. Be extra  
cautious and alert in your driving.  
Brake Pad Wear Indicators  
The front and rear disc brakes on all  
models have audible brake wear  
indicators.  
If the brake pads need replacing, you  
will hear a distinctive, metallic  
Braking System Design  
screeching sound when you apply  
the brake pedal. If you do not have  
the brake pads replaced, they will  
screech all the time. It is normal for  
the brakes to occasionally squeal or  
squeak when you apply them.  
Resting your foot on the pedal keeps  
the brakes applied lightly, builds up  
heat, reduces their effectiveness and  
reduces brake pad life. In addition,  
fuel economy can be reduced. It also  
keeps your brake lights on all the  
time, confusing drivers behind you.  
The hydraulic system that operates  
the brakes has two separate circuits.  
Each circuit works diagonally across  
the vehicle (the left-front brake is  
connected with the right-rear brake,  
etc.). If one circuit should develop a  
problem, you will still have braking  
at two wheels.  
Constant application of the brakes  
when going down a long hill builds  
up heat and reduces their effective-  
ness. Use the engine to assist the  
brakes by taking your foot off the  
accelerator and downshifting to a  
lower gear.  
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Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)  
The anti-lock brake system (ABS)  
helps prevent the wheels from  
locking up, and helps you retain  
steering control by pumping the  
brakes rapidly, much faster than a  
person can do it.  
You will feel a pulsation in the brake  
pedal when the ABS activates, and  
you may hear some noise. This is  
normal: it is the ABS rapidly  
ABS Indicator  
If this indicator comes on, the anti-  
lock function of the braking system  
has shut down. The brakes still work  
like a conventional system, but  
without anti-lock. You should have  
your dealer inspect your vehicle as  
soon as possible.  
pumping the brakes. On dry  
pavement, you will need to press on  
the brake pedal very hard before the  
ABS activates. However, you may  
feel the ABS activate immediately if  
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.  
The electronic brake distribution  
(EBD) system, which is part of the  
ABS, also balances the front-to-rear  
braking distribution according to  
vehicle loading.  
If the ABS indicator comes on while  
driving, test the brakes as shown on  
page 396 .  
You should never pump the brake pedal.  
Let the ABS work for you by always  
keeping firm, steady pressure on the  
brake pedal. This is sometimes  
referred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’  
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Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)  
If the ABS indicator and the brake  
system indicator come on together,  
and the parking brake is fully  
released, the EBD system may also  
be shut down.  
Important Safety Reminders  
ABS does not reduce the time or  
distance it takes to stop the  
vehicle. It only helps with the  
steering control during braking.  
A vehicle with ABS may require a  
longer distance to stop on loose or  
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or  
snow, than a vehicle without anti-  
lock.  
Test your brakes as instructed on  
page 396 . If the brakes feel normal,  
drive slowly and have your vehicle  
repaired by your dealer as soon as  
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking  
which could cause the rear wheels to  
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of  
control.  
ABS will not prevent a skid that  
results from changing direction  
abruptly, such as trying to take a  
corner too fast or making a sudden  
lane change. Always drive at a safe  
speed for the road and weather  
conditions.  
ABS cannot prevent a loss of  
The VSA system indicator may come  
on along with the ABS indicator if  
there is a problem with the anti-lock  
brake system.  
stability. Always steer moderately  
when you are braking hard. Severe  
or sharp steering wheel movement  
can still cause your vehicle to veer  
into oncoming traffic or off the road.  
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09/07/16 18:41:27 31SWA630_329  
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System  
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  
VSA Off Indicator  
NOTE: The main function of the  
VSA system is generally known as  
Electronic Stability Control (ESC).  
The system also includes a traction  
control function.  
When VSA is off, the VSA off  
indicator comes on as a reminder.  
Vehicle Stability Assist  
(VSA) System Indicator  
slippery road surfaces. It does this  
If the low tire pressure indicator or  
TPMS indicator comes on, the VSA  
system automatically turns on even if  
the VSA system is turned off by  
pressing the VSA OFF switch (see  
page 325 ). If this happens, you  
by regulating the engine’s output and When VSA activates, you will see the  
by selectively applying the brakes.  
VSA system indicator blink.  
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 from the VSA  
hydraulic system. You will also see  
the VSA activation indicator blink.  
If this indicator comes on while  
driving, pull to the side of the road  
when it is safe, and turn off 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.  
cannot turn the VSA system off by  
pressing the VSA OFF switch again.  
Without VSA, your vehicle will have  
normal braking and cornering ability,  
but it will not have VSA traction and  
stability enhancement.  
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.  
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.  
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Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System  
VSA OFF Switch  
VSA is turned on every time you  
start the engine, even if you turned it  
off the last time you drove the  
vehicle.  
VSA and Tire Sizes  
Driving with varying tire or wheel  
sizes may cause the VSA to  
malfunction. When replacing tires,  
make sure they are the same size  
and type as your original tires (see  
page 374 ).  
VSA OFF SWITCH  
In certain unusual conditions when  
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow  
mud or fresh snow, it may be easier  
to free it with the VSA temporarily  
switched off. When the VSA system  
is off, the traction control system is  
also off. You should only attempt to  
free your vehicle with the VSA off if  
you are not able to free it when the  
VSA is on.  
If you install winter tires, make sure  
they are the same size as those that  
were originally supplied with your  
vehicle. Exercise the same caution  
during winter driving as you would if  
your vehicle was not equipped with  
VSA.  
This switch is under the driver’s side  
vent. To turn the VSA system on and  
off, press and hold it until you hear a  
beep.  
Immediately after freeing your  
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on  
again. We do not recommend driving  
your vehicle with the VSA and  
When VSA is off, the VSA off  
indicator comes on as a reminder.  
Press and hold the switch again. It  
turns the system back on.  
traction control systems switched off.  
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09/07/16 18:41:47 31SWA630_331  
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)  
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire  
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)  
Low Tire Pressure  
Indicator  
Driving on a significantly under  
inflated tire causes the tire to  
overheat and can lead to tire failure.  
Underinflation also reduces fuel  
efficiency and tire tread life, and may  
affect the vehicle’s handling and  
stopping ability.  
that turns on every time you start the When the low tire pressure indicator  
engine and monitors the pressure in  
your tires while driving.  
is on, one or more of your tires is  
significantly underinflated. You  
should stop and check your tires as  
soon as possible, and inflate them to  
the proper pressure as indicated on  
the vehicle’s tire information placard. Because tire pressure varies by  
temperature and other conditions,  
If you think you can safely drive a  
short distance to a service station,  
proceed slowly, and inflate the tire to  
the recommended pressure shown  
on the driver’s doorjamb.  
Each tire has its own pressure  
sensor (not including the spare tire).  
If the air pressure of a tire becomes  
significantly low while driving, the  
sensor in that tire immediately sends  
a signal that causes the low tire  
pressure indicator to come on.  
the low tire pressure indicator may  
come on unexpectedly.  
If the tire is flat, or if the tire  
pressure is too low to continue  
driving, replace the tire with the  
compact spare tire (see page 382 ).  
If you cannot make the low tire  
pressure indicator go out after  
inflating the tires to the specified  
values, have your dealer check the  
system as soon as possible.  
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)  
For example, if you check and fill  
your tires in a warm area, then drive  
in extremely cold weather, the tire  
pressure will be lower than  
information label and in the owner’s  
manual (see page 371 ).  
When you restart the vehicle with  
the compact spare tire, the TPMS  
indicator may also come on and stay  
on after driving several miles  
(kilometers).  
Tire Pressure Monitoring  
measured and could be underinflated  
and cause the low tire pressure  
indicator to come on. Or, if you  
check and adjust your tire pressure  
in cooler conditions, and drive into  
extremely hot conditions, the tire  
may become overinflated. However,  
the low tire pressure indicator will  
not come on if the tires are  
System (TPMS) Indicator  
This indicator comes on and stays on  
if there is a problem with the tire  
pressure monitoring system.  
If this happens, the system will shut  
off and no longer monitor tire  
pressures. Have the system checked  
by your dealer as soon as possible.  
overinflated.  
If the low tire pressure indicator or  
TPMS indicator comes on, the VSA  
system automatically turns on even if  
the VSA system is turned off by  
pressing the VSA OFF switch (see  
page 325 ). If this happens, you  
Refer to page 370 for tire inflation  
guidelines.  
Although your tire pressure is  
monitored, you must manually check  
the tire pressures monthly.  
cannot turn the VSA system off by  
pressing the VSA OFF switch again.  
Each tire, including the spare, should  
be checked monthly when cold, and  
set to the recommended inflation  
pressure as specified on the tire  
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09/07/17 15:38:52 31SWA630_333  
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)  
Changing a Tire with TPMS  
If you have a flat tire, the low tire  
pressure indicator will come on.  
Replace the flat tire with the  
The low tire pressure indicator or  
As required by the FCC:  
the TPMS indicator will go off, after  
several miles (kilometers) driving,  
when you replace the spare tire with  
the specified regular tire equipped  
This device complies with Part 15 of the  
FCC rules. Operation is subject to the  
following two conditions: (1) This device  
may not cause harmful interference, and  
compact spare tire (see page 382 ).  
with the tire pressure monitor sensor. (2) this device must accept any  
Each wheel (except the compact  
spare tire wheel) is equipped with a  
tire pressure sensor. You must use  
TPMS specific wheels. It is  
recommended that you always have  
your tires serviced by your dealer or  
qualified technician.  
interference received, including  
Never use a puncture-repairing agent  
in a flat tire. If used, you will have to  
replace the tire pressure sensor.  
Have the flat tire repaired by your  
dealer as soon as possible.  
interference that may cause undesired  
operation.  
Changes or modifications not expressly  
approved by the party responsible for  
compliance could void the user’s  
authority to operate the equipment.  
After you replace the flat tire with  
the compact spare tire, the low tire  
pressure indicator stays on. This is  
normal; the system is not monitoring  
the spare tire pressure. Manually  
check the spare tire pressure to be  
sure it is correct. After several miles  
(kilometers) driving with the  
This device complies with Industry  
Canada Standard RSS-210.  
Operation is subject to the following two  
conditions: (1) this device may not cause  
interference, and (2) this device must  
accept any interference that may cause  
undesired operation of the device.  
compact spare tire, the TPMS  
indicator comes on and the low tire  
pressure indicator goes off.  
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