Taking Care of the Unexpected -> Overheating for Your Honda CR-V SUV Third Generation (2006-2010)

09/07/16 18:53:32 31SWA630_397  
If the Engine Overheats  
The reading of the vehicle’s  
temperature gauge should stay in  
the midrange. If it climbs to the red  
mark, you should determine the  
reason (hot day, driving up a steep  
hill, etc.).  
3. If you do not see steam or spray,  
leave the engine running, and  
watch the temperature gauge. If  
the high heat is due to overloading,  
the engine should start to cool  
down almost immediately. If it  
does, wait until the temperature  
gauge reading comes down to the  
midpoint, then continue driving.  
Steam and spray from an  
overheated engine can  
seriously scald you.  
Do not open the hood if steam  
is coming out.  
If the vehicle overheats, you should  
take immediate action. The only  
indication may be the temperature  
gauge climbing to or above the red  
mark. Or you may see steam or  
spray coming from under the hood.  
1. Safely pull to the side of the road.  
Put the transmission in Park, and  
set the parking brake. Turn off all  
the accessories, and turn on the  
hazard warning lights.  
4. If the temperature gauge reading  
stays at the red mark, turn off the  
engine.  
Driving with the temperature gauge  
reading at the red mark can cause  
serious damage to the engine.  
2. If you see steam and/or spray  
coming from under the hood, turn  
off the engine. Wait until you see  
no more signs of steam or spray,  
then open the hood.  
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09/07/16 18:53:45 31SWA630_398  
If the Engine Overheats  
5. Look for any obvious coolant leaks,  
such as a split radiator hose.  
Everything is still extremely hot,  
so use caution. If you find a leak, it  
must be repaired before you  
continue driving (see Emergency  
Towing on page 403 ).  
9. Start the engine, and set the  
temperature to maximum heat  
(climate control to AUTO at  
Removing the radiator cap  
while the engine is hot can  
cause the coolant to spray out,  
seriously scalding you.  
‘‘  
’’). Add coolant to the  
radiator up to the base of the filler  
neck. If you do not have the  
proper coolant mixture available,  
you can add plain water.  
Remember to have the cooling  
system drained and refilled with  
the proper mixture as soon as you  
can.  
Always let the engine and  
radiator cool down before  
removing the radiator cap.  
6. If you don’t find an obvious leak,  
check the coolant level in the  
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant  
if the level is below the MIN mark.  
8. Using gloves or a large heavy  
cloth, turn the radiator cap  
counterclockwise, without pushing  
down, to the first stop. After the  
pressure releases, push down on  
the cap, and turn it until it comes  
off.  
7. If there was no coolant in the  
reserve tank, you may need to add  
coolant to the radiator. Let the  
engine cool down until the reading  
reaches the middle of the  
temperature gauge or lower  
before checking the radiator.  
10. Put the radiator cap back on  
tightly. Run the engine, and check  
the temperature gauge. If it goes  
back to the red mark, the engine  
needs repair (see Emergency  
Towing on page 403 ).  
11. If the temperature stays normal,  
check the coolant level in the  
radiator reserve tank. If it has  
gone down, add coolant to the  
MAX mark. Put the cap back on  
tightly.  
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09/07/16 18:53:57 31SWA630_399  
Low Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator  
Low Oil Pressure  
Indicator  
1. Safely pull off the road, and shut  
off the engine. Turn on the hazard  
warning lights.  
Charging System  
Indicator  
This indicator should never come on  
when the engine is running. If it  
starts flashing or stays on, the oil  
pressure has dropped very low or  
lost pressure. Serious engine  
damage is possible, and you should  
take immediate action.  
If the charging system indicator  
comes on brightly when the engine  
is running, the battery is not being  
charged.  
2. Let the vehicle sit for a minute.  
Open the hood, and check the oil  
level (see page 298 ). An engine  
very low on oil can lose pressure  
during cornering and other driving  
maneuvers.  
Immediately turn off all electrical  
accessories. Try not to use other  
electrically operated controls such as  
the power windows. Keep the engine  
running; starting the engine will  
discharge the battery rapidly.  
3. If necessary, add oil to bring the  
level back to the full mark on the  
dipstick (see page 349 ).  
Running the engine with low oil  
pressure can cause serious mechanical  
damage almost immediately. Turn off  
the engine as soon as you can safely get 4. Start the engine, and watch the oil  
the vehicle stopped.  
Go to a service station or garage  
where you can get technical  
pressure indicator. If it does not go assistance.  
out within 10 seconds, turn off the  
engine. There is a mechanical  
problem that needs to be repaired  
before you can continue driving  
(see Emergency Towing on page  
403 ).  
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