Honda Crosstour (2015 year). Instruction

Towing a Trailer

Towing Preparation

416

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

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 Accessories

Towing 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.

417

Towing a Trailer

Towing 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)

Ground (Black)

Left Turn Signal (Blue)

Taillight (Red)

Brake Light (Light Green)

Trailer (Yellow)

418

Towing a Trailer

Driving 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. 415

• 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.

■

Things You Need To Know Before Towing a Trailer

■

Towing Speeds and Gears

■

Turning and Braking

Driving Safely with a Trailer

Parking
In addition to the normal precautions, place wheel
chocks at each of the trailer’s tires.

419

Towing a Trailer

Towing Your Vehicle

Driving

• 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

(

S or

(

d position if the transmission shifts frequently.

Towing Your Vehicle

Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.

2 Emergency Towing P. 542

■

Driving in Hilly Terrain

* Not available on all models

420

Driving

When Driving

Starting the Engine

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Check that the shift lever is in

(

P, then

depress the brake pedal.

Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in

(

N, it is safer to start it in

(

Models without smart entry system

Starting the Engine

Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.

The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).

When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, heating and
cooling system

/climate control system

, and rear

defogger in order to reduce battery drain.

If you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.

If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.

Brake Pedal

* Not available on all models

421

When Driving

Starting the Engine

Driving

3. Turn the ignition switch to START

(

without depressing the accelerator pedal.

1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that

the parking brake indicator has gone off.

2 Parking Brake P. 449

2. Put the shift lever in

(

D. Select

(

R when reversing.

3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull

away.

■

Starting to Drive

Starting the Engine

Do not hold the key in START

(

e for more than 15

seconds.

•

If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
least 10 seconds before trying again.

•

If the engine starts, but then immediately stops,
wait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.

The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine’s fuel system is disabled.

2 Immobilizer System P. 107

422

When Driving

Starting the Engine

Driving

Starting the Engine

1. Make sure the parking brake is applied.

2. Check that the shift lever is in

(

P, then

depress the brake pedal.

Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in

(

N, it is safer to start it in

(

Models with smart entry system

Starting the Engine

Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.

The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).

When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.

If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.

The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft.
If an improperly coded device is used, the engine’s
fuel system is disabled.

2 Immobilizer System P. 107

Brake Pedal

423

When Driving

Starting the Engine

Driving

3. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button

without depressing the accelerator pedal.

You can turn the engine off when the vehicle is completely stopped.

1. Shift to

(

2. Press the ENGINE START/STOP button.

1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that

the parking brake indicator has gone off.

2 Parking Brake P. 449

2. Put the shift lever in

(

D. Select

(

R when reversing.

3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull

away.

■

Stopping the Engine

■

Starting to Drive

Starting the Engine

Bring the smart entry remote close to the ENGINE
START/STOP button if the battery in the smart entry
remote is weak.

2 If the Smart Entry Remote Battery is Weak

P. 526

The engine may not start if the smart entry remote is
subjected to strong radio waves.

Do not hold the ENGINE START/STOP button to
start the engine.
If the engine does not start, wait at least 10 seconds
before trying again.

424

When Driving

Precautions While Driving

Driving

Precautions While Driving

Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.

If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.

*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.

■

In Rain

■

Other Precautions

Precautions While Driving

NOTICE

Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.

NOTICE

If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.

If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY

(

q or

LOCK

(

while driving, the engine will shut down

and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.

Do not put the shift lever in

(

N, as you will lose

engine braking (and acceleration) performance.

425

When Driving

Automatic Transmission

Driving

Automatic Transmission

The engine runs at a higher idle speed and creeping increases.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.

Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower gear, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress
the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.

■

Creeping

■

Kickdown

Precautions While Driving

During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.

Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.

426

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

Shifting

Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift lever positions

Automatic transmission models without paddle shifters

Shifting

You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK

(

0 and

remove the key unless the shift lever is in

(

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.

The engine may cut in and out in

(

R or depending on

the road condition, even when the engine speed is
lower than the tachometer’s red zone. This is the
engine’s computer working to protect the
transmission.

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)
Used:

●

When going up or down hills

●

When 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

427

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

Shift Lever Operation

Shift Lever Operation

NOTICE

When you change the shift lever from

(

D to

(

R and

vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.

Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.

Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking

(

D indicator indicates a transmission

problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.

It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.

Tachometer’s red zone

Shift Lever Position Indicator

Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.

Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.

Press the shift lever release button
and shift.

428

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

Shifting

Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift lever positions

Automatic transmission models with paddle shifters

Shifting

You cannot change the power mode from ON to
VEHICLE OFF (LOCK) unless the shift lever is in

(

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.

The engine may cut in and out in

(

R or depending on

the road condition, even when the engine speed is
lower than the tachometer’s red zone. This is the
engine’s computer working to protect the
transmission.

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 6th automatically)

●

When temporarily driving in the
sequential mode

Release Button

Drive (S)
Used:

●

When automatically changing gears
between 1st and 5th (5th gear is used
only at high speed)

●

When driving in the sequential mode

●

When towing a trailer in hilly terrain

●

To increase engine braking

Continued

429

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

Shift Lever Operation

Shift Lever Operation

NOTICE

When you change the shift lever from

(

D to

(

R and

vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the
brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.

Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.

Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking

(

D indicator indicates a transmission

problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer’s red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.

It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down.
Depress the brake pedal first.

Tachometer’s red zone

M (Sequential Shift mode)
Indicator/Gear Position Indicator

Depress the brake pedal and press
the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever
release button.

Press the shift lever release button
and shift.

Shift Lever Position Indicator

430

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

Use the paddle shifters to change between 1st and 6th gears without removing your
hands from the steering wheel. The transmission will switch to the sequential shift
mode.

■

When the shift lever is in

(

The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode momentarily, and the gear position
indicator will come on.

Once you start traveling at a constant speed, the sequential shift mode will
automatically switch off, and the gear position indicator will go off.

Hold the

(

+ paddle shifter for two seconds to return to normal drive.

■

When the shift lever is in

(

The vehicle will go into the sequential shift mode, and the M (sequential shift mode)
indicator and gear position indicator will come on. At speeds of 6 mph (10 km/h) or
less, the vehicle automatically shifts down into 1st gear. It will not automatically shift
up, even if vehicle speed increases.

You can only pull away in 1st or 2nd gear.

When switching out of the sequential shift mode, move the shift lever from

(

S to

(

D. When the sequential shift mode is canceled, the M indicator and gear position

indicator go off.

■

Sequential Shift Mode

431

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

Second gear lock mode

If you pull the

(

+ paddle shifter while stopped or driving at 6 mph (10 km/h) or less,

the gear position will be locked in 2nd gear. This makes it easier to pull away on
slippery surfaces such as snow covered roads.

To cancel the 2nd gear lock mode, pull the

(

- paddle shifter, or move the shift lever

from

(

S to

(

■

Sequential Shift Mode Operation

Sequential Shift Mode Operation

Each paddle shift operation makes a single gear
change.
To change gears continuously, release the paddle
shifter before pulling it again for the next gear.

Recommended Shift Points
Use this table as a guideline for efficient fuel
economy and effective emission control.

The gear position indicator blinks when you cannot
shift up or down. It indicates that your vehicle speed
is not in its allowable gear shifting range.
Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift
down while the indicator is blinking.

Shift Up

Normal Acceleration

1st to 2nd

17.4 mph (28.0 km/h)

2nd to 3rd

27.1 mph (43.6 km/h)

3rd to 4th

35.7 mph (57.5 km/h)

4th to 5th

41.0 mph (66.0 km/h)

5th to 6th

44.2 mph (71.1 km/h)

Paddle Shifter
(Shift down)

Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)

Downshifting when pulling
the

(

- paddle shifter.

Upshifting when pulling
the

(

+ paddle shifter.

(

(Changes to a lower gear.)

(Changes to a higher gear.)

Honda Crosstour (2015 year). Instruction - part 27