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Towing a Honda CRV?

Yahoo Message Number: 79001
Our Saturn toad has died. We plan to purchase an 2012 CRV AWD as a replacement. We use a Roadmaster Sterling tow bar and light connection.

Will we need to pull fuses or any other tricks to tow it 4 down?

Thanks,

Jim 07 Allure #31570

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79004
Hi Jim,

Your manual should tell you which fuse to pull and how to run your tranny through the gears to prepare for towing.
We had a 2008 CRV and now have an 2011. If we are driving for more than 4 or 5 hours in a day we pulled the fuse for the GPS so that the battery didn't go dead. On the new CRV we put a disconnect called "Autofuse" made by Tow Daddy in the fuse block that automatically disconnects the fuse when we turn on the running/headlights. It works very well (if you remember to turn on the headlights). They also make plug in light kit that is really slick. Since your car is a new model you might have to work with the company a bit to make sure you get the right connectors like we did last year.

If I can help any more let me know.

Good luck and safe travels.

Tammy T

Panama City, FL
Magna 5605

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79005
Hi Jim:

Just bought the 2012 Honda CRV. Had it about a month and love it.

Owner's Manual page 235:

When Your Vehicle is Towed Behind a Motorhome
1. Start engine
2. Depress brake pedal
3. Move shift lever through all its positions.
4. Shift to D and hold for five seconds, then to N.
5. Let engine run for three minutes then turn off
6. Leave ignition switch in ACCESSORY I
7. BE SURE ALL ELECTRIC DEVICES ARE OFF.

Simple.

Shirley OBrien
2006 Allure #31290

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79008
Jim, I had an '01 and now an '09 and both had the same procedures, so maybe the '12 does too. Very simple to shift through the gears as outlined in the manual. To keep the battery from draining Honda recommends pulling the #8 (?) fuse. . .simple to do if you are no more than 2 feet tall!
I put a battery disconnect on the '02 which wasn't a good idea because it shut everything off, including any radio settings. On the '09 I have an attachment that turns the #8 (?) fuse off with a switch. By the way, the main power drain is the built-in GPS system which is always on when the key accessory (must be for towing). If you don't have the GPS you could be okay.

I too use the Roadmaster Sterling.

Jim

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79012
Our 2010 CRV has a small slot (covered by a plastic tab) just to the right of the shift lever; it unlocks the shift lever and makes it possible to move into to neutral while the ignition is off but you still need to unlock the steering wheel:Here are the steps I take:

1. Prepare the transmission for towing as per owners manual (run it through the grears.)
2. Place the shift lever into Park and shut off the engine.
3. Remove the key and push the key down into in the shift slot mentioned above to unlock the shift lever. Hold it down.
4. Move the shift lever onto neutral then pull the key back out of the slot.
5. Put the key back into the ignition and turn it clockwise one click to unlock the steering wheel. If any dash lights come on you moved it too far. The first click is halfway between OFF and the ACC position.

The transmission is now in neutral and the ingition is off.

Jim

2005 Inspire 51501

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79043
I've been towing an '02 CRV since it was new...probably 60K miles. After screwing around trying to pull the fuse with a pair of needle nose pliers while standing on my head, I installed a simple on/off switch on the dash (there is a cut-out that pops out and can be replaced) which by-passes the offending fuse. Works great.
A note of caution about running through the gears...it is best to do this with the emergency break set rather than depressing the brake pedal. With the engine running, the power brakes accumulate vacuum which remains after the engine is shut off. The next time the pedal is depressed (I use the brake buddy) with the engine off (as when activated by the pendulum effect going down the road behind the bus) the brakes will grab immediately in the CRV and leave a patch of rubber on the highway, driveway, parking lot, etc. I learned the hard way to run it through the gears using the emergency break. Also, make sure the last gear it is in before returning it to neutral is "D" and not "R".

Dave Glen

'06 magna #6591

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79049
Jim,

Purchased a 2012 CRV AWD in February. Towed it back from Florida just a few weeks ago. On the way back, killed the battery on the first two legs, one 5 hours, the other just over 3 hours. I'm using a brake buddy that is set at a very low setting; don't remember it even activating during the trip. The CRV manual indicated that the battery should be good for 8 hours. If towing for more than 8 hours, pull the fuse. After the second leg, I pulled the fuse, I think it was #9 - a 7.5 amp radio/accessory fuse. Tiny bugger in a most awkward dark corner under the dash. I bought a 12v power adapter with battery clips and attached it to the battery/routed it through the door to power the brake buddy. No more charging the battery when I stopped. Next is to add a switch and direct power to the battery. My CRV has the NAV, which I think is active when the accessory is on, even though the display is turned off.

Rich

95 Intrigue 10114

Re: Towing a Honda CRV?

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 79089
CORRECTION for 2012 Honda CRV - Pull fuse #19 - a 7.5 amp accessory fuse from interior fuse box to disable the accessories.
See page 256 of owners manual for picture of fuse location in the interior fuse box. It also indicates to remove fuse #20 - Accy Key Lock Fuse. I did not remove this fuse and travelled about 7 hours without losing sufficient power to restart the CRV.

Rich

95 Intrigue 10114