1999 Honda CR-V Owner's Manual - Page 154

Automatic Transmission Second (2) - To shift to Second, pull the shift lever towards you, then shift to the lower gear. This position locks the transmission in second gear. It does not downshift to first gear when you come to a stop. Second gives you more power when climbing, and increased engine braking when going down steep hills. Use second gear when starting out on a slippery surface or in deep snow. It will help reduce wheelspin. When the Over-Drive is off the transmission selects only the first three gears, but not the fourth. Turn the O/D off to provide engine braking when going down a steep hill. You can also avoid the transmission from cycling between third and fourth gears in stop-and-go driving. First (1) - To shift from Second to First, pull the shift lever towards you, then shift to the lower gear. With the lever in this position, the transmission locks in First gear. By upshifting and downshifting through 1,2, D, you can operate this transmission much like a manual transmission without a clutch pedal. Maximum Allowable Speeds The speeds in this table are the maximum allowable speeds in each position. If you exceed these speeds, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's red zone. If this occurs, you will feel the engine cut in and out. This is caused by a limiter in the engine's computer controls. The engine will run normally when you reduce the RPM below the red zone. Before downshifting, make sure the vehicle will not exceed the maximum allowable speed in the chart in the lower gear to avoid engine damage. *:When O/D is off. Driving