engine HONDA CIVIC 2014 9.G Owners Manual

326
uuWhen Driving uCruise Control
*
Driving
Cruise Control
*
Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator pedal. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can
travel at a constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
*
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
While in the ECON mode, it may take relatively more
time to accelerate to maintain the set speed.
When the engine speed slows down, try to
downshift.
You can maintain the set speed if you change gear
within five seconds.
3
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.1.8 ℓ engine modelsManual transmission models
When to use■Shift positions for cruise control:
In ( D or
(S Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
Automatic transmission (CVT) models■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
How to use
CRUISE MAIN
is on in the
instrument panel.Cruise control is ready to use.
■Press the
CRUISE
button on
the steering wheel.
* Not available on all models

329
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Continued
Driving
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), SystemHelps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less than
what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. It does
so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.■
VSA ® Operation
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properly if tire types and
sizes are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures are as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and cor ner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA ® System
Indicator

uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability Assist (VSA® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
330Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To turn the VSA® system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep.
VSA® stops and the indicator comes on.
To turn it on again, press the (VSA ® OFF )
button until you hear a beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time
you drove the vehicle.
■
VSA ® On and Off
1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Without VSA ®, your vehicle will have normal braking
and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA ®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with 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.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® and traction control
systems switched off.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator
* comes on or
blinks, the VSA ® system comes on automatically. In
this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing
the button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF
Indicator
1.8 ℓ engine modelsVSA
® OFF
Indicator
2.4 ℓ engine models* Not available on all models

333
uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Continued
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)Instead of directly measuring the pressure in each tire, the TPMS on this vehicle
monitors and compares the rolling radius and rotational characteristics of each
wheel and tire while you are driving to determine if one or more tires are
significantly under-inflated. This will cause th e low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to
come on and a message to appear on the i-MID.
You must start TPMS calibration every time you:
• Adjust the pressure in one or more tires.
• Rotate the tires.
• Replace one or more tires.
Before calibrating the TPMS:
• Set the cold tire pressure in all four tires.
2 Checking Tires P. 391
Make sure:
•The vehicle is at a complete stop.
• The shift lever is in
(N
.
• The shift lever is in
(P
.
• The ignition switch is in ON
(w
*1.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.■
TPMS CalibrationU.S. models
1 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
The system does not monitor the tires when driving
at low speed.
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come on.
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:•Warm weather can become under-inflated in
colder weather.•Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer
weather.
The low tire pressure i ndicator will not come on as a
result of over inflation.
The TPMS may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire. 2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 391
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator may come on
with a delay or may not come on at all when:•You rapidly accele rate, decelerate, or turn the
steering wheel.•You drive on snowy or slippery roads.•Snow chains are used.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator may come on
under the following conditions:•A compact spare tire
* is used.
•There is a heavier and uneven load on the tires,
such as when towing a trailer, than the condition at
calibration.•Snow chains are used.
Manual transmission modelsAutomatic transmission (CVT) modelsAll models* Not available on all models

uuWhen Driving uTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
334Driving
You can calibrate the system from the customized
features on the i-MID.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
*1.
2. Press the MENU button to go to the
Vehicle Menu screen.
3. Select Customize Settings with the (+
/(-
button, then press the SOURCE button.
4. Select TPMS Calibration with the
(+
/(-

button, then press the SOURCE button.
u The display switches to the
customization setup screen, where you
can select Cancel or Initialize .
5. Select Yes with the
(+
/(-
button, then
press the SOURCE button.
u When the calibration is complete, the
The TPMS has been initialized.
message appears, and the display returns
to the customization menu screen.
• If the Unable to initialize TPMS. message
appears, repeat steps 4-5.
• The calibration process finishes
automatically.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.
1 TPMS Calibration•TPMS cannot be calibrated if a compact spare tire
*
is installed.
•The calibration process requires approximately 30
minutes of cumulative driving at speeds between
30-60 mph (48-97 km/h).•During this period, if the ignition is turned on and
the vehicle is not moved within 45 seconds, you
may notice the low tire pressure indicator comes on
briefly. This is normal and indicates that the
calibration process is not yet complete.
If the snow chains are installed, remove them before
calibrating the TPMS.
If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on even
when the properly inflated specified regular tires are
installed, have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
We recommend that the tires be replaced with the
same brand, model, and size as the originals. Ask a
dealer for details.
* Not available on all models

uuBraking uBrake System
338Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear wheels may
be disc or drum, depending on the model. A vacuum power assist helps reduce the
effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the stopping
force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation. The anti-
lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very hard.2 Brake Assist System P. 340
2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 339■
Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

339
uuBraking uAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
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 you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
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.”■ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. 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.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.■
ABS
1 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When snow chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

341Driving
Parking Your VehicleWhen Stopped1.Depress the brake pedal firmly.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Move the shift lever from
(D
to
(P
.
3. Move the shift lever to
(R
or
(1
.
4. Turn off the engine.
Always set the parking brake firmly, in particular if you are parked on an incline.
1 Parking Your Vehicle
Do not park your vehicle near flammable objects,
such as dry grass, oil, or timber.
Heat from the exhaust can cause a fire.1When StoppedNOTICEThe following can damage the transmission:•Depressing the accelerator and brake pedals
simultaneously.•Holding the vehicle in place when facing uphill by
depressing the accelerator pedal.•Moving the shift lever into
(P before the vehicle
stops completely.
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Automatic transmission (CVT) modelsManual transmission modelsAll models

343
Continued
Driving
RefuelingFuel Information■Fuel recommendation
Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic knocking noise
that can lead to engine damage.
Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause occasional metallic knocking noise in the
engine and will result in decreased engine performance.
Use of a gasoline with a pump octane less than 87 can lead to engine damage.■Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additives in gasoline vary in the market, Honda
endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help
maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today’s advanced engines.Unleaded gasoline, pump octane number 87 or higherUnleaded premium gasoline, pump octane number 91 or higher
1Fuel InformationNOTICEWe recommend quality gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and
engine deposits. In addition, in order to maintain
good performance, fuel economy, and emissions
control, we strongly recommend the use of gasoline
that does NOT contain harmful manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT, if such gasoline is
available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, and cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel to come on.
If this happens, contact a dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates such
as ethanol. Your vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol
by volume. Do not use gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms, try
another service station or switch to another brand of
gasoline.
1.8 ℓ engine models2.4 ℓ engine models

uuRefueling uHow to Refuel
344Driving
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
“TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” standards at the retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper lev el of detergent additives and be free of metallic
additives. The proper level of detergent additives, and absence of harmful metallic
additives in gasoline, help avoid build-up of deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
For further important fuel-related information for your vehicle, or on information on
gasoline that does not contain MMT, visit www.hondacars.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda.ca for additional information on gasoline. For more information on top
tier gasoline, visit www.toptiergas.com .■Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 US gal (50 liters)How to Refuel
1.Stop your vehicle with the service station
pump on the left side of the vehicle in the
rear.
2. Turn off the engine.
3. Push on the fuel fill door release handle at
the foot of the driver’s seat.
u The fuel fill door opens.
1How to Refuel
3
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
• Stop the engine, and keep heat, sparks,
and flame away.
• Handle fuel only outdoors.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
Push