HONDA CIVIC 2014 9.G Owners Manual

320
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.■Shift lever positions*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.Automatic transmission (CVT) models
1 Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0*1
and remove the key unless the shift lever is in
( P.
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.
Reverse
Used when reversingDrive
Used for normal drivingPark
Used when parking or starting the engine
Neutral
Used when idling
Release ButtonDrive (S)
Used:●For better acceleration●To increase engine braking●When going up or down hills
Low●Used to further increase engine braking●Used when going up or down hills

321
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen 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.
If the transmission indicator blinks when driving, in
any shift position, there is a problem with the
transmission.
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.
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. Tachometer’s red zone

322
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
ShiftingFully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then
slowly release the pedal.
Depress the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into
(R
, or
shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they do not
“grind.”
■
Shift Lever OperationManual transmission models
1 ShiftingNOTICEDo not shift to
(R before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop.
Shifting to
( R before stopping can damage the
transmission.
NOTICEBefore downshifting, make sure the engine will not
go into the tachometer's red zone. Should this occur,
it can severely damage your engine.
There is a metallic part on the shift lever. If you leave
the vehicle park ed outside for a long time on a hot
day, be careful before moving the shift lever. Because
of heat, the shift lever ma y be extremely hot. If the
outside temperature is low, the shift lever may feel
cold.

Continued
323
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
When you are not shifting, do not rest your
foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your
clutch to wear out faster.
5-speed manual
transmission
1Shifting
Recommended Shift Points
Driving in the highest gear that allows the engine to
run and accelerate smoothly helps to optimize fuel
economy and effective emissions control. The
following shift points are recommended:
If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear you
are in, the engine speed will enter into the
tachometer's red zone. When this happens, you may
experience a slight jolt. Shift Up Normal Acceleration1st to 2nd
15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 27 mph (43 km/h)
3rd to 4th
39 mph (63 km/h)
4th to 5th 53 mph (85 km/h)
Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd
17 mph (27 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 29 mph (46 km/h)
3rd to 4th
37 mph (59 km/h)
4th to 5th 43 mph (69 km/h)
5th to 6th
49 mph (79 km/h)
5-speed manual transmission models6-speed manual transmission models
6-speed manual
transmission

324
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Driving
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally
shifting into
(R
from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving above a certain
speed.
If you cannot shift to
(R
when the vehicle is stopped, do the following:
1.Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift
lever all the way to the left, and shift to
(R
.
2. If you still cannot shift into
(R
, apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch
to ACCESSORY
(q
or LOCK
(0
*1.
3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
(R
.
4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.
*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an
ignition switch.■
Reverse Lockout6-speed manual transmission models

325
uuWhen Driving uECON Button
*
Driving
ECON Button
*
The ECON button turns the ECON mode on and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel economy by adjusting the
performance of the engine, transmission, heating and cooling system
*/climate
control system
*, and cruise control
*.
*
* Not available on all models

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

327
uuWhen Driving uCruise Control
*
Continued
Driving
Take your foot off the pedal and press the –/SET button when you reach the desired
speed.
The moment you release the –/SET button, the set speed is fixed, and cruise control
begins. The CRUISE CONTROL indicator comes on.■
To Set the Vehicle Speed
–/SET Button
On when cruise control begins
Press and release
On On

uuWhen Driving uCruise Control
*
328Driving
Increase or decrease the vehicle speed using the RES/+ or –/SET buttons on the
steering wheel.
• Each time you press the button, the vehicle speed is increased or decreased by
about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).
• If you keep the button pressed, the vehicle speed increases or decreases until you
release it. This speed is then set.
To cancel cruise control, do any of the
following:
•Press the CANCEL button.
• Press the CRUISE button.
• Depress the brake pedal.
• Depress the clutch pedal for five seconds or
more.
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator goes off.■
To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
1To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
You can set the vehicle speed using the –/SET button
on the steering wheel when adjusting the speed with
the accelerator and brake pedals.
■
To Cancel
To decrease speedTo increase speed
1 To Cancel
Resuming the prior set speed:
After cruise control has been canceled, you can still
resume the prior set speed by pressing the RES/+
button while driving at a speed of at least 25 mph (40
km/h) or more.
You cannot set or resume in the following situations:•When vehicle speed is less than 25 mph (40 km/h)•When the CRUISE button is turned off
At vehicle speeds of 22 mph (35 km/h) or less, cruise
control is canceled automatically.
CRUISE
Button
CANCEL
Button

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