ABS HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003 7.G Owners Manual

Your car is equipped with many
features that work together to
protect you and your passengers
during a crash.
Some saf ety f eatures do not require
anyactiononyourpart.These
include a strong steel f ramework
that forms a safety cage around the
passenger compartment; f ront and
rear crush zones that are designed to
crumple and absorb energy during a
crash; a collapsible steering column;
and seat belt tensioners that
automatically tighten the front seat
belts in the event of a crash.
CONT INUED
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
7
(1) Safety Cage
(2) Crush Zone
(3) Seats & Seat-Backs
(4) Head Restraints
(5) Collapsible Steering Column
(6) Seat Belts
(7) Front Airbags
(8) Side Airbags(Optional for U.S. models only)
(9) Seat Belt Tensioners
(10) Door Locks
(1)
(10)
(8)
(7)
(5)
(2)(7)
(9) (2)
(8)
(6)(4)(3)

How you adjust your seats and seat-
backs can also affect your safety. For
example, sitting too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard
increases the risk of you or your
passenger being injured by striking
theinsideof thecar,orbyan
inf lating airbag.
Reclining a seat-back too f ar reduces
the seat belt’s ef f ectiveness and
increases the chance that the seat’s
occupant will slide under the seat
belt in a crash and be seriously
injured.Head restraints can help protect you
f rom whiplash and other injuries. For
maximum protection, the back of
your head should rest against the
center of the head restraint.
Your car’s seats are designed to keep
you in a comf ortable, upright
position so you can take f ull
advantage of the protection offered
by seat belts and the energy
absorbing materials in the seats.
Move the f ront
seats as far back as possible, and
keep adjustable seat-backs in an
upright position whenever the car is
moving. Keeping your doors locked reduces
thechanceof beingthrownoutof
the car during a crash. It also helps
prevent occupants f rom accidentally
opening a door and f alling out, and
outsiders f rom unexpectedly opening
your doors.
Seats & Seat-Backs
Head RestraintsDoor L ocks
What you should do:
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Your Car’s Saf ety Features
11

This light has two f unctions:This light normally comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this light comes on at
any other time, there is a problem in
theABS.If thishappens,takethe
cartoyourdealertohaveitchecked.
With the light on, your car still has
normal braking ability but no anti-
lock. For complete inf ormation, see
page .
If this light comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
The engine can be severely damaged
if this light f lashes or stays on when
the engine is running. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch ON (II). It
is a reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
If the indicator remains lit after
you have f ully released the
parking brake while the engine is
running, or if it comes on while
driving, it can indicate a problem
in the brake system. For complete
inf ormation, see page .
See page . 1.
2.
272
271 275177
273
Only on models equipped with ABS (see
page ) 175
Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (A BS)
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols62
U.S. Canada
U.S. Canada

The heating and cooling system in
your Honda has f ull heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning
capabilities. In combination with the
air conditioning, the system regu-
lates the interior temperature you
select. The system also adjusts the
fanspeedandairflowdirection
automatically depending on the set
temperature.The direction of air f low f rom the
vents in the center and each side of
the dashboard is adjustable.
To adjust the air f low f rom each vent,
move the vent up-and-down and
move the tab side-to-side.Thesideventscanbeopenedand
closed with the dials underneath
them.
Heating and Cooling (Automatic System)
Comf ort and Convenience Feat ures108
CENTER VENTS
TABSIDE VENT
Open Close

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
5-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. It also includes impor-
tant inf ormation on parking your car,
and the braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive .160
.......................
Starting the Engine .161
Starting in Cold Weather ....................
at High Altitude .161 ....
5-speed Manual Transmission . 162
............................
Auto Idle Stop .163
...........
Auto Idle Stop Indicator . 164
Shif t Up/Shif t Down ...................................
Indicators .165
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 165
..
Automatic Transmission(CVT) . 166
Continuously Variable .................
Transmission(CVT) . 166
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 166
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 167
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 169
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 170
............................
Auto Idle Stop .171
...........
Auto Idle Stop Indicator . 172
...........................................
Parking .173
..............................
Parking Tips .173
.....................
The Braking System .174
.............
Brake Wear Indicators . 174
...............
Brake System Design . 175
.......................
Anti-lock Brakes .175
Important Saf ety .........................
Reminders .176
........................
ABS Indicator .177
...............
Driving in Bad Weather . 178
...........................
Towing a Trailer .179
Driving
Driving159

Check your brakes af ter driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Since a
longer distance is needed to stop
with wet brakes, be extra cautious
and alert in your driving. Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by downshif ting to a lower
gear and taking your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal.When the brake pads need replacing,
you will hear a distinctive metallic
‘‘screeching’’ sound when you apply
the brakes. If you do not have the
brake pads replaced, they will begin
screeching all the time.
Your brakes may sometimes squeal
or squeak when you apply them
lightly. Do not conf use this with the
brakewearindicators.Theymakea
very audible ‘‘screeching.’’ The f ront disc brakes on all models
have audible brake wear indicators.
Put your f oot on the brake pedal only
when you intend to brake. Resting
your f oot on the pedal keeps the
brakes applied lightly, causing them
to build up heat. Heat build-up can
reduce how well your brakes work. It
also keeps your brake lights on all
the time, conf using drivers behind
you. The Civic Hybrid is equipped with
f ront disc brakes. The brakes on the
rear wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABS(oncars
equipped with ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard. Brake Wear Indicators
The Braking System
Driving174

CONT INUED
The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.this defeats the
purpose of the ABS. Let the ABS
work f or you by always keeping f irm,
steady pressure on the brake pedal
as you steer away from the hazard.
This is sometimes ref erred to as
You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal; it is the ABS rapidly
pumping the brakes.
ABS helps to prevent the wheels
f rom locking up and skidding during
hard braking, allowing you to retain
steering control.
When the f ront tires skid, you lose
steering control; the car continues
straightaheadeventhoughyouturn
the steering wheel. The ABS helps to
prevent lock-up and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly; much f aster than a
person can do it.
The ABS also balances the f ront-to
rear braking distribution according
to vehicle loading.
‘‘stomp and steer.’’
Brake System Design
A nti-lock BrakesYou should never pump the
brake pedal;
(Optional)
Driving
The Braking System
175
Front

on loose or
uneven surf aces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock. Slow down and allow a greater
distance between vehicles under
those conditions.
it
only helps with steering control
during braking. You should always
maintain a saf e f ollowing distance
f rom other vehicles.
such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe,
prudent speed f or the road and
weather conditions.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your car to veer into
oncoming traffic or off the road.
Activation varies with the amount of
traction your tires have. On dry
pavement, you will need to press on
thebrakepedalveryhardbeforeyou
activate the ABS. However, you may
feel the ABS activate immediately if
you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
The Braking System
Driving
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the car;
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.Import ant Saf et y Reminders
176

Î
Î
The ABS is self -checking. If anything
goes wrong, the ABS indicator on
the instrument panel comes on (see
page ). This means the anti-lock
f unction of the braking system has
shut down. The brakes still work like
a conventional system without anti-
lock, providing normal stopping
ability. You should have the dealer
inspect your car as soon as possible. If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your car
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
62 275
The Braking System
Driving
A BS Indicat or
177
ABS INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

µ
Î
Ì
Î
Ì
Ì
Maint enance186
Service at the indicated distance or time whichever comes first.
miles x 1,000
km x 1,000
months 10
16
50
8070
112 110
176
Check oil and coolant at each fuel stop
Service the following items at the recommended intervals.
Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km) or 7 years
Inspect every 110,000 miles (176,000 km), otherwise adjust only if noisy Every 110,000 miles (176,000 km)Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km)
20
32
30
4840
64 60
9680
128 90
144 100
160 120
192
Every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 2 years
Check engine oil and coolant
Replace engine oil
Rotate tires (Check tire inflation and condition at least once per month)
Replace engine oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Visually inspect the following items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluidsExhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
Inspect and adjust drive belts
Replace dust and pollen filter
Replace transmission fluid
Replace air cleaner element
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Inspect idle speed
Replace engine coolant
Replace brake fluid At 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 10 years,
then every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 5 years Every 3 years (independent of mileage)
Replace every 120,000 miles (192,000 km) or 6 years.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty, last column, page . 24
4872
12 3660
M/T
CVT
:
: 185
Maintenance Schedule for Normal Conditions