check engine HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003 7.G Owners Manual

If the light comes on at any other
time, or does not come on at all, you
should have the system checked by
your dealer. For example:If the SRS indicator light does not
come on after you turn the ignition
ON (II).
If the light stays on after the
engine starts.
If the light comes on or f lashes on
andoff whileyoudrive.
The SRS indicator light
alerts you to a potential
problem with your f ront airbags and
automatic seat belt tensioners.
On models with side airbags, this
light will also alert you to a potential
problem with your side airbags or
passenger’s side airbag automatic
cutof f system (see page ).
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
this indicator will light brief ly then
go out. This tells you that the system
is working properly. If you see any of these indications,
your f ront or side airbags may not
deploy, your passenger’s side airbag
automatic cutoff system may not
work properly, or your seat belt
tensioners may not work when you
need them. See your Honda dealer
as soon as possible.
52
How the SRS Indicator L ight
Works
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety51
Ignoring the SRS indicator light
can result in serious injury or
death if the airbags, cutoff
system, or tensioners do not
work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer as soon as possible if
the SRS light alerts you to a
potential problem.

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

This light normally comes on when
you turn the ignition ON (II) and
goes of f af ter the engine starts. If it
comes on at any other time, there is
a problem in the Electric Power
Steering system. If this happens,
stop the car in a safe place and turn
of f the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. The indicator
will not turn of f immediately. If it
does not go of f af ter driving a short
distance, or comes back on again
while driving, take the car to your
dealer to have it checked. With the
light on, the EPS may be turned of f ,
making the car harder to steer.This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). It will then go of f if
you have inserted a properly-coded
ignition key. If it is not a properly-
coded key, the indicator will blink
and the engine will not start (see
page ).
This indicator also blinks several
times when you turn the ignition
switch f rom ON (II) to ACCESSORY
(I) or LOCK (0).
This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch ON (II). If it comes
on at any other time, it indicates a
problem in the Integrated Motor
Assist (IMA) system. With the IMA
indicator on, the vehicle may not
accelerate as it normally does. Have
the vehicle checked by the dealer as
soon as possible.
See pages and .
84
172
164
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Electric Power Steering
(EPS) Indicator Immobilizer System
IndicatorIMA System Indicator
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
63

This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the reading should be in
the middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the reading may reach near
the red mark. If it reaches the red
(Hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine’s cooling
system.
This shows how much f uel you have.
It is most accurate when the car is on
level ground. It may show slightly
more or less than the actual amount
whenyouaredrivingoncurvyor
hilly roads.
You can temporarily turn of f the
Current Fuel Mileage display.
To turn it off:
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
If the engine is running, make
sure the transmission is in Neutral
(manual) or Park (automatic) and
the parking brake is set.
Use the Select/Reset button to
select the odometer display.
Press and hold the Select/Reset
button f or about 10 to 15 seconds,
then release it. The Current Fuel
Mileage display will turn of f .
The display will turn back on when
you repeat the same procedure on
the step 3. 268
1.
2.
3.
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Temperature Gauge
Fuel Gauge
T urning Of f the Mileage Display
Gauges
71
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

This gauge shows you the state of
charge of the battery for the
Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). This
battery is recharged by the engine,
anddischargedbytheIMAwhenit
is assisting the engine with powering
the vehicle.
The gauge reading may drop near
the bottom under driving conditions
that require assist f or a long time,
such as prolonged acceleration orclimbing a long hill. The engine will
recharge the battery as you continue
driving.
If the battery is mostly discharged,
the Auto Idle Stop f unction is
disabled (see pages and ).
The battery level gauge does not
read the battery level directly. It
calculates the level by continuously
measuring the current f low, voltage,
and temperature.
Since the level is not read directly,
small sensing errors can, over time,
cause the gauge to read higher than
the actual battery level. The system
will then perf orm a correction, and
the battery level gauge reading will
drop suddenly. When this happens,
IMA assist and Auto Idle Stop are
disabled until the IMA battery is
suf f iciently recharged by normal
driving. This should take only a f ew
minutes.This correction of the battery level
gauge is normal and does not
indicate a problem. If the IMA
battery develops a problem or
becomes deteriorated, the IMA
system indicator will come on. If this
happens, have the vehicle checked
by your dealer as soon as possible.
163 171
Battery Level Gauge
Gauges
Inst rument s and Cont rols72
BATTERY LEVEL GAUGE

Bef ore you begin driving your Honda,
youshouldknowwhatgasolineto
use, and how to check the levels of
important f luids. You also need to
know how to properly store luggage
or packages. The inf ormation in this
section will help you. If you plan to
add any accessories to your car,
please read the inf ormation in this
section f irst..............................
Break-in Period .144
.........................................
Gasoline .144
.........
Service Station Procedures . 145
................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 145
....................
Opening the Hood .146
...............................
Oil Check .148
.........
Engine Coolant Check . 149
...............................
Fuel Economy .150
.....................
Vehicle Condition .150
...........................
Driving Habits .150
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 152
.............................
Carrying Cargo .154
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving143

Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.Insert it all the way back in its tube.
Remove the dipstick (orange
handle).
Check the engine oil level every time
you f ill the car with f uel. Wait a f ew
minutes af ter turning the engine of f
bef ore you check the oil.
2.
3.
1.
Oil Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving148
DIPSTICK

Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
on page . Refer to
on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
4. 195 199193
A dding
Engine Coolant
A dding Oil Owner Maintenance
Checks
Engine Coolant Check
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving149
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK RESERVE TANK MAX
MIN

The condition of your car and your
driving habits are the two most
important things that affect the fuel
mileage you get.
Always maintain your car according
to the maintenance schedule. This
will keep it in top operating condition.
An important part of that mainte-
nance is the(see page ). For
example, an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. It also wears out
f aster, so check the tire pressure at
least monthly. You can improve f uel economy by
driving moderately. Rapid acceler-
ation, abrupt cornering, and hard
braking use more f uel.
To get the best f uel mileage, drive in
the highest gear that is practical for
the speed you are driving, and
always accelerate slowly.
Engine oil also af f ects f uel economy.
The f uel ef f icient, low-viscosity
0W-20 oil recommended f or your
Civic Hybrid is f ormulated to help
the engine use less f uel. This oil is
available at your Honda dealer.
In winter, the build-up of snow on
your car’s underside adds weight and
rolling resistance. Frequent cleaning
helps your f uel mileage and reduces
the chance of corrosion.
You may f ind that your Civic Hybrid’s
unique combination of an engine and
an electric motor has driving
characteristics that are somewhat
dif f erent f rom what you are used to.
Shif t Up and Shif t Down indicators
(5-speed manual transmission only)
on the instrument panel show when
to shif t to a higher or lower gear. By
shifting as soon as the indicator
comes on, you will keep the engine
operating in its most economical
range.
193
Vehicle Condition
Owner Maintenance
Checks Driving Habits
Bef ore Driving
Fuel Economy
150

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked. Check that any items you may be
carrying with you inside are stored
properly or f astened down
securely.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. Check the adjustment of the seat
(see page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
steering wheel (see page ).Turn the ignition switch ON (II).
Check the indicator lights in the
instrument panel.
Start the engine (see page ).
Check the gauges and indicator
lights in the instrument panel (see
page ). Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments every day bef ore
you drive your car.
1.
2.
3. 4.
9.
10.
8. 7. 6. 5. 11.
12. 16
59
94
99 82 161
Preparing to Drive
Driving160