HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2009 8.G Owners Manual

Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake or put any small f oreign
objects in it. This may damage the
IMA battery and the power control
unit.
Carrying Cargo
268
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2009 Civic Hybrid

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmissions (CVT). It
also includes important inf ormation
on parking your vehicle, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
) system, and the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). ........................
Preparing to Drive .270
.......................
Starting the Engine .271
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .272
...........................................
Parking .278
.............................
Braking System .279
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .280
...........................
Towing a Trailer .281
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .282
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System .285
Driving
Driving
269
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Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
1.
2.
3.
8. 7. 6. 14
9.
4.
5.
57
10.
315 91
98 77
Preparing to Drive
270
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Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.In cold weather, the conventional
starter is used instead of the IMA
system starter. This is normal.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather
Driving
271
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .
79
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Honda’s Continuously Variable
Transmission’s unique design
provides a smooth, constant f low of
power. It is electronically controlled
f or more precise operation and
better f uel economy.These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
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µ
To shif t f rom Park to any position,
press firmly on the brake pedal and
pressthereleasebuttononthefront
of the shif t lever, then pull the lever.
YoucannotshiftoutofParkwhen
the ignition switch is in the LOCK
(0) or the ACCESSORY (I) position. This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it. If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see
on
page .
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park. The shif t lever must be in Park
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch. 275
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR StoL
LtoS
StoD
DtoN DtoS
NtoD RtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.
CONT INUED
Park (P) Shif t L ock Release
Shif ting
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
273
SHIFT LEVER
RELEASE BUTTON
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µ
µ µ
µ
µ
Press the brake
pedal and press the release button
on the f ront of the shif t lever to shif t
f rom Park to reverse. To shif t f rom
reverse to neutral, come to a
completestop,andthenshift.Press
the release button bef ore shif ting
into reverse f rom neutral.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically adjusts to
keep the engine at the best speed f or
driving conditions. To help the
engine warm up f aster, the
transmission will select ratios that allow the engine to run at higher
speedswhenitiscold.
Use neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from neutral to
another gear. Selecting Second
shifts the transmission into a lower
range of ratios for better
acceleration and increased engine
braking. Use Second when you are
going down a steep hill.
To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the front of the
shif t lever. Use Low to get more
power when climbing, and f or
maximum engine braking when
going down steep hills.
In L, the IMA charge and discharge
characteristics will be different than
when the vehicle is in D or S. In L,
the battery is charged at a higher
rate both while driving and when the
engine is idling at a stop. The engine
will idle at higher speeds when the
IMA battery state of charge is low
and decrease as the battery reaches a full state of charge.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD,S
or L, the transmission will
automatically ‘‘kick down’’ to a lower
range of ratios by pushing the
accelerator pedal to the floor.
When the vehicle reaches the
maximum speed in any shif t position,
you may f eel the engine cut in and
out. This is caused by a limiter (112
mph, 180 km/h) in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
speed to below the maximum.
Reverse (R)
Drive (D)
Neutral (N)
Second (S)
Low (L)
Engine Speed L imiter
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
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Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Set the parking brake.Remove the key from the shift
lock release slot, then install the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the shif t lever side.
Return the key to the ignition
switch, press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the shif t lock
release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer.
Putaclothonthenotchof the
shif t lock release slot cover. Using
a small f lat-tipped screwdriver or a
metal f ingernail f ile, caref ully pry
on the notch of the cover to
remove it.
Do this if pushing on the brake pedal
and pressing the release button does
not let you shif t the transmission out
of Park:
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to neutral.
Insert the key in the shift lock
release slot.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
275
SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOT RELEASE
BUTTON
NOTCH COVER
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µµThe Auto Idle Stop f unction may
activate when you slow down.
The engine will start again when you
release the brake pedal. It will also
restart, even if you are still pressing
the brake pedal, under these
conditions:
You move the shif t lever f rom D
or N to R or L.
You press the accelerator pedal.
You are on an incline, and the
vehicle begins rolling.
To help maximize f uel economy,
your Civic Hybrid has an Auto Idle
Stop f unction. Depending on
environmental conditions and vehicle
operation, the engine will shut of f
when you come to a stop.
The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The IMA battery is charged
enough to operate the system.
Outside temperature is between
10 100 degrees F.
The vehicle is not climbing a hill. The shift lever is in D or N.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
You are pressing on the brake
pedal.
Fan speed lower f an speeds, in
either AUTO or manual modes.
The f ront window def roster is of f .
Auto Idle Stop
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
A ccording t o driving condit ions
A ccording t o vehicle cont rols
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2009 Civic Hybrid

If you open the driver’s door when
Auto Stop is active, the indicator will
blink and you will hear a continuous
beep. The beep will stop when you
close the door.
With the driver’s door open, you will
hear a continuous beep even if the
Auto Idle Stop f unction is
deactivated and the engine restarts.
Always turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK (0) position and remove
the key if you are getting out of the
vehicle.
The indicator blinks as a reminder
that the engine has stopped because
of the Auto Idle Stop f unction. You
cannot restart the engine with the
ignition switch when this indicator is
blinking.
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
277
AUTO IDLE STOP INDICATOR
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