HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2012 9.G Owners Manual

250
uuReplacing Light Bulbs uBack-Up Light and Rear Turn Signal Light Bulbs
Maintenance
Back-Up Light and Rear Turn Signal Light BulbsWhen replacing, use the following bulbs.
1.Remove the holding clips using a flat-tip
screwdriver, then pull the lining back.
2. Turn the socket to the left and remove it.
Remove the old bulb.
3. Insert a new bulb.Brake/Taillight and Rear Side Maker BulbsBrake/rear taillight and rear side marker bulbs are LED type. Have an authorized
Honda dealer inspect and replace the light bulbs.Back-Up Light: 21 W
Rear Turn Signal Light: 21 W (Amber)
1Back-Up Light and Rear Turn Signal Light Bulbs
When removing the clip, inser t a flat-tip screwdriver,
then lift and remove the clip.
Insert the clip with the pin raised, and push until it is
flat.
Clip
Push until the
pin is flat
Lining
Clip
Bulb Socket

251
uuReplacing Light Bulbs uRear License Plate Light Bulb
Maintenance
Rear License Plate Light BulbWhen replacing, use the following bulb.
1.Remove the screw from the center of the
fastener using a Phillips-head screwdriver.
2. Remove the holding clips using a flat-tip
screwdriver, then pull the lining back.
2 Back-Up Light and Rear Turn Signal
Light Bulbs P. 250
3.Remove the license plate light assembly by
squeezing the tabs on both sides of the
socket.
4. Remove the old bulb and insert a new bulb.
High-Mount Brake Light BulbsHigh-mount brake light bulbs are LED type. Have an authorized Honda dealer
inspect and replace the light bulbs.Rear License Plate Light: 5 W
Lining
Clip
Fastener
Bulb
Socket

252Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Wiper BladesChecking Wiper BladesIf the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated, it will leave streaks and the metal wiper
arm may scratch the window glass.Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
1.Lift the driver side wiper arm first, then the
passenger side.
2. Place a cloth on the edge of the lock tab.
Push the lock tab up with a flat-tip screw
driver.
3. Slide the blade from the wiper arm.
1Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
NOTICEAvoid dropping the wiper arm; it may damage the
windshield.
Lock Tab

253
uuChecking and Maintaining Wiper Blades uChanging the Wiper Blade Rubber
Maintenance
4. Slide the wiper blade out from its holder by
pulling the tabbed end out.
5. Remove the retainers from the rubber blade
that has been removed, and mount to a
new rubber blade.
u Correctly align the rubber protrusion and
the retainer grooves.
6. Slide the new wiper blade onto the holder
from the bottom end.
u The tab on the blade should fit in the
indent of the wiper blade.
7. Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm,
then push down the lock tab.
8. Lower the passenger side wiper arm first,
then the driver side.
BladeTop Retainer
BladeTab Indent

254Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining TiresChecking TiresTo safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated.■
Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or sp ecification’s page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and
are more likely to fail from overheating.
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,
and wear unevenly.
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
■
Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.
Look for:
• Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,
splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Re place it if you see fabric or cord.
• Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
• Uneven tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
• Excessive tread wear.
2 Wear Indicators P. 259
•Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This
means the vehicle has been par ked for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If
necessary, add or release air until the specified
pressure is reached.
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm
2) higher than if
checked when cold.
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have
been removed and reinstalled should be properly
balanced.
3
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or
improperly inflated can cause a crash in
which you can be seri ously hurt or killed.
Follow all instruc tions in this owner’s
manual regarding tire inflation and
maintenance.

255
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire and Loading Information Label
Continued
Maintenance
Tire and Loading Information LabelThe label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and loading
information.Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have a
number of markings. Those you should be
aware of are described below.
Whenever tires are replaced, they should be replaced with tires of the same size.
1 Tire and Loading Information Label
The tire and loading information label attached to the
driver’s doorjamb contains:a
The number of people your vehicle can carry.
b
The total weight your vehicle can carry. Do not
exceed this weight.
c
The original tire sizes for front, rear, and spare.
d
The proper cold tire pressure for front, rear, and
spare.
Label
ExampleExample
Tire Size
Tire
Identification
Number (TIN)
Maximum
Tire Load
Maximum
Tire Pressure
Tire Size■
Tire Size
1 Tire Size
Following is an example of tire size with an
explanation of what each component means.
P195/65 R15 89S
P: Vehicle type (P indicates passenger vehicle).
195: Tire width in millimeters.
65: Aspect ratio (the tire’s section height as a
percentage of its width).
R: Tire construction code (R indicates radial).
15: Rim diameter in inches.
89: Load index (a numerical code associated with the
maximum load the tire can carry).
S: Speed symbol (an alphabetical code indicating the
maximum speed rating).

uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uTire Labeling
256Maintenance
The tire identification number (TIN) is a group of numbers and letters that look like
the example in the side column. TIN is located on the sidewall of the tire.
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at
least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – Means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given
inflation pressure.
Maximum Inflation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire can
hold.
Maximum Load Rating – Means the load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure – The cold tire inflation pressure recommended
by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – Means the projections within the principal grooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.■
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
■
Glossary of Tire Terminology
1 Tire Identification Number (TIN)
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer's identification mark.
FW6X: Tire type code.
22 09: Date of manufacture.
Year
Week

257
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Gra ding (U.S. Vehicles)
Continued
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety
Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,
and temperature performance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall
between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear
rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significa ntly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.■
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■
Treadwear
1 Uniform Tire Quality GradingFor example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.

uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uDOT Tire Quality Gra ding (U.S. Vehicles)
258Maintenance
The traction grades, from high est to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire 's ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under contro lled conditions on specified
government test surfac es of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction performance.
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when test ed under controlled conditions
on a specified indoor laborator y test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and
reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which
all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laborator y test wheel than the minimum
required by law.■
Traction
■
Temperature
1 TractionWarning: The traction grade
assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.1TemperatureWarning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire failure.

259
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWear Indicators
Maintenance
Wear Indicators
The groove where the wear indicator is
located is 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than
elsewhere on the tire. If the tread has worn so
that the indicator is exposed, replace the tire.
Worn out tires have poor traction on wet
roads.
Tire Service LifeThe life of your tires is dependent on man y factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pr essure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach five
years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after 10
years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of wear.
Example of a Wear
Indicator mark