light HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2012 9.G Service Manual

Continued
193
uuBefore Driving uDriving Preparation
Driving
• Store or secure all items on board properly.
u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 195
•Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor
mat.
u An object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
u They may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 107
•Adjust your seating position properly.
u Adjust the head restraint, too.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 126
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 128
•Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 125
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 124
■
Interior Checks
1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk, have the aiming readjusted
at a dealer or by a qualified technician.

198Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake Pedal

203
uuWhen Driving uShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in acco rdance with your driving needs.■
Shift lever positions
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
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.
Park
Used when parking or starting the
engine
Reverse
Used when reversing
Neutral
Used when idling
Drive
Used for normal driving
Drive (S)
Used for:●Better acceleration●Increased engine braking●Going up or down hills
Release Button
Low●Used to further increase engine
braking●Used when going up or down hills●Used when IMA battery is low

uuWhen Driving uShifting
204Driving
■
Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICEWhen 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.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
( D
indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
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 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.
Tachometer's red zone 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.

213
Continued
Driving
BrakingBrake SystemUse the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.To apply:
Pull the lever fully up without pressing the
release button.
To release:
1.Pull the lever slightly, and press and hold
the release button.
2. Lower the lever down all the way, then
release the button.■
Parking Brake
1Parking Brake
NOTICERelease the parking brake fully before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parking brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and "RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE" appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.
To prevent the parking br ake from freezing when the
outside temperature is extremely cold, do not apply
it, but do the following:
Put the shift lever in
( P
, then use a block or other
wheel chock to stop the wheels from turning.
a
b

uuBraking uBrake System
214Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear wheels are
drum. A power assist helps reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake
assist system increases the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in
an emergency situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
2 Brake Assist System P. 216
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 215
■
Foot Brake
1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

215
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."■
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■
ABS
1 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

216
uuBraking uBrake Assist System
Driving
Brake Assist SystemDesigned to assist the driver by generating greater braking force when you depress
the brake pedal hard during emergency braking.■
Brake assist system operation
Press the brake pedal firmly for more powerful braking.
When brake assist operates, the pedal may wiggle slightly and an operating noise
may be heard. This is normal. Keep holding the brake pedal firmly down.
■
Brake Assist System

Continued
219
uuParking Your Vehicle uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
The vehicle stops with the shift lever in
(D
and the brake pedal depressed.
■
Auto idle stop does not activate when:
• The low temperature indicator is on.
• The IMA battery charge is low.
• The bars of the electric motor power flow monitor do not move when
accelerating or decelerating.
• The transmission fluid temperature is low.
• The vehicle comes to a stop again before the vehicle speed reaches 9 mph
(15 km/h) after the engine starts.
• Stopped on a steep incline.
• The shift lever is in a position other than
(D
or
(N
.
■
Auto idle stop may not activate when:
• Even if the set temperature and the actual interior temperature are around the
same ambient conditions (strong sun light, high or low temperature etc) can
prevent Auto Idle Stop from activating.
• The vehicle is stopped by braking suddenly.
■
Auto Idle Stop Activates When:
1Auto Idle Stop Activates When:
The brake pedal is depressed, and the vehicle slows
down to a speed below 6 mph (10 km/h).

227
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 228
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 229Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 230
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 231
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 235Opening the Hood ........................... 236
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 237
Oil Check ......................................... 238
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 239Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter .. 240
Engine Coolant ................................ 242
Transmission Fluid ............................ 244
Brake Fluid ....................................... 245
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 246
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 247
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 252Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 254
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 255
Tire Labeling .................................... 255
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .. 257Wear Indicators................................ 259 Tire Service Life ................................ 259
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 260
Tire Rotation .................................... 261
Winter Tires ..................................... 262
12 Volt Battery .................................. 263
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Battery ....................... 264
Climate Control System Maintenance ...... 265Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 266
Exterior Care.................................... 268