ABS HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2012 9.G Owners Manual

13Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P69)
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA
®) System
Indicator VSA
® OFF Indicator
Electric Power
Steering (EPS)
Indicator
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Lights Reminders
Cruise Main
Indicator
System Message
Indicator
Brake System
Indicator (Amber) Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Door Open Indicator
TachometerInstant Fuel
Economy Gauge
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security System Alarm Indicator
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P82)
/Multi-Information Display
(P83)
/System Indicators
(P70)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Temperature
Indicator
Low Temperature
Indicator Ambient Meter
System Indicators
System Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS IndicatorU.S. models only
Parking Brake
and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
IMA System
Indicator
Cruise Control
Indicator
System Indicators
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
IndicatorAuto Idle Stop
Indicator
U.S.CanadaU.S.Canada
U.S.Canada

22Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The ignition switch does
not turn from
(0
to
(q
.
Why?
●
The steering wheel may be locked.
●
Try to turn the steering wheel left and right
while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does
not turn from
(q
to
(0
and
I cannot remove the key.
Why? The shift lever s
hould be moved to
(P
.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes? This can occur when the ABS act
ivates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why? Check if the childproof lock is in the
LOCK position. If so, open the rear
door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the lever
to the UNLOCK position.

44
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
■
When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or front passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side
airbags and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the
severity of injuries that can occur during a moderate-to-severe side impact which
can cause the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any sig nificant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags
and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags could provide little if any protectio n, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.
■
When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses s udden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.
■
When front airbags may not deploy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

47
uuAirbags uSide Airbags
Continued
Safe Driving
■
When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag systems senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag.
■
When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or wh en the vehicle's crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In ei ther case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

70Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Parking Brake
and
Brake System
Indicator
(Red)
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.
●
Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
●
The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level.
2 What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 287
●
Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 287
Brake System
Indicator
(Amber)
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the cooperative control with
regenerative brake.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. Normal braking is
not affected.
U.S.
Canada(Red)U.S.
Canada
(Amber)

73
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function.
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 215
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:
-Supplemental restraint system
- Side airbag system
- Side curtain airbag system
- Seat belt tensioner
●
Stays on constant ly or does not come
on at all - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
VSA
® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
System Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Blinks when VSA
® is active.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the VSA
® system.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the hill start assist system.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the creep aid system or the
brake assist system.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2 VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist)
System P. 208
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message

191
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before DrivingDriving Preparation .......................... 192
Maximum Load Limit........................ 195
Towing a Trailer Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 197
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 198
Precautions While Driving................. 201
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .......... 202
Shifting ............................................ 203
Cruise Control ................................. 205
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 208
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 210
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation ......... 211
Braking Brake System ................................... 213
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 215
Brake Assist System.......................... 216 Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 217
Auto Idle Stop ................................. 218
Parking ............................................ 221
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 222
How to Refuel ................................. 223
Fuel Economy Improving Fuel Economy .................. 225
Accessories and Modifications Accessories ...................................... 226
Modifications................................... 226

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.

Continued
223
uuRefueling uHow to Refuel
Driving
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
"TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline" standards at the retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper level of detergent additives and be free of metallic
additives. The proper level of detergent additives, and absence of harmful metallic
additives in gasoline, help avoid build-up of deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
For further important fuel-related information for your vehicle, or on information on
gasoline that does not contain MMT, visit www.hondacars.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda.ca for additional information on gasoline. For more information on top
tier gasoline, visit www.toptiergas.com .■
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 US gal (50 liters)
How to Refuel
1.Stop your vehicle with the service station
pump on the left side of the vehicle in the
rear.
2. Turn off the engine.
3. Push on the fuel fill door release handle at
the foot of the driver’s seat.
u The fuel fill door opens.
1How to Refuel
3
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
• Stop the engine, and keep heat, sparks,
and flame away.
• Handle fuel only outdoors.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
Push