Shift HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2013 9.G User Guide

207
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 208
Maximum Load Limit........................ 211
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 213
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 214
Precautions While Driving................. 217
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .......... 218
Shifting ............................................ 219
ECON Button ................................... 221
Auto Idle Stop.................................. 222Cruise Control ................................. 225
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*.. 228
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
*..... 232
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ............. 235Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ... 237
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 238
Braking
Brake System ................................... 240
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 242
Brake Assist System.......................... 243Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 244
Rearview Camera............................. 245
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 246
How to Refuel ................................. 247
Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 249
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 250
Modifications................................... 250
* Not available on all models

214Driving
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.
uAlthough 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 you live in a region where winter is extremely cold,
an engine block heater will improve starting and
warming of the engine. If temperatures consistently
below -22°F (-30°C) are expected, the coolant
mixture should be changed to a higher concentration
to prevent freezing. Consult a dealer for details.
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

Continued
215
uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
Driving
3.Turn the ignition switch to START
(e
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1.Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake indicator has gone off.
2Parking Brake P. 240
2.Put the shift lever in
(D. Select
(R when reversing.
3.Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
1Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
(e for more than 15
seconds.
•If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
least 10 seconds before trying again.•If the engine starts, but then immediately stops,
wait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the accelerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded device is used, the
engine’s fuel system is disabled
2Immobilizer System P. 115
■Starting to Drive

uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
216Driving
■Creep aid system
With the shift lever in
(D, this feature applies brake pressure briefly as you release
the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
■Hill start assist system
Hill start assist keeps the brake engaged briefly to help prevent the vehicle from
rolling on inclines as you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Move the shift lever to
(D or
(L when facing uphill, or
(R when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
1Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
Hill start assist will still operate even when VSA® is
switched off.

217
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
driveline, or cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■In Rain■Other Precautions
1Precautions While DrivingNOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q or
LOCK
(0 while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
NOTICEFollowing can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block•Parallel parking along the road shoulder•Driving towards the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes

219
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
ShiftingChange the shift position in accordance 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●Used to increase engine braking●Used when 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 DrivinguShifting
220Driving
■Shift Lever Operation
1Shift Lever OperationNOTICEWhen 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’s 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 pressed.
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.

Continued
223
uuWhen DrivinguAuto 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 sunlight, 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 Auto Idle Stop may also activate when the brake
pedal is depressed, and the vehicle slows down to a
speed below 6 mph (10 km/h).

224
uuWhen DrivinguAuto Idle Stop
Driving
The brake pedal is released.■The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed when:
•The shift position is changed to
(R or
(L.
•The accelerator pedal is depressed.
•The pressure to the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while
stopped on an incline.
•The IMA battery charge becomes low.
•The low temperature indicator comes on.
•Ambient conditions that may differentiate the interior temperature from the set
temperature can also be the cause to start the engine.
■The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

225
uuWhen DrivinguCruise Control
Continued
Driving
Cruise ControlMaintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the
accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a
constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
1Cruise Control
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed
when driving uphill or downhill.
When not using cruise control:
Turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE
button.
While in the ECON mode, it may take relatively more
time to accelerate to maintain the set speed.
3
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead
to a crash.
Use the cruise control only when traveling
on open highways in good weather.
■Shift positions for cruise control:
In (D or
(S
When to use
Always keep sufficient distance
between you and the vehicle in
front of you.
■Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above
roughly 25 mph (40 km/h) ~
How to use
CRUISE MAIN is on in the
instrument panel.
Cruise control is ready to use.
■Press the
CRUISE
button on
the steering wheel.