check engine light HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2013 9.G Owners Manual

Contents
Child Safety P. 52 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 64 Safety Labels P. 65Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 112 Security System P. 115 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 117
Adjusting the Mirrors P. 128 Adjusting the Seats P. 129
Climate Control System P. 140Audio Error Messages P. 168 General Information on the Audio System P. 171When Driving P. 214 Braking P. 240 Parking Your Vehicle P. 244
Accessories and Modifications P. 250Maintenance Under the Hood P. 259 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 271
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 279 12 Volt Battery P. 288 Remote Transmitter Care P. 289
Cleaning P. 291Engine Does Not Start P. 311 Jump Starting P. 312 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 314
Fuses P. 321 Emergency Towing P. 324Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 329 Reporting Safety Defects P. 330
Authorized Manuals P. 335 Customer Service Information P. 336
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 27
Instrument Panel
P. 67
Controls
P. 103
Features
P. 143
Driving
P. 207
Maintenance
P. 251
Handling the Unexpected
P. 295
Information
P. 325
Index
P. 337

20Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P251)
Under the Hood
(P259)
●Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
●Check brake fluid.
●Check the 12 volt battery regularly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P271)
●Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P277)
●Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P279)
●Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
●Check tire pressures regularly.
●Install snow tires for winter driving.

75
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
High-Beam
Indicator
●Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.
—
—
Lights On
Indicator
●Comes on whenever the light
switch is on, or in AUTO when the
exterior lights are on.
●If you remove the key from the ignition
switch while the lights are on, a chime
sounds when the driver’s door is opened.
—
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●Comes on briefly when you turn
the ignition switch to ON
(w, then
goes off.
●Comes on if the immobilizer
system cannot recognize the key
information.
●Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0, pull
the key out, and then insert the key and
turn it to ON
(w again.
●Repeatedly blinks - The system may be
malfunctioning. Have the vehicle checked
by a dealer.●Do not attempt to alter this system or add
other devices to it. Electrical problems can
occur.
—
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator
●Comes on when you press the
CRUISE button.
2Cruise Control P. 225
—
CRUISE
CONTROL
Indicator
●Comes on if you have set a speed
for cruise control.
2Cruise Control P. 225
—

208Driving
Before DrivingDriving PreparationCheck the following items before you start driving.
•Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.
uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
•Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
•Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressure, check for damage and excessive wear.
2Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 279
•Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.■Exterior Checks
1Exterior ChecksNOTICEWhen doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid
further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.
Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite
flammable materials left under the hood, causing a
fire. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an extended
period, inspect and remove any debris that may have
collected, such as dried grass and leaves that have
fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by a
small animal.
Also check under the hood for leftover flammable
materials after you or someone else has performed
maintenance on your vehicle.

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

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.

241
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear wheels are
drum. A vacuum 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.2Brake Assist System P. 243
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 242■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 speed position.
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.

242
uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)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
1Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)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 immediately after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

251
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance ............ 252Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 253Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance
Service ........................................... 254
Maintenance Minder
TM..................... 255
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 259Opening the Hood ........................... 260
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 261
Oil Check ......................................... 262
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 263Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter .. 264
Engine Coolant ................................ 266
Transmission Fluid ............................ 268
Brake Fluid ....................................... 269
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 270
Replacing Light Bulbs....................... 271Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades.......................................... 277Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 279
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 280
Tire Labeling .................................... 280DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .. 282Wear Indicators................................ 284Tire Service Life ................................ 284
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 285
Tire Rotation .................................... 286
Winter Tires ..................................... 287
12 Volt Battery.................................. 288
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Button Battery ........... 289
Climate Control System Maintenance...... 290Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 291
Exterior Care.................................... 293

265
uuMaintenance Under the HooduChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Maintenance
5.Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
6.Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
uIf it is stuck, you must detach it.
7.Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
uApply a light coat of new engine oil to
the filter gasket.
8.Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
uTightening torque:
29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0 kgf∙m)
9.Pour the recommended engine oil into the
engine.
uEngine oil change capacity (including
filter):
3.8 US qt (3.6 L)
10.Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and
start the engine.
11.Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12.Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
uIf necessary, add more engine oil.
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check
your work.
Oil Filter