1991 HONDA CIVIC automatic transmission

Warning and Indicator Lights

Si Hatchback and LX/EX Sedan
STD/DX Hatchback and DX Sedan
Shift Lever Position Indicator (Automatic Transmission only)A lighted indicator between the fuel and coolant temperature
gauges shows which gear you have selected.
Turn Signal/Hazard Warning Indicator Lights
When the turn signal lever is pushed for left or right turns, the
appropriate green indicator arrow on the instrument panel will blink along with the signal. Pushing the hazard warning switch will make
all turn signals and both arrows blink (see page 37 ).

Headlight High Beam Indicator Light
This blue indicator light will go on whenever the high beams are switched on (see page 36 ).

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Cruise Control (LX/EX Sedan)

Cruise Control

The Cruise Control system allows you to set and automatically maintain any speed above 25 mph (40 km/h) without keeping your
foot on the accelerator. As its name implies, it is meant for cruising
on straight, uncongested highways or freeways. It is not

recommended to be used in traffic, on winding roads or in bad
weather conditions where the driver should have total control.
To Set the Cruise Control:
Push the CRUISE CONTROL master

switch on the dash; the indicator
light will come on.
Accelerate to the desired speed,
then push and release the SET switch on the steering wheel. TheCruise Control light on the instru-ment panel will come on.
The speed you were going when you released the SET switch is the
speed the Cruise Control will hold. You can then "fine tune" the set speed by briefly holding and releasing the SET switch to decrease it
a few mph or pushing the RESUME switch to slightly increase it.
To Cancel the Cruise Control:
Simply push the CRUISE CONTROL

master switch and the indicator
light will go off (this also erases thememory of the set speed).
If you must temporarily disengage
the system (but you wish to retain
the memory of the set speed): tap the brake pedal, or the clutch pedal (manual transmission) or move the
automatic transmission shift lever
to N (Neutral). If you are still going above 25 mph (40km/h), you can
return to the set speed by simply pushing the RESUME switch. If
the car has decelerated below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h),you
can return to the set speed by using the accelerator conventionallyuntil your speed is above 25 mph (40km/h) and then pushing theRESUME switch.

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Push

PushProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Ignition Switch

The combined ignition switch/anti-theft lock is located on the right side of the steering column and has four positions: 0-LOCK position: The key can be removed or inserted in this
position. To remove the key, push it in at position I, then turn it to
0 and pull it out. When the key is removed, the steering column
will lock.

NOTE:

On cars equipped with automatic transmissions, the transmission
must be in Park before pushing and turning the key to the 0-LOCK
position.
Never turn the ignition switch to the lock position or remove the
key while the car is in motion; the steering wheel can lock causing
a loss of directional control, and an accident could result. I-ACCESSORY position: In this position, the accessory circuit is

on, but the ignition circuit is off.

If the key is difficult to turn from the 0 to the I position, turn the

steering wheel slightly to relieve pressure on the lock. II-ON position: This is the normal running position.
III-START position: The starter will engage when the key is
turned to this position.
To remind you to remove the ignition key when leaving your car, a beeper will sound if the key is still in the ignition when you open the
driver's door. The beeper system is deactivated when you turn the ignition to 0 (Lock) and fully remove the key.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Starting the Engine
Before Starting

Manual Transmission:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Push the clutch pedal all the way in (see NOTE below). 3. Shift the transmission to neutral.

NOTE:

On cars equipped with manual transmissions, the engine will not
crank unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed.

Automatic Transmission:
1. Make sure the shift lever is in Park (P).
2. Apply the parking brake and the foot brake.

NOTE:
When starting in cold weather, keep all unnecessary electrical

circuits off (lights, defogger, etc.) for the best battery output.
Do not crank the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait
10 seconds before going to the next step.
Starting the Engine 1. With your foot off the accelerator start the engine by turning the key to the III position.
2. If the engine won't start within 15 seconds or starts but fails to continue to run, push the accelerator pedal halfway, and hold it
there while cranking the engine. Once the engine starts, release
the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.
3. If it doesn't start within 15 seconds, push the accelerator pedal down to the floor and hold it there while cranking in order to clearflooding. Try step 2 again.
Cold Weather at High Altitude Starting 1. When starting in cold weather at high altitude (above 8,000 feet), push the accelerator pedal about halfway and hold it there while
cranking the engine. Once the engine starts, release the accelerator gradually as the engine speeds up.
2. If it doesn't start within 15 seconds, push the accelerator pedal down to the floor and hold it there while cranking in order to clearflooding. Try step 1 again.

NOTE:
If the outside temperature is below freezing, or if your car has not
been driven for several days, warm up the engine for a few minutes
before driving.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Safety Items

Before driving away, check that: The doors are closed properly.
The mirrors are properly adjusted, and the windows clean.
The driver and passengers are wearing properly adjusted seat

belts.
The head restraints are properly adjusted.
The warning and indicator lights are operating properly. The brake pedal feels normal.

All luggage and cargo is secured.
Nothing is interfering with the driver's feet or blocking vision to

the rear.

While driving remember to: Always drive defensively; expect the unexpected.Reduce your speed during night hours and bad weather.Follow at a safe distance; don't tailgate. Get off the highway when you are tired; stop and take a rest.
When stopping for repairs: Park the car well off the road.
Turn on the hazard warning flasher. Use flares or other warning devices to warn other motorists.
After parking your car: Apply the parking brake and shift to first gear if equipped with
manual transmission, or PARK on automatic transmission equip-ped cars.
Make sure the sunroof and windows are closed and the doors are
locked.
If parked on a hill:

1. Turn the front wheels away from the curb if facing uphill.
2. Turn the front wheels toward the curb if facing downhill.
Never leave children unattended in a parked car. Take your keys.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Shifting the Automatic
The automatic transmission shift lever has a locking mechanism to prevent accidental shifting into Reverse (R), Park (P) or 2nd (2). Also,
an Automatic Shift Lock prevents you from shifting out of Park
unless the brake pedal is already depressed and the ignition switch is
in the II position.
Push the button on the shift handle to shift into 2nd, Reverse or
Park; depress the brake pedal and then push the button on the shift
handle to shift out of Park. : Depress the brake pedal first
and push the button, then shift.
: Push the button, then shift.
: Shift as desired.

Depress
button

SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE
KEY
Insert

If you cannot shift out of Park with
the brake pedal depressed and the ignition switch in the II position:
1.Turn the ignition switch off and
remove the key.

2. Insert the key in the Shift Lock Release located to the right of the

shift lever.

3. Press and hold the key down, then press the button on the shifthandle and move the shift lever to
Neutral.

4. Return the key to the ignition switch, depress the brake pedaland restart the engine.

NOTE:
If you encounter any problem shifting out of Park, have your
authorized Honda dealer check the system as soon as possible.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Operating Tips
For smoother operation, apply the brakes when shifting from
Neutral or Park to a forward or reverse gear.
When parking: bring the car to a stop with the foot brake, hold the brake on and shift into Park, set the hand brake and then turn off
the engine.

NOTE:

Your 4 speed automatic transmission is equipped with a torque
converter lock-up clutch. Because of this, you may notice what
feels like an extra shift as the clutch engages.

CAUTION:
Shift into P only after the car has come to a complete stop.
Shift into or out of R only after the car has come to a complete
stop.

Do not "rev-up" the engine when the brake is on and the shift
lever is in D4, D3, 2 or R.
When stopped on a hill, use the brakes to hold your position, not
the accelerator pedal.
Do not shift from N or P into D4, D3, 2 or R when the engine is
above idle speed. Before shifting into gear, make sure your foot is firmly on the brake pedal. Do not rest your hand on the shift lever or push the shift button
while driving.

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Driving Technique
D4-4th
Use the D4 range for normal in-town and highway driving. The car
will start off in 1st and shift automatically to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The
further down you push the accelerator, the later the transmission will shift and the faster the car will accelerate.

D3-3rd

Use of D3 will allow the transmission to start off in 1st and shift
automatically to 2nd and 3rd. Use D3 when climbing grades to
prevent the transmission from "hunting" between 3rd and 4th gear;
or when increased braking is needed.
NOTE: If rapid acceleration is necessary, depress the accelerator to the
floor; the transmission will automatically shift down according to
load and engine speed. This applies to both D4 and D3 ranges.

2-2nd Use 2nd gear for increased engine braking when driving downhill,
and increased power when driving uphill; also for driving on slippery roads, and freeing the car from mud or sand, where 1st gear could provide too much power and cause skidding or wheelspin. The
maximum recommended speed in 2nd gear is:
62 mph (100 km/h)

R-Reverse

CAUTION:

Shift into or out of reverse only after the car has come to a
complete stop; the transmission may be damaged if you shift
while the car is moving.

P-Park
CAUTION:

Use this position when starting the engine, or when parking. Shift
into Park only when the car is COMPLETELY stopped.

N-Neutral
Use when starting the engine or during prolonged idling in traffic.
Shifting the Automatic (cont'd)ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t