1991 HONDA CIVIC manual 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

Cruise Control (cont'd)
To Change the Set Speed: To a faster speed — For gradual acceleration with your foot off the
accelerator, push and hold the RESUME switch until you reach the
desired speed; release the switch and the system's memory will bere-programmed to the new speed.
For faster acceleration, push the accelerator until you reach the
desired speed, then push and release the SET switch to re-program

the system.

To a slower speed — push and hold the SET switch and the car will coast; when you reach the desired slower speed, release the switch
and the system will be re-programmed.
For temporary acceleration above the set speed, such as for passing,
use the accelerator pedal conventionally. When you want to return
to the set speed, take your foot off the accelerator and coast without applying the brakes.
The Cruise Control automates the function of the accelerator pedal to maintain your car at a constant speed. This can be a
convenience on long trips, but it can also be a danger if there aremany other cars on the road or if the road is unfamiliar. Pay strict
attention to the responsibility of driving whenever using the Cruise Control.
CAUTION:
Because the Cruise Control directly activates the acceleratorpedal, don't rest your foot under the pedal when the Cruise
Control is on; it may pull the pedal down onto your foot.

NOTE:
With Cruise Control on, your speed will still vary slightly,
particularly when going up or down hills. Do not drive with your foot on the brake or clutch pedal (manual
transmission), as this will cause the Cruise Control to disengage.ProCarManuals.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 4 or 5 Speed
The fully synchronized manual trans- mission is very easy to shift up or
down. When you slow down for
traffic, steep hills, or corners, shift
to a lower gear before the engine starts to labor. When descendingsteep grades, select a lower gear to
help maintain a safe speed and toprevent the brakes from overheat-

ing.

When shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift gears and then release the clutch gradually. Do not speed-shift; allow time for the
gears to synchronize.
To prevent grinding the gears when shifting into reverse, hold the clutch pedal depressed briefly before shifting, or shift the lever into one of the forward gears before selecting reverse.
On 5 speed transmissions, a safety lockout prevents accidentalshifting straight from 5th to Reverse.
Avoid rapid acceleration or sudden deceleration when either or both driving wheels are on a slippery surface. Decreased traction
could cause loss of directional control.

Clutch Pedal Adjustment
Clutch pedal free travel must be adjusted periodically to
compensate for lining wear. There should be approximately 25 mm (1 in) of pedal free travel. If not, or if the clutch seems to slip or
you have difficulty shifting, have your dealer check the clutch adjustment.
CAUTION:
Do not drive with your foot on the clutch pedal as this will cause
premature wear of clutch components.
Do not shift into reverse while the car is moving. Driving with the clutch pedal free travel improperly adjusted can
cause premature wear of the clutch components.

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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