2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID towing

Î
ÎSlow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the
longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the car. You
should have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. (See on page .)
If you must drive the car a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the car’s
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low f luid level in the
brake f luid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it f eels
normal. If it does, check the brake
f luid level the next time you stop at a
service station (see page ). If the
fluid level is low, take the car to your
dealer and have the brake system
inspected f or leaks or worn brake
pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. Because of the
brake system’s dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will f eel the brake pedal
go down much f arther bef ore the car
begins to slow down, and you will
have to press harder on the pedal.
The distance needed to stop will be
much longer.
The Brake System Indicator
normallycomesonwhenyouturn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking brake.
It comes on and stays lit if you do not
f ully release the parking brake.
If the ABS indicator comes on with
this indicator, have the vehicle
inspected by your Honda dealer
immediately.
209
282
On models equipped with ABS
Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed275
BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR
U.S. indicator shown

µ
µ µ
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront or rear) and lif t
them of f the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground. If your car needs to be towed, call a
prof essional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
There are three popular types of
prof essional towing equipment.
The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck. Release the parking brake.
Shif t the transmission to Neutral.
The tow
truck uses metal cables with hooks
on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the f rame or suspension and
the cables lif t that end of the car of f
the ground. Your car’s suspension
and body can be seriously damaged.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by f lat-bed, it should be towed by
wheel-lif t equipment with the f ront
wheels of f the ground. If due to
damage, your car must be towed
with the f ront wheels on the ground,
do the f ollowing: Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
ShifttoD,thentoN.
Turn of f the engine.
5-speed Manual Transmission
Automatic transmission (CVT)
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment Sling-t ype Equipment
T his is
an acceptable way to tow your
Honda. This is the best way to transport
your Honda. T his method of towing is
unacceptable.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed282
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine (automatic transmission), your
car must be transported with the f ront
wheels of f the ground.

If you decide to tow your car with all
f our wheels on the ground, make
sure you use a properly-designed and
attached tow bar. Prepare the car for
towing as described above, and leave
the ignition switch in Accessory (I)
so the steering wheel does not lock.
Make sure the radio and any items
plugged into the accessory power
socket are turned of f so they do not
rundownthebattery.
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your car is equipped with a f ront
spoiler, remove it bef ore towing so it
is not damaged.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed283
Trying to lif t or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the car’s weight.
The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in Accessory (I), and
make sure the steering wheel turns
f reely bef ore you begin towing.

CONT INUED
................
Daytime Running Lights . 76
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 302
........................
Def og and Def rost .116
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 81
..............
Def rosting the Windows . 116
....................................
Dimensions .288
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 75
Dipstick Automatic Transmission .....................................
(CVT) .206
..................................
Engine Oil .148
..........................
Directional Signals .78
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 174
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .198
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 87
......................
Power Door Locks .87
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
Downshif ting, 5-speed Manual .............................
Transmission .162
.......................................
Drive Belt .224
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .159
....................................
Economy .150
.........................
In Bad Weather .178
................
In Foreign Countries . 293..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 222
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .250
...................................
Fan, Interior .113
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .107
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 145
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .211
.........................
Dust and Pollen .222
...............................................
Oil .197
..............................
Economy, Fuel .150
............
Emergencies on the Road . 255
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 265
...........
Brake System Indicator . 275
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 257
.....
Charging System Indicator . 272
..................
Checking the Fuses . 277
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 271
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 273
..................
Overheated Engine . 268
.........................
Emergency Brake .100
......................
Emergency Flashers .80
......................
Emergency Towing .282
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 93
.......................
Emissions Controls .294
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 297
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
...................................
Drive Belt .224
......
Engine Speed Limiter . 165,169
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .62, 273 ........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62,271
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 195
...............................
Overheating .268
............................
Specif ications .288
.......................................
Starting .161
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .292
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 294
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .54
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .20
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 246
Index
E
F
III

Supplemental Restraint................................
System .10, 48
......................................
Servicing .53
.........................
SRS Indicator .51 ,61
...................
System Components . 48
..................................
Synthetic Oil .196
.....................
Underside, Cleaning .252
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the .255
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 290
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .144
.....................
Upholstery Cleaning .249
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 198
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 155
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .288
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 286
.....................................
Tachometer .69
Taillights, Changing ..................................
Bulbs .237, 238
.
Taking Care of the Unexpected . 255
....................................
Tape Player .133
Technical Descriptions ......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
.....
Emissions Control Systems . 294
.....................
Oxygenated Fuels .292
Three Way Catalytic ...............................
Converter .296
.......................
Temperature Gauge .71
..............
Tether Anchorage Points . 42
............................
Thef t Protection .137
..
Three Way Catalytic Converter . 296
..........................
Time, Setting the .123
....................................
Tire Chains .231 .........
Tire, How to Change a Flat . 257
...............................................
Tires .225
..............................
Air Pressure .225
.........................
Checking Wear .227
..........................
Compact Spare .256
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 290
......................................
Inf lation .225
..................................
Inspection .227
..............................
Maintenance .227
...................................
Replacing .229
......................................
Rotating .228
...........................................
Snow .230
............................
Specif ications .289
................................
Tire Chains .231
...................
Tools, Tire Changing . 258
Towing .....................................
A Trailer .179
..................
Emergency Towing . 282
...........................
Traction Devices .231
Transmission Checking Fluid Level, ..................
Automatic (CVT) . 206
Checking Fluid Level, ...................................
Manual .208
..................
Fluid Selection . 207,208
..............
Identif ication Number . 287Shif ting the Automatic
.....................................
(CVT) .167
..................
Shif ting the Manual . 165
.....................................
Treadwear .290
.......................................
Trip Meter .69
....................................
Trip Mileage .70
................................................
Trunk .92
........................................
Opening .92
...................
Open Monitor Light . 65
....................................
Turn Signals .78
Index
U
V
T
VIII

ÎÎ
.............................
Vehicle Storage .243
.....................................
Ventilation .109
.................................................
VIN .286
...............................
Vinyl Cleaning .250
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .196
.............
WARNING, Explanation of . ii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 55
..................
Warranty Coverages .301
Washer, Windshield ........
Checking the Fluid Level . 205
.......................................
Indicator .65
.....................................
Operation .80
.........................................
Washing .246
..................
Waxing and Polishing . 247
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering . 82
............
Alignment and Balance . 227
....................
Aluminum Wheels .248
..........................
Compact Spare .256
......................................
Wrench .258
Windows .....................................
Cleaning .251
..................
Operating the Power . 97...........................
Rear, Def ogger .81
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning .78
...................................
Def roster .116
.......................................
Washers .80
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .219
.....................................
Operation .78
....................................
Worn Tires .227
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 282
: U.S. and Canada only
Index
W
IX