2003 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID airbag

A f ront seat passenger should not
use a cushion or other object as a
backrest. It may prevent the cutof f
system f rom working properly.
When you turn the ignition ON (II),
the indicator should light brief ly and
goout(seepage ).Ifitdoesn’t
light, stays on, or comes on while
driving without a passenger in the
f ront seat, have the system checked.
If a small-statured adult leans
sideways, or larger adult slouches
and leans sideways into the
deployment path of the side airbag,
the system may also shut of f the side
airbag.
If the side airbag cutof f indicator
light comes on, you should have the
passenger sit upright. Once the
passenger is out of the deployment
path of the side airbag, the system
will turn the airbag back on and the
light will go out.
To reduce the risk of injury f rom an
inf lating side airbag, your car has an
automatic cutoff system for the
passenger’s side airbag.
Although Honda does not encourage
children to ride in the f ront, this
system is designed to shut of f the
side airbag if a child leans sideways
and the child’s head is in the side
airbag deployment path. If does not mean there is a problem
with your side airbags. It means that
thesideairbagcutoff systemhas
activated to prevent the side airbag
f rom deploying. This light alerts you that
the passenger’s side airbag
has been automatically shut of f . 61
Only on U.S. models equipped with side
airbags
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
How the Side Airbag Cutof f
Indicator L ight Works
52

Together, airbags and
seat belts provide the best
protection.
Tampering could cause
the airbags to deploy, possibly
causing very serious injury. See page f or f urther inf ormation
and precautions relating to your
airbags.
If rain or spilled water
soaks into a seat-back, it can
prevent the side airbag system
f rom working properly. Improperly
replacing or covering f ront seat-
back covers can prevent your side
airbags f rom inf lating during a
collision.
Your f ront and side airbag systems
(if equipped) are virtually
maintenance-f ree, and there are no
parts you can saf ely service.
However, you must have your car
serviced if :
Take your car to an
authorized Honda dealer as soon
as possible. If you ignore this
indication, the airbags might not
inf late when you need them. Any
airbag that has deployed must be
replaced along with the control
unit, automatic seat belt
tensioners, and other related parts.
Do not try to remove or replace
anyairbagbyyourself.Thismust
be done by a Honda dealer or a
knowledgeable body shop. 153
Airbag Service
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Donotattempttodeactivateyour
airbags.
Do not t amper wit h airbagcomponent s or wiring f or anyreason.
Do not expose t he f ront seat -backsto water. Do not cover or replace f ront seat -
back covers wit hout consult ing aHonda dealer.
T he SRS indicat or light alert s you t o a problem.
Your airbags ever inf late.
Additional Inf ormation About Your Airbags
Driver and Passenger Saf ety53

On models without side airbagsOn models with side airbags
Saf ety L abels
Driver and Passenger Saf ety56
HOOD

Î
Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.CONT INUED
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
59
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P.
64)
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
(P. 65)
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT
(P. 61)
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF INDICATOR
(P. 61)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 61)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 62, 272)
AUTO IDLE STOP
INDICATOR
(P. 172)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 63)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
(P. 273)
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
(P.62, 271)
(P.63)
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) INDICATOR (P.
166)
SHIFT LEVER POSITION
INDICATOR
(P.
65)
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR (P.
63)
IMA SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.
65)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.
62)
(P.
66)
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR
(P.
62)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR

Î
Î
Î
Î
The U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Manual Transmission
60
HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
(P.
64)
(P. 65)
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
SEAT BELT REMINDER LIGHT
(P. 61)
SIDE AIRBAG CUTOFF INDICATOR
(P. 61)
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 61)
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 62, 272)
AUTO IDLE STOP
INDICATOR
(P. 164)
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P. 63)
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
(P. 273)
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
(P. 62, 271)
(P.63)
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS)
INDICATOR SHIFT UP/SHIFT DOWN
INDICATORS
(P.165) TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
(P.
65) IMA SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.
63)
(P.
65)
LOW FUEL INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.
62)
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED
INDICATOR
(P.
66)
(P.
62)
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE SYSTEM
INDICATOR

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your car.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). It is a
reminder to you and your passengers
to protect yourselves by f astening
the seat belts. A beeper also sounds
if you have not fastened your seat
belt.
If you do not f asten your seat belt,
the beeper will stop af ter a f ew
seconds but the light stays on until
you do. Both the light and the beeper
stay of f if you f asten your seat belt
bef ore turning on the ignition.This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
For complete inf ormation, see page
.
This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch ON (II). If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags or automatic seat
belt tensioners. On models equipped
with side airbags, this light will also
alert you to a potential problem with
your side airbags or passenger’s side
airbag automatic cutoff system. For
complete inf ormation, see page .
5152
CONT INUED
Only on U.S. models equipped with side
airbags
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Seat Belt Reminder L ight Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Side A irbag Cutof f
Indicator
61

Modif ying your car, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make your car unsaf e. Bef ore you
make any modif ications or add any
accessories,besuretoreadthe
f ollowing inf ormation.When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interf ere with your car’s
computer-controlled systems, such
as the SRS and anti-lock brake
system.If possible, have your dealer inspect
the f inal installation.Have the installer contact your
Honda dealer f or assistance bef ore
installing any electronic accessory. Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ). Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interf ere
with proper car operation or
perf ormance.
Bef ore installing any accessory: However, if electronic accessories
are improperly installed, or exceed
your car’s electrical system capacity,
they can interfere with the operation
of your car, or even cause the
airbags to deploy.
Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your car.
These accessories have been
designed and approved f or your car,
and are covered by warranty.
Non-Honda accessories are usually
designed f or universal applications.
Although aftermarket accessories
may f it on your car, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your car’s
handling and stability. (See
‘‘Modif ications’’ on page f or
additional information.) 153 276
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving152
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
car’s handling, stability and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.

If a side airbag
inflates,acupholderorotherhard
object attached on or near the
door could be propelled inside the
car and hurt someone.
Covering the outside edge of a
f ront seat-back, with a non-Honda
seat cover for example, could
prevent the airbag from inflating
properly.
Some examples are:
Lowering the vehicle with an
aftermarket suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to impact speed
bumps or other raised objects,
which could cause the airbags to
deploy.
Raising the vehicle with an
af termarket suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Af termarket wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Do not modif y your steering wheel
or any other part of your
Supplemental Restraint System.
Modif ications could make the
system inef f ective.
Any object
attached to or placed on the covers
marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG,’’ in the
center of the steering wheel and
on top of the dashboard, could
interf ere with the proper operation
of the airbags. Or, if the airbags
inf late, the objects could be
propelled inside the car and hurt
someone.
If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult with your Honda dealer.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with non-
Honda (af termarket) components
could seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Only on models equipped with side
airbagsModif ications
Additional Saf ety Precautions
Do not at t ach hard object s on ornear a f ront door.
Do not place any object s over t heoutsideedgeof afront seat-back.
Do not at t ach or place object s on the f ront airbag covers.
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving153