Page 3 of 317

Several warranties protect your new Honda. Read the warranty booklet
thoroughly so you understand the coverages and are aware of your rights
and responsibilities.As you read this manual, you will
f ind inf ormation that is preceded by
a
symbol. This
inf ormation is intended to help you
avoid damage to your Honda, other
property, or the environment.
One of the best ways to enhance the enjoyment of your new Honda is to
read this manual. In it, you will learn how to operate its driving controls and
convenience items. Af terwards, keep this owner’s manual in your car so you
can ref er to it at any time.
Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in this manual helps
to keep your driving trouble-f ree while it preserves your investment. When
your car needs maintenance, keep in mind that your Honda dealer’s staf f is
specially trained in servicing the many systems unique to your Honda. Your
Honda dealer is dedicated to your satisf action and will be pleased to answer
any questions and concerns.
Calif ornia Proposition 65 Warning
This product contains or emits chemicals known to the State of
Calif ornia to cause cancer and birth def ects or other reproductive harm. Congratulations! Your selection of a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid was a wise
investment. It will give you years of driving pleasure.
Introduction
WARNING:
i
Page 4 of 317

µ
µ µ
µ
µ
µ
To help you make inf ormed
decisions about saf ety, we have
provided operating procedures and
other inf ormation on labels and in
this manual. This inf ormation alerts
you to potential hazards that could
hurt you or others.
You will f ind this important saf ety inf ormation in a variety of f orms,
including:
These signal words mean: preceded by a saf ety alert symbol and one of
three signal words: , , or .
such as Driver and Passenger Safety.
This entire book is f illed with important saf ety inf ormation please read it
caref ully. such as Important Saf ety Reminders or Important
Safety Precautions.
Your safety, and the safety of others,
is very important. And operating this
car saf ely is an important
responsibility.
Of course, it is not practical or
possible to warn you about all the
hazards associated with operating or
maintaining your car. You must use
your own good judgement.
on the car.
how to use this car correctly and saf ely.
AFewWordsAboutSafety
Saf ety Messages
Saf ety Section Saf ety Headings Saf ety L abels
Instructions DANGER WARNING CAUTION
ii
You WILL be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be KILLED or SERIOUSLY
HURT if you don’t follow instructions.
You CAN be HURT if you don’t follow
instructions.
Page 6 of 317
Your Car at a Glance
3
HEADLIGHTS/TURN SIGNALS
(P.75, 78)
CRUISE CONTROL
MASTER SWITCH
(P. 139)
REAR WINDOW
DEFOGGER
(P. 81)
MIRROR CONTROLS
(P. 99) (P.82)
TILT ADJUSTMENT
(P.140 )
CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHES (P.
111)
ECON BUTTON
(P.
80)
HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS
(P. 78, 80)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS/WASHERS
Page 9 of 317

Excessive speed is a major f actor in
crash injuries and deaths. Generally,
the higher the speed the greater the
risk, but serious accidents can also
occur at lower speeds. Never drive
f aster than is saf e f or current
conditions, regardless of the
maximum speed posted.
While airbags can save lives, they
can cause serious or fatal injuries to
occupants who sit too close to them,
or are not properly restrained.
Inf ants, young children, and short
adults are at the greatest risk. Be
sure to f ollow all instructions and
warnings in this manual. (See page
.)
Having a tire blowout or a
mechanical f ailure can be extremely
hazardous. To reduce the possibility
of such problems, check your tire
pressures and condition f requently,
and perform all regularly scheduled
maintenance. (See page .)
You’ll f ind many saf ety
recommendations throughout this
section, and throughout this manual.
Therecommendationsonthispage
are the ones we consider to be the
most important.
A seat belt is your best protection in
all types of collisions. Airbags
supplement seat belts, but airbags
are designed to inf late only in a
moderate to severe f rontal collision.
So even though your car is equipped
with airbags, make sure you and
your passengers always wear your
seat belts, and wear them properly.
(See page .)
Alcohol and driving don’t mix. Even
one drink can reduce your ability to
respond to changing conditions, and
your reaction time gets worse with
every additional drink. So don’t drink
and drive, and don’t let your f riends
drink and drive, either.
Children are saf est when they are
properly restrained in the back seat,
notthefrontseat.Achildwhoistoo
smallforaseatbeltmustbeproperly
restrained in a child saf ety seat. (See
page .) 16
22 10
186
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
Important Saf ety Precautions
Always Wear Your Seat BeltBe Aware of Airbag Hazards Control Your Speed
Restrain All Children K eep Your Car in Saf e Condition
Don’t Drink and Drive
6
Page 27 of 317

To remind you of the passenger’s
f ront airbag hazards, and that
children must be properly restrained
in the back seat, your car has
warninglabelsonthedashboardand
on the driver’s and f ront passenger’s
visors. Please read and f ollow the
instructions on these labels.
If the vehicle seat is
too far forward, or the child’s head is
thrown f orward during a collision, an
inflating front airbag can strike the
child with enough f orce to kill or
very seriously injure a small child.
Whenever possible,
larger children should sit in the back
seat, in a booster seat if needed, and
be properly restrained with a seat
belt. (See page f or important
inf ormation about protecting larger
children.) 38
U.S. Models
Small Children
Placing a f orward-f acing child seat int he f ront seat of a vehicle equippedwit h a passenger’s f ront airbag canbe hazardous.
Larger ChildrenChildren who have outgrown childseat s are also at risk of being injuredor killed by an inf lat ing passenger’sfront airbag.
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety24
Page 28 of 317
To remind you of the f ront airbag
hazards, your car has warning labels
on the driver’s and f ront passenger’s
visors. Please read and f ollow the
instructions on these labels.Your car has three seating positions
in the back seat where children can
be properly restrained.
If you ever have to carry more than
three children in your car:
Place the largest child in the f ront
seat, provided the child is large
enough to wear a seat belt
properly (see page ).
Move the vehicle seat as far to the
rear as possible (see page ).
Have the child sit upright and well
backintheseat(seepage ).
Make sure the seat belt is properly
positioned and secured (see page ). 38
1319
16
Protecting Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
If You Must Drive with Several
ChildrenCanadian Models
25
Page 60 of 317

This section gives inf ormation about
the controls and displays that
contribute to the daily operation of
your Honda. All the essential
controls are within easy reach............................
Control Locations .58 ...............................
Indicator Lights .59
.............................................
Gauges .67
...............................
Speedometer .69
.................................
Tachometer .69
...............
Odometer/Trip Meter . 69
.................
Current Fuel Mileage . 70
................................
Trip Mileage .70
Turning Of f the Mileage .....................................
Display .71
..................................
Fuel Gauge .71
...................
Temperature Gauge . 71
..................
Battery Level Gauge . 72
................
Charge/Assist Gauge . 73
Controls Near the Steering .......................................
Wheel .74
...................................
Headlights .75
............
Daytime Running Lights . 76
....
Instrument Panel Brightness . 77
................................
Turn Signals .78
.....................
Windshield Wipers .78
..................
Windshield Washers . 80
..........................
Hazard Warning .80
.............
Rear Window Def ogger . 81
......
Steering Wheel Adjustment . 82
...............................
Keys and Locks .83
..............................................
Keys .83 ....................
Immobilizer System . 84
............................
Ignition Switch .86
......................
Power Door Locks .87
...................
Remote Transmitter . 89
..............
Childproof Door Locks . 92
...........................................
Trunk .92
........
Emergency Trunk Opener . 93
............................
Seat Adjustments .94
.............
Front Seat Adjustments . 94
................
Driver’s Seat Armrest . 95
..........................
Head Restraints .96
..............................
Power Windows .97
.............................................
Mirrors .99
....
Adjusting the Power Mirrors . 99
...............................
Parking Brake .100
......................................
Glove Box .101
...........................
Beverage Holder .102
.................
Console Compartment . 102
........................................
Coin Box .103
...............................
Center Pocket .103
.............
Accessory Power Socket . 103
...............................
Interior Lights .104
..............................
Ceiling Light .104
...................................
Spotlights .104
................
Ignition Switch Light . 105
Instruments and Controls
Inst rument s and Cont rols57
Page 67 of 317

This light comes on with the high
beam headlights. See page for
inf ormation on the headlight
controls.This indicator lights when you turn
the ignition switch to ON (II) with
the headlight switch of f and the
parking brake set. It should go of f if
youturnontheheadlightsorrelease
the parking brake. If it comes on at
any other time, it means there is a
problem with the DRL. There may
also be a problem with the high
beam headlights.
The lef t or right turn signal light
blinks when you signal a lane change
or turn. If the light does not blink or
blinks rapidly, it usually means one
of the turn signal bulbs is burned out
(see page ). Replace the bulb as
soon as possible, since other drivers
cannot see that you are signalling.
WhenyouturnontheHazard
Warning switch, both turn signal
lights blink. All turn signals on the
outside of the car should f lash. 75
235Canadian models only
High Beam Indicator ‘‘Daytime Running
Lights’’ Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Indicator L ights
Inst rument s and Cont rols64