2004 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID automatic transmission

Honda’s Continuously Variable
Transmission’s unique design
provides a smooth, constant f low of
power. It is electronically controlled
f or more precise operation and
better f uel economy.These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). If it
f lashes while driving (in any shif t
position), it indicates a possible
problem in the transmission. Avoid
rapid acceleration and have the trans-
mission checked by a Honda dealer
as soon as possible.
Continuously Variable
T ransmission (CVT )
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving133

µ
To shif t f rom any position, press
f irmly on the brake pedal and press
the release button on the front of the
shiftlever.Youcannotshiftoutof
Park when the ignition switch is in
LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I). To avoid transmission damage, come
to a complete stop bef ore shif ting
into Park. The shif t lever must be in
Park bef ore you can remove the key
from the ignition switch.
This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it. If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see
on
page . 136
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR StoL
LtoS
StoD
DtoN DtoS
NtoD RtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.Shif t L ever Positions
Park (P) Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving134
SHIFT LEVER
RELEASE BUTTON

µ
µ
µ µ
µ
Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
the f ront of shif t lever to shif t f rom
Park to Reverse. To shif t f rom
Reverse to Neutral, come to a
completestopandthenshift.
Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop brief ly with
the engine idling. Shif t to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from Neutral to
another gear.
Use this position f or
your normal driving. The transmis-
sion automatically selects a suitable
gear f or your speed and acceleration.
You may notice the transmission
shif ting up at higher speeds when
the engine is cold. This helps the
engine warm up f aster. Selecting Second
shifts the transmission into a lower
range of ratios for better
acceleration and increased engine
braking. Use Second when you are
going down a steep hill, or in stop-
and-go driving.
To shif t to Low, press
the release button on the front of the
shif t lever. Use Low to get more
power when climbing, and f or
maximum engine braking when
going down steep hills.
ForfasteraccelerationwheninD,S
or L, the transmission will
automatically ‘‘kick down’’ to a lower
range of ratios by pushing the
accelerator pedal to the floor. When the vehicle reaches the
maximum speed in any shif t position,
you may f eel the engine cut in and
out. This is caused by a limiter (112
mph, 180 km/h) in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
speed to below the maximum.
Reverse (R)
Neutral (N)
Drive (D) Second (S)
Low (L)
Engine Speed L imiter
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving135

Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then reinstall
thecover.Makesurethenotchon
the cover is on the lef t side.
Return the key to the ignition
switch, press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.
If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by a Honda dealer.
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to Neutral.
Do this if pushing on the brake pedal
and pressing the release button do
not shif t the transmission out of
Park:
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover next to
theshiftlever.Useakeyto
remove the cover. Caref ully pry on
the edge of the cover. Remove the key from the ignition
switch. Set the Parking brake.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.6.
Shif t L ock Release
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving136
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK
RELEASE SLOT
COVER

To maximize f uel economy, your
Civic Hybrid has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Under certain conditions,
the engine will shut of f when you
come to a stop. Those conditions are:The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The shift lever is in D or N.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is charged
enough to operate the system.
The ECON mode is selected, and
the outside temperature is above
f reezing, or the f an speed control
dial is off (see page ). There is adequate vacuum reserve
f or the power brakes.
When these conditions are met af ter
the vehicle speed has exceeded 10
mph (16 km/h), the engine will shut
of f as you are braking to a stop and
the vehicle speed goes below 5 mph
(8 km/h).
The engine will start again when you
release the brake pedal. It will also
restart, even if you are still pressing
the brake pedal, under these
conditions: You move the shif t lever f rom D
or N to R or L.
You are on an incline, and the
vehicle begins rolling. During Auto Idle Stop, the IMA
charge and power brake vacuum
reserve is monitored by the system.
If the vacuum reserve drops below
an optimal level, the engine will
restart to replenish the vacuum
supply. If the IMA charge drops
below an optimal level and the shif t
lever is in Neutral or Park (P), the
engine will restart to recharge the
IMA battery.
The Auto Idle Stop f unction may not
activate if the IMA battery
temperature is too hot or too cold.
You press the accelerator pedal.
89
Auto Idle Stop
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving137

The indicator blinks as a reminder
that the engine has stopped because
of the Auto Idle Stop f unction. You
cannot restart the engine with the
ignition switch when this light is
blinking.If you open the driver’s door when
Auto Stop is active, the indicator will
blink and you will hear a continuous
beep. The beep will stop when you
close the door.
With the driver’s door open, you will
hear a continuous beep even if the
Auto Idle Stop f unction is
deactivated and the engine restarts.
Always turn the ignition switch to
LOCK (0) and remove the key if you
are getting out of the vehicle.
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving138
AUTO IDLE STOP INDICATOR

Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.
in the trunk or take them with you.
Lock the doors.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot three way
catalytic converter could cause
these materials to catch on fire.
If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in f irst gear.If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb. If you have a manual
transmission, put it in reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Parking T ips
Parking
Driving139

This section also includes
Maintenance Schedules f or normal
driving and severe driving conditions,
a Maintenance Record, and instruc-
tions f or simple maintenance tasks
you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to per-
f orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your Honda, you may want
to purchase the Service Manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your Honda
dealer. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .144
.................
Maintenance Schedule . 145
....................
Maintenance Record .149
..............................
Fluid Locations .151
........................
Adding Engine Oil .152
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter . 153
..............................
Engine Coolant .155
....................
Windshield Washers .157
.....
Automatic Transmission Fluid . 158
........
Manual Transmission Fluid . 159
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 160
....................................
Hood Latch .161
.............................................
Lights .161
.......................................
Seat Belts .166
.....................................
Floor Mats .166
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 167
.................................
Wiper Blades .168
...............................................
Tires .169
...................
Checking the Battery . 175
.............................
Vehicle Storage .176
217
Maintenance
Maint enance143