Page 49 of 231

Your vehicle’s exhaust contains
carbon monoxide gas. You should
have no problem with carbon
monoxide entering the vehicle in
normal driving if you maintain your
vehicle properly.High levels of carbon monoxide can
collect rapidly in enclosed areas,
such as a garage. Do not run the
engine with the garage door closed.
Even with the door open, run the
engine only long enough to move the
vehicle out of the garage.With the trunk lid open, air f low can
pull exhaust gas into your vehicle’s
interior and create a hazardous
condition. If you must drive with the
trunk lid open, open all the windows
and set the heating and cooling
system as shown below.
If you must sit in your parked vehicle,
even in an unconf ined area, with the
engine running, adjust the heating
and cooling system as f ollows:
Select the Fresh Air mode.
Select the mode.
Turn the f an on high speed.
Set the temperature control to a
comfortable setting.
Have the exhaust system inspected
f or leaks whenever:
The vehicle is raised f or an oil
change.
You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust.
The vehicle was in an accident
that may have damaged the under-
side. 1.
2.
3.
4.
Carbon Monoxide Hazard
Driver and Passenger Saf ety46
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause
unconsciousness and even kill
you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or
activities that expose you to
carbon monoxide.
Page 54 of 231
Î
ÎThe U.S. instrument panel is shown. Dif f erences f or the Canadian models are noted in the text.
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Automatic Transmission(CVT)
51
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
AUTO IDLE STOP
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ELECTRIC POWER STEERING(EPS)
INDICATOR SHIFT LEVER POSITION
INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATORIMA SYSTEM
INDICATOR
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR (P.
56)
(P. 56)
(P. 53)
(P. 53)
(P. 53)
(P. 54, 191)
(P. 137)
(P. 55)
(P.54, 190)
(P.55)(P.
133) (P.
56) (P.
55)
(P.
56)
(P.
54)
(P.
58)
(P.
54)
SEAT BELT INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 192)
Page 55 of 231
Instrument Panel
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Manual Transmission
52
CRUISE CONTROL INDICATOR
SIDE AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR
CHARGING SYSTEM
INDICATOR
AUTO IDLE STOP
INDICATOR
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ELECTRIC POWER STEER ING(EPS)
INDICATOR LOW FUEL INDICATOR
MAINTENANCE REQUIRED INDICATOR
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM INDICATOR
IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM INDICATOR HIGH BEAM INDICATOR
TRUNK-OPEN INDICATOR
SHIFT UP/SHIFT DOWN
INDICATORS IMA SYSTEM
INDICATOR
(P.
56)
(P. 56)
(P. 53)
(P. 53)
(P. 53)
(P. 54, 191)
(P. 132)
(P. 55)
(P.55)(P.
132) (P.
56) (P.
55)
(P.
56)
(P.
54)
(P.
58)
(P.
54)
(P. 54, 190)
SEAT BELT INDICATOR
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE
SYSTEM INDICATOR
(P. 192)
Page 57 of 231

The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
complete inf ormation, see page .This indicator has two f unctions:
If it remains lit af ter you have f ully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, there
could be a problem with the brake
system. For complete inf ormation,
see page . Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the brakes and tires.
See page . If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the 12volt battery
is not being charged. For complete
inf ormation, see page . This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If it comes on at any
other time, there is a problem in the
ABS. If this happens, have your
vehicle checked at a dealer. With
this indicator on, your vehicle still
has normal braking ability but no
anti-lock. For complete inf ormation,
see page .
1.
2.
190
191
141
193
192
If equipped
Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator Parking Brake
and Brake
System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Instrument Panel
54
U.S. Canada
Page 117 of 231

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km).
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
You should also f ollow these re-
commendations with an overhauled
or exchanged engine, or when the
brakes are replaced. We recommend using gasoline
containing detergent additives that
help prevent f uel system and engine
deposits.Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the Malfunction Indicator
Lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized Honda dealer f or
service.
Your Honda is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 86 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
occasional metallic knoking noises in
the engine and will result in
decreased engine perf ormance.
Using gasoline containing lead will
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls. This contributes to air
pollution.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline. Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 percent ethanol
by volume and up to 15 percent
MTBE by volume. Do not use
gasoline containing methanol. For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
Quick Start Guide.
Break-in Period, Gasoline T ype
Bef ore Driving
Break-in Period
Gasoline Type
114
Page 121 of 231
Wait a f ew minutes af ter turning the
engine of f bef ore you check the oil.Remove the dipstick (orange loop).
Wipe the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert it all the way back in its tube. Remove the dipstick again and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
If it is near or below the lower mark,
see on page . Look at the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Make sure it is
between the MAX and MIN lines. If
it is below the MIN line, see
on page f or
inf ormation on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to on page f or inf ormation
on checking other items in your
Honda.
2.
3. 1.
4.
152 155
146
Oil Check
A dding Oil A dding
Engine Coolant Engine Coolant Check
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
Service Station Procedures
Bef ore Driving118
DIPSTICK
UPPER MARK
LOWER MARKRESERVE TANK
MINMAX
Page 122 of 231

Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See(see page
).
an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses f uel. Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
fuel.Usethecruisecontrolwhen
appropriate.
Combine several short trips into
one.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering and
hard braking use more f uel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
You may find that your Civic Hybrid’s
unique combination of an engine and
an electric motor has driving
characteristics that are somewhat
dif f erent f rom what you are used to.
Shif t Up and Shif t Down indicators
(5-speed manual transmission only)
on the instrument panel show when
to shif t to a higher or lower gear. By
shifting as soon as the indicator
comes on, you will keep the engine
operating in its most economical
range.
Engine oil also af f ects f uel
economy. The f uel ef f icient, low-
viscosity 0W-20 oil recommended
f or your Civic Hybrid is
f ormulated to help the engine use
less f uel. This oil is available at
your Honda dealer.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion. 146
For example,
CONT INUED
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving119
Page 146 of 231

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