2005 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ). If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
71
127
192 197
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
183

´´
Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood, and check the
physical condition of the 12 volt
battery. In very cold weather,
check the condition of the
electrolyte. If it seems slushy or
like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
You cannot start your vehicle with an
automatic transmission (CVT) by
pushing or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle:
The numbers in the illustration show
you the order to connect the jumper
cables.Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc. Put the transmission in
Neutral or Park, and set the
parking brake.
1.
2.
3.
Jump Starting
184
BOOSTER BATTERY
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone
nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

µStart the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect the
other end to the metal projection
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of
the engine.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. If your vehicle’s 12 volt battery is
disconnected or goes dead, the IMA
battery level gauge reading will not
be correct the next time you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II). It will
show less than the actual level
temporarily. It will show the correct
level af ter you drive f or at least 30
minutes.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
7. 6.
4.
5.
Jump Starting
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
185

If the vehicle overheats, you should
take immediate action. The only
indicationmaybethetemperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running, and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading,
the engine should start to cool
down almost immediately. If it
does, wait until the temperature
gauge comes down to the midpoint,
then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open the hood. Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake.
Turn of f all accessories, and turn
on the hazard warning lights.
The reading on the vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange. If it climbs to the red
mark, you should determine the
reason (hot day, driving up a steep
hill, etc.).
1.
2.3.
4.
5.
197
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
186
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
reading at the red mark can cause
serious damage to the engine.

If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the reading
reaches the middle of the
temperature gauge or lower,
bef ore checking the radiator.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum heat. Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
8.
9. 10.
11.
7. 6.
197
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
187
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing
or stays on, the oil pressure has
dropped very low or lost pressure.
Serious engine damage is possible
and you should take immediate
action.
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(seeon page
). The engine running generates the oil
pressure. When the Auto Idle Stop is
activated, the engine is stopped, the
oil pressure is dropped, and the low
oil pressure indicator does not come
on.
1.
2.
3.
4. 116
150
197
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owing
188
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

µ
µ
If theAutoIdleStopisactiveforan
extended period, the charging
system indicator may come on. If it
happens, start the engine.
The charging system indicator may
also come on if the Integrated Motor
Assist (IMA) battery charge drops
below a desired level and the engine
starts to recharge the battery.
This indicator may blink af ter you
start the vehicle in the morning
when the temperature is below 20
°F ( 30°C). It will stop blinking
when the IMA battery warms up.
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running,
the 12 volt battery is not being
charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows and rear window
def ogger. Keep the engine running;
starting the engine will discharge the
battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Charging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
189

If your vehicle battery has been
disconnected or gone dead, these
codes are erased. It takes at least
three days of driving under various
conditions to set the codes again.
If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
If the indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions
control systems may have a problem.
Even though you may f eel no
dif f erence in your vehicle’s
perf ormance, it can reduce your f uel
economy and cause increased
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least three times.
Tightening the cap will not turn the
indicator of f immediately; it takes at
least three days of normal driving. To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), without
starting the engine. The Malf unction
Indicator Lamp will come on f or 20
seconds.If itthengoesoff,the
readiness codes are set. If it blinks 5
times, the readiness codes are not
set. If possible, do not take your
vehicle f or a state emissions test
until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to State Emissions Testing for
more inf ormation (see page ).
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make sure
these codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed. This indicator may also come on
along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator. 210
Malf unction Indicator L amp
Readiness Code
190
If you keep driving with the
Malf unction Indicator Lamp on, you
can damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and the engine. Those repairs
may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.