2005 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN automatic transmission

Your Vehicle at a Glance
4
AIRBAGSHEATING/COOLING CONTROLS
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FUEL FILL DOOR RELEASE
HOOD RELEASE
HANDLE
POWER WINDOW
SWITCHES
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRUNK RELEASE POWER DOOR
LOCK SWITCH DASH LIGHTS
GAUGES
(P.88)
(P.
53)
(P. 61)
(P. 72)
(P. 80)
(P. 73) (P.
11, 23)
(P. 123)
(P.124) (P.
138)
(P. 136)

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The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-theft lock may make it difficult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to ON (II) when you let go of
the key. You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the ignition
switch in the LOCK (0) or
ACCESSORY (I) position and open
the driver’s door. Remove the key to
turn of f the beeper.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must be
in Park bef ore you can remove the
key f rom the ignition switch.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom ACCESSORY
(I) to ON (II).
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, push it in slightly. If
your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the shif t lever must
also be in park.
Ignition Switch
A CCESSORY (I)
ST A RT (III) ON (II)
LOCK (0)
Inst rument s and Cont rols
71
Removing the key from the
ignition switch while driving
locks the steering. This can
cause you to lose control.
Remove the key from the
ignition switch only when
parked.

This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual and automatic transmissions.
It also includes important
information on parking your vehicle,
and the braking system.........................
Preparing to Drive .134
.......................
Starting the Engine .135
...................
Manual Transmission . 136
..............
Automatic Transmission . 138
...........................................
Parking .141
.............................
Braking System .142
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 143
...........................
Towing a Trailer .144
Driving
Driving
133

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in START for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start right away, pause
f or at least 10 seconds bef ore
trying again.If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
6. 5.
Manual Transmission:
Automatic Transmission: 70
Starting the Engine
Driving
135
Immobilizer System
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. See
on page .

These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.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
the LOCK (0) or ACCESSORY (I)
position.
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 your dealer as
soon as possible.
Automatic Transmission
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Shif ting
138
Canadian DX model
LX, U.S. EX, and Canadian Si models
RELEASE BUTTONSHIFT LEVER
U.S. DX model

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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.
If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see on
page . 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.
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
transmission automatically selects a suitable gear for the vehicle 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.
This position is similar
to D, except only the first three
gears are selected. Use D to provide
engine braking when going down a
steep hill. D can also keep the
transmission f rom cycling between
third and f ourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.
This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshif t to f irst gear
when you come to a stop.
Use Second gear: For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surf ace or in deep snow.
Press the brake
pedal and press the release button to
the front of the shift lever to shift
f rom Park to Reverse. To shif t f rom
Reverse to Neutral, come to a
completestopandthenshift.
140
3
3
Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR
Dto2
2toD
DtoD DtoN
DtoD NtoDRtoN
3
3
3
3
Automatic Transmission
Park (P)
Shif t L ock Release Neutral (N)
Drive (D) Drive (D )
Second (2)
Reverse (R)
3
Driving
139

Do this if pushing on the brake pedal
and pressing the release button does
not shif t the transmission out of
park:Set the Parking brake.
Remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Put a cloth on the edge of the Shif t
Lock Release slot cover next to
the shif t lever. Using a small f lat-
tipped screwdriver or small metal
plate, caref ully pry on the edge of
the cover to remove it. Insert the key in the Shift Lock
Release slot.
Push down on the key while you
pressthereleasebuttononthe
shif t lever and move the shif t lever
out of Park to Neutral.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer’s
red zone. If this occurs, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
If you exceed the maximum speed
f or the gear you are in, you may f eel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine’s
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
engine speed by upshif ting or
slowing down.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.OnEXandLXmodelsintheU.S.,andall models in Canada
On DX model in the U.S.
Shif t L ock Release
Engine Speed L imiter
Automatic Transmission
140
COVER

Remove the key from the Shift
Lock Release slot, then install the
cover. Make sure the notch on the
cover is on the lef t side.
Return the key to the ignition
switch, press the brake pedal, and
restart the engine.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.
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.
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 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.
Lock the doors. Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the trunk or take them with you. Turn of f the lights.
Make sure the moonroof and the
windows are closed. 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.
If you need to use the Shif t Lock
Release, it means your vehicle is
developing a problem. Have it
checked by your dealer. 6.
Automatic Transmission, Parking
Parking
Parking T ips
Driving
141
RELEASE BUTTON
SHIFT LOCK RELEASE SLOT