2006 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

Park with the driver’s side closest
to the gas pump.even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapors f rom going into the
atmosphere. Consult your dealer. Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes. Removethefuelfillcapslowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
Place the cap in the holder on the
fuel fill door.
To open the f uel f ill door, push
down the lever on the lef t of the
driver’s seat.
1.
2. 3.
4.
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
CONT INUED
Service Station Procedures
Ref ueling
Bef ore Driving
151
Push
HOLDERFUEL FILL CAPGasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
——y

y
(#y
y

If the hood latch handle moves
stiffly, or if you can open the hood
without lifting the handle, the
mechanism should be cleaned and
lubricated.
Put your fingers under the front
edge of the hood near the center.
Slide your hand to the left until
you feel the hood latch handle.
Push this handle up to release it.
Lift up the hood.
Push
the fuel fill door closed until
it latches.
Screw
the fuel fill cap back on
until it clicks at least once. If you
do not properly tighten the cap,
the malf unction indicator lamp
maycomeon(seepage ).You
will also see a ‘‘CHECK FUEL
CAP’’ message on the inf ormation
display.
Park the vehicle, and set the
parking brake. Pull the hood
release handle under the lower lef t
corner of the dashboard. The
hood will pop up slightly.Holding the grip (the rod can be
hot if the engine has been
running), pull the support rod out
of its clip. Insert the end into the
designated hole in the hood.
2. 1.
3.
5.
6.
229
Service Station Procedures
Opening and Closing the Hood
152
HOOD
RELEASE
HANDLE LATCH
——y


y
(#y
y

Remove the dipstick again, and
check the level. It should be
between the upper and lower
marks.
Wait
a few minutes after turning the
engine off before 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.
To
close the hood, lift it up slightly to
remove the support rod from the
hole. Put the support rod back into
its holding clip. Lower the hood to
about a foot (30 cm) above the
fender, then let it drop. Make sure it
is securely latched. If it is near or below the lower mark,
see
on page .
2.
3. 1. 4.
192
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Bef ore Driving
153
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
GRIP
——y

y
(#y
y

Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more fuel.
Always drive in the highest gear
possible.
Always maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
schedule. See
(see page
).
an underinflated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which u ses more fuel.
Engine oil also affects fuel
economy. The fuel efficient, low-
vi scosity 0W-20 oil recommended
for your Civic Hybrid is
formulated to help the engine use
less fu el. This oil is available at
your dealer.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicl e’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cl eaning helps your fuel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion.
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 .
Refer to
on page for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle. 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.
192
184 184
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy
Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks
154
MAX
MIN RESERVE TANK
——y

y
(#y
y

You may notice that using the A/C
causes a greater drop in f uel
economy than you are used to in
other vehicles. Although the amount
of extra f uel used by the A/C load on
the engine is no greater than other
vehicles, it is more noticeable
because of your Civic Hybrid’s
excellent f uel mileage. Using the
A/C in hot weather may result in
f uel economy that is lower than
expected.
The air conditioning puts an extra
load on the engine which makes it
usemorefuel.Usethefresh-air
ventilation when possible.
Try to maintain a constant speed.
Everytimeyouslowdownand
speed up, your vehicle uses extra
f uel. Use cruise control when
appropriate.
Wind resistance causes vehicles to
usemorefuelathigherspeeds.
Driving at moderate speeds on the
highway also reduces wind
resistance and conserves f uel.
The current f uel mileage display
allows you to monitor your f uel
mileage and adjust your driving
habits to save fuel.
Combine several short trips into
one.
Fuel Economy
Bef ore Driving
155
——y

y
(#y
y

Your dealer has Honda accessories
that allow you to personalize your
vehicle. These accessories have
been designed and approved for your
vehicle, and are covered by warranty.
When properly installed, cellular
phones, alarms, two-way radios, and
low-powered audio systems should
not interfere with your vehicle’s
computer controlled systems, such
as your airbags and anti-lock brakes. Befo
re installing any accessory:
Make sure the accessory does not
obscure any lights, or interfere
with proper vehicle operation or
performance.
Be sure electronic accessories do
not overload electrical circuits
(see page ) or interf ere with
proper operation.
Modif ying your vehicle, or installing
some non-Honda accessories, can
make it unsaf e. Bef ore you make any
modif ications or add any accessories,
be sure to read the f ollowing
inf ormation.
Although non-Honda accessories
may f it on your vehicle, they may not
meet f actory specif ications, and
could adversely af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and stability.
Bef ore installing any electronic
accessory, have the installer
contact your dealer for assistance.
If possible, have your dealer
inspect the f inal installation.
Do not install accessories on the
side pillars or across the rear
windows. In these areas,
accessories may interf ere with
proper operation of the side
curtain airbags.231
A ccessories
A ccessories and Modif ications
156
Improper accessories or
modifications can affect your
vehicle’s handling, stability, and
performance, and cause a
crash in which you can be hurt
or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner’s manual regarding
accessories and modifications.
——y

y
(#y
y

Some examples are:Larger or smaller wheels and tires
can interf ere with the operation of
your vehicle’s anti-lock brakes and
other systems.
Removing parts f rom your vehicle,
or replacing components with
non-Honda components could
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling, stability, and reliability.
Lowering the vehicle with a non-
Honda suspension kit that
signif icantly reduces ground
clearance can allow the
undercarriage to hit speed bumps
or other raised objects, which
could cause the airbags to deploy.
Raising your vehicle with a
non-Honda suspension kit can
af f ect the handling and stability.
Non-Honda wheels, because they
are a universal design, can cause
excessive stress on suspension
components. If you plan to modif y your vehicle,
consult your dealer.
Modif ying your steering wheel or
any other part of your vehicle’s
safety features can make the
systems inef f ective.
Modif ying Your Vehicle
A ccessories and Modif ications
Bef ore Driving
157
——y

y
(#y
y

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
Console compartment
Trunk
Center pocket Door pockets
However, carrying too much cargo,
or improperly storing it, can af f ect
your vehicle’s handling, stability,
stopping distance, and tires, and
make it unsaf e. Bef ore carrying any
type of cargo, be sure to read the
f ollowing pages.
Carrying Cargo
158
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT CENTER POCKET
TRUNK
GLOVE BOX
DOOR POCKETS
——y

y
(#y

y