Bef ore you begin driving your
vehicle, you should know what
gasoline to use and how to check the
levels of important f luids. You also
need to know how to properly store
luggage or packages. The
inf ormation in this section will help
you. If you plan to add any
accessories to your vehicle, please
read the information in this section
first..............................
Break-in Period .150
.................
Fuel Recommendation .150
.........
Service Station Procedures .151
....................................
Ref ueling .151
OpeningandClosingthe
.......................................
Hood .152
...................................
Oil Check .153
.............
Engine Coolant Check .154
...............................
Fuel Economy .154
...
Accessories and Modif ications .156
.............................
Carrying Cargo .158
Bef ore Driving
Bef ore Driving
149
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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
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µ
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U.S. Vehicles:
According to state and federal
regulations, failure to perform
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
information display. Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items
at the specified intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perform
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
youfillthefueltank.Seepage .
Automatic transmission Check
the fluid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the fluid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread for
wear and foreign objects. See page
. Lights
Check the operation of
the headlights, parking lights,
taillights, high-mount brake light,
and license plate lights monthly.
See page .
153 154
195 196
207 197
Maintenance Minder
Maintenance,
replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and
systems may be done by any
automotive repair establishment
or individual using parts that are
‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA standards. Owner’s Maintenance Checks
184
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ÌÌ
Ì
Maintenance Minder
185
: Maintenance
Sub Items
Rotate tires
Replace air cleaner element
If you drive in dusty conditions, replace
every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
Replace dust and pollen filter
If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high
concentrations of soot in the air from industry and
from diesel-powered vehicles, replace every 15,000
miles (24,000 km).
Inspect drive belt
Replace transmission fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect valve clearance
Replace engine coolant
Maintenance
Main Items
Replace engine oil
Replace engine oil and oil filter
Inspect front and rear brakes
Check parking brake adjustment
Inspect these items:
Tie rod ends, steering gear box, and boots
Suspension components
Driveshaft boots
Brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
All fluid levels and condition of fluids
Exhaust system
Fuel lines and connections
A
B
Symbol
Symbol
1
2
3
4
5
If the message ‘‘SERVICE OIL’’ does not appear more than 12 months after
the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
See information on maintenance and emissions warranty on page .
Independent of the maintenance minder display, replace the brake fluid
every 3 years.
Inspect idle speed every 160,000 miles (256,000 km).
Adjust the valves during services A, B, 1, 2, or 3 only if they are noisy.
NOTE:
185
1:
1
1
Maintenance Minder
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Turn of f the engine, let it sit f or
several minutes, then check the oil
level on the dipstick. If necessary,
add more oil.
Put the under-cover back in place
and reinstall the nine holding clips.
Locktheclipssecurelybypushing
on the center of each clip.If the coolant level in the reserve
tank is at or below the MIN line, add
coolant to bring it up to the MAX line.
Inspect the cooling system f or leaks.
Always use Honda Long-lif e Anti-
f reeze/Coolant Type 2. This coolant
is pre-mixed with 50 percent
antif reeze and 50 percent water.
Never add straight antifreeze or
plain water. If Honda Long-lif e antif reeze/
coolant is not available, you may use
another major-brand non-silicate
coolant as a temporary replacement.
Make sure it is a high-quality coolant
recommended f or aluminum engines.
Continued use of any non-Honda
coolant can result in corrosion,
causingthecoolingsystemto
malf unction or f ail. Have the cooling
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Long-lif e antif reeze/coolant
as soon as possible.
11.
12.
A dding Engine Coolant
Changing the Oil and Filter, Engine Coolant
192
RESERVE TANK
Improper disposal of engine oil can be
harmf ul to the environment. If you
change your own oil, please dispose of
the used oil properly. Put it in a sealed
container and take it to a recycling
center. Do not discard it in a trash bin
or dump it on the ground.
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If the reserve tank is completely
empty, you should also check the
coolant level in the radiator.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank. Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill any.
Clean up any spill immediately; it
could damage components in the
engine compartment.
Make sure the engine and radiator
are cool.
Relieve any pressure in the cooling
system by turning the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without
pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise. Put the radiator cap back on, and
tighten it fully.
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
6.
Engine Coolant
Maint enance
193
RADIATOR CAP
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.
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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 find an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark. Using
gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the first stop. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off. 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 ).
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. Start the engine, and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum. 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.
8.
9.
7. 6.
10.
11.237
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
226
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.
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CONT INUED
.................................
Power Door .80
...........................................
Trunk .86
........................
Low Coolant Level .154
.........................
Low Fuel Indicator .61
................................
Lower Anchors .43
...
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 227
...
Lubricant Specif ications Chart . 242
..................................
Maintenance .177
........................................
Minder .179
.........................
Minder Indicator .61
Owner’s Maintenance ...................................
Checks .184
.................................
Record .186-187
..........................................
Saf ety .178
.
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 62,229
..........................
Meters, Gauges .57, 64
....................
Methanol in Gasoline .150
..........................
Mirrors, Adjusting .93
.....................................
MP3/WMA .112
...................
Neutral Gear Position . 168..................
New Vehicle Break-in . 150
...................
NOTICE, Explanation of . i
...............
Numbers, Identif ication . 240..............
Panel Brightness Control . 74
........................
Park Gear Position .167
...........................................
Parking .172
.................................
Parking Brake .94
Parking Brake and Brake .................
System Indicator . 58, 230
.................................
Parking Lights .73
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 172
.............................
PGM-FI System .248
..........................
Playing the Radio .109
................................
Playing a Disc .112
.........................
Playing a PC Card .129
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 16
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 11
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 17
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 16
........................
Protecting Children .34
.....................
General Guidelines .34
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .39
.............
Protecting Small Children . 40
.....................
Selecting a Child Seat .41
....................
Installing a Child Seat .42
...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 150
.........................................
Odometer .64
................................
Odometer,Trip .64
Oil ........................
Change, How to .190
......................
Change, When to .179
......................
Checking Engine .153
..............
Pressure Indicator . 62, 227
.......
Selecting Proper Viscosity . 189
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 79
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ....................................
Recovery .247
..............................
Outside Mirrors .93
....
Outside Temperature Indicator . 67
....................
Overheating, Engine .225
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 184
.........................
Oxygenated Fuels .150
Index
M
N O
P
INDEX
V
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