2006 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID towing

2006 Civic Hybrid Online Reference Owner's Manual
Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through\
this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.h\
elminc.com.
Contents

Owner's Identification Form
Introduction ........................................................................\
................................................................. i
A Few Words About Safet y........................................................................\
.........................................ii
Your Vehicle at a Glance........................................................................\
............................................ .3
Driver and Passenger Safety ........................................................................\
..................................... .5
Proper use and care of your vehicle's seat belts, and Supplemental Restr\
aint System.
Instruments and Control s........................................................................\
........................................ .55
Instrume nt panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering colu\
mn controls.
Comfort and Convenience Features ........................................................................\
..................... . 99
How to operate the climate control system, the audio system, and other c\
onvenience features.
Before Driving........................................................................\
..........................................................149
What gasoline to use, how to break -in your new vehicle, and how to load luggage and other cargo.
Driving ........................................................................\
..................................................................... .163
The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, pl\
us towing a trailer.
Maintenance........................................................................\
.............................................................177
The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take you r vehicle to the dealer.
Taking Care of the Unexpecte d........................................................................\
..............................215
This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, an d how to handle them.
Technical Informatio n........................................................................\
.............................................239
ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.
Warranty and Customer Relations (U.S. and Canad a)................................................................251
A summary of the warranties covering your new Acura, and how to contact \
us.
Authorized Manu als (U.S. only)........................................................................\
..............................255
How to order manuals and other technical literature.
Index........................................................................\
........................................................................\
...... I
Service Information Summary
A summary of information you need when you pull up to the fuel pump.

Accord Value Package Audio System

µ·
Steps f or determining correct load
limit:
Locate the statement, ‘‘the
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed 850
lbs’’ on your vehicle’s placard.
[The placard is on the driver’s
doorjamb.]
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle. Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
in the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity in
step 4.
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all passengers,
accessories, and cargo must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are
on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg) f or U.S.A, 395 kg
f or Canada. This f igure includes the
total weight of all occupants, cargo,
and accessories, and the tongue load
if you are towing a trailer.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
850 lbs.The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity.
For example, if the maximum load
is 850 lbs and there will be f ive 150
lb. passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 100 lbs.
[850 750 (5 150) = 100 lbs.]
1.
2.
3. 4.
5.
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
159
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
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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 .164
.......................
Starting the Engine .165
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .166
...........................................
Parking .172
.............................
Braking System .173
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) .174
...........................
Towing a Trailer .175
Driving
Driving
163
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Your vehicle is not designed to tow a
trailer; Attempting to do so can void
your warranties.
It only helps with steering
control during braking.
such as trying to take a
corn er too fast or making a sudden
lane change.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.
on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
If
the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is fully
released, the front-to-rear braking
distribution system may also be shut
down.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control. 230
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS), Towing a Trailer
Towing a Trailer
Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle;
A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,
A BS cannot prevent a loss of
stability.
A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Driving
175
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This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .216
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .217
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start .221
................................
Jump Starting .223
..............
If the Engine Overheats .225
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .227
..........
Charging System Indicator .228
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp .229
...............
Brake System Indicator .230
..............................................
Fuses .231
..............................
Fuse Locations .235
......................
Emergency Towing .237
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
215
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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? Refer to
on page .
Do you have fuel? Check the fuel
gauge; the low fuel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses
(see page ). If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
165
231 237
59
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
222
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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.).
If your 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 from under the hood. Safely
pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Park, and
set the parking brake. Turn off all
accessories, and turn on the
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming from under the hood, turn
off the engine. Wait until you see
no more signs of steam or spray,
then open 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 reading comes down to the
midpoint, then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge reading
stays at the red mark, turn off the
engine.
Look for 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 ).
1.
2. 3.
4.
5.
237
CONT INUED
Emergency
Towing
If theEngineOverheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
225
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.
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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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