Page 65 of 268
The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator flashes or stays on
when the engine is running. For
more information, see page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged. For more information,
see page .
See
page . This indicator normally comes on for
a few seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it comes on at any other
time, it indicates a problem in the
integrated motor assist (IMA)
system. With the IMA indicator on,
the vehicle may not accelerate as it
normally does. Have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as
possible.
See pages and .
This
indicator comes on when the
security system is set. For more
info rmation, see page . 229
227
228 170 171
144
Instrument Panel Indicators
Security System Indicator Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator IMA System Indicator
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
62
SECURITY SYSTEM INDICATOR
Page 71 of 268

The information display in the
instrument panel shows you the
engine oil life and maintenance
service items when the ignition
switch is in the ON (II) position. This
information helps to keep you aware
of the periodic maintenance your
vehicle needs for continued trouble-
free driving. Refer to page for
more information.
Your
vehicle’s on board diagnostic
system will detect a loose or missing
fuel fill cap as an evaporative system
leak. The first time a leak is detected
a ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’ message
appears on the information display.
Turn the engine off, and confi rm the
fuel fill cap is installed. If it is, loosen
it, then retighten it until it clicks at
least once. The message should go
off after several days of normal
driving once you tighten or replace
the fuel fill cap. To scroll to another
display, press the SEL/RESET
button. The ‘‘CHECK FUEL CAP’’
message will appear each time you
restart the engine until the system
turns the message off. If
the system still detects a leak in
the vehicle’s evaporative emissions
system, the malfunction indicator
lamp (MIL) comes on. If the fuel fill
cap was not already tightened, turn
the engine off, and check or
retighten the fuel fill cap until it
clicks at least once. The MIL should
go off after several days of normal
driving once the cap is tightened or
replaced. If the MIL does not go off,
have your vehicle inspected by a
dealer. For more information, see
page . 179
229
Gauges
Maintenance Minder
Check Fuel Cap Message
68
Page 152 of 268
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
Page 156 of 268
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).
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 .
Wipe of f the dipstick with a clean
cloth or paper towel.
Insert the dipstick all the way back
into its hole.
2.
3. 1.
4.
189
Service Station Procedures
Oil Check
A dding Engine Oil
Bef ore Driving
153
DIPSTICK UPPER MARK
LOWER MARK
SUPPORT ROD
CLIP
GRIP
Page 157 of 268

Drive moderately. Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking use more fuel.
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 for
information on adding the proper
coolant.
Refer to
on page for information
about checking other items on your
vehicle. Always
maintain your vehicle
according to the maintenance
messages displayed in the
information display. See
on page
.
The build-up of snow or mud on
your vehicle’s underside adds
weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
mileage and reduces the chance of
corrosion. Engine oil also af f ects f uel
economy. The f uel ef f icient, low-
viscosity 0W-20 oil recommended
f or your Civic Hybrid is
f ormulated to help the engine use
less f uel. This oil is available at
your dealer. an underinf lated tire
causes more ‘‘rolling resistance,’’
which uses more f uel. 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.
184
184 192
For example,
Service Station Procedures, Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy
Engine Coolant Check
A dding
Engine Coolant
Owner’s Maintenance
Checks Owner’s
Maintenance Checks
154
MAX
MIN RESERVE TANK
Page 176 of 268

Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels are drum. A power assist
helps reduce the ef f ort needed on
thebrakepedal.TheABShelpsyou
retain steering control when braking
very hard.
Resting your f oot on the brake pedal
applies the brakes slightly. This
builds up heat, and reduces brake
ef f ectiveness and brake pad lif e. In
addition, f uel economy can be
reduced. It also keeps your brake
lights on all the time, conf using
drivers behind you.Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving.
Your vehicle is equipped with an
advanced hydraulic booster.
The advanced hydraulic booster has
some f eatures.
This f eature enables you to press the
brakepedalwithlessforcebythe
help of hydraulic pressure in the oil
pressure pump.
This f eature controls the braking
pressure appropriately, coordinating
with the regenerating brake of the
IMA motor.
When you release the brake pedal
while the Auto Idle Stop f unction
activates, this f eature keeps the
braking pressure until the engine
starts, and prevents the vehicle from
dropping back.
This f eature helps you apply the
brakes with less f orce during an
emergency braking situation.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
Power-Assist Cooperative Control with Regenerative
Brake
Creep Aid System
Brake-Assist
Braking System
Driving
173
Page 180 of 268

If you have the skills and tools to
perform more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer. This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
maintenance minder messages on
the information display, a
maintenance record, and instructions
for simple maintenance tasks you
may want to take care of yourself. This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions. ......................
Maintenance Saf ety .178
....................
Maintenance Minder .179
....................
Maintenance Record .186
..............................
Fluid Locations .188
........................
Adding Engine Oil .189
.........
Changing the Oil and Filter .190
..............................
Engine Coolant .192
....................
Windshield Washers .194
........................
Transmission Fluid .195
Continuously Variable ............
Transmission (CVT) .195
....................................
Brake Fluid .196
.............................................
Lights .197
................................
Roof Antenna .202
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts .203
.....................................
Floor Mats .203
..................
DustandPollenFilter .204
.................................
Wiper Blades .205
...........................................
Wheels .207
...............................................
Tires .207
......
Checking the 12 Volt Battery .212
.............................
Vehicle Storage .213
255
Maintenance
Maint enance
177
Page 186 of 268

If you have the required service
done but do not reset the display, or
reset the display without doing the
service, the system will not show the
proper maintenance intervals. This
canleadtoseriousmechanical
problems because you will no longer
have an accurate record of when
maintenance is needed.
Your authorized Honda dealer
knows your vehicle best and can
provide competent, ef f icient service.However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in ef f ect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service facility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work fill out the
maintenance record. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their performance and durability.
Press the SEL/RESET button f or
more than 5 seconds. The
maintenance item code(s) will
disappear, and the engine oil lif e
will reset to ‘‘100.’’
4.
CONT INUED
Maintenance Minder
Important Maintenance
Precautions
Maint enance
183