Page 158 of 268

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
Page 253 of 268

If you take your vehicle f or a state
emissions test shortly af ter the
battery has been disconnected or
gone dead, it may not pass the test.
This is because of certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that must be set in the on-
board diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. These codes are erased
when the battery is disconnected,
and set again only after several days
of driving under a variety of
conditions.
If the testing f acility determines that
the readiness codes are not set, you
will be requested to return at a later
date to complete the test. If you must
get the vehicle retested within the
next two or three days, you can
condition the vehicle f or retesting by
doing the f ollowing.Make sure the gas tank is nearly,
but not completely, f ull (around
3/4). Without touching the accelerator
pedal, start the engine, and let it
idle f or 20 seconds.
Keep the vehicle in Park. Increase
the engine speed to 2,000 rpm, and
hold it there until the temperature
gauge rises to at least 1/4 of the
scale (about 3 minutes).
Select a nearby lightly traveled
major highway where you can
maintain a speed of 50 to 60 mph
f or at least 20 minutes. Drive on
the highway in D. Do not use the
cruise control. When traf f ic allows,
drive f or 90 seconds without
moving the accelerator pedal.(Vehicle speed may vary slightly;
this is okay.) If you cannot do this
f or a continuous 90 seconds
because of traf f ic conditions, drive
f or at least 30 seconds, then repeat
it two more times (f or a total of 90
seconds).
Make sure the vehicle has been
parked with the engine of f f or 6
hours or more.
Make sure the ambient
temperature is between 40° and
95°F.
Then drive in city/suburban
traffic for at least 10 minutes.
When traf f ic conditions allow, let
the vehicle coast f or several
seconds without using the
accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal.
Stop the vehicle, turn of f the
ignition switch, and leave it of f f or
30 minutes.
If the testing facility determines the
readiness codes are still not set, see
your dealer.
T esting of Readiness Codes
State Emissions T esting
250
Page 261 of 268

Bulb Replacement..........................
Back-up Lights .201
.....................
Brake Lights . 200, 201
........
Front Side Marker Lights .199
...........
Front Turn Signal Light .199
.................................
Headlights .197
..........................
Parking Lights .199
.........
Rear Side Marker Lights .200
..........
Rear Turn Signal Lights .200
............................
Specif ications .243
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .197
.........................................
Card, PC .129
............................
Capacities Chart .242
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard .52
.............................
Carrying Cargo .158
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of .iii
.......................................
CD Player .112
....................................
Ceiling Light .97
........................
Certif ication Label .240
............................................
Chains .211
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .217
Changing Oil
........................................
How to .190 ......................................
When to .179
...
Charging System Indicator . 62, 228
..............
Check Fuel Cap Indicator .68
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving .164
.....................................
Child Saf ety .34
Child Seats
.............
LATCH Anchor System .43
.............................
Lower Anchor .43
............................
Tether Anchor .47
..................
Childproof Door Locks .81
....................
Cleaning the Wheels .207
.........................
Clock, Setting the .119
........................
CO in the Exhaust .247
............
Cold Weather, Starting in .165
..............................
Compact Spare .216
.............
Controls, Instruments and .55
Coolant
........................................
Adding .192
....................................
Checking .154
.........................
Proper Solution .192
...................
Temperature Gauge .65
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .247
............
Cruise Control Operation .145
....
Customer Service Inf ormation .252 ...............
DANGER, Explanation of .iii
...................................
Dashboard . 3, 56
................
Daytime Running Lights .74
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety .254
........................
Def og and Def rost .104
................
Def ogger, Rear Window .75
..............
Def rosting the Windows .104
....................................
Dimensions .242
...............
Dimming the Headlights .73
Dipstick
..........
Automatic Transmission .195
..................................
Engine Oil .153
..........................
Directional Signals .73
Disc Brake Pad Wear
...................................
Indicators .174
.....................................
Disc Player .112
..................
Display Change Button .64
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .192
Doors
.
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.....................
Auto Door Locking .81
.................
Auto Door Unlocking .83
..............
Locking and Unlocking .80
......................
Power Door Locks .80
Index
C D
II