2007 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

Your vehicle has several convenient
storage areas:Glove box
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. Trunk Console compartment
Center pocket
Carrying Cargo
158
CONSOLE COMPARTMENT CENTER POCKET
TRUNK DOOR POCKETS
GLOVE BOX

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
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated 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.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
850 lbs.
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg) f or U.S. models
and 395 kg for Canadian models.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories.
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.

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash. Distribute
cargo evenly on the
floor of the trunk, placing the
heaviest items on the bottom and
as far forward as possible.
Do not put any items on the rear
shelf that could cover the IMA
battery air intake. They can block
your view, or be thrown around
the vehicle during a crash. If
you carry large items that
prevent you from closing the trunk,
exhaust can enter the passenger
area. To avoid the possibility of ,
f ollow the instructions on page .
The air intake for the IMA battery
and electronics is located on top of
the rear shelf . Do not block this air
intake; it may cause the IMA battery
and the power control unit to
overheat, causing the IMA system to
shut down. It will start working again
af ter it cools.
Be sure items placed on the f loor
behind the f ront seats cannot roll
under the seats and interf ere with
the pedals or seat operation.
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. 52Air Intake
Carrying Cargo in the T runk
carbon monoxide poisoning
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo
160
AIR INTAKE

Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake or put any small f oreign
objects in it. This may damage the
IMA battery and the power control
unit.
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
161

........................
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
This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
automatic transmissions (CVT). It
also includes important inf ormation
on parking your vehicle and the
braking system.
Driving
Driving
163

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove frost, snow,
or ice. Check
that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
fastened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked. Fasten
your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have fastened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and
adjustmen ts before you drive
your vehicle.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicato rs in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood and trunk are
fully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
1.
2.
3.
8. 7. 6. 14
9.
4.
5.
93 57
10.
207 89
75
Preparing to Drive
164

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.
If the engine does not start within
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 4 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
down, and hold it there while
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 5. In
cold weather, conventional starter
is used instead of the IMA system
starter. This is normal.
Make sure the shift lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, turn the ignition key to the
START (III) position. Do not hold
the key in the START (III)
position for more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds before trying again.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
78
Starting
theEngine
Starting in Cold Weather
Driv ing
165
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air found at
altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters) adds to this problem.
T he immobilizer system protects your
vehicle f rom thef t. If an improperly-
coded key (or other device) is used, the
engine’s f uel system is disabled. For
more inf ormation, see page .