Page 81 of 268

If the system repeatedly does not
recognize the coding of your key,
contact your dealer.
Do not attempt to alter this system
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems could result that may make
your vehicle undrivable.
If you have lost your key and cannot
start your engine, contact your
dealer.
When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, the immobilizer
system indicator should come on
brief ly, then go of f . If the indicator
starts to blink, it means the system
does not recognize the coding of the
key. Turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position, remove the key,
reinsert it, and turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position again.
The system may not recognize your
key’s coding if another immobilizer
key or other metal object (i.e. key
f ob) is near the ignition switch when
you insert the key. The 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.As required by the FCC:
This device complies with Part 15 of theFCC rules. Operation is subject to thef ollowing two conditions: (1) This devicemay not cause harmf ul interf erence, and(2) this device must accept anyinterf erence received, includinginterf erence that may cause undesiredoperation.
Changes or modif ications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible f orcompliance could void the user’sauthority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with IndustryCanada Standard RSS-210.Operation is subject to the f ollowing twoconditions: (1) this device may not causeinterf erence, and (2) this device mustaccept any interf erence that may causeundesired operation of the device.
Immobilizer System
78 
     
        
        Page 82 of 268

µµ
µ
µ
The ignition switch has f our
positions: LOCK (0), ACCESSORY
(I), ON (II), and START (III). You will hear a reminder beeper if
you leave the key in the LOCK (0) or
the ACCESSORY (I) position and
open the driver’s door. Remove the
key to turn of f the beeper.
TheshiftlevermustbeinPark
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch.
You can insert or
remove the key only in this position.
To turn the key, the shift lever must
be in Park, and you must push the
key in slightly. If the f ront wheels are turned, the
anti-thef t lock may make it dif f icult
to turn the key. Firmly turn the
steering wheel to the lef t or right as
you turn the key.
You can
operate the audio system and the
accessory power sockets in this
position.
This is the normal key
position when driving. Several of the
indicators on the instrument panel
come on as a test when you turn the
ignition switch f rom the
ACCESSORY (I) to the ON (II)
position.
Use this position
only to start the engine. The switch
returns to the ON (II) position when
you let go of the key.
Ignition Switch
LOCK (0) A CCESSORY (I)
ON (II)
ST A RT (III)
Inst rument s and Cont rols
79 
     
        
        Page 106 of 268

The flow-through  ventilation system
draws  in outside  air, circulates  it
through  the interior,  then exhausts  it
th rough  vents near  the  rear  side
panels. Set  the  temperature  to the  lower
limit.
Make  sure the A/C  is off.
Select  and fresh  air mode.
Set  the  fan to the  desired  speed.
The  heater  uses engine  coolant  to
warm  the air. If the  engine  is cold,  it
will  be several  minutes  before you
feel  warm  air coming  from the
system. Air 
conditioning  places an extra  load
on the engine. Watch the engine
coolant temperature gauge (see page ). If it moves near the red zone,
turn of f the A/C until the gauge
reading returns to normal.
Turn on the A/C by pressing the
button. The indicator in the button
comesonwhenafanspeedis
selected.
Make sure the temperature is set
to maximum cool.
Select .
If the outside air is humid, select
recirculation mode. If the outside
air is dry, select f resh air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed. you can
cool it down more rapidly by partially
opening the windows, turning on the
A/C, and setting the fan to
maximum speed in f resh air mode. Air conditioning, as it cools, removes
moisture from the air. When used in
combination with the heater, it
makes the interior warm and dry and
can prevent the windows f rom
f ogging up.
Select .
When you select , the system
automatically switches to the fresh
air mode.
Set the f an to the desired speed.
Adjust the warmth of the air with
the temperature control dial. This setting is suitable f or all driving
conditions whenever the outside
temperature is above 32°F (0°C).
Turn the fan on.
Turn on the air conditioning.
Select and fresh air mode.
Adjust the temperature to your
pref erence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3. 65
1.
2.
3.
4.
If the interior is very warm,
Climat e Cont rol
Ventilation
Using the Heater Using the A /C Dehumidif y the Interior
Features
103 
     
        
        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 153 of 268

Help assure your vehicle’s f uture
reliability and perf ormance by paying
extra attention to how you drive
during the f irst 600 miles (1,000 km).
During this period:Avoid full-throttle starts and rapid
acceleration.
You should also f ollow these
recommendations with an
overhauled or exchanged engine, or
when the brakes are replaced. Your vehicle is designed to operate
on unleaded gasoline with a pump
octane number of 87 or higher. Use
of a lower octane gasoline can cause
a persistent, heavy metallic rapping
noise that can lead to engine damage.
Do not change the oil until the
scheduled maintenance time.
Avoidhardbrakingforthefirst
200 miles (300 km). Use of gasoline with these additives
may adversely af f ect perf ormance,
and cause the malfunction indicator
lamp on your instrument panel to
come on. If this happens, contact
your authorized dealer f or service.
Some gasoline today is blended with
oxygenates such as ethanol or
MTBE. Your vehicle is designed to
operate on oxygenated gasoline
containing up to 10 % ethanol by
volume and up to 15 % MTBE by
volume. Do not use gasoline
containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable
operating symptoms, try another
service station or switch to another
brand of gasoline.
For f urther important f uel-related
inf ormation, please ref er to your
.
We recommended using a quality
gasoline containing detergent
additives that help prevent fuel
system and engine deposits.
In addition, in order to maintain good
perf ormance, f uel economy, and
emissions control, we strongly
recommend, in areas where it is
available, the use of gasoline that
does NOT contain manganese-based
f uel additives such as MMT.
Break-in Period Fuel Recommendation
Quick Start Guide
Break-in Period, Fuel Recommendation
150 
     
        
        Page 154 of 268

Park with the driver’s side closest
to the gas pump.
To open the f uel f ill door, push
down the lever on the lef t of the
driver’s seat.Removethefuelfillcapslowly.
You may hear a hissing sound as
pressure inside the tank escapes.
The fuel fill cap is attached to the
f uel f iller with a tether. Insert the
attachment on the fuel fill cap into
the slit on the fuel fill door.
Stop f illing the tank af ter the f uel
nozzle automatically clicks of f . Do
not try to ‘‘top off’’ the tank. Leave
some room f or the f uel to expand
with temperature changes.
even though the tank is not f ull,
there may be a problem with your
vehicle’s fuel vapor recovery
system. The system helps keep
f uel vapor f rom going into the
atmosphere. Try f illing at another
pump. If this does not f ix the
problem, consult your dealer.
1.
2. 3.
4.
CONT INUED
If the f uel nozzle keeps clicking of f
Service Station Procedures
Ref ueling
Bef ore Driving
151
Push
FUEL FILL CAP
ATTACHMENTGasoline is highly flammable
and explosive. You can be
burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
Stop the engine, and keep
heat, sparks, and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately. 
     
        
        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