2008 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID stop start

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To maximize f uel economy, your
Civic Hybrid has an Auto Idle Stop
f unction. Under certain conditions,
the engine will shut of f when you
come to a stop. Those conditions are:
The engine coolant is nearly up to
normal operating temperature.
The shift lever is in D or N.
You are not pressing on the
accelerator pedal.
The IMA battery is charged
enough to operate the system.
You are pressing on the brake
pedal.
Fan speed lower f an speeds, in
either AUTO or manual modes. The f ront window def roster is of f .
Outside temperature is between
10 100 degrees F. The Auto Idle Stop f unction activates
if you speed up to over 8 mph
(12 km/h) and brake to a stop.
When speeding up to a speed below
8mph(12km/h)andbrakingtoa
stop, it will only operate two times.
The engine will start again when you
release the brake pedal. It will also
restart, even if you are still pressing
the brake pedal, under these
conditions:
You move the shif t lever f rom D
or N to R or L.
You press the accelerator pedal.
You are on an incline, and the
vehicle begins rolling. The Auto Idle Stop f unction may
activate when you slow down.
Auto Idle Stop
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
196
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2008 Civic Hybrid

If you open the driver’s door when
Auto Stop is active, the indicator will
blink and you will hear a continuous
beep. The beep will stop when you
close the door.
With the driver’s door open, you will
hear a continuous beep even if the
Auto Idle Stop f unction is
deactivated and the engine restarts.
Always turn the ignition switch to
the LOCK (0) position and remove
the key if you are getting out of the
vehicle.
The indicator blinks as a reminder
that the engine has stopped because
of the Auto Idle Stop f unction. You
cannot restart the engine with the
ignition switch when this indicator is
blinking.
A uto Idle Stop Indicator
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
197
AUTO IDLE STOP INDICATOR
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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 pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, and reduces their ef f ectiveness
and reduces brake pad life. 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
199
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2008 Civic Hybrid

When the low tire pressure indicator
is on, one or more of your tires is
signif icantly underinf lated. You
should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure as indicated on
the vehicle’s tire inf ormation placard.
If you think you can saf ely drive a
short distance to a service station,
proceed slowly, and inf late the tire to
the recommended pressure shown
on the driver’s doorjamb.
If the tire is f lat, or if the tire
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tire with the
compact spare tire (see page ).
If you cannot make the low tire
pressure indicator go out af ter
inf lating the tires to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.Driving on a signif icantly under-
inf lated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Under-inf lation also reduces f uel
efficiency and tire tread life, and may
af f ect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Becausetirepressurevariesby
temperature and other conditions,
the low tire pressure indicator may
come on unexpectedly.
Each tire has its own pressure
sensor (not including the spare tire).
If the air pressure of a tire becomes
signif icantly low while driving, the
sensor in that tire immediately sends
a signal that causes the low tire
pressure indicator to come on.
Your vehicle is equipped with a tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that turns on every time you start the
engine and monitors the pressure in
your tires while driving.
243
U.S. models onlyLow Tire Pressure
Indicator
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
202
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2008 Civic Hybrid

Start the engine, and set the
interior temperature 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.
Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
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.
Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Look f or 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 ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page
). Add coolant if the level is
below the MIN mark.
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.
8.
9.
7.
6.
10.
11.
5.
263
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263
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
252
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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If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).The engine running generates the oil
pressure. When the Auto Idle Stop is
activated, the engine is stopped, the
oil pressure is dropped, and the low
oil pressure indicator does not come
on.
Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see on page
).
This indicator should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action. 1.
2.
3.
4.177
215
263
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
253
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.
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If theAutoIdleStopisactiveforan
extended period, the charging
system indicator may come on. If it
happens, start the engine.
The charging system indicator may
also come on if the Integrated Motor
Assist (IMA) battery charge drops
below a desired level and the engine
starts to recharge the battery.
This indicator may blink af ter you
start the vehicle in the morning
when the temperature is below 20
°F ( 30°C). It will stop blinking
when the IMA battery warms up.
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the 12
volt battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Charging System Indicator
254
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CONT INUED
....................................
Accessories .182
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
.......................................
Position) .79
...............
Accessory Power Socket .99
....................
Additives, Engine Oil .215
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9,21
...
Airbags, Additional Information .21
...
Additional Safety Precautions .32
..........
AdvancedAirbagSystem .26
.............................
Airbag Service .32
How the Passenger Airbag Of f
......................
Indicator Works .31
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .30
..
How the SRS Indicator Works .30
How Your Front Airbags
.........................................
Work .24
...
How Your Side Airbags Work .28
How Your Side Curtain Airbags
.........................................
Work .29
........................
SRS Components .21
..............
Air Conditioning System .102
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .234
......................................
Antif reeze .218 Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
...............................
Indicator .59,200
...................................
Operation .200
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System .166
Anti-thef t Steering Column
..............................................
Lock .79
........................................
Armrest .92
................................
Audio System .108
.....
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .81
.........................
Auto Door Locking .81
.....................
Auto Door Unlocking .84
........................
Auto Idle Stop .196,197
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners .19
.............
Automatic Speed Control .170
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .192
..........................
Capacity,Fluid .268
...............
Checking Fluid Level .221
.......................................
Shif ting .193
Shif t Lever Position
...............................
Indicators .192
................
Shif t Lever Positions .193
....................
Shif t Lock Release .195 Battery
Charging System ...........................
Indicator .62,254
............................
Jump Starting .249
..............................
Maintenance .239
............................
Specif ications .269
..............................
Bef ore Driving .173
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,18
.............................
Beverage Holder .99
Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) .200
.............
Break-in, New Linings .174
....................
Bulb Replacement .226
...........................................
Fluid .222
...................
Pad Wear Indicator .200
.........................................
Parking .96
...........
System Indicator .58,63,256
.............................
Braking System .173
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle .174
..
Brightness Control, Instruments .74
........................
Brights, Headlights .73
Index
A B
INDEX
I
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