2010 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID Owners Manual

In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both
areonalabelonthedriver’s
doorjamb.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Carrying Cargo
254
Max Load (850 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(550 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs)
Max Load (850 lbs) Cargo Weight
(250 lbs)
Cargo Weight
(100 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs)
Passenger Weight
(150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs)
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2010 Civic Hybrid

Store or secure all items that could
be thrown around and hurt
someone during a crash.Distribute cargo evenly on the
f loor 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.
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
underneath and interf ere with the
proper operation of the seats, the
sensors under the seats, or the
driver’s ability to operate the
pedals. If you carry large items that
prevent you f rom closing the trunk
lid, exhaust gas can enter the
passenger area. To avoid the
possibility of carbon monoxide
poisoning, f ollow the instructions
on page .
Keep the glove box closed while
driving. If it is open, a passenger
could injure their knees during a
crash or sudden stop. 52
CONT INUED
Air Intake
Carrying Cargo in the T runk
Carrying Items in the Passenger
Compartment
Carrying Cargo
Bef ore Driving
255
AIR INTAKE
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2010 Civic Hybrid

Do not spill any liquids over the air
intake or insert any f oreign objects
in it. This may damage the IMA
battery and the power control unit.
Carrying Cargo
256
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2010 Civic Hybrid

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, the braking
system, the vehicle stability assist
(VSA
) system, and the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). ........................
Preparing to Drive .258
.......................
Starting the Engine .259
.
Automatic Transmission (CVT) . 260
...........................................
Parking .266
.............................
Braking System .267
...............
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 268
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
),
aka Electronic Stability ........
Control (ESC), System . 270
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ......................................
(TPMS) .272
...........................
Towing a Trailer .274
Driving
Driving
257
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2010 Civic Hybrid

Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened 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 f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check that the hood and trunk are
f ully closed.
Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure (see page ).
1.
2.
3.
8. 7. 6.9.
4.
5.
57
10.
91
98 77
303 15
Preparing to Drive
258
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2010 Civic Hybrid

Apply the parking brake.
In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery.In cold weather, the conventional
starter is used instead of the IMA
system starter. This is normal.
Make sure the shif t 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 f or more than 15 seconds
at a time. If the engine does not
start right away, pause for at least
10 seconds bef ore trying again.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Starting the Engine
Starting in Cold Weather
Driving
259
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound at
altitudes above 8,000 f eet (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 .
79
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2010 Civic Hybrid

Honda’s Continuously Variable
Transmission’s unique design
provides a smooth, constant f low of
power. It is electronically controlled
f or more precise operation and
better f uel economy.These indicators on the instrument
panel show which position the shif t
lever is in.The ‘‘D’’ indicator comes on f or a
f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position. If it f lashes while driving (in
any shif t position), it indicates a
possible problem in the transmission.
If the malf unction indicator lamp
comes on along with the ‘‘D’’
indicator, there is a problem with the
automatic transmission control
system. Avoid rapid acceleration, and
have the transmission checked by
your dealer as soon as possible.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
Shif t L ever Position Indicators
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
260
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2010 Civic Hybrid

µ
To shif t f rom Park to any position,
press the brake pedal, the release
button on the f ront of the shif t lever,
then pull the lever. You cannot shif t
out of Park when the ignition switch
is in the LOCK (0) or the
ACCESSORY (I) position. This position mechani-
cally locks the transmission. Use
Park whenever you are turning of f or
starting the engine. To shif t out of
Park, you must press on the brake
pedal and have your f oot of f the
accelerator pedal. Press the release
buttononthefrontof theshiftlever
to move it. If you have done all of the above and
still cannot move the lever out of
Park, see
on
page .
You must also press the release
button to shift into Park. To avoid
transmission damage, come to a
complete stop bef ore shif ting into
Park. The shif t lever must be in Park
bef ore you can remove the key f rom
the ignition switch. 263
To shift from:
PtoR
RtoP
NtoR StoL
LtoS
StoD
DtoN DtoS
NtoD RtoN Do this:
Press the brake pedal and
press the release button.
Press the release button.
Move the lever.
CONT INUED
Park (P) Shif t L ock Release
Shif ting
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
261
SHIFT LEVER
RELEASE BUTTON
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2010 Civic Hybrid