2011 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID emergency towing

This section covers the more
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation about how to
safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has
stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again.
If not, you will also f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire . 312
....................
Changing a Flat Tire . 313
.............
If the Engine Won’t Start . 317
................................
Jump Starting . 319
..............
If the Engine Overheats . 321
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 323
..........
Charging System Indicator . 324
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 325
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Brake System Indicator . 326
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Fuses . 327
..............................
Fuse Locations . 331
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Emergency Towing . 333
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
311
Main Menu

Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er toon page .
In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
59
259 327
333
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If theEngineWon’tStart
318
Main Menu

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 (seeon 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.
333
246 333
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
Emergency
Towing
322 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.
Main Menu

If the ABS indicator comes on with
the brake system indicator, have
your vehicle inspected by your
dealer immediately.
However, if the brake pedal does not
f eel normal, you should take
immediate action. A problem in one
part of the system’s dual circuit
design will still give you braking at
two wheels. You will f eel the brake
pedal go down much f arther bef ore
the vehicle begins to slow down, and
you will have to press harder on the
pedal.
Slow down by shif ting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is saf e. Because of the long
distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. You
should have it towed and repaired as
soon as possible (see
on page ).
If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and caref ully.
The brake system
indicator normally
comes on when
you turn the ignition switch to the
ON (II) position and as a reminder to
check the parking brake. It will stay
on if you do not f ully release the
parking brake.
If the brake system indicator comes
on while driving, the brake f luid level
is probably low. Press lightly on the
brake pedal to see if it f eels normal.
If it does, check the brake f luid level
thenexttimeyoustopataservice
station (see page ).
If the f luid level is low, take your
vehicle to a dealer, and have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads. If the brake system indicator
(amber) comes on with the parking
brake system indicator (red) with
the parking brake released, there
may be a malfunction with the
power-assist f eature. When the
power-assist f eature malf unctions,
the brake indicator (red) comes on
and a buzzer sounds f or a second.
The power-assist f eature may stop
when the brake ef f ect is weak. Stop
your vehicle immediately at a saf e
place and contact a dealer.
292
333Emergency
Towing
Brake System Indicator
326 U.S. Canada
Main Menu

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CONT INUED
If , due to damage, your vehicle must
be towed with the f ront wheels on
the ground, do this:
With the f ront wheels on the ground,
it is best to tow the vehicle no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep the
speedbelow35mph(55km/h).
If your vehicle needs to be towed,
call a prof essional towing service or
organization. Never tow your vehicle
with just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.
Therearetwowaystotowyour
vehicle:
The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (f ront) and lif t them
of f the ground. The other two tires
remain on the ground. The operator
loads your vehicle on the back of a
truck. Start the engine.
Shif t to the D position and hold f or
5 seconds, then to N.
Turn of f the engine.
Release the parking brake.
Leave the ignition switch in the
ACCESSORY (I) position so the
steering wheel does not lock.
Wheel-lif t Equipment
Flat -bed Equipment
T his is an
acceptable way to tow your
vehicle. T his is the best way to
transport your vehicle.
Emergency T owing
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
333
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shif t the transmission or start the
engine, your vehicle must be
transported with the f ront wheels of f
the ground.
Main Menu

Emergency T owing
334The steering system can be damaged if
the steering wheel is locked. Leave the
ignition switch in the ACCESSORY (I)
position, and make sure the steering
wheel turns f reely bef ore you begin
towing.
Trying to lif t or tow your vehicle by the
bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to
support the vehicle’s weight.
Main Menu

Î
CONT INUED
........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 340
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving . 257
....................................
Economy . 247
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 300
..............................
Economy, Fuel . 247
............
Emergencies on the Road . 311
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 319
...........
Brake System Indicator . 326
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 313
.....
Charging System Indicator . 324
..................
Checking the Fuses . 328
Low Oil Pressure
...........................
Indicator . 62, 323
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 62, 325
..................
Overheated Engine . 321
...........................
Emergency Brake . 99
......................
Emergency Flashers . 76
......................
Emergency Towing . 333
............
Emergency Trunk Opener . 88
.......................
Emissions Controls . 345
........................
Emissions Testing . 348 Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 66
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 262
Malf unction Indicator
................................
Lamp . 62, 325
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 62, 323
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 285
...............................
Overheating . 321
............................
Specif ications . 338
.......................................
Starting . 259
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 345
...............................
Exhaust Fumes . 52
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat
........................................
Belts by . 17
...................................
Fan, Interior . 105
.........................................
Features . 103
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 243
Filters
.........................
Dust and Pollen . 300
...............................................
Oil . 286
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 76
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 313 Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 291
..........................................
Brake . 292
..................
Windshield Washer . 290
FM Stereo Radio
...................................
Reception . 204
..........................
Four-way Flashers . 76
............................
Front Airbags . 10, 22
.................................................
Fuel . 242
......................
Fill Door and Cap . 243
...........................................
Gauge . 67
................
Octane Requirement . 242
...............................
Oxygenated . 242
........................
Reserve Indicator . 61
........................
Tank, Filling the . 243
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Fuses, Checking the . 328
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 247
Index
F
E
G
INDEX
III
Main Menu

Towing.....................................
A Trailer . 274
..................
Emergency Towing . 333
...........................
Traction Devices . 308
Transmission
Checking Fluid Level, ..............................
Automatic . 291
...........................
Fluid Selection . 291
..............
Identif ication Number . 337
.............
Shif ting the Automatic . 261
.....................................
Treadwear . 340
.......................................
Trip Meter . 67
................................................
Trunk . 88
........................................
Opening . 88
...................
Open Monitor Light . 60
....................................
Turn Signals . 74 ................................
Vanity Mirror . 100
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load . 253
......................
Vehicle Dimensions . 338
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number . 336
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
)
....................................
System . 270
...
VSA Activation Indicator . 64, 270
.........................
VSA Of f Switch . 271
........
VSA System Indicator . 64, 270
.............................
Vehicle Storage . 309
.....................................
Ventilation . 106
.................................................
VIN . 336
..................................
Viscosity, Oil . 285
Unexpected, Taking Care ..........................................
of the . 311
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading . 340
........................
Unleaded Gasoline . 242
......................
USB Adapter Cable . 141
.
USB Flash Memory Device . 140, 194
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of . 288 ............
WARNING, Explanation of . iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of . 53
....................
Warranty Coverages . 353
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level . 290
.......................................
Indicator . 61
.....................................
Operation . 73 Wheels
...............
Adjusting the Steering . 77
............
Alignment and Balance . 306
.....................................
Cleaning . 303
..........................
Compact Spare . 312
...............................
Nut Wrench . 313
Windows ..................
Operating the Power . 97
...........................
Rear, Def ogger . 76
Windshield .......................................
Cleaning . 73
...................................
Def roster . 108
.......................................
Washers . 73
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades . 300
.....................................
Operation . 73
....................................
Worn Tires . 305
.....
Wrecker, Emergency Towing . 333
Index
V W
U
VIII
Main Menu