2011 HONDA CR-Z Owners Manual

200
Driving
When Driving Precautions While Driving
Precautions While Driving
In Rain
■
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or cause electrical component failure.
Other Precautions

■
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location. Check the underside of the vehicle for damage and fuel or brake fluid leaks.
Precautions While Driving
NOTICE Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the accelerator pedal. You could damage the transmission. If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY

or LOCK while driving, the engine will shut
down and all steering and brake power assist functions will stop, making it dificult to control the vehicle. Do not drive with the shift lever in
, as you will
lose engine braking (and acceleration) performance. During the irst 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so as to not damage the engine or powertrain. Avoid hard braking for the irst 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this when the brakes are replaced.
Main MenuTable of Contents

201
Driving
When Driving Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
Creeping
■
The following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase creeping:
Immediately after the engine starts.

•
When the climate control system is in use.

• Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed.
Kickdown

■
Depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the transmission to
drop to a lower ratio, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed. Depress the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.
Main MenuTable of Contents

202
Driving
When Driving Shifting
Shifting
Automatic transmission (CVT) model
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving need.Names and Functions of Shift Lever Positions
■
Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK

and remove the key unless the shift lever is in .
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal irmly and, when necessary, apply the parking brake. The engine may cut in and out in
R or depending
on the road condition, even when the engine
speed is lower than the tachometer’s red zone. This is the engine’s computer working to protect the transmission.
Park Used when parking or starting the engine. Reverse Used when backing up. Neutral Used when idling Drive Used for:
~
Normal driving
~
Temporarily driving in the 7-speed manual shift mode (when driving in ECON or NORMAL mode)
~
Driving in the 7-speed manual shift mode (when driving in SPORT mode)
~
Driving in L mode
Main MenuTable of Contents

203
Driving
When Driving Shifting
Shift Lever Operation
■ Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
Before you move the shift lever from to and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come to a complete standstill can damage the transmission. Use the shift lever position indicator to check the lever position before pulling away. Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving, a blinking
indicator indicates a
transmission problem. Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission checked by a dealer as soon as possible. The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a slight jolt. It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release button is held down.Depress the brake pedal irst.
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Tachometer's Red Zone
M (7-Speed Manual Shift Mode) Indicator/Shift Indicator
Depress the brake pedal and press the shift lever release button to shift.
Shift without pressing the shift lever release button.
Press the shift lever release button and shift. P
R
N D
Main MenuTable of Contents

204
Driving
When Driving Shifting
7-Speed Manual Shift Mode
■
Use the paddle shifters to change between first and seventh speeds without removing your hands from the steering wheel. The transmission switches to the 7-speed manual shift mode when you pull a paddle shifter while driving. This mode is useful when engine braking is needed. You can cancel this mode by pressing any of the three driving mode buttons, or pulling the
paddle shifter for a few seconds.
When the Driving Mode is in ECON or NORMAL
■
The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode temporarily, and the number is displayed in the shift indicator.The 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled automatically if you drive at constant speed or accelerate, and the number in the shift indicator goes off.The 7-speed manual shift mode is especially useful when reducing the vehicle speed temporarily before making a turn.
When the Driving Mode is in SPORT
■
The shift mode goes into the 7-speed manual shift mode. The
M indicator and the
speed number are displayed in the shift indicator. As the vehicle speed slows down, the transmission automatically shifts down accordingly. When the vehicle comes to a stop, it automatically shifts down into first. If the vehicle speed increases and the engine speed reaches near the tachometer’s red zone, the transmission automatically shifts up.
7-Speed Manual Shift Mode
To improve fuel economy, the transmission may shift up to a higher speed than the seventh under certain circumstances. In this case, the number in the shift indicator remains as "7." In the 7-speed manual shift mode, the transmission
shifts up or down by operating either paddle shifte r
under the following conditions:Shift Up: The engine speed reaches the lowest threshold of the higher speed position.Shift Down: The engine speed reaches the highest threshold of the lower speed position. When the engine speed reaches near the tachometer’s red zone, the transmission shifts up automatically.When the engine speed reaches the lowest threshold of the selected speed position, the transmission shifts down automatically. Operating the paddle shifters on slippery surfaces may cause the tires to lock up. In this case, the 7-speed manual shift mode is canceled and goes back to the normal D driving mode.
Main MenuTable of Contents

205
Driving
When Driving Shifting
7-Speed Manual Shift Mode Operation
■
Paddle Shifter
(Shift down)
Downshifting when pulling the (–) paddle shifter (Changes to a lower speed number)Upshifting when pulling the + paddle shifter (Changes to a higher speed number)
Paddle Shifter
(Shift up)
7-Speed Manual Shift Mode Operation
Each paddle shift operation makes a single speed change.To change continuously, release the paddle shifter before pulling it again for the next speed. Recommended Shift Points Use this table as a guideline for eficient fuel economy and effective emission control.
Shift Up Normal Acceleration 1 to 2 15 mph (24 km/h)
2 to 3 25 mph (40 km/h)
3 to 4 40 mph (64 km/h)
4 to 5 47 mph (76 km/h)
5 to 6 52 mph (84 km/h)
6 to 7 57 mph (92 km/h)
If the position indicator blinks when you try to shift up or down, this means your vehicle speed is not in its allowable shifting range.Slightly accelerate to shift up and decelerate to shift down while the indicator is blinking.
Main MenuTable of Contents

206
Driving
When Driving Shifting
L Mode Operation
■
Use this mode to get more power when climbing hills. To switch to the L mode, pull and hold both paddle shifters (
and ) at the
same time with the shift lever in
D.
To cancel this mode, pull and hold both paddle shifters again, or press any of the three driving mode buttons. The
L indicator goes off.
L Mode Operation
Use the L mode to get more engine braking in the 7-speed manual shift mode.
is displayed in the 7-speed
manual shift mode indicator.
Pull both + and – paddle shifters at the same time.
L
Main MenuTable of Contents

207
Driving
When Driving Shifting
Shifting
Manual transmission model
Shift Lever Operation
■
Fully depress the clutch pedal to operate the shift lever and change gears, then slowly release the pedal. Depress the clutch pedal, and pause for a few seconds before shifting into
R, or
shift into one of the forward gears for a moment. This stops the gears so they won’t “grind.”
When you are not shifting, do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal. This can cause your clutch to wear out faster.
Shifting
NOTICE
Do not shift to before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop. Shifting to
before stopping can damage the
transmission. Recommended Shift Points Driving in the highest gear that allows the engine to run and accelerate smoothly helps to optimize fuel economy and emissions control. The following shift points are recommended:
Shift Up Normal Acceleration
1st to 2nd 15 mph (24 km/h)
2nd to 3rd 25 mph (40 km/h) 3rd to 4th 40 mph (64 km/h)
4th to 5th 47 mph (76 km/h)
5th to 6th 52 mph (84 km/h)
If you exceed the maximum speed for the gear you are in, the engine speed will enter into the tachometer's red zone. When this happens, you may experience a slight jolt.
NOTICE Before downshifting, make sure the engine will not go into the tachometer's red zone.Should this occur, it can severely damage your engine. There is a metallic part on the shift lever. If you leave the vehicle parked outside for a long time on a hot day, be careful before moving the shift lever. Because of heat, the shift lever may be extremely hot. If the outside temperature is low, the shift lever feels cold.
Main MenuTable of Contents