2011 HONDA CR-Z Owners Manual

208
Driving
When Driving Shifting
Shift Up/Down Indicators
■
Come on to indicate when a gear change is appropriate to maintain the most fuel efficient driving style.
The shift up indicator: Comes on when shifting up is recommended.The shift down indicator: Comes on when shifting down is recommended.
The indicators do not come on in the SPORT
mode.
Shift Up/Down Indicators
This indicator will not prompt you to downshift to increase engine braking. It is up to you to downshift to increase engine braking when driving downhill. Always shift down at the appropriate vehicle speed.The shift down indicator does not come on when downshifting from
to .
Ambient meter color may change if you do not change gears when a shift indicator illuminates. This can result in a change in fuel economy. Road and trafic conditions may require you to shift at times other than those indicated.
Main MenuTable of Contents

209
Driving
When Driving Shifting
Reverse Lockout
■
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally shifting into
R from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving at a certain speed.
If you cannot shift to
R when the vehicle is stopped, do the following: 1. Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift lever all the way to the left, and shift to
R.
If you still cannot shift into
2.
R, apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY
I or LOCK 0.
Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
3.
R.
Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
4.
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you have to go through this procedure repeatedly.
Main MenuTable of Contents

210
Driving
When Driving 3-Mode Drive System
3-Mode Drive System Driving mode is in NORMAL when you turn the ignition switch to ON
II.
To change driving modes, press the desired mode button. The corresponding mode indicator comes on in the instrument panel, and the mode icon appears briefly on the multi-information display. 3-Mode Drive System
To keep the system in the ECON mode the next
time the ignition switch is turned to ON
, change
the customized setting on the multi-information display.
Customized Features P. 9 0
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel economy by changing the engine, transmission, climate control system, cruise control, and IMA system performances. While in the ECON mode, the climate control system has greater temperature luctuations.
Ù Select a driving mode
and press the button.
Ù The selected driving mode
indicator comes on.
SPORT Mode Button NORMAL Mode Button ECON Mode Button
Main MenuTable of Contents

211
Driving
When Driving Cruise Control
Cruise Control Maintains a constant vehicle speed without having to keep your foot on the accelerator. Use cruise control on freeways or open roads where you can travel at a constant speed with little acceleration or deceleration.
Cruise Control
When the ignition switch is in ACCESSORY
or
LOCK , cruise control automatically goes off.
It may not be possible to maintain a constant speed when driving uphill or downhill. When climbing a steep hill with the ECON mode, it may take relatively more time to accelerate to maintain the set speed. When not using cruise control, turn off cruise control by pressing the CRUISE button.
Manual transmission While the cruise control system is activated, the shift up or down indicator does not work.
WARNING
Improper use of the cruise control can lead to a crash. Use the cruise control only when traveling on open highways in good weather.When to use
How to use
Ù Vehicle speed for cruise control:
Desired speed in a range above roughly 25 mph (40 km/h). Always keep sufcient distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
CRUISE MAIN is on in the instrument panel. Cruise control is ready to use.
Automatic transmission model
Ù Press the CRUISE button on the
steering wheel.
Main MenuTable of Contents

212
Driving
When Driving Cruise Control
To Set the Vehicle Speed
■
Press the DECEL/SET button when you reach the desired speed using the accelerator pedal. The moment you release the DECEL/SET button, the set speed is fixed, and cruise control begins. The CRUISE CONTROL indicator comes on.
To Cancel

■
To cancel cruise control, do any of the following:
Press the CANCEL button.
•
Press the CRUISE button.
•
Depress the brake pedal.
•
Depress the clutch pedal.
•
The CRUISE CONTROL indicator goes off.
Press and release
On On
On when cruise control begins. DECEL/SET Button
To Cancel
Resuming the prior set speed After cruise control has been canceled, you can still resume the prior set speed by pressing the RES/ACCEL button while driving at a speed of at least 25 mph (40 km/h) or more. You cannot set or resume in the following situations: When vehicle speed is less than 25 mph (40 km/h)

•
When the CRUISE button is turned off

•
At vehicle speeds of 22 mph (35 km/h) or less, cruise control is canceled automatically.
CRUISE Button
CANCEL Button
CRUISE Button
CANCEL Button
Main MenuTable of Contents

213
Driving
When Driving Cruise Control
To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
■
Increase or decrease the vehicle speed using the accelerator and brake pedals, and set the vehicle speed with the DECEL/SET button on the steering wheel.
To Adjust the Vehicle Speed
Vehicle speed can be increased or decreased also using the RES/ACCEL or DECEL/SET button on the steering wheel.
RES/ACCEL Button Each time you press the button, vehicle speed is

•
increased by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).If you keep it pressed, vehicle speed increases

•
until you release it. This speed is then set.
DECEL/SET Button Each time you press it, vehicle speed decreases

•
by about 1 mph (1.6 km/h).If you keep it pressed, vehicle speed decreases

•
until you release it. This speed is then set.
Decrease vehicle speed with the
brake pedal, then take your foot off the brake pedal.
To decrease speed
Use the accelerator
pedal to increase vehicle speed.
The vehicle speed is set when the
button is released.
To increase speed
Press and release DECEL/SET Button
Main MenuTable of Contents

214
Driving
When Driving VSA®
(Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
VSA ®
(Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System VSA ®
helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
VSA

■®
Operation
When VSA®
activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator. You may also notice some noise from the hydraulic system. You will also see the indicator blink.
VSA ®
(Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
The VSA ®
may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and type of tire, and the air pressures as speciied. When the VSA ®
indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the system. While this may not interfere with normal driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer immediately. VSA ®
cannot enhance stability in all driving
situations and does not control the entire braking system. You still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions and always leave a suficient margin of safety. The main function of the VSA ®
system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The system also includes a traction control function.
VSA ®
System
Indicator
Main MenuTable of Contents

215
Driving
When Driving VSA®
(Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
VSA
■®
On and Off
This button is on the driver side control panel. To turn the VSA®
system on and off, press and
hold it until you hear a beep. VSA ®
will stop and the indicator will come on.
To turn it on again, press the
(VSA ®
off)
button until you hear a beep. VSA ®
is turned on every time you start the
engine, even if you turned it off the last time you drove the vehicle.
VSA ®
OFF
Indicator
VSA ®
(Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System
Without VSA ®
, your vehicle will have normal
braking and cornering ability, but it will not have VSA ®
traction and stability enhancement.
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier to free it with the VSA ®
temporarily switched
off. When the VSA ®
system is off, the traction control
system is also off. You should only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ®
off if you are not able
to free it when the VSA ®
is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to switch VSA ®
on again. We do not recommend
driving your vehicle with the VSA ®
and traction
control systems switched off. If the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator comes on or blinks, the VSA ®
system comes on automatically.
In this case, you cannot turn the system off by pressing the
button.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being performed immediately after starting the engine or while driving. This is normal.
Main MenuTable of Contents