2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID charging

10Quick Reference Guide
The Honda IMA SystemThe main power source for the Honda IMA system is the gasoline engine.
The electric motor assists the engine to improve fuel economy, based on
current operating conditions.
Tips to Improve Fue
l Economy
To help your vehicle’s fuel economy:
●Avoid aggressive acceleration/braking
● Monitor the ambient meter and the Eco drive bar
displayed on the multi-information display.
It reflects your driving style. (P8, 87)
Start-up/Low speed cruise/
Aggressive acceleration
● The electric motor assists the
engine. Low speed cruise
● Only IMA motor is
powering the vehicle and
IMA battery is discharging.
Slow acceleration/High
speed cruise
● Only the engine powers
the vehicle. Deceleration
● The IMA system charges
the IMA battery.
Stop
● Auto Idle Stop is in
operation.
Vehicle
Speed
TimeEco Drive Bar
Display
IMA
System IMA
System
IMA
System
IMA
System
IMA
System
Electric
Motor Assist Engine
ON Electric
Motor Assist Electric
Motor OFF
Charging
Engine
OFF Engine
ON
Engine OFF
Engine OFF
IMA
Battery IMA
Battery IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
Fuel
Fuel Fuel
Fuel
Fuel
Electric Motor OFF

11Quick Reference Guide
To Keep the IMA Battery in Good Condition Drive your vehicle at least once a month for more than 30 minutes. Parking your vehicle for an extended period can
cause the IMA battery to weaken or decrease the IMA battery life.Safety Precautions Do not cover the air intake.
Air Intake
If the air intake is obstructed during
vehicle operation, the IMA battery can
become too hot. To protect the battery,
the system may start limiting IMA battery
output power and cause the IMA system
and 12 volt battery charging system
indicators to come on.
IMA System Indicator (P87)
12 Volt Battery Charging
System Indicator (P71)
Do not touch the Honda IMA SystemA high voltage current runs through Honda IMA System. Consult your authorized dealer
when maintenance or repair is needed.
IMA Battery
IMA Power Cable
If a crash occurs● Be careful of electric shock hazard.
u If a crash severely damaged your vehicle, there is a possibility of electrical shock. Do
not touch the IMA system components or their wiring (orange).
● Avoid contact with IMA battery fluid.
u The battery fluid may leak as a result of a crash. Avoid any skin or eye contact with
the fluid. The battery fluid is corrosive. If you accid entally touched it, flush the
affected area(s) with a large quantity of water for at least five minutes, and seek
medical attention immediately.
● Use a fire extinguisher for an electrical fire.
u Attempting to extinguish an electrical fire with a small quantity of water can be
dangerous.When the vehicle is disposed● The IMA battery is a Lithium ion battery. Honda collects and recycles used IMA
batteries – consult with your dealer for proper battery disposal in the event your
vehicle is not repairable.

13Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P69)
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA
®) System
Indicator VSA
® OFF Indicator
Electric Power
Steering (EPS)
Indicator
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Lights Reminders
Cruise Main
Indicator
System Message
Indicator
Brake System
Indicator (Amber) Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Door Open Indicator
TachometerInstant Fuel
Economy Gauge
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security System Alarm Indicator
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P82)
/Multi-Information Display
(P83)
/System Indicators
(P70)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Temperature
Indicator
Low Temperature
Indicator Ambient Meter
System Indicators
System Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS IndicatorU.S. models only
Parking Brake
and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
IMA System
Indicator
Cruise Control
Indicator
System Indicators
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
IndicatorAuto Idle Stop
Indicator
U.S.CanadaU.S.Canada
U.S.Canada

71
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off either when the engine starts or
after several seconds if the engine
is not started. If "readiness codes"
have not been set, it blinks five
times before it goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the emissions control system.
●
Blinks when a misfire in the
engine's cylinders is detected.
●
Readiness codes are part of the on board
diagnostics for the emissions control
systems.
2 Testing of Readiness Codes P. 299
●
Comes on while driving - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
●
Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe
place where there are no flammable
objects. Stop the engine for 10 minutes
or more, and wait for it to cool down.
Then, take the vehicle to a dealer.
2 If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks P. 286
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●
Comes on when the 12 volt battery
is not charging.
●
Comes on while driving - Turn off the
climate control system and rear defogger
in order to reduce electricity
consumption.
2 If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 285
Indicator
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
●
Indicates in which position your
shift lever is.
2Shifting P. 203
.

Continued
89
uuGauges and Multi-Information Display uMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
Displays engine and electric motor power flow – whether the system is assisting the
engine or charging the battery.■
Power flow from/to the IMA battery icon
The degree to which the electric motor is assisting the engine or the IMA battery is being charged is indica ted by the bar graph.
■
Power Flow Monitor
1Power Flow Monitor
The IMA battery charge level may decrease rapidly
under the following conditions:•When the 12 volt battery has been replaced.•When the IMA battery has been disconnected.•When the IMA battery control system is correcting
its reading.
The charge level reading will be corrected
automatically while driving.
If the IMA battery is too hot or too cold, the IMA
battery’s output power is limited to protect the
battery. This disables the IMA assist and Auto Idle
Stop, even though the battery is well-charged.
It takes a short time to normalize the IMA battery’s
output power depending on the weather.
Power Flow Engine Operation Icon
IMA Battery Icon
Shows Charge Level
Power is supplied by
only the electric motor. Power is supplied by
the engine and the electric
motor is assisting the engine. The electric motor is charging the IMA
battery.
Power is only supplied by the engine.
Power is only supplied by the engine
and the electric motor is charging the
IMA battery.

263
Maintenance
12 Volt BatteryChecking the 12 Volt Battery
Check the battery condition monthly. Look at
the test indicator window and check the
terminals for corrosion.
If your vehicle's battery is disconnected or goes dead:
• The audio system is disabled.
2 Reactivating the audio system P. 144
•The clock resets.
2 Setting the Clock P. 102
•The navigation system
* is disabled.
2 Refer to the navigation system manual
Charging the BatteryDisconnect both battery cables to prevent damaging your vehicle's electrical system.
Always disconnect the negative (-) cab le first, and reconnect it last.
112 Volt BatteryWARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessori es contain lead
and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.The test indicator's color information is on the
battery.
When you find corrosion, clean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Rinse the terminals with water. Cloth/towel dry the
battery. Coat the terminals with grease to help
prevent future corrosion.
3
WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to
explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery
maintenance, wear protective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do
it.
Test Indicator Window
* Not available on all models

271
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 272
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 273
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 279
Jump Starting .................................... 280
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 282
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 283 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 285If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 285
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 286If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes On .................................................287If the EPS Indicator Comes On.......... 287
If the IMA Indicator Comes On......... 288 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 288
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 289
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 291
Emergency Towing ........................... 292

285
Handling the Unexpected
Indicator, Coming On/BlinkingIf the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the engine oil pressure is low.
■
What to do as soon as the indicator comes on
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
2. If necessary, turn the hazard warning lights on.
■
What to do after parking the vehicle
1. Stop the engine and let it sit for about one minute.
2. Open the hood and check the oil level.
u Add oil as necessary.
3. Start the engine and check the low oil pressure indicator.
u The light goes out: Start driving again.
u The light does not go out within 10 seconds: Stop the engine and
contact a dealer for repairs immediately.
If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
■
Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the 12 volt battery is not being charged.
■
What to do when the indicator comes on
Turn off the climate control system, rear defogger, and other electrical
systems, and immediately contact a dealer for repairs.
1 If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
NOTICERunning the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately.1If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
If you need to stop temporarily, do not turn off the
engine. Restarting the engine may rapidly discharge
the 12 volt battery.
This indicator may blink after starting when the
outside temperature is below -20°F (-30°C). It will
stop blinking after the IMA battery warms up.