2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID IMA

42
uuAirbags uTypes of Airbags
Safe Driving
Types of AirbagsYour vehicle is equipped with three types of airbags:
• Front airbags: Airbags in front of the driver's and front passenger's seats.
• Side airbags: Airbags in the driver's and front passenger's seat-backs.
• Side curtain airbags: Airbags above the side windows.
Each is discussed in the following pages.Front Airbags (SRS)The front SRS airbags inflate in a moderate-to-severe frontal collision to help protect
the head and chest of the driver and/or front passenger.
SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) indicates that the airbags are designed to
supplement seat belts, not replace them. Seat belts are the occupant's primary
restraint system.
The front airbags are housed in the center of the steering wheel for the driver, and
in the dashboard for the front passenger. Both airbags are marked SRS AIRBAG.■
Housing Locations
1 Types of Airbags
The airbags can inflate whenever the ignition switch
is in ON
(w
.
1 Front Airbags (SRS)
Dual-Stage, Multiple-Threshold Front Airbags
(SRS)
Your vehicle is equipped with dual-stage, multiple-
threshold front airbags (SRS).
During a frontal crash severe enough to cause one or
both front airbags to deploy, the airbags can inflate
at different rates, depending on the severity of the
crash, whether or not the seat belts are latched, and/
or other factors. Frontal airbags are designed to
supplement the seat belts to help reduce the
likelihood of head and chest injuries in frontal
crashes.

Continued
43
uuAirbags uFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
Front airbags are designed to inflate during moderate-to-severe frontal collisions.
When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the sensors send information to the control
unit which signals one or both front airbags to inflate.
A frontal collision can be either head-on or angled between two vehicles, or when a
vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a concrete wall.
While your seat belt restrains your torso, the
front airbag provides supplemental protection
for your head and chest.
The front airbags deflate immediately so that
they won't interfere with the driver's visibility
or the ability to steer or operate other
controls.
The total time for inflation and deflation is so fast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in front of them.■
Operation
■
How the Front Airbags Work
1 How the Front Airbags Work
After a front airbag inflat es in a crash, you may see
what looks like smoke. This is actually powder from
the airbag's surface. Although the powder is not
harmful, people with respiratory problems may
experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs,
get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Although the driver's and front passenger's airbags
normally inflate within a split second of each other, it
is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can
happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin,
or threshold, that determines whether or not the
airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will
provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental
protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

66Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas HazardCarbon Monoxide GasThe engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.■
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the trunk open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the trunk open,
open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below.
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3
WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.

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
.

72
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
Transmission
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Blinks if the transmission system
has a problem.
●
Blinks while driving - Avoid sudden
starts and acceleration and have the
vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●
Comes on and the beeper sounds
if you are not wearing a seat belt
when you turn the ignition switch
to ON
(w
. If the front passenger is
not wearing a seat belt, the
indicator comes on about a few
seconds later.
●
Blinks while driving if either you or
the front passenger has not
fastened a seat belt. The beeper
sounds and the indicator blinks at
regular intervals.
●
The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger
fasten their seat belts.
●
Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat belt
- A detection error may have occurred in
the sensor. Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder P. 33
Low Fuel
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 1.9
U.S. gal./7.5 Liter left).
●
Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.
●
Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon
as possible.
●
Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message

76
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
System
Message
Indicator
●
Comes on along with a beep when a
problem is detected. A system message on
the multi-information display appears at
the same time.
●
While the indicator is on, press the
(display/information) button to
see the message again.
●
Refer to the Indicators information in
this chapter when a system message
appears on the multi-information
display. Take the appropriate action for
the message.
●
The multi-information display does not
return to the normal screen unless the
warning is canceled, or the button
is pressed.
—
IMA System
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
●
Comes on if there is a problem with the
IMA system.
●
Remains on or does not come on at
all - Avoid high speed driving and have
the vehicle checked by a dealer as soon
as possible.
2 If the IMA Indicator Comes On
P. 288
Turn Signal
Indicators
●
The turn signal indicators blink when you
operate the turn signal lever.
●
If you press the hazard warning button,
both indicators and all turn signals blink at
the same time.
●
Does not blink or blinks rapidly - A
turn signal light bulb has blown.
Change the bulb immediately.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs
P. 249, 250
—

81
uuIndicators uMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Message
Condition
Explanation
●
Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due soon.
●
Consequently, "SERVICE DUE NOW" and "SERVICE
PAST DUE" follow.
2 Maintenance Minder
TM P. 231
●
Appears when you open the driver's door while the
ignition key is in ACCESSORY
(q
.
●
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
, then remove the
key.
●
Appears when you open the driver's door while the
ignition key is in LOCK
(0
.
●
Remove the key from the ignition switch.
●
Appears when the IMA battery is significantly low.
●
Drive continuously or, if necessary, allow the vehicle to
idle in an open area until the message disappears.

Continued
85
uuGauges and Multi-Information Display uMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg or l/100 km.
The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the average fuel
economy is also reset.
Shows the estimated distance you can travel on the remaining fuel. This distance is
estimated from the fuel economy of your trips in the past.
Shows the time elapsed since the last time Trip A or Trip B was reset.
Shows the average speed in mph or km/h since the last time Trip A or Trip B was
reset.
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder
TM.
2 Maintenance Minder
TM P. 231
■
Average Fuel Economy
■
Range
■
Elapsed Time
■
Average Speed
■
Engine Oil Life
1Average Fuel Economy
You can choose to reset either Trip A or average fuel
economy A when you refuel.
2 Customized Features P. 901Range
You can choose an item to be displayed in the fuel
consumption screen. Range, elapsed time, or average
speed can be selected.
2 Customized Features P. 901Elapsed Time
You can change the elapsed time reset criteria.
2 Customized Features P. 90