2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID stop start

209
uuWhen Driving uVSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Driving
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
® On and Off
1 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 immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.
VSA
® OFF
Indicator

213
Continued
Driving
BrakingBrake SystemUse the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parking.To apply:
Pull the lever fully up without pressing the
release button.
To release:
1.Pull the lever slightly, and press and hold
the release button.
2. Lower the lever down all the way, then
release the button.■
Parking Brake
1Parking Brake
NOTICERelease the parking brake fully before driving. The
rear brakes and axle can be damaged if you drive
with the parking brake applied.
If you start driving without fully releasing the parking
brake, a buzzer sounds as a warning, and "RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE" appears on the multi-inf ormation
display.
Always apply the parking brake when parking.
To prevent the parking br ake from freezing when the
outside temperature is extremely cold, do not apply
it, but do the following:
Put the shift lever in
( P
, then use a block or other
wheel chock to stop the wheels from turning.
a
b

215
uuBraking uABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
"stomp and steer."■
ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■
ABS
1 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICEThe ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS:•When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow.•When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

218
uuParking Your Vehicle uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
Auto Idle StopTo help maximize fuel economy, Auto Idle Stop shuts off the engine when the
vehicle comes to a stop, depending on environmental and vehicle operating
conditions. The AUTO STOP indicator blinks at this time.
The engine then restarts once the vehicle is
about to move again, and the indicator goes
off.
If the driver’s door is opened while the
indicator is blinking, a buzzer sounds to notify
you that the Auto Idle Stop function is in
operation.
1Auto Idle Stop
The duration of the Auto Idle Stop operation:•Increases in the ECON mode, compared to when
the ECON mode is off, with climate control in use. •Decreases if you operate the wiper and climate
control simultaneously.
AUTO STOP
Indicator

Continued
219
uuParking Your Vehicle uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
The vehicle stops with the shift lever in
(D
and the brake pedal depressed.
■
Auto idle stop does not activate when:
• The low temperature indicator is on.
• The IMA battery charge is low.
• The bars of the electric motor power flow monitor do not move when
accelerating or decelerating.
• The transmission fluid temperature is low.
• The vehicle comes to a stop again before the vehicle speed reaches 9 mph
(15 km/h) after the engine starts.
• Stopped on a steep incline.
• The shift lever is in a position other than
(D
or
(N
.
■
Auto idle stop may not activate when:
• Even if the set temperature and the actual interior temperature are around the
same ambient conditions (strong sun light, high or low temperature etc) can
prevent Auto Idle Stop from activating.
• The vehicle is stopped by braking suddenly.
■
Auto Idle Stop Activates When:
1Auto Idle Stop Activates When:
The brake pedal is depressed, and the vehicle slows
down to a speed below 6 mph (10 km/h).

220
uuParking Your Vehicle uAuto Idle Stop
Driving
The brake pedal is released.■
The engine restarts even if the brake pedal is depressed when:
• The shift position is changed to
(R
or
(L
.
• The accelerator pedal is depressed.
• The pressure to the brake pedal is reduced and the vehicle starts moving while
stopped on an incline.
• The IMA battery charge becomes low.
• The low temperature indicator comes on.
• Ambient conditions that may differentiate the interior temperature from the set
temperature can also be the cause to start the engine.
■
The Engine Automatically Restarts When:

241
uuMaintenance Under the Hood uChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Maintenance
5. Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
u If it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the
contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
u Apply a light coat of new engine oil to
the oil filter rubber seal.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
u Tightening torque:
29 lbf∙ft (39 N∙m, 4.0 kgf∙m)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the engine.
u Engine oil change capacity (including filter):
3.8 US qt (3.6 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and
start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
u If necessary, add more engine oil.
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check
your work.
Oil Filter

uuOverheating uHow to Handle Overheating
284Handling the Unexpected
■
Next thing to do
1.Check that the cooling fan is operating and
stop the engine once the high temperature
indicator goes off.
u If the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level and check the cooling
system components for leaks.
u If the coolant level in the reserve tank is
low, add coolant until it reaches the
MAX mark.
u If there is no coolant in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a heavy cloth and open
the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to
the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.
■
Last thing to do
Once the engine has co oled sufficiently, restart it and check the high temperature
indicator.
If the high temperature indicator is off, resume driving. If it stays on, contact a dealer
for repairs.
1 How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emerge ncy/temporary measure only.
Have a dealer flush the system with proper antifreeze
as soon as possible.
3
WARNING
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.
MAXMIN
Reserve
Tank