2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID engine

uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience Items uInterior Convenience Items
136Controls
The ignition switch must be in ON
(w
to use
the seat heaters. The HI setting heats the seats
faster than the LO setting.
There is no heater in the passenger's seat-
back due to the side airbag cutoff system.
While in HI, the heater cycles on and off. uThe appropriate indicator will be on
while the seat heater is on. Briefly press
the button on the opposite side to turn
the heater off. The indicator will be off.
When a comfortable temperature is
reached, select LO to keep the seat
warm.
■
Seat Heaters
*
1Seat Heaters
Do not use the seat heaters even in LO when the
engine is off. Under such conditions, the battery may
be weakened, making the engine difficult to start.
In the LO setting, the heater runs continuously and
does not automatically turn off.
3
WARNING
Heat induced burns are possible when
using seat heaters.
Persons with a diminished ability to sense
temperature (e.g., persons with diabetes,
lower-limb nerve damage, or paralysis) or
with sensitive skin sho uld not use seat
heaters.
* Not available on all models

137
Continued
Controls
Climate Control SystemUsing Automatic Climate ControlThe automatic climate control system maintains the interior temperature you select.
The system also selects the proper mix of heated or cooled air that will as quickly as
possible, raise or lower the interior temperature to your preference.
Use the system when the engine is running.
1.Press the AUTO button.
2. Adjust the interior temperature using the temperature control bar.
3. Press the (ON/OFF) button to cancel.■
Switching between the recirculation and fresh air modes
Press the (recirculation) or the (fresh air) button and switch the mode
depending on environmental conditions.
Recirculation Mode: Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior through the system.
Fresh Air Mode: Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system in fresh air mode in
normal situations.
1 Using Automatic Climate Control
If any buttons are pressed while using the climate
control system in AUTO, the function of the button
that was pressed will take priority.
The AUTO indicator will go off, but functions
unrelated to the button that were pressed will be
controlled automatically.
During the Auto Idle Stop, the air conditioning
system will be turned off.
If the ECON mode is selected, the fan may also be
turned off.
To prevent cold air from blowing in from outside, the
fan may not start immediately when the AUTO
button is pressed.
Once you have set the desired temperature, do not
use the temperature control switches more than
necessary.
Doing so may delay the time it takes to reach the set
temperature.
If the interior is very warm, you can cool it down
more rapidly by partially opening the windows,
turning the system on AUTO, and setting the
temperature to low. Change the fresh mode to
recirculation mode until the temperature cools down.
When you set the temperature to the lower or upper
limit, Lo or Hi is displayed.
Dashboard
vents
Dashboard
and floor
vents
Floor vents
Floor and
defogger
vents
AUTO Button
Temperature
Control Bar
(Recirculation) Button
(Fresh Air) Button
A/C
(Air Conditioning)
Button
(Fan Control) Bar
(ON/OFF) Button

191
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before DrivingDriving Preparation .......................... 192
Maximum Load Limit........................ 195
Towing a Trailer Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 197
When Driving Starting the Engine .......................... 198
Precautions While Driving................. 201
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .......... 202
Shifting ............................................ 203
Cruise Control ................................. 205
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 208
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 210
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation ......... 211
Braking Brake System ................................... 213
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 215
Brake Assist System.......................... 216 Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 217
Auto Idle Stop ................................. 218
Parking ............................................ 221
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 222
How to Refuel ................................. 223
Fuel Economy Improving Fuel Economy .................. 225
Accessories and Modifications Accessories ...................................... 226
Modifications................................... 226

198Driving
When DrivingStarting the Engine
1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P
, then
depress the brake pedal.
u Although it is possible to start the vehicle
in
(N
, it is safer to start it in
(P
.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when
starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400
meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake Pedal

Continued
199
uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
Driving
3. Turn the ignition switch to START
(e

without depressing the accelerator pedal.
1. Keeping your right foot on the brake pedal, release the parking brake. Check that
the parking brake and brake system indicator has gone off.
2 Parking Brake P. 213
2.Put the shift lever in
(D
. Select
(R
when reversing.
3. Gradually release the brake pedal and gently depress the accelerator pedal to pull
away.
1Starting the Engine
Do not hold the key in START
(e
for more than 15
seconds.
•If the engine does not start right away, wait for at
least 10 seconds before trying again.•If the engine starts, but then immediately stops,
wait at least 10 seconds before repeating step 3
while gently depressing the acce lerator pedal.
Release the accelerator pedal once the engine
starts.
The immobilizer system protects your vehicle from
theft. If an improperly coded key (or other device) is
used, the engine's fuel system is disabled 2 Immobilizer System P. 113
■
Starting to Drive

uuWhen Driving uStarting the Engine
200Driving
■
Creep aid system
With the shift lever in
(D
, this feature applies brake pressure briefly as you release
the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
■
Hill start assist system
Hill start assist feature helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling on inclines as you
move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Move the Shift lever to
(D
or
(L
when facing uphill, or
(R
when facing downhill,
then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
1 Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
Hill start assist will still operate even when VSA
® is
switched off.

201
uuWhen Driving uPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While DrivingAvoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.■
In Rain
■
Other Precautions
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICEDo not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q
or
LOCK
( 0
while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
( N
, as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 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 first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
NOTICEFollowing can damage the under spoiler:•Parking the vehicle by a parking block•Parallel parking along the road shoulder•Driving towards the bottom of a hill•Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)•Driving on a rutted or bumpy road•Driving on a road with potholes

202
uuWhen Driving uAutomatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
Automatic Transmission (CVT)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 when stopped.
Quickly 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.■
Creeping
■
Kickdown