2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID engine

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:

221
uuParking Your Vehicle uParking
Driving
Parking1. Depress the brake pedal firmly with the shift lever in
(D
.
2. Apply the parking brake while holding the brake pedal down.
3. Move the shift lever to
(P
.
4. Turn off the engine.
1Parking
Raise the wiper arms when snow is expected.

222Driving
RefuelingFuel Information■
Fuel recommendation
Use of a lower octane gasoline can cause a persistent, heavy metallic knocking noise
that can lead to engine damage.
■
Top tier detergent gasoline
Because the level of detergency and additives in gasoline vary in the market, Honda
endorses the use of “TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline” where available to help
maintain the performance and reliability of your vehicle. TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline meets a new gasoline standard jointly established by leading automotive
manufacturers to meet the needs of today’s advanced engines.Unleaded gasoline, pump octane number 87 or higher
1 Fuel Information
NOTICEWe recommend quality gasoline containing
detergent additives that help prevent fuel system and
engine deposits. In addition, in order to maintain
good performance, fuel economy, and emissions
control, we strongly recommend the use of gasoline
that does NOT contain harmful manganese-based
fuel additives such as MMT, if such gasoline is
available.
Use of gasoline with these additives may adversely
affect performance, and cause the malfunction
indicator lamp on your instrument panel to come on.
If this happens, contact a dealer for service.
Some gasoline today is blended with oxygenates such
as ethanol. Your vehicle is designed to operate on
oxygenated gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol
by volume. Do not use gasoline containing methanol.
If you notice any undesirable operating symptoms, try
another service station or switch to another brand of
gasoline.

Continued
223
uuRefueling uHow to Refuel
Driving
Qualifying gasoline retailers will, in most cases, identify their gasoline as having met
"TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline" standards at the retail location. This fuel is
guaranteed to contain the proper level of detergent additives and be free of metallic
additives. The proper level of detergent additives, and absence of harmful metallic
additives in gasoline, help avoid build-up of deposits in your engine and emission
control system.
For further important fuel-related information for your vehicle, or on information on
gasoline that does not contain MMT, visit www.hondacars.com. In Canada, visit
www.honda.ca for additional information on gasoline. For more information on top
tier gasoline, visit www.toptiergas.com .■
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 US gal (50 liters)
How to Refuel
1.Stop your vehicle with the service station
pump on the left side of the vehicle in the
rear.
2. Turn off the engine.
3. Push on the fuel fill door release handle at
the foot of the driver’s seat.
u The fuel fill door opens.
1How to Refuel
3
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and explosive.
You can be burned or seriously injured
when handling fuel.
• Stop the engine, and keep heat, sparks,
and flame away.
• Handle fuel only outdoors.
• Wipe up spills immediately.
Push

225
Driving
Fuel EconomyImproving Fuel EconomyFuel economy depends on several conditions, including driving conditions, your
driving habits, the condition of your vehicle, and loading. Depending on these and
other conditions, you may or may not achieve the rated fuel economy of this vehicle.
You can optimize your fuel economy with proper maintenance of your vehicle.
Always maintain your vehicle in accordance with the messages displayed on the
multi-information display.
• Use the recommended viscosity engine oil, displaying the API Certification Seal.
• Maintain the specified tire pressure.
• Do not load the vehicle with excess cargo.
• Keep your vehicle clean. A buildup of snow or mud on your vehicle's underside
adds weight and increases wind resistance.■
Maintenance and Fuel Economy
1Improving Fuel Economy
Direct calculation is the recommended method to
determine actual fuel consumed while driving.
In Canada, posted fuel economy numbers are
established following a simulated test. For more
information on how this test is performed, please visit
http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/
Miles driven Gallons of
fuel Miles per
Gallon
100 Liters Kilometers L per 100 km

227
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 228
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 229Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 230
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 231
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 235Opening the Hood ........................... 236
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 237
Oil Check ......................................... 238
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 239Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter .. 240
Engine Coolant ................................ 242
Transmission Fluid ............................ 244
Brake Fluid ....................................... 245
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 246
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 247
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 252Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 254
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 255
Tire Labeling .................................... 255
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .. 257Wear Indicators................................ 259 Tire Service Life ................................ 259
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 260
Tire Rotation .................................... 261
Winter Tires ..................................... 262
12 Volt Battery .................................. 263
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Battery ....................... 264
Climate Control System Maintenance ...... 265Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 266
Exterior Care.................................... 268

229
uuBefore Performing Maintenance uSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing MaintenanceSome of the most important safety precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conc eivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task.
• To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the 12 volt
battery or compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
u Only operate the engine if there is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
u Make sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
u Make sure to let the engine and exhau st system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
u Do not start the engine unless instructed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
• Do not touch the IMA battery and wiring (orange).■
Maintenance Safety
■
Vehicle Safety
1Safety When Performing Maintenance
3
WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a problem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow th e inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner's manual.
3
WARNING
Failure to properly fol low maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner's manual.

231
Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Minder™If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the multi-information display every time you turn the ignition switch to
ON
(w
. The messages notify you when to change the engine oil, or when to bring
your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance services.
To Use Maintenance Minder
TM
Maintenance items, which should be serviced at the same time that you replace the
engine oil, appear on the multi-information display.
You can view them on the Maintenance info screen at any time.
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
.
2. Press the MENU button to go to the Vehicle Menu screen.
3. Select Vehicle Information with the button, then press the SOURCE button.
4. Press the SOURCE button again to go to the Maintenance info screen. The
engine oil life appears on the multi-information display.
■
Displaying the Engine Oil Life and Maintenance Items
1 Displaying the Engine Oil Life and Maintenance Items
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
There is a list of maintenance main and sub items you
can view on the multi-information display.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 233
Displayed Engine Oil
Life (%)
Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100 100 to 91
90
90 to 81
80 80 to 71
70
70 to 61
60 60 to 51
50
50 to 41
40 40 to 31
30
30 to 21
20 20 to 16
15
15 to 11
10 10 to 6
5
5 to 1
00
+
50
Engine oilAir filters
2345
SOURCE
Button Button+
Sub Item Main
Item
Engine Oil Life
MENU
Button