2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID engine oil

20Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P227)
Under the Hood
(P235)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid.
● Check the 12 volt battery regularly.
a
Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b
Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c
When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights
(P247)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P252)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P254)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter driving.

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.

74
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
VSA
® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
OFF Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when you deactivate
VSA
®.
2 VSA
® On and Off P. 209
—
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to ON
(w
, and goes off when
the engine starts.
●
Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●
Comes on while driving -
Immediately stop in a safe place.
2 If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes on P. 285
Door Open
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds if you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
,
then goes off.
●
Comes on if any door is not
completely closed.
●
The beeper sounds and the indicator
comes on if any door is opened while
driving.
●
Goes off when all doors are closed.
Trunk Open
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds if you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w
,
then goes off.
●
Comes on if the trunk is not
completely closed.
●
Goes off when the trunk is closed.

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

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

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

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