2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID parking brake

Visual Index
4Quick Reference Guide
❙Hood Release Handle
(P 236)
❙Fuel Fill Door Release Handle
(P 223)
❙Driver’s Pocket
❙Power Window Switches
(P 115)
❙Power Door Lock Master
Switch
(P 108)
❙Door Mirror Controls
(P 125)
❙Rearview Mirror
(P 125)
❙Passenger's Front Airbag (P 42)❙Parking Brake
(P 213)
❙Auxiliary Input Jack
(P 144)
❙Glove Box
(P 132)
❙Accessory Power Socket (P 134)❙Shift Lever
Automatic Transmission
(CVT)
(P 203)
❙Interior Fuse Box
(P 290)
❙Trunk Release
(P 110)
❙Driver's Front Airbag
(P 42)

13Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P69)
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA
®) System
Indicator VSA
® OFF Indicator
Electric Power
Steering (EPS)
Indicator
Lights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Lights Reminders
Cruise Main
Indicator
System Message
Indicator
Brake System
Indicator (Amber) Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Door Open Indicator
TachometerInstant Fuel
Economy Gauge
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security System Alarm Indicator
Shift Lever Position Indicator
Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P82)
/Multi-Information Display
(P83)
/System Indicators
(P70)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Temperature
Indicator
Low Temperature
Indicator Ambient Meter
System Indicators
System Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS IndicatorU.S. models only
Parking Brake
and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
IMA System
Indicator
Cruise Control
Indicator
System Indicators
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
IndicatorAuto Idle Stop
Indicator
U.S.CanadaU.S.Canada
U.S.Canada

23Quick Reference Guide
Why do the doors lock
after I unlocked the doors
using a remote
transmitter?If you do not open the doors within 30 seconds, the doors are
relocked automatically for security.
Why does the beeper
sound when I open the
driver's door? The beeper sounds when:
●
The key is left in the ignition switch.
●
The exterior lights are left on.
●
The Auto Idle Stop is in operation.
Why does the beeper
sound when I start driving? The beeper sounds when:
●
Driver and/or front passenger are
not wearing their seat belts.
●
The parking brake lever is not fully released.
Why do I hear a screeching
sound when I apply the
brake pedal? The brake pads may need to be
replaced. Have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer.

70Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Parking Brake
and
Brake System
Indicator
(Red)
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is
released.
●
Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
●
The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully
released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level.
2 What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 287
●
Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2 If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 287
Brake System
Indicator
(Amber)
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w
, then goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the cooperative control with
regenerative brake.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. Normal braking is
not affected.
U.S.
Canada(Red)U.S.
Canada
(Amber)

120
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel uDaytime Running Lights
Controls
Daytime Running LightsThe high beam headlights come on slightly dimmer than normal when the following
conditions have been met:
• The ignition switch is in ON
(w
.
• The headlight switch is off, or in .
• The parking brake is released.
The lights remain on even if you set the parking brake. Turning off the ignition
switch will turn off the daytime running lights.
The high beam headlights return to the original brightness once the headlight
switch is turned on.

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