2012 HONDA CR-Z check engine

74
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Low
Temperature
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
● Comes on when the engine
coolant temperature is low.
● If the indicator stays on after the engine
has reached normal operating
temperature, there may be a problem
with the temperature sensors. Have the
vehicle inspected by a dealer.
—
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on when the passenger
side airbag system is automatically shut off.
●
It does not mean there is a problem with
your side airbags.
● Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
● Comes on when someone is sitting in
the seat - Have the passenger sit
properly.
High Beam
Indicator● Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.
——
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada

76
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument PanelImmobilizer System
Indicator
●Comes on briefly when you turn
the ignition switch to ON
(w , then
goes off.
● Comes on if the immobilizer
system cannot recognize the key information.
● Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0 , pull
the key out, and then insert the key and turn it to ON
(w again.
● Repeatedly blinks - The system may be
malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
● Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Security System
Alarm Indicator
●Blinks when the Security System
Alarm has been set.
2 Security System Alarm P. 105—
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator●
Comes on when you press the CRUISE button.
2 Cruise Control P. 212—
CRUISE
CONTROL
Indicator●
Comes on if you have set a speed
for cruise control.
2 Cruise Control P. 212—
Auto Idle Stop
Indicator●
Blinks when Auto Idle Stop is in
operation. The engine
automatically shuts off.
2 Auto Idle Stop P. 225, 228—
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Indicator

198
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P , then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle in
(N , it is safer to start it in (P.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N . Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left foot.
uThe clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
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 PedalAutomatic transmiss ion (CVT) models
Clutch Pedal
Brake PedalManual transmission models

Continued199
uuWhen DrivinguStarting 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. 220
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. 105
■Starting to Drive
Automatic transmission (CVT) models

201
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Avoid 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
NOTICE
Do 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.
NOTICE
Following 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

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
204
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
(D indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down. Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's
Red Zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to shift. Shift without pressing the
shift lever release button.
Press the shift lever
release button and shift. M (7-Speed Manual Shift Mode) Indicator/
Shift Indicator

210
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Driving
The manual transmission has a lockout mechanism that stops you from accidentally
shifting into
(R from a forward gear while the vehicle is moving above a certain
speed.
If you cannot shift to
(R when the vehicle is stopped, do the following:
1.Depress the clutch pedal, move the shift
lever all the way to the left, and shift to
(R .
2. If you still cannot shift into
(R , apply the
parking brake, and turn the ignition switch
to ACCESSORY
(q or LOCK (0.
3. Depress the clutch pedal and shift into
(R .
4. Keep depressing the clutch pedal and start
the engine.
Have the vehicle checked by a dealer if you
have to go through this procedure repeatedly.
■Reverse Lockout

215
uuWhen DrivinguVSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability Control), System
Continued
Driving
VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic
Stability Control), System VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces. It does so by regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine does not respond to the accelerator.
You may also notice some noise from the
hydraulic system. You will also see the
indicator blink.
■VSA ® Operation
1VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC (Electronic Stability
Control), System
The VSA ® may not function properly if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the ai r pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and cor ner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.
VSA ® System
Indicator