2012 HONDA CR-Z Owners Manual

296
Handling the Unexpected
Shift Lever Does Not Move
Follow the procedure below if you cannot move the shift lever out of the (P
position.
1.Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Wrap a cloth around the tip of a small flat-
tip screwdriver and remove the cover of the
shift lock release slot.
uPut the tip of the flat-tip screwdriver into
the slot and remove it as shown in the image.
4. Insert the key into the shift lock release slot.
5. While pushing on the key, press the shift
lever release button and place the shift lever
into
(N .
uThe lock is now released. Have the shift
lever checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
■Releasing the Lock
Automatic transmiss ion (CVT) models
SlotCover
Release Button
Shift
Lock Release
Slot

297
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating
Overheating symptoms are as follows: •
The high temperature indicator comes on or the engine suddenly loses power.
• Steam is coming out of the engine compartment.
■ First thing to do
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
uMove the shift lever to (P and set the parking brake. Turn off all accessories
and turn on the hazard warning lights.
uMove the shift lever to (N and set the parking brake. Turn off all accessories
and turn on the hazard warning lights.
2. No steam coming out: Keep the engine running and open the hood.
Steam coming out: Turn off the engine and wait until steam goes away. Then,
open the hood.
1How to Handle Overheating
NOTICE
Continuing to drive with the high temperature
indicator on may damage the engine.
3WARNING
Steam and spray from an overheated
engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the ho od if steam is coming
out.
Automatic transmiss ion (CVT) models
Manual transmission models

uuOverheatinguHow to Handle Overheating
298
Handling the Unexpected
■ Next thing to do
1.Check that the cooling fan is operating and
stop the engine once the high temperature
indicator goes off.
uIf the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
2. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect
the coolant level and check the cooling
system components for leaks.
uIf the coolant level in the reserve tank is
low, add coolant until it reaches the MAX mark.
uIf there is no coolant in the reserve tank,
check that the radiator is cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a heavy cloth and open
the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to
the base of the filler neck, and put the
cap back on.
■ Last thing to do
Once the engine has co oled sufficiently, restart it and check the high temperature
indicator.
If the high temperature indicator is off, resume driving. If it stays on, contact a dealer
for repairs.
1How to Handle Overheating
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
Use water as an emerge ncy/temporary measure only.
Have a dealer flush the system with proper antifreeze
as soon as possible.
3WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the
engine is hot can cause the coolant to spray
out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool
down before removing the radiator cap.MAX
MIN
Reserve Tank

299
Handling the Unexpected
Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the engine oil pressure is low. ■ What to do as soon as the indicator comes on
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place.
2. If necessary, turn the hazard warning lights on.
■ What to do after parking the vehicle
1. Stop the engine and let it sit for about one minute.
2. Open the hood and check the oil level.
uAdd oil as necessary.
3. Start the engine and check the low oil pressure indicator.
uThe light goes out: Start driving again.
uThe light does not go out within 10 seconds: Stop the engine and
contact a dealer for repairs immediately.
1If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes On
NOTICE
Running the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately.

300
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Charging System Indicator Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Charging System Indicator Comes On■Reasons for the indicator to come on
Comes on when the 12 volt battery is not being charged. ■ What to do when the indicator comes on
Turn off the climate control system, rear defogger, and other electrical
systems, and immediately contact a dealer for repairs.
1If the Charging System Indicator Comes On If you need to stop temporarily, do not turn off the
engine. Restarting the engine may rapidly discharge
the 12 volt battery.
This indicator may also come on when the Auto Idle
Stop function is activated for a while. Restart the
engine. 2 Auto Idle Stop P. 228
This indicator may also come on when the IMA
battery charge drops below a desired level.
The engine starts to recharge the battery. 2 Auto Idle Stop P. 225
The indicator goes off when the battery is being
charged normally.
This indicator may blink after starting when the
outside temperature is below -20°F (-30°C). It will stop blinking after the IMA battery warms up.
Manual transmission models
Automatic transmission (CVT) models

301
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
Handling the Unexpected
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or
Blinks■Reasons for indicator lamp to come on or blink
• Comes on when there is a problem with the engine emissions control
system, or the fuel fill cap is missing, or loose.
• Blinks when engine misfiring is detected.
■ What to do when the indicator lamp comes on
Avoid high speeds and immediately get your vehicle inspected at a
dealer. ■ What to do when the indicator lamp blinks
Park the vehicle in a safe place with no flammable items and wait at least
ten minutes or more with the engine stopped until it cools.
■ The message appears on when:
An evaporative system leak is detected. This may be caused by the fuel fill cap being
loose or not being installed. ■ What to do when the message appears:
1. Stop the engine.
2. Check that the fuel fill cap is fully installed.
uIf not, loosen the cap, and then retighten it until it clicks at least once.
3. Drive for several days of normal driving.
uThe message should go off.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
Malfunction indicator lamp comes on if the system continues to detect a leak of
gasoline vapor. If this happens, check the fuel fill cap using the procedures described above.
■Tighten Fuel Cap Message
1If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks
NOTICE
If you drive with the malfunction indicator lamp on,
the emissions control system and the engine could be damaged.
If the malfunction indicator lamp blinks again when
restarting the engine, drive to the nearest dealer at
31 mph (50 km/h) or less. Have your vehicle
inspected.

302
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the Brake System Indicator Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On■Reasons for the indicator to come on
• The brake fluid is low.
• There is a malfunction in the brake system.
■ What to do when the indicator comes on while driving
Press the brake pedal lightly to check pedal pressure. • If normal, check the brake fluid level the next time you stop.
• If abnormal, take immediate action. If necessary, downshift the
transmission to slow the vehicle using engine braking.
If the EPS Indicator Comes On
■Reasons for the indicator to come on
• Comes on when there is a problem with EPS.
• If you depress the accelerator pedal repeatedly to increase the engine
speed while the engine is idling, the indicator comes on, and
sometimes the steering wheel becomes harder to operate.
■ What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop the vehicle in a safe place and restart the engine.
If the indicator comes on and stays on, immediately have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer.
1If the Brake System Indicator Comes On
Have your vehicle repaired immediately.
It is dangerous to drive with low brake fluid. If there
is no resistance from the brake pedal, stop immediately in a safe place. If necessary downshift
the gears.
If the brake system indicator and ABS indicator come
on simultaneously, the electronic brake distribution
system is not working. This can result in vehicle
instability under sudden braking.
Have your vehicle inspected by a dealer immediately.U.S.
Canada (Red)
1If the EPS Indicator Comes On
NOTICE
If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel on
the full left or right position for a while, the system
heats up. The system goes into a protective mode,
and limits its performance. The steering wheel
becomes harder and harder to operate. Once the
system cools down, EPS is restored. Repeated operation under these conditions can eventually damage the system.

303
uuIndicator, Coming On/BlinkinguIf the IMA Indicator Comes On
Handling the Unexpected
If the IMA Indicator Comes On■Reasons for indicator to come on
Comes on when there is a problem with the IMA system. ■ What to do when the indicator come on
Avoid high speeds and immediately get your vehicle inspected by a
dealer.
If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or
Blinks ■Reasons for the indicator to come on or blink
A tire pressure is significantly low. If there is a problem with the TPMS or
the compact spare tire is installed, the indicator blinks for about one
minute, and then stays on. ■ What to do when the indicator comes on
Stop your vehicle in a safe place. Check the tire pressure and adjust the
pressure to the specified level. The specified tire pressure is on a label on
the driver side doorjamb. ■ What to do when the indicator blinks
Have the tire inspected by a dealer as soon as possible. If the compact
spare tire has triggered the indicator to blink, change the tire to a full-
size tire. The indicator goes off after a while.
U.S. models
1If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator Comes On or Blinks
NOTICE
Driving on an extremely underinflated tire can cause
it to overheat. An overheated tire can fail. Always
inflate your tires to the prescribed level.