2012 HONDA CR-Z ECU

192
Driving
Before Driving
Driving Preparation
Check the following items before you start driving. •Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior
lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
uRemove any frost, snow, or ice.
uRemove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of
vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.
uWhen removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel
or wheel components.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
uIf the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
uCheck air pressures, and check for damage and excessive wear.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 269
• Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
uThere are blind spots from the inside.
■Exterior Checks1Exterior Checks
NOTICE
When doors are frozen shut, use warm water around
the door edges to melt any ice. Do not try to force
them open, as this can damage the rubber trim
around the doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
Do not pour warm water into the key cylinder.
You will be unable to insert key if the water freezes in
the hole.

Continued193
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Store or secure all items on board properly.
uCarrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
2 Maximum Load Limit P. 195
• Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
uThey can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor mats.
uAn object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
uThey may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock both doors and the hatch.
2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 102
• Adjust your seating position properly.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 119
• Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
uAdjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 118
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 117
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the cargo area, have the aiming
readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified technician.

246
uuMaintenance Under the HooduOpening the Hood
Maintenance
Opening the Hood1.Park the vehicle on a level surface, and set
the parking brake.
2. Pull the hood release handle under the
lower left corner of the dashboard.
uThe hood will pop up slightly.
3. Push up the hood latch lever in the center
of the hood to release the lock mechanism,
and open the hood.
4. Remove the support rod from the clamp
using the grip. Mount the support rod in
the hood.
When closing, remove the support rod, and
stow it in the clamp, then gently lower the
hood. Remove your hand at a height of
approximately 12 inches (30 cm) and let the
hood close.
1Opening the Hood
NOTICE
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised.
The hood will strike the wipers, and may damage
either the hood or the wipers.
When closing the hood, check that the hood is
securely latched.
If the hood latch lever moves stiffly, or if you can
open the hood without lifting the lever, the latch
mechanism should be cleaned and lubricated.
Do not open the hood while the Auto Idle Stop
function is activated.
Hood Release
Handle
Pull
Lever
Support Rod
Grip
Clamp

249
uuMaintenance Under the HooduAdding Engine Oil
Maintenance
Adding Engine Oil1.Unscrew and remove the engine oil fill cap.
2. Add oil slowly.
3. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap, and tighten it securely.
4. Wait for three minutes and recheck the
engine oil dipstick.
1Adding Engine Oil
If any oil spills, wipe it up immediately. Spilled oil may
damage the engine compartment components.
NOTICE
Do not fill the engine oil above the upper mark.
Overfilling the engine oil can result in leaks and
engine damage.
Engine Oil Fill Cap

251
uuMaintenance Under the HooduChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Maintenance
5.Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
uIf it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
uApply a light coat of new engine oil to
the oil filter rubber seal.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
uTightening torque:
29 lbfft (39 Nm, 4.0 kgfm)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the engine.
uEngine oil change capacity (including filter):
3.8 US qt (3.6 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and
start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
uIf necessary, add more engine oil.
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check your work.
Oil Filter

254
uuMaintenance Under the HooduTransmission Fluid
Maintenance
Transmission Fluid ■Continuously Variable Trans mission (CVT)
Check the fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature. 1.Park on level ground, and start the engine.
2. Wait until the radiator fan starts and then
turn off the engine.
uPerform step 3 after waiting for about 60
seconds (less than 90 seconds).
3. Remove the dipstick (yellow loop) from the
transmission and wipe it with a clean cloth.
4. Insert the dipstick all the way back into the
transmission securely, as shown in the image.
5. Remove the dipstick and check the fluid level.
uIt should be between the upper and
lower marks in the HOT range.
6. If the level is below the lower mark, add
fluid into the dipstick hole to bring it to the level between the upper and lower marks,
and have your vehicle checked by a dealer immediately.
■Automatic Transmission Fluid
Specified fluid: Hond a CVTF (continuously variabl e transmission fluid)
1Automatic Transmission Fluid
NOTICE
Do not mix Honda CVTF with other transmission fluids.
Using a transmission fluid other than Honda CVTF
may adversely affect the operation and durability of
your vehicle's transmission, and damage the
transmission.
Any damage caused by using a transmission fluid that
is not equivalent to Honda CVTF is not covered by Honda's new vehicle warranty.
NOTICE
Pour the fluid slowly and carefully so you do not spill
any. Clean up any spills immediately; they can
damage components in the engine compartment.
Upper Mark
Lower Mark
HOT
Range

uuCleaninguInterior Care
282
Maintenance
The driver’s floor mat hooks over the floor
anchors, which keep the mat from sliding
forward. To remove a mat for cleaning, turn
the anchor knobs to the unlock position.
When reinstalling the mat after cleaning, turn
the knobs to the lock position.
Do not put additional floor mats on top of the anchored mat.
Vacuum dirt and dust from the leather frequently. Pay close attention to the pleats
and seams. Clean the leather with a soft cloth dampened with a 90% water and
10% neutral soap solution. Then buff it with a clean, dry cloth. Remove any dust or
dirt on leather surfaces immediately.
■Floor Mats1Floor Mats
If you use any floor mats that were not originally
provided with your vehicle, make sure they are
designed for your specific vehicle, fit correctly, and
are securely anchored by the floor anchors.
Unlock Lock
Driver’s floor mat is shown.
■Maintaining Genuine Leather *
* Not available on all models

uuIf a Tire Goes FlatuChanging a Flat Tire
292
Handling the Unexpected
1. Remove the center cap.
2. Place the flat tire face down in the compact
spare tire well.
3. Remove the spacer cone from the wing
bolt, flip it over, and insert it back on the
bolt. Secure the flat tire with the wing bolt.
4. Securely put the jack and wheel nut wrench
back in the tool case in the cargo area.
If you replace a flat tire with the spare tire, the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator
comes on while you are driving. After driving for a few miles (kilometers), the
indicator will start blinking for a short time and then stay on. CHECK TPMS SYSTEM
appears on the multi-information display, but this is normal.
If you replace the tire with a specified regular tire, the warning message on the
multi-information display and the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will go off after
a few miles (kilometers).
■Storing the Flat Tire1Storing the Flat Tire
3WARNING
Loose items can fly around the interior in a
crash and can seriously injure the
occupants.
Store the wheel, jack, and tools securely before driving.
Spacer
Cone
Wing
Bolt
For compact spare tire
For normal tire
■TPMS and the Compact Spare Tire1TPMS and the Compact Spare Tire
The system cannot monitor the pressure of the
compact spare tire. Manually check the compact
spare tire pressure to be sure that it is correct.
Use TPMS specific wheels. Each is equipped with a
tire pressure sensor mounted inside the tire behind
the valve stem.
U.S. models only