2012 HONDA CR-Z engine

191
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving Driving 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
Shifting ............................................ 208
Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Manual transmission models
3-Mode Drive System ....................... 211
Cruise Control ................................. 212
VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System .. 215
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 217
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 218
Braking Brake System ................................... 220
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 222
Brake Assist System.......................... 223
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped................................. 224 Auto Idle Stop ................................. 225
Auto Idle Stop ................................. 228
Parking ............................................ 231
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 232
How to Refuel ................................. 233
Fuel Economy Improving Fuel Economy .................. 235
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 236
Modifications................................... 236Automatic transmission (CVT) models
Manual transmission models

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

uuWhen DrivinguStarting the Engine
200
Driving
■ Creep aid system
With the shift lever in
(D or (N , this feature applies brake pressure briefly as you
release the brake pedal to prevent the vehicle from moving unexpectedly.
■ Hill start assist system
Hill start assist feature helps to prevent the vehicle from rolling on inclines as you
move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator.
Depress the clutch pedal, and shift to
(1 when facing uphill, or (R when facing
downhill, then release the brake pedal.
The brakes remain engaged briefly as you release the brake pedal.
Automatic transmiss ion (CVT) models
Manual transmission models
1Hill start assist system
Hill start assist may not prevent the vehicle from
rolling downhill on a very steep or slippery slope, and
will not operate on small inclines.
Hill start assist is not a replacement for the parking
brake.
Hill start assist will still operate even when VSA ® is
switched off.

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

202
uuWhen DrivinguAutomatic Transmission (CVT)
Driving
Automatic Transmission (CVT) The following conditions cause the engine to run at high revolutions, and increase
creeping: • Immediately after the engine starts.
• When the climate control system is in use.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill may cause the
transmission to drop to a lower ratio, unexpectedly increasing vehicle speed.
Depress the accelerator pedal carefully, especially on slippery roads and curves.
■Creeping
■Kickdown

203
uuWhen DrivinguShifting
Continued
Driving
Shifting
Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.
■ Shift lever positions
Automatic transmiss ion (CVT) models
1Shifting
You cannot turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0 and
remove the key unless the shift lever is in
(P.
The vehicle may move forward very slightly even in
(N while the engine is cold.
Depress the brake pedal firmly and, when necessary,
apply the parking brake.
The engine may cut in and out in
(R or depending on
the road condition, even when the engine speed is
lower than the ta chometer’s red zone. This is the
engine’s computer working to protect the
transmission.
Park
Used when parking or starting the engine
ReverseUsed when reversing
Neutral Used when idling
Drive
Used for:● Normal driving
● Temporarily driving in the 7-speed manual
shift mode (when driving in ECON or NORMAL mode)
● Driving in the 7-speed manual shift mode
(when driving in SPORT mode)
● Driving in L mode
Release Button

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