2012 HONDA CR-Z ABS

14
Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel (P67)
Tachometer
CHRG/ASST Indicators
IMA Battery Charge Level Indicator
Shift Up/Down Indicator *Multi-Information
Display
7-Speed Manual Shift Mode Indicator
*
System Indicators
Lights Reminders
Instant Fuel
Economy GaugeSpeedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security Alarm
System Indicator
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
Gauges
(P81)/Multi-Information Display (P83)/System Indicators (P68)
Ambient Meter
System Indicators System Indicators
System IndicatorsLights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Fog Light Indicator *
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure Indicator
12 Volt Battery
Charging System Indicator
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®) System
Indicator
VSA ® OFF Indicator
Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Indicator
Immobilizer System Indicator
IMA System Indicator
Auto Idle Stop
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Parking Brake and
Brake System
Indicator
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator
U.S. models only
Door/Hatch Open
Indicator
Cruise Main Indicator
Cruise Control
Indicator
System Message
Indicator
High Temperature Indicator
Low Temperature Indicator
SPORT Mode
Indicator
NORMAL Mode
Indicator
ECON Mode
Indicator Low Fuel Indicator

24
Quick Reference Guide
What to Do If
The ignition switch does
not turn from
(0 to (q.
Why?
● The steering wheel may be locked.
● Try to turn the steering wheel left and
right while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does
not turn from
(q to (0 and
I cannot remove the key.
Why?
The shift lever s hould be moved to (P on
the automatic transmission (CVT) model.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes?This can occur when the ABS act ivates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.
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.

46
uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe Driving
■When front airbags should not deploy
Minor frontal crashes: Front airbags were designed to supplement seat belts and
help save lives, not to prevent minor scrapes, or even broken bones that might occur
during a less than moderate-to-severe frontal crash.
Side impacts: Front airbags can provide protection when a sudden deceleration
causes a driver or passenger to move towards the front of the vehicle. Side airbags
and side curtain airbags have been specifically designed to help reduce the severity
of injuries that can occur during a mode rate-to-severe side impact which can cause
the driver or passenger to move towards the side of the vehicle.
Rear impacts: Head restraints and seat belts are your best protection during a rear
impact. Front airbags cannot provide any sig nificant protection and are not designed
to deploy in such collisions.
Rollovers: Seat belts and, in vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor, side airbags,
and side curtain airbags offer the best protection in a rollover. Because front airbags could provide little if any protectio n, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.
■ When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses s udden deceleration, a strong impact to the
vehicle framework or suspension might cause one or more of the airbags to deploy.
Examples include running into a curb, the edge of a hole, or other low fixed object
that causes a sudden deceleration in the vehicle chassis. Since the impact is
underneath the vehicle, damage may not be readily apparent.
■ When front airbags may not depl oy, even though exterior damage
appears severe
Since crushable body parts absorb crash energy during an impact, the amount of
visible damage does not always indicate proper airbag operation. In fact, some
collisions can result in severe damage but no airbag deployment because the airbags
would not have been needed or would not have provided protection even if they
had deployed.

49
uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
Continued
Safe Driving
■When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side
of the vehicle's framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough
impact to deploy the airbag. ■ When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears
severe
It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was towards
the far front or rear of the vehicle, or wh en the vehicle's crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In ei ther case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

68
Instrument Panel
Indicators
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
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. 2What to do when the indicator
comes on while driving P. 302
● Comes on along with the ABS indicator - Have the vehicle checked by
a dealer. 2If the Brake System Indicator
Comes On P. 302
Low Oil
Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w , and
goes off when the engine starts.
● Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
●
Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place. 2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 299
U.S.
Canada
U.S.Canada

70
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
●Comes on and the beeper sounds
if you are not wearing a seat belt
when you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w . If the passenger is not
wearing a seat belt, the indicator
comes on about a few seconds
later.
● Blinks while driving if either you or
your passenger has not fastened a
seat belt. The beeper sounds and
the indicator blinks at regular intervals.
● The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and your passenger fasten
your seat belts.
● Stays on after you or your passenger
has fastened the seat belt - A
detection error may have occurred in the
sensor. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer. 2Seat Belt Reminder P. 35
Low Fuel
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 1.8 U.S. gal./6.9 Liter left).
● Blinks if there is a problem with
the fuel gauge.●
Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon
as possible.
● Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● If it comes on at any other time,
there is a problem with the ABS.
●
Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal braking
ability but no anti-lock function. 2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 222
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage

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

221
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very hard.2 Brake Assist System P. 223
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 222
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.