2013 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID ABS

13Quick Reference Guide
Instrument Panel
(P67)
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
Low Oil Pressure
IndicatorAnti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
Indicator Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA®) System
Indicator VSA® OFF Indicator Electric Power
Steering (EPS) System
IndicatorLights On Indicator
High Beam Indicator
Immobilizer System
Indicator
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
Lights Reminders
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator System Message
Indicator
Brake System
Indicator (Amber)Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Forward Collision
Warning (FCW)
Indicator
*
Door Open Indicator
TachometerInstant Fuel
Economy Gauge Speedometer Fuel Gauge Security System Alarm Indicator
Shift Lever Position Indicator Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P82)
/intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID)
(P83)
/
System Indicators
(P68)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode IndicatorTurn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Temperature
Indicator
Low Temperature
IndicatorAmbient Meter
System Indicators System Indicators
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS IndicatorU.S. models only
Parking Brake
and Brake System
Indicator (Red)
IMA System
Indicator
CRUISE CONTROL
Indicator
System Indicators
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
Indicator
Auto Idle Stop
Indicator
U.S.CanadaU.S.Canada
Lane Departure
Warning (LDW)
Indicator
*
* Not available on all models

22Quick 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 should be moved to
(P.
Why does the brake pedal
pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes?
This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why?
Check if the childproof lock is in the
lock position. If so, open the rear
door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the lever
to the unlock position.

44
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 front 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 moderate-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 significant 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 protection, they are not designed to deploy during a
rollover.■When front airbags deploy with little or no visible damage
Because the airbag system senses sudden 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 deploy, 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.

47
uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
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 when the vehicle’s crushable body parts
absorbed most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have
been needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

68Instrument Panel
IndicatorsIndicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
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. 319
●Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
2If the Brake System Indicator (Red)
Comes On P. 319
Brake System
Indicator
(Amber)
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w, then goes off.
●Comes on if there is a problem
with the cooperative control with
regenerative brake.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. Normal braking is
not affected.
U.S.
Canada(Red)U.S.
Canada(Amber)

71
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS)
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.
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 242
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w, then goes off.
●Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:
-Supplemental restraint system
-Side airbag system
-Side curtain airbag system
-Seat belt tensioner
●Stays on constantly or does not come
on at all - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA®)
System Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON (w, then goes off.
●Blinks when VSA® is active.●Comes on if there is a problem
with the VSA® system.●Comes on if there is a problem
with the hill start assist system.●Comes on if there is a problem
with the creep aid system or the
brake assist system.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka
Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
System P. 235
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message

207
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 208
Maximum Load Limit........................ 211
Towing a Trailer
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 213
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 214
Precautions While Driving................. 217
Automatic Transmission (CVT) .......... 218
Shifting ............................................ 219
ECON Button ................................... 221
Auto Idle Stop.................................. 222Cruise Control ................................. 225
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
*.. 228
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
*..... 232
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System ............. 235Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ... 237
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 238
Braking
Brake System ................................... 240
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........... 242
Brake Assist System.......................... 243Parking Your Vehicle
When Stopped ................................ 244
Rearview Camera............................. 245
Refueling
Fuel Information .............................. 246
How to Refuel ................................. 247
Fuel Economy
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 249
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 250
Modifications................................... 250
* Not available on all models

241
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with front disc brakes. The brakes on the rear wheels are
drum. A vacuum 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.2Brake Assist System P. 243
2Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 242■Foot Brake
1Foot 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 speed position.
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.