2013 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID charging

10Quick Reference Guide
The Honda IMA SystemThe main power source for the Honda IMA system is the gasoline engine.
The electric motor assists the engine to improve fuel economy, based on
current operating conditions.
Tips to Improve Fuel Economy To help your vehicle’s fuel economy:
●Avoid aggressive acceleration/braking
●Monitor the ambient meter and the Eco drive bar
displayed on the intelligent multi-information
display.
It reflects your driving style. (P8, 88)
Start-up/Low speed cruise/
Aggressive acceleration
●The electric motor assists the
engine.Low speed cruise
●Only IMA motor is
powering the vehicle and
IMA battery is discharging.
Slow acceleration/High
speed cruise
●Only the engine powers
the vehicle.Deceleration
●The IMA system charges
the IMA battery.
Stop
●Auto Idle Stop is in
operation.
Vehicle
Speed
TimeEco Drive Bar
Display
IMA
SystemIMA
System IMA
System
IMA
System
IMA
System
Electric
Motor
AssistEngine
ONElectric
Motor
AssistElectric
Motor
OFF
Charging Engine
OFFEngine
ON
Engine
OFF
Engine
OFF
IMA
BatteryIMA
BatteryIMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery FuelFuelFuel
Fuel
Fuel
Electric
Motor
OFF

11Quick Reference Guide
To Keep the IMA Battery in Good Condition Drive your vehicle at least once a month, and drive for more than 30 minutes at a time. Parking your vehicle for an
extended period can cause the IMA battery to weaken or decrease the IMA battery life.Safety Precautions Do not cover the air intake.Air IntakeIf the air intake is obstructed during
vehicle operation, the IMA battery can
become too hot. To protect the battery,
the system may start limiting IMA battery
output power and cause the IMA system
and 12 volt battery charging system
indicators to come on.
IMA System Indicator (P88)
12 Volt Battery Charging
System Indicator (P69)
Do not touch the Honda IMA SystemA high voltage current runs through Honda IMA System. Consult your authorized dealer
when maintenance or repair is needed.
IMA Battery
IMA Power Cable
If a crash occurs●Be careful of electric shock hazard.
uIf a crash severely damaged your vehicle, there is a possibility of electrical shock. Do
not touch the IMA system components or their wiring (orange).
●Avoid contact with IMA battery fluid.
uThe battery fluid may leak as a result of a severe crash. Avoid any skin or eye
contact with the fluid. The battery fluid is corrosive. If you accidentally touch it,
flush the affected area(s) with a large quantity of water for at least five minutes,
and seek medical attention immediately.
●Use a fire extinguisher for an electrical fire.
uAttempting to extinguish an electrical fire with a small quantity of water can be
dangerous.When the vehicle is disposed●The IMA battery is a Lithium ion battery. Honda collects and recycles used IMA
batteries – consult with your dealer for proper battery disposal in the event your
vehicle is not repairable.

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

69
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
●Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w, and goes
off either when the engine starts
or after several seconds if the
engine is not started. If “readiness
codes” have not been set, it blinks
five times before it goes off.
●Comes on if there is a problem
with the emissions control system.●Blinks when a misfire in the
engine’s cylinders is detected.
●Readiness codes are part of the on board
diagnostics for the emissions control
systems.
2Testing of Readiness Codes P. 331
●Comes on while driving - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.●Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe
place where there are no flammable
objects. Stop the engine for 10 minutes
or more, and wait for it to cool down.
Then, take the vehicle to a dealer.
2If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks P. 318
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
Indicator
●Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●Comes on when the 12 volt
battery is not charging.
●Comes on while driving - Turn off the
climate control system and rear defogger
in order to reduce electricity
consumption.
2If the 12 Volt Battery Charging
System Indicator Comes On P. 317
Indicator
Shift Lever
Position
Indicator
●Indicates in which position your
shift lever is.
2Shifting P. 219
—

uuGauges and intelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID)uintelligent Multi-Information Display (i-MID)
90Instrument Panel
Displays engine and electric motor power flow – whether the system is assisting the
engine or charging the battery.■Power flow from/to the IMA battery icon
The degree to which the electric motor is assisting the engine or the IMA battery is
being charged is indicated by the bar graph.■Power Flow Monitor
1Power Flow Monitor
The IMA battery charge level may decrease rapidly
under the following conditions:•When the 12 volt battery has been replaced.•When the IMA battery has been disconnected.•When the IMA battery control system corrects its
reading.
The charge level reading will be corrected
automatically while driving.
If the IMA battery is too hot or too cold, the IMA
battery’s output power is limited to protect the
battery. This disables the IMA assist and Auto Idle
Stop, even though the battery is well-charged.
It takes a short time to normalize the IMA battery’s
output power depending on the weather.
Power Flow Engine Operation
Icon
IMA Battery Icon
Shows Charge Level
Power is supplied by
only the electric motor.
Power is supplied by the
engine and the electric motor
is assisting the engine.The electric motor is charging the IMA
battery.
Power is only supplied by the engine.
Power is only supplied by the engine
and the electric motor is charging the
IMA battery.

288Maintenance
12 Volt BatteryChecking the 12 Volt BatteryCheck the battery condition monthly and check the terminals for corrosion.
If your vehicle’s battery is disconnected or goes dead:
•The audio system is disabled.
2Reactivating the audio system P. 146
•The clock resets.
2Setting the Clock P. 104
•The navigation system
* is disabled.
2Refer to the navigation system manual
Charging the BatteryDisconnect both battery cables to prevent damaging your vehicle’s electrical system.
Always disconnect the negative (-) cable first, and reconnect it last.
112 Volt BatteryWARNING: Battery post, terminals,
and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds.
Wash your hands after handling.When you find corrosion, clean the battery terminals
by applying a baking powder and water solution.
Clean the terminals with a damp towel. Cloth/towel
dry the battery. Coat the terminals with grease to
help prevent future corrosion.
3
WARNING
The battery gives off explosive hydrogen
gas during normal operation.
A spark or flame can cause the battery to
explode with enough force to kill or
seriously hurt you.
When conducting any battery
maintenance, wear protective clothing and
a face shield, or have a skilled technician do
it.
* Not available on all models

295
Handling the Unexpected
This chapter explains how to handle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 296
If a Tire Goes Flat
Temporarily Repairing a Flat Tire....... 297
Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 305
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine ........................ 311
Jump Starting.................................... 312
Shift Lever Does Not Move.............. 314
Overheating
How to Handle Overheating ............. 315Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On................................................ 317If the 12 Volt Battery Charging System
Indicator Comes On ....................... 317
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes
On or Blinks ..................................... 318
If the Brake System Indicator (Red) Comes
On...................................................... 319If the EPS System Indicator Comes On .. 319If the IMA Indicator Comes On......... 320If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 320
Fuses
Fuse Locations ................................. 321
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 323
Emergency Towing........................... 324

317Handling the Unexpected
Indicator, Coming On/BlinkingIf 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 on level ground 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 three minutes.
2.Open the hood and check the oil level.
uAdd oil as necessary.
2Oil Check P. 262
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.
If the 12 Volt Battery 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 Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes OnNOTICERunning the engine with low oil pressure can cause
serious mechanical damage almost immediately.1If the 12 Volt Battery 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 blink after starting when the
outside temperature is below -20°F (-30°C). It will
stop blinking after the IMA battery warms up.