2015 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID tires

66 || 67
DRIVING
DRIVING
Learn about preparation for driving, as well as other features.
Before Driving
Check the following items before you begin driving.
Exterior Checks
• Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exteri\
or lights, or other parts of the vehicle.
• Remove any frost, snow, or ice.
• Make sure the hood is securely closed.
• Heat from the engine and exhaust can ignite fl ammable materials left under the hood, causing a fi re. If you’ve parked your vehicle for an extended period,
inspect and remove any debris that may have collected, such as dried gra\
ss
and leaves that have fallen or have been carried in for use as a nest by\
a small
animal. Also check under the hood for leftover fl ammable materials after you or
someone else has performed maintenance on your vehicle.
• Make sure the tires are in good condition.
• Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.
Interior Checks • Store or secure all items on board properly.
• Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure t\
he fl oor mats.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move freely around in \
the vehicle.
• Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
• Adjust your seating position, mirrors, and steering wheel properly.
• Make sure items placed on the fl oor behind the front seats cannot roll under the seats.
• Everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
• Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you s\
tart the vehicle, and go off soon after.
If the doors are frozen shut, use warm water around the door edges to me\
lt any
ice. Do not try to force them open, as this can damage the rubber trim a\
round the
doors. When done, wipe dry to avoid further freezing.
NOTICE
DRIVINGIn addition:
• During the fi rst 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation, avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so as not to damage the engine or powertrain.
• Avoid hard braking for the fi rst 200 miles (300 km). You should also follow this when the brake pads are replaced.
Improper accessories or modifi cations can affect your vehicle’s handling, and
stability, and performance, and cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt \
or killed.
Follow all instructions in the vehicle owner’s guide regarding accessories and
modifi cations.
WARNING

68 || 69
DRIVING
DRIVING
Maximum Load Limit
Carrying too much cargo or improperly storing it can affect your vehicle\
’s handling,
stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.
The maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg). See the Tire and Loading
Information label on the driver’s doorjamb.
Label example
This fi gure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer. Below are the
steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be \
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting fi gure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be fi ve 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 \
x 150)
= 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and
luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult the Owner’s Manual on the Owner
Information CD or at owners.honda.com (U.S.) or myhonda.ca (Canada)
to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories\
,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label
on the driver’s doorjamb.
Load limits example
Example 1
Max load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Example 2 Max load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs (68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)
Overloading or improper loading can affect handling and stability and ca\
use a
crash in which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other loading guidelines in this guide.
WARNING
The headlight aim on your vehicle was 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 your dealer or by a qualifi ed technician.
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties.

84 || 85
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Overheating
If the temperature gauge needle is at the H mark, the engine suddenly lo\
ses power,
or steam or spray comes out from under the hood, your engine is overheat\
ing.
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn
off all accessories and turn on the hazard warning
lights.
2. If steam or spray is not present: Keep the engine
running and open the hood.
If steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine and wait until it subsides. Then, open the hood.
3. Check that the cooling fan is operating and stop the engine once the tem\
perature gauge needle comes down. If the cooling fan is not operating, immediatel\
y stop
the engine.
4. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect the coolant level and check the\
cooling system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the reserve\
tank
is low, add coolant until it reaches the MAX mark. If there is no coolant in t\
he
reserve tank, make sure the radiator is cool, then cover the radiator ca\
p with a
heavy cloth and open the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to the base of the
fi ller neck, and put the cap back on.
Once the engine has cooled suffi ciently, restart it and check the temperature gauge.
If the temperature needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not g\
one down,
contact a dealer for repairs.
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
WARNING
Removing the radiator cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant \
to
spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the radiato\
r cap.
WARNING
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge needle at the H mark may \
damage
the engine.
NOTICE
Reserve
tank
MAX
MIN
Emergency Engine Stop
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be used to stop the engine due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must stop the engine, cho\
ose one of
the following operations:
• Press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button for two seconds, or
• Firmly press the ENGINE START/STOP button two times.
The steering wheel will not lock. The power mode changes to ACCESSORY, unless
the shift lever is in Park (P), in which case the power mode changes t\
o VEHICLE OFF.
Because turning off the engine also disables the power assist the engine\
provides
to the steering and braking systems, it will require signifi cantly more physical effort
and time to steer and slow the vehicle. Downshift gears and use both fee\
t on the
brake pedal, if necessary, to slow the vehicle and stop immediately in a safe place
Do not press the button while driving unless it is absolutely necessary \
for the engine
to be switched off.
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle.
Flat bed equipment: The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a tru\
ck. This is
the best way to transport your vehicle.
Wheel lift equipment: The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under\
the front
tires and lift them off the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground.\
This is an
acceptable way to tow your vehicle.
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will cause serious dama\
ge. The
bumpers are not designed to support the vehicle’s weight.
Improper towing such as towing behind a motorhome or other motor vehicle\
can
damage the transmission.
NOTICE

86 || 87
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
Tire Pressure Monitoring System ( TPMS)*
Monitors the tire pressure while you are driving. If your vehicle’s tire pressure
becomes signifi cantly low, the low tire pressure indicator comes on and a message
appears on the display.
What to Do
Stop your vehicle in a safe place. Check the tire pressure and adjust th\
e pressure
to the specifi ed level on the label on the driver’s doorjamb.
TPMS CalibrationAny time you infl ate, change, or rotate one or more of the tires, you need to
recalibrate the system. Use the buttons on the steering wheel to enter a\
nd operate
the Vehicle Menu (see page 38).
1. Press MENU.
2. Select Customize Settings.
3. Select TPMS Calibration.
4. Select Initialize.
5. Select Yes.
6. Press MENU to exit.
Driving on an extremely underinfl ated tire can cause it to overheat. An overheated
tire can fail. Always infl ate your tires to the specifi ed pressure.
NOTICE
*if equipped
Low tire pressure
indicator
i-MID message
Tire Repair Kit
If a tire has a small puncture, you can use the tire repair kit to tempo\
rarily repair it.
The puncture must be smaller than 3/16-inch (4 mm) and not in the tire\
sidewall. Go
to a dealer to have the full-size tire permanently repaired or replaced.\
Before Repairing the Tire1. Park the vehicle on a fi rm, level, non-slippery surface.
2. Move the shift lever to Park (P), and apply the parking brake.
3. Turn on the hazard warning lights, and turn off the vehicle.
Getting Ready to Repair the Tire1. Open the trunk fl oor lid.
2. Remove the kit from the case.
3. Place the kit face up on fl at ground near the punctured tire and away from traffi c. Do not place
the kit on its side.
4. Follow the instructions in the kit to repair the tire.
Do not use a puncture-repairing agent other than the one provided in the\
kit that
came with your vehicle. If a different agent is used, you may permanentl\
y damage
the tire pressure sensor.
Do not operate the temporary tire repair kit compressor for more than 15\
minutes.
The accessory power socket and compressor can overheat and become
permanently damaged.
NOTICE
Running the engine with the vehicle in an enclosed or even partly enclos\
ed
area can cause a rapid build-up of toxic carbon monoxide.
Breathing this colorless, odorless gas can cause unconsciousness and eve\
n
death. Only run the engine to power the air compressor with the vehicle \
outdoors.
WARNING

96 || 97
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Minder Service Codes
These codes indicate what services are due on your vehicle.
*1: If a message SERVICE does not appear more than 12 months after the display is reset, change the engine oil every year.
CODEMaintenance Main Items
A

Replace engine oil*1
B
Replace engine oil*1 and oil filter

Inspect front and rear bra kes/service as necessary

Check parking brake adjustment

Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots

Inspect suspension components

Inspect driveshaft boots

Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS/VSA)

Inspect all fluid levels and conditio n of fluids

Inspect exhaust system#

Inspect fuel lines and connections#

Check the expiration date for TRK bottle
*2: If you drive in dusty conditions, replace the air cleaner element every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
*3: If you drive primarily in urban areas that have high concentrations of soot in the air from industry
and diesel-powered vehicles, replace the dust and pollen filter every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
# : See information on maintenance and emissions warranty.
CODEMaintenance Sub Items
1

Rotate tires
2
Replace air cleaner element*2

Replace dust and pollen filter*3

Inspect drive belt
3

Replace transmission fluid
4
Replace spark plugs

Inspect valve clearance
5

Replace engine coolant
U.S. models
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of emissions control devices and sys\
tems
may be done by any automotive repair establishment or individuals using \
parts
that are certi ed to EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to perform maintenan\
ce on the
maintenance main items marked with # will not void your emissions warran\
ties.
However, all maintenance services should be performed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the multi-information display.
Under the Hood
Engine oil
dipstick
(orange) Brake fl
uid
(black cap)
CVT fl uid
dipstick
(yellow)
12-volt
battery
Engine coolant reserve tank
Engine oil fi
ll
cap
W asher fl uid
(blue cap)
Radiator cap
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.
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.
Do not open the hood when the wiper arms are raised. The hood will strik\
e the
wipers, and may damage either the hood or the wipers.
Do not open the hood during auto idle stop operation.
NOTICE
Hood release handle
Lever
Support rod Grip
Clamp P
ull

102 || 103
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Changing Wiper Blades
If the wiper blades leave streaks across the windshield, try cleaning th\
em fi rst with a
paper towel or soft cloth and wiper fl uid. If the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated,
you should change the wiper blades.
1. Lift the driver side wiper arm fi rst, then the
passenger side.
2. Place a cloth on the edge of the lock tab. Push the lock tab up with a fl at-tip screwdriver.
3. Slide the blade from the wiper arm.
4. Slide the wiper blade out from its holder by pulling the tabbed end out.
5. Remove the retainers from the rubber blade that has been removed, and mount to a new rubber
blade. Correctly align the rubber protrusion and the
retainer grooves.
6. Slide the new wiper blade onto the holder from the bottom end. The tab on the holder should fi t in the
indent of the wiper blade.
7. Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm, then push down the lock tab.
8. Lower the passenger side wiper arm fi rst, then the driver side.
Avoid dropping the wiper arm, as it may damage the windshield.
NOTICE
End cap at
the bottom
Holder
Holder Cap
Lock tab
Blade
To p Blade
Retainer
Indent
Ta b
Tire Information
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and\
size, in good
condition with adequate tread, and properly infl ated.
Inflation Guidelines • Properly infl ated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort. Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or the specifi cations (see page
111) for the specifi ed pressure.
• Underinfl ated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail from overheating.
• Overinfl ated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards, and wear unevenly.
• Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lowe\
r than the others, check the pressure with a tire gauge.
• Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This means the vehicle has\
been parked for at least 3 hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If n\
ecessary, add
or release air until the specifi ed pressure is reached, and then calibrate the
system (see page 86). If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as muc\
h as
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.5 kgf/cm
2) higher than checked when cold.
• At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the p\
ressure in all tires, including the spare*. Even tires in good condition can los\
e 1–2 psi
(10–20 kPa, 0.1–0.2 kgf/cm
2) per month.
Inspection Guidelines
Every time you infl ate the tires, check for the following:
• Any damage to tires, including bumps, bulges, cuts, splits, or cracks in\
the side or tread. Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks. Replace \
tires if
you see fabric or cord.
• Uneven or excessive tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
• Cracks or other damage around the valve stems.
Wear Indicators The groove where the wear indicator is located is
1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than elsewhere on the
tire. If the tread has worn so low that the indicator is
exposed, replace the tire. Worn out tires have poor
traction on wet roads.
Example of a wear
indicator mark
*if equipped

104 || 105
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Tire and Loading Information Label
The label attached to the driver’s doorjamb provides necessary tire and
loading information.
Tire and Wheel Replacement
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rati\
ng, and
maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires
of a different size or construction can cause certain vehicle systems to\
work
incorrectly. It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’\
t possible,
replace the front or rear tires in pairs.
If you change or replace a wheel, make sure that the wheel’s specifi cations match
those of the original wheels. Only use TPMS-specifi ed wheels approved for your
vehicle.
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can affect handling and stabil\
ity.
This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of tires recommended in the Owner’s Manual.
WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or improperly infl ated can cause
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this owner’s manual regarding tire infl ation
and maintenance
.
WARNING
Original
tire sizes Number of
people your
vehicle can
carry Proper cold
tire pressure
Total weight
your vehicle
can carry
(do not exceed)
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on many factors, including driving h\
abits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, infl ation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and infl ation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires re\
ach
fi ve years old. All tires, including the spare*, should be removed from se\
rvice after
10 years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or \
state of
wear.
Winter TiresIf driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season tires marked “M\
+S”, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain suffi cient distance between
vehicles when driving. For winter tires, select the size and load ranges\
that are the
same as the original tires, and mount them to all four wheels.
Tire ChainsInstall tire chains on the front tires only. Because your vehicle has limited tire
clearance, we strongly recommend using the following chains: Cable-type: SCC
Radial Chain SC1030.
Mount chains as tightly as you can, and make sure that they do not touch\
the
brake lines or suspension.
Traction devices that are the wrong size or improperly installed can dama\
ge your
vehicle’s brake lines, suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are hitting
any part of the vehicle.
NOTICE
Using the wrong chains, or not properly installing chains, can damage th\
e
brake lines and cause a crash in which you can be seriously injured or k\
illed.
Follow all instructions in this guide regarding the selection and use of\
tire
chains.
WARNING
*if equipped

106 || 107
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle have a number of markings. Those you\

should be aware of are described below.
Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The tire identifi cation number
(TIN) is a group of numbers
and letters that look like the
example below. TIN is located
on the sidewall of the tire.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
Cold Tire Pressure – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been
parked for at least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Load Rating – The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a gi\
ven
infl ation pressure.
Maximum Infl ation Pressure – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire
can hold.
Maximum Load Rating – The load rating for a tire at the maximum
permissible infl ation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Infl ation Pressure – The cold tire infl ation pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Treadwear Indicators (TWI) – The projections within the principal gr\
ooves
designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread\
.
Tire size
Tire
identification
number (TIN)
Maximum
tire load
Maximum
tire pressure
Tire sizeHere is an example of what each marking
means:
P205/55R16 89H
• P: Vehicle type (passenger)
• 205: tire width in millimeters
• 55: aspect ratio (tire section height as a percentage of its width)
• R: tire construction code (radial)
• 16: rim diameter in inches
• 89: load index (code indicating maximum load tire can carry)
• H: speed symbol (code indicating maximum speed rating)
DOT B97R FW6X 2209
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all
requirements of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
B97R: Manufacturer’s identification mark
FW6X: Tire type code
22 09: Date of Transportation

Year
Week
DOT Tire Quality Grading
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety Requirements. All\
tires are
also graded for treadwear, traction, and temperature performance according
to Department of Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall betwee\
n tread
shoulder and maximum section width.
For example:
Treadwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of th\
e tire
when tested under controlled conditions on a specifi ed government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) tim\
es as well
on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance \
of
tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart
signifi cantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practi\
ces,
and differences in road characteristics and climate.
TractionThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those \
grades
represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specifi ed government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not include acceleration, cornering, hy\
droplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.