2018 HONDA CLARITY PLUG IN HYBRID engine

388 uu When Driving u ECON Mode
Driving ECON Mode
The ECON button turns the ECON mode on and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your energy economy by adjusting the
performance of the climate control system and the accelerator pedal response. 1 ECON Mode
While in the ECON mode, the climate control system
has greater temperat ure fluctuations.
When the ECON mode is active, the driver’s side seat
heater functions accordi ng to the status of the
climate control system. If you want to use only the
climate control system, press the seat heater button
to OFF.
If you select ECON mode , the threshold for the
engine to provide additional power is higher than it is
when the vehicle is in eith er of the other two drive
modes. Note that if the ac celerator pedal is depressed
past the point at which you feel a click, the engine
will start in the ECON mode.18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 388 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

389 uu When Driving u SPORT Mode
Driving
SPORT Mode
To turn the SPORT mode on and off, press the SPORT button.
The SPORT mode delivers crisp agility and responsiveness.
This mode is suitable for driving on hills or through curves on mountain roads.
The SPORT mode is turned off every time you start the power system, even if you
turned it on the last time you drove the vehicle. 1 SPORT Mode
Depending on the driving c onditions, the engine may
start if you depress the ac celerator pedal past the
point at which you feel a click. In SPORT mode,
however, the engine will start before this point.
SPORT ButtonSPORT Mode
Indicator18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 389 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

390 uu When Driving u Deceleration Paddle Selector
Driving Deceleration Paddle Selector When you release the accelerator pedal, you can control the rate of deceleration
without releasing your hands from the steering wheel. Using the deceleration
paddle selector situated on the steering wheel, you can sequentially shift through
four stages of deceleration.
When descending a hill, you can use the deceleration paddle selector to help
maintain the rate of deceleration, thereb y allowing you to keep a safe distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle ah ead as well as utilize engine braking.
The default deceleration stage is . Each
paddle selector oper ation makes a single
stage deceleration change.
u The deceleration stage may not change if
you pull the paddle selector
continuously.
To select the different stages of deceleration:
• Pull back the ( +
selector (right side) to decrease the deceleration stage.
• Pull back the ( -
selector (left side) to increase the deceleration stage.
Pull the ( +
selector for a few seconds when yo u want to cancel the deceleration
paddle selector. 1 Deceleration Paddle Selector
If you are descending a hill when you select stage ,
the vehicle may enter stage .
If you pull back right and le ft paddle sele ctor at the
same time, the deceleration stage may not change.
3
CAUTION Rapidly increasing the deceleration rate by
quickly shifting the deceleration paddle
can cause the tires to skid, resulting in a
crash that could injure or kill someone.
Always maintain a re asonable rate of
deceleration.Decrease
IncreaseDeceleration
Stage18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 390 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

422 uu When Driving u Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System VSA ® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine and motor output and selectively applying the
brakes.
When VSA ® activates, you may notice that the
engine and motor do not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic system . You will also see
the indicator blink.
■ VSA ® Operation 1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
The VSA ® may not function properl y if tire type and
size are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and
type of tire, and the air pressures as specified.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, there ma y be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehicle checked by an authorized
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybr id dealer immediately.
The indicators for the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® )
System, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ) OFF, low tire
Pressure/TPMS and Collision Mitigation Braking
System TM
(CMBS TM
) may come on along with a
message in the driver information interface after
reconnecting the 12-volt battery. Drive a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h). The
indicator should go off. If it does not, have your
vehicle checked by an aut horized Honda Clarity Plug-
In Hybrid dealer.
VSA ® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.
The main function of the VSA ® system is generally
known as Electronic Stab ility Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.VSA ® System
Indicator18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 422 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

423uu When Driving u Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partially disable VSA ® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.
Your vehicle will have normal braking and
cornering ability, but tra ction control function
will be less effective.
To restore VSA ® functionality/features, press
the (VSA ® OFF) button until you hear a
beep.
VSA ® is turned on every time you turn the
power system on, even if you turned it off the
last time you drove the vehicle.■ VSA ® On and Off 1 Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System
In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fr esh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA ® temporarily switched off.
When the button is pressed, the traction control
function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA ® off if
you are not able to free it when the VSA ® is on.
Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA ® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA ® system switched off.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after turning the power
system on or while driv ing. This is normal.VSA ® OFF IndicatorU.S. models
Canadian models
VSA ® OFF Indicator18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 423 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

424 uu When Driving u Agile Handling Assist
Driving Agile Handling Assist Lightly brakes each of the front and rear wheels, as needed, when you turn the
steering wheel, and helps support the vehi cle’s stability and performance during
cornering. 1 Agile Handling Assist
The agile handling assist ca nnot enhance stability in
all driving situations. You still need to drive and
corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions and
always leave a sufficient margin of safety.
When the VSA ® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, the agil e handling assist does not
activate.
You may hear a sound coming from the engine
compartment while the agile handling assist is
activated. This is normal.18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 424 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

431Continued
Driving
Braking Brake System Use the parking brake to keep the vehicl e stationary when parked. When the
parking brake is applied, you can manu ally or automatically release it.
■ To apply
The electric parking brake can be applied any
time the vehicle has battery, no matter which
position the power mode is in.
Pull the electric parking brake switch up gently
and securely.
u The parking brake and brake system
indicator (red) comes on.
■ To release
The power mode must be in ON in order to
release the electric parking brake.
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Press the electric parking brake switch.
u The parking brake and brake system
indicator (red) goes off.
Manually releasing the parking brake using
the switch helps your vehicle start slowly and
smoothly when facing down hill on steep hills.■ Parking Brake 1 Brake System
When you depress the brak e pedal, you may hear a
whirling sound from the engine compartment. This is
because the brake system is in operation, and it is
normal.
1 Parking Brake
You may hear the electric parking brake system
motor operating from the re ar wheel area when you
apply or release the parki ng brake, or set the power
mode to OFF. This is normal.
The brake pedal may slightly move due to the electric
parking brake system opera tion when you apply or
release the parking br ake. This is normal.
You cannot apply or release the parking brake if the
12-volt battery goes dead.
2 Jump Starting P. 539
If you pull up and hold the electric parking brake
switch while driving, the brakes on all four
wheels are applied by the electric servo brake
system until the vehicle comes to a stop. The
electric parking brake then applies, and the
switch should be released.Electric Parking
Brake Switch
Electric Parking
Brake Switch18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 431 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分

437uu Braking u Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Driving
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribu tion (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pu mp the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pe dal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.”
■ ABS operation
You may hear an operating noise when the ABS is working. Keep holding the pedal
firmly down. On dry pavement, you will ne ed to press on the brake pedal very hard
before the ABS activates. Ho wever, you may feel the ABS activate immediately if you
are trying to stop on snow or ice.
ABS may activate when you depres s the brake pedal when driving on:
• Wet or snow covered roads.
• Roads paved with stone.
• Roads with uneven surf aces, such as potholes , cracks, manholes, etc.
When the vehicle speed goes unde r 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.■ ABS 1 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) NOTICE
The ABS may not function correc tly if you use a tire of
the wrong size or type.
If the ABS indicator comes on while driving, there
may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking will not be affected, there is a
possibility that the ABS will not operating. Have your
vehicle checked by an aut horized Honda Clarity Plug-
In Hybrid dealer immediately.
The ABS is not designed for the purpose of reducing
the time or distance it takes for a vehicle to stop: It is
designed to limit brake lockup which can lead to
skidding and loss of steering control.
In the following cases, yo ur vehicle may need more
distance to stop than a vehicle without the ABS:
• You are driving on rough or uneven road surfaces,
such as gravel or snow.
• The tires are equipped with snow chains.
The following may be observed with the ABS system:
• Motor sounds coming from the engine
compartment when the brakes are applied, or
when system checks are being performed after the
power system has been turned on and while
vehicle is accelerates.
• Brake pedal and/or the ve hicle body vibration when
ABS activates.
These vibrations and sou nds are normal to ABS
systems and are no cause for concern.18 CLARITY PHEV CSS-31TRW6000.book 437 ページ ２０１７年８月３１日　木曜日　午後２時４９分