2020 HONDA CLARITY PLUG-IN engine

383
uuWhen Driving uTransmission
Driving
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks, and contact an
authorized Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid dealer.
Transmission
As with a conventional gasoline-powered ve hicle with an automatic transmission,
this vehicle will creep.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.
Quickly depressing the accelerator pedal wh ile driving uphill may cause the vehicle
to react similar to an automatic transmissi on vehicle, unexpectedly increasing vehicle
speed. Depress the accelerator pedal carefu lly, especially on slippery roads and
curves.
■Other Precautions
■Creeping
■Kickdown
1 Precautions While Driving
Do not press the
(N button, as you will lose
regenerative braking (and ac celeration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
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390
uuWhen Driving uECON 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.
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391
uuWhen Driving uSPORT 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 conditions, 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 Button
SPORT
Mode
Indicator
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392
uuWhen Driving uDeceleration 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 keep the paddle selector pulled
back.
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 selector at the
same time, the deceleration stage may not change.
3CAUTION
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 reasonable rate of
deceleration.
Decrease
Increase
Deceleration
Stage
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426
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System
Driving
Vehicle Stability AssistTM (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 AssistTM (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 Hybrid dealer immediately.
The indicators for the Vehicle Stability Assist
TM (VSA ®)
System, Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA ®) OFF, low tire
Pressure/TPMS and Collision Mitigation Braking
System
TM (CMBSTM) 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
Indicator
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427
uuWhen Driving uVehicle Stability AssistTM (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 Off1 Vehicle Stability AssistTM (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 driving. This is normal.
VSA ® OFF Indicator
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428
uuWhen Driving uAgile 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.
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435Continued
Driving
Braking
Brake System
Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle 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 Brake1 Brake System
When you depress the brak e pedal, you may hear a
whirring 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. 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. 543
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 Switch
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