Honda Civic 5 Owners Manual

							If the gear position indicator does
not show the appropriate gear
position, you cannot continue driving.
See on page
.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on and goes of f repeatedly in
normal driving. If this indicator comes on while
driving due to the clutch system
overheating, it goes of f when the
clutch system temperature comes
down. If this indicator goes of f while
driving to your dealer, you can
continue driving normally.
The symbol/message in the multi-
inf ormation display also goes of f
along with the i-SHIFT system
indicator. If this indicator comes on and stays
on while driving (in any gear
position), there may be problems in
the i-SHIFT control system or
overheating of the clutch system. If
this happens, avoid rapid
acceleration, f requently shif ting, and
driving at high speed, and have the
vehicle checked by your dealer as
soon as possible.
You will also see the symbol ‘‘ ,’’
or this symbol with a ‘‘CHECK
SYSTEM’’ message in the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ).108578
i-SHIFT (Automated Manual Transmission)
Driving
i-SHIFT (Automated
Manual T ransmission)
Syst em Indicat or
Emergency T owing
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							Driving with the i-SHIFT system
indicator on can cause serious
damage to the transmission and the
clutch system.
i-SHIFT (Automated Manual Transmission)
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							Always use the parking brake when
you park your vehicle. Make sure
the parking brake is set f irmly, or
your vehicle may roll if it is parked
on an incline.Make sure the windows are closed.
Turn of f the lights.
Place any packages, valuables, etc.,
in the luggage area or take them
with you.
Lock the doors.
Check the indicator on the
instrument panel to verif y that the
security system is set.
Never park over dry leaves, tall
grass, or other f lammable
materials. The hot catalytic
converter could cause these
materials to catch on f ire.If the vehicle is f acing uphill, turn
the f ront wheels away f rom the
curb, and put the transmission in
f irst gear.
If the vehicle is f acing downhill,
turn the front wheels toward the
curb, and put the transmission in
reverse gear.
Make sure the parking brake is
f ully released bef ore driving away.
Driving with the parking brake
partially set can overheat or
damage the rear brakes.
Never install a sunshade between
the upper and lower displays on the
instrument panel. If you do, you
could cause heat damage to the
upper display on a very hot day. If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, set the parking brake
bef ore you put the transmission in
Park. This keeps the vehicle f rom
moving and putting pressure on the
parking mechanism in the
transmission.
Bef ore turning of f the engine, make
sure the gear position indicator in
the upper display shows you the
appropriate gear position.
On vehicles with security system
On vehicles with i-SHIFT
Parking T ips
Parking
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							Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving. Your vehicle is equipped with f ront
disc brakes. The brakes on the rear
wheels may be disc or drum,
depending on the model. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The anti-lock
brake system (ABS) helps you retain
steering control when braking very
hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, increases wear, and reduces
their ef f ectiveness. It also keeps
your brake lights on all the time,
conf using drivers behind you.
Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their
ef f ectiveness. Use the engine to
assist the brakes by taking your f oot
of f the accelerator and downshif ting
to a lower gear.The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.All f our disc brakes have audible
brake pad wear indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. Braking System DesignBrake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
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							The anti-lock brake system (ABS)
helpspreventthewheelsfrom
locking up, and helps you retain
steering control by pumping the
brakes rapidly, much f aster than a
person can do it.
The electronic brake distribution
(EBD) system, which is part of the
ABS, also balances the f ront-to-rear
braking distribution according to
vehicle loading.If the ABS indicator comes on, the
anti-lock f unction of the braking
system has shut down. The brakes
still work like a conventional system,
but without anti-lock. You should
have your dealer inspect your vehicle
as soon as possible.
If the ABS indicator comes on while
driving, test the brakes as instructed
on page . You will f eel a pulsation in the brake
pedal when the ABS activates, and
you may hear some noise. This is
normal: it is the ABS rapidly
pumpingthebrakes.Ondryroads,
you will need to press on the brake
pedal very hard bef ore the ABS
activates. However, you may f eel the
ABS activate immediately if you are
trying to stop on snow or ice.
Let the ABS work f or you by always
keeping f irm, steady pressure on the
brake pedal. This is sometimes
ref erred to as ‘‘stomp and steer.’’You will also see the symbol ‘‘ ’’
or this symbol with a ‘‘CHECK
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display.569
You should never pump the brake pedal.
ABS Indicator
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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							It only helps with steering
control during braking.
Always steer moderately
when you are braking hard. Severe
or sharp steering wheel movement
can still cause your vehicle to veer
into oncoming traffic or off the road.such as trying to take a
corner too f ast or making a sudden
lane change. Always drive at a safe
speed f or the road and weather
conditions. If the ABS indicator and the brake
system indicator come on together,
and the parking brake is f ully
released, the EBD system may also
be shut down.on loose or
uneven surfaces, such as gravel or
snow, than a vehicle without anti-
lock.
Test your brakes as instructed on
page . If the brakes f eel normal,
drive slowly and have your vehicle
repaired by your dealer as soon as
possible. Avoid sudden hard braking
which could cause the rear wheels to
lock up and possibly lead to a loss of
control.
The VSA indicator will come on
alongwiththeABSindicator.569Important Saf ety Reminders
A BS does not reduce the time or
distance it takes to stop the
vehicle.
A BS cannot prevent the loss of
stability. A BS will not prevent a skid that
results f rom changing direction
abruptly,A vehicle with A BS may require a
longer distance to stop
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)
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							The vehicle stability assist (VSA)
system helps to stabilize the vehicle
during cornering if the vehicle turns
more or less than desired. It also
assists you in maintaining traction
while accelerating on loose or
slippery road surf aces. It does this
by regulating the engine’s output and
by selectively applying the brakes. When VSA activates, you will see the
VSA Activation indicator blink. If the VSA system is of f and you
accelerate f rom a stop, the vehicle
may pull, and it may take extra effort
to return the steering wheel to
centre.
The VSA system indicator (see page
) comes on and stays on when
there is a problem with the VSA
system. The VSA activation indicator
will also come on. When VSA activates, you may notice
that the engine does not respond to
the accelerator in the same way it
does at other times. There may also
be some noise f rom the VSA
hydraulic system. You will also see
the VSA activation indicator blink.
The VSA system cannot enhance the
vehicle’s driving stability in all
situations and does not control your
vehicle’s entire braking system. It is
still your responsibility to drive and
corner at reasonable speeds and to
leave a sufficient margin of safety.If the VSA system indicator comes
on while driving, pull to the side of
theroadwhenitissafe,andturnoff
the engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine. If the VSA
system indicator stays on or comes
back on while driving, have the VSA
system inspected by your dealer.If the indicator does not come on
when the ignition switch is turned to
the ON (II) position, there may be a
problem with the VSA system. Have
your dealer inspect your vehicle as
soon as possible.
You will also see the symbol ‘‘ ’’
or the symbol with a ‘‘CHECK
SYSTEM’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display if there is a
problem with the VSA system.
Without VSA, your vehicle will have
normal braking and cornering ability,
but it will not have VSA traction and
stability enhancement.
The VSA system indicator will also
come on when there is a problem in
the hill start assist system. For more
inf ormation, see page . 83
424
On vehicles with i-SHIFT
VSA A ctivation Indicator
VSA System Indicator
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
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							In certain unusual conditions when
your vehicle gets stuck in shallow
mud or f resh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA temporarily
switched of f . When the VSA system
is of f , the traction control system is
alsooff.Youshouldonlyattemptto
f ree your vehicle with the VSA of f if
you are not able to f ree it when the
VSA is on.
Immediately af ter f reeing your
vehicle, be sure to switch the VSA on
again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA and
traction control systems switched off.Driving with varying tyre or wheel
sizes may cause the VSA to
malf unction. When replacing tyres,
make sure they are of the same size
and type as your original tyres (see
page ).
If you install winter tyres, make sure
they are the same size as those that
were originally supplied with your
vehicle. Exercise the same caution
during winter driving as you would if
your vehicle was not equipped with
VSA. This switch is next to the driver’s
side vent. To turn the VSA system
on and of f , press and hold it until you
hear a beep.
When VSA is off, the VSA activation
indicator comes on as a reminder.
Press and hold the switch again. It
turns the system back on.
VSA is turned on every time you
start the engine, even if you turned it
off the last time you drove the
vehicle.507 VSA OFF Switch VSA and Tyre Sizes
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) System
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							Only on vehicles with i-SHIFT
Your vehicle is equipped with the hill
start assist system to help start your
vehicle smoothly on uphill roads.The vehicle may still roll backward
f or a short distance depending on
circumstances such as carrying
luggage or towing a trailer. Make
sure to set the parking brake in case
the vehicle should roll back.
The VSA system indicator will come
on when there is a problem in the hill
start assist system. With the VSA
system indicator on, the hill start
assist system will not activate. While you release the brake pedal to
start on uphill roads, the hill start
assist system will automatically keep
the brake system on f or about 1
second to prevent your vehicle f rom
rolling backward. For the system to
activate, the shift lever must be in
any position but neutral.
Driving
Hill St art A ssist Syst em
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							Your vehicle is equipped with the
def lation warning system that turns
on every time you start the engine
and monitors the pressure in your
tyres while driving [over 25 km/h
(15 mph)].
This system doesn’t monitor each
tyre pressure, but detects a decrease
in air pressure by monitoring tyre
revolutions.
When a change in tyre revolutions
occurs due to a decrease in tyre
pressure, the indicator in the
instrument panel comes on. You will
also see the symbol/message on the
multi-inf ormation display.The def lation warning system
indicator may come on with a delay
or may not come on at all when:
Two or more tyres are def lated at
thesametime.
One or more tyres are def lated
signif icantly.
You drive on snowy or slippery
roads.
The vehicle is parked, or driven
under 25 km/h (15 mph) or at
high speed.
Your loading conditions are very
dif f erent f rom when initialisation
was done. Your tyres are loaded heavier,
such as when towing a trailer. Snow chains are used. Using a compact spare tyre. The def lation warning system
indicator may also come on when: To use the system properly:
You accelerate/deaccelerate
rapidly or turn the steering wheel
rapidly.
Snow chains are used. Your vehicle’s tyres must be the
proper type and size, in good
condition with adequate tread, and
correctly inf lated. Ref er to page
f or tyre inf lation guidelines.
Youshouldinitialisethissystem
(see page ).
The def lation warning system
indicator may come on unexpectedly
due to the condition of your tyres or
road surf aces.
The def lation warning system has
not been initialised.The def lation warning system has
not been initialised.
427 503
Driving
Def lation Warning System
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