Honda Civic 5 Owners Manual

							386
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							This section gives you tips on
starting the engine under various
conditions, and how to operate the
manual, automatic and i-SHIFT
transmissions. It also includes
important inf ormation on parking
your vehicle, the braking system, the
vehicle stability assist (VSA) system,
and f acts you need if you are
planning to tow a trailer......................... Driving Guidelines . 388
........................ Preparing to Drive . 389
Starting the Engine
(Petrol models with manual
transmission and automatic
.................... transmission) . 390
Starting the Engine (Petrol
............... models with i-SHIFT) . 392
Starting the Engine
......................... (Diesel models) . 393
................... Manual Transmission . 395
.............. Automatic Transmission . 400
i-SHIFT (Automated Manual
........................... Transmission) . 406
........................................... Parking . 418
............................. Braking System . 419
............... Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) . 420
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
........................................ System . 422
............... Hill Start Assist System . 424
.......... Def lation Warning System . 425
............... Driving in Bad Weather . 430
........................... Towing a Trailer . 432
Driving
Driving387
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							Curbs and steep inclines could
damage the f ront and rear
bumpers. Low curbs that do not
affect the average vehicle may be
high enough to hit the bumper on
your vehicle. The f ront or rear
bumper may scrape when trying to
drive onto an incline, such as a
steep driveway or trailer ramps. Your vehicle is designed to give you
optimum handling and perf ormance
on well-maintained roads. As part of
this design, your vehicle has a
minimum of ground clearance.
Use caution if you ever drive your
vehicleonveryroughorrutted
roads. You could damage the
suspension and underbody by
bottoming out. Going too f ast over
parking lot ‘‘speed bumps’’ can
also cause damage.
Driving Guidelines
Driving388
09/01/28 18:24:26 32SMG631_393 
						

							Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.
Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the bonnet is f ully
closed.
Check that the tailgate is f ully
closed.Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ). Visually check the tyres. If a tyre
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely.
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).17 1.
2.
3.4.
6.
7.8.
9.
5.
10.
11.
72 151
165
179
Preparing to Drive
Driving389
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							Push the clutch pedal down all the
way and shif t the transmission to
neutral. In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery. Apply the parking brake.
Make sure the shif t lever is in
Park. Press on the brake pedal.
Turn the ignition key to the ON
(II) position.If theenginedoesnotstartwithin
15 seconds, or starts but stalls
right away, repeat step 5 with the
accelerator pedal pressed halfway
down. If the engine starts, release
pressure on the accelerator pedal
so the engine does not race.
If the engine fails to start, press
the accelerator pedal all the way
downandholdittherewhile
starting to clear flooding. If the
engine still does not start, return
to step 6.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push the ENGINE START
button. Do not hold the ENGINE
START button for more than 15
seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start right away, pausef or at least 10 seconds bef ore
trying again.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled. See
on page . 1.
3.
4.
5. 2.6.
7.
153
Manual transmission:
Automatic transmission:
Starting the Engine (Petrol models)
Driving
Manual Transmission and
Automatic Transmission
Immobilizer
System
390
ENGINE START
BUTTON M/T model is shown.
09/01/28 18:24:47 32SMG631_395 
						

							Ð The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound
at altitudes above 2,400 meters
(8,000 f eet) adds to this problem.If the outside temperature is below
f reezing, or if your vehicle has not
been driven f or several days, warm
up the engine f or a f ew minutes
bef ore driving (prohibited in
Germany! 30 StVO).
Starting the Engine (Petrol models)
Driving391
09/01/28 18:24:51 32SMG631_396 
						

							Ð The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled. See
on page .
The engine is harder to start in cold
weather. Also, the thinner air f ound
at altitudes above 2,400 meters
(8,000 f eet) adds to this problem.
If the outside temperature is below
f reezing, or if your vehicle has not
been driven f or several days, warm
up the engine f or a f ew minutes
bef ore driving (prohibited in
Germany! 30 StVO). Make sure the shif t lever is in
neutral (N) with the brake pedal
pressed, and the gear position
indicator shows N. If the shift
lever is not in neutral (N) position
or the brake pedal is not pressed,
you cannot start the engine. Turn the ignition key to the ON
(II) position. Press on the brake pedal and
move the shift lever to neutral. In cold weather, turn of f all
electrical accessories to reduce
the drain on the battery. Apply the parking brake.
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push the ENGINE START
button. Do not hold the ENGINE
START button for more than 15seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start right away, pause
f or at least 10 seconds bef ore
trying again.
Make sure the gear position
indicator shows the appropriate gear
position bef ore driving the vehicle. 1.
3.
4.
5. 2.
153 i-SHIFT (A utomated Manual
Transmission)
Immobilizer
System
Starting the Engine (Petrol models)
Driving392
ENGINE START
BUTTON
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							Apply the parking brake.
Turn of f all electrical accessories
to reduce the drain on the battery.
Push the clutch pedal down all the
way and shif t the transmission to
neutral.
Turn the ignition key to the ON
(II) position. Wait until the glow
plugs indicator turns of f .
Without touching the accelerator
pedal, push the ENGINE START
button. Do not hold the ENGINE
START button for more than 15
seconds at a time (20 seconds in
cold weather). If the engine does
not start right away, pause f or at
least 20 seconds bef ore trying
again.In very cold climates the battery
charging and oil pressure indicators
may take several seconds to go of f .
Similarly, engine cranking times will
also increase.
In the interests of f uel economy, it is
advisable to start driving straight
away, remembering that harsh
acceleration or labouring the engine
bef ore the normal operating
temperature has been reached can
damage the engine.
The immobilizer system protects
your vehicle f rom thef t. If an
improperly coded key (or other
device) is used, the engine’s f uel
system is disabled. See
on page . 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
153
CONT INUED
Cold Climates
Warming Up
Immobilizer
System
Starting the Engine (Diesel models)
Driving393
ENGINE START
BUTTON
09/01/28 18:25:11 32SMG631_398 
						

							The engine must not be run above
f ast idle speed until the oil
pressure warning indicator goes
of f . This will ensure that the
engine and turbocharger bearings
are properly lubricated bef ore
being run at normal driving speeds.To avoid the possibility of damaging
the turbocharger bearings through
inadequate lubrication, ALWAYS
allow the engine to idle f or 10
seconds bef ore turning of f the
engine. Ignition Switching Of f
Starting the Engine (Diesel models)
Driving394
09/01/28 18:25:15 32SMG631_399 
						

							The manual transmission is
synchronized in all f orward gears f or
smooth operation. It has a lockout so
you cannot accidentally shif t f rom
any forward gear to reverse while
the vehicle is moving at a certain
speed (see page ).Come to a full stop before you shift
into reverse. You can damage the
transmission by trying to shift into
reverse with the vehicle moving.
Push down the clutch pedal, and
pause f or a f ew seconds bef ore
shif ting into reverse, or shif t into one
of the f orward gears f or a moment.
This stops the gears so they won’t
‘‘grind.’’ When shif ting up or down, make
sure you push the clutch pedal down
all the way, shif t to the next gear,
and let the pedal up gradually. When
you are not shif ting, do not rest your
f oot on the clutch pedal. This can
cause excessive clutch wear.
399
CONT INUED
Manual T ransmission
Driving395
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