Honda Civic 5 Owners Manual

							This indicator has two f unctions:
When the def lation warning
system indicator in the instrument
panel is on, one of your vehicle’s
tyres may be underinf lated. You
will also see the symbol ‘‘ ’’ or
this symbol with a ‘‘CHECK TYRE
PRESSURE’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display.
Youshouldstopandcheckyour
tyres as soon as possible, and
inf late them to the proper
pressure. If you think you can
saf ely drive a short distance to a
service station, proceed slowly to
the station, then inflate the tyre to
the recommended pressure. Ref er
to page f or tyre inf lation
guidelines. Then initialise the
system (see page ).If the tyre is flat, or if the tyre
pressure is too low to continue
driving, replace the tyre with the
compact spare tyre (if equipped)
(see page ). To use a tyre
repair kit, see page .
If the dif f erence is signif icant or
you cannot make the def lation
warning system indicator and the
symbol/message on the multi-
inf ormation display go out af ter
inf lating the tyres to the specif ied
values, have your dealer check the
system as soon as possible.If there is a problem with the
deflation warning system, this
indicator begins to f lash. It stops
flashing after approximately 1
minute, then stays on. You will
also see the symbol ‘‘ ’’ or this
symbol with a ‘‘CHECK SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display.
When the def lation warning
system indicator comes on along
with the ABS, VSA system or VSA
activation indicator, there may be
a problem with the ABS or VSA
system. If this happens, have your
dealer check the system as soon
as possible. 1.2.
503
427530
537
Driving
Def lation Warning
System Indicator
Def lation Warning System
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The display shows the selectable
items. If you want to cancel
‘‘INITIALISATION,’’ select
‘‘CANCEL’’ by pressing the INFO
button, then press the SEL/
RESET button to set. The display
goes back to the ‘‘ ’’ display. If you want to initialise the
def lation warning system, enter
the customizing mode (see page
). Then, af ter pressing the
INFO button repeatedly until
‘‘ ’’ is displayed, press the
SEL/RESET button. You should initialise the def lation
warningsystemwhenyou:
Inf late the tyres to the
recommended pressure.
Use the tyre repair kit (if
equipped). Change or rotate the tyres (except
a compact spare tyre).
The def lation warning system
indicator and the symbol/message
on the multi-inf ormation stay on until
initialising the def lation warning
system.1. 2.
115
Def lation Warning System
Def lation Warning System
Initialisation
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							Af ter the initialisation is
completed, you will see the above
display f or a f ew seconds, then the
display goes back to the setting
display. At the same time, the
def lation warning system indicator
will go of f .If the initialisation is not
successf ul, you will see the above
display f or a f ew seconds, then the
display goes back to the setting
display. Repeat f rom step 3. To initialise the def lation warning
system, select ‘‘OK’’ by pressing
the INFO button, then press the
SEL/RESET button to set. 3. 4. 5.
Def lation Warning System
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							To exit the customizing mode,
selecttheexitmodeshownabove
by pressing the INFO button
repeatedly, f ollowed by the SEL/
RESET button. The display goes
back to the normal display.Af ter the initialisation, drive over
25 km/h (15 mph) f or about 10
minutes.
6.7.
Def lation Warning System
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							µ
Rain, f og, and snow conditions re-
quire a dif f erent driving technique
because of reduced traction and
visibility. Keep your vehicle well-
maintained and exercise greater
caution when you need to drive in
bad weather. The cruise control (on
some types) should not be used in
these conditions.Always drive
slower than you would in dry
weather. It takes your vehicle longer
to react, even in conditions that may
seem just barely damp. Apply
smooth, even pressure to all the
controls. Abrupt steering wheel
movements or sudden, hard appli-
cation of the brakes can cause loss of
control in wet weather. Be extra
cautious f or the f irst f ew kilometers
(miles) of driving while you adjust to
the change in driving conditions.
This is especially true in snow. A
person can f orget some snow-driving
techniques during the summer
months. Practice is needed to relearn
those skills.Exercise extra caution when driving
in rain af ter a long dry spell. Af ter
months of dry weather, the f irst
rains bring oil to the surf ace of the
roadway, making it slippery. Driving T echnique
Driving in Bad Weather
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							µµBeing able to see
clearly in all directions and being
visible to other drivers are important
in all weather conditions. This is
more dif f icult in bad weather. To be
seen more clearly during daylight
hours, turn on your headlights.
Inspect your windscreen wipers and
washers f requently. Keep the wind-
screen washer reservoir f ull of the
proper f luid. Have the windscreen
wiper blades replaced if they start to
streak the windscreen or leave parts
unwiped. Use the demister and air
conditioning (on some types) to keep
the windows f rom f ogging up on the
inside (see pages and ).Be very cautious when passing, or
beingpassedbyothervehicles.The
spray f rom large vehicles reduces
your visibility, and the wind buf f eting
can cause you to lose control. Check your tyres
f requently f or wear and proper
pressure. Both are important in
preventing ‘‘aquaplaning’’ (loss of
traction on a wet surface). In the
winter, mount snow tyres on all f our
wheels f or the best handling.
Watch road conditions caref ully,
they can change f rom moment to
moment. Wet leaves can be as slip-
pery as ice. ‘‘Clear’’ roads can have
patches of ice. Driving conditions
can be very hazardous when the
outside temperature is near f reezing.
The road surf ace can become
covered with areas of water puddles
mixed with areas of ice, so your
traction can change without warning.
Be caref ul when downshif ting. If
traction is low, you can lock up the
drive wheels f or a moment and cause
askid. 210 216 Visibility Traction
Driving in Bad Weather
Driving431
CAUTION:Do not drive on the road
where water is deep. Driving through
deep water will cause damage to the
engine and electrical equipment and
the vehicle will break down.
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							Your vehicle has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and
their luggage. You can also use it to
tow a trailer if you caref ully observe
the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and f ollow the guidelines
in this section.
The total weight of the trailer and
towbar (with/without brakes) plus
its luggage must not exceed the
maximum towing weight. See page
.Thetrailernoseloadshouldnever
exceed 75 kg (165 lbs). This is the
amount of weight the trailer puts
on the towbar when it is f ully-
loaded. As a rule of thumb f or
trailer weights of less than 750 kg
(1,653 lbs), the trailer nose load
should be 10 percent of the total
trailer package. 588 Load Limits
Towing a Trailer
Driving432
Exceeding any load limit or
improperly loading your
vehicle and trailer can cause
a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Check the loading of your
vehicle and trailer carefully
before starting to drive.
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							For example, if the trailer and its
load weigh 225 kg (500 lbs), the
trailernoseloadshouldbe22.5kg
(50 lbs). Adjust trailer’s luggage to
change the trailer nose load. Start
by putting approximately
60 percent of the luggage toward
thefrontand40percenttoward
the rear. With a trailer package of
more than 750 kg (1,653 lbs), you
may need to adjust the luggage
weight toward the rear. Never
load the trailer so the back is
heavier than the front. This takes
weight of f your vehicle’s rear axle
and reduces traction.
The maximum permissible weight
must not exceed the specif ied limit
asshownonpage .
The maximum permissible weight
is total weight of the vehicle,
driver, passengers, luggage and
towbar.Please consider that the
installation of optionals (and trailer
nose load when towing a trailer)
will reduce the loading capacity.
Towing a load that is too heavy can
seriously af f ect your vehicle’s
handling and perf ormance. It can
also damage the engine and
drivetrain.
The combined vehicle and trailer
weights are the maximum
permissible weight and trailer
weight with everything in and on
the trailer. If you tow a trailer in mountainous
conditions, remember to reduce
10% of the combined vehicle and
trailer weights from the maximum
towing weight f or every 1,000
meters of elevation. This weight will be estimated on
normal driving below 1,000 meters
elevation. The maximum towing weight
must not exceed the specif ied limit
asshownonpage . The maximum loaded vehicle
weight must not exceed the
specif ied limit as shown on page
.
588588
588
Towing a Trailer
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							Always use saf ety chains when you
tow a trailer. Make sure the chains
are secured to the trailer and towbar,
and that they cross under the trailer
nose and can catch the trailer if it
becomes unhitched. Leave enough
slack to allow the trailer to turn
corners easily, but do not let the
chains drag on the ground.
If you are thinking of getting a trailer
that has brakes, be sure they are
electronically actuated. Do not
attempt to tap into your vehicle’s
hydraulic system. No matter how
successf ul it may seem, any attempt
to attach trailer brakes to your
vehicle’s hydraulic system will lower
braking ef f ectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
See your trailer dealer or rental
agency f or more inf ormation on
installing electric brakes. Anytowbarusedonyourvehicle
must be properly bolted to the
underbody.
Ref er to page f or the towbar
mounting points. Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, how
much load you are towing, and
where you tow.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and f ollow the
guidelines in this section. Also make
sure that all equipment is properly
installed and maintained, and that it
meets the country’s regulations
whereyouaredriving. The best way to conf irm that vehicle
and trailer weights are within limits
is to have them checked at a public
scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
trailer nose load gauge, check the
total weight, the weight at each axle
and the trailer nose load the f irst
time you set up a towing combination
(a f ully-loaded vehicle and trailer),
then recheck the loads whenever the
conditions change.
587
Saf et y Chains
Trailer Brakes
TowbarsT owing Equipment and
A ccessories Checking L oads
Towing a Trailer
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							Trailer lights and equipment must
comply with the country’s
regulations where you are driving.
Check the requirements f or the
areas where you plan to tow, and use
only equipment designed f or your
vehicle.
You can get an optional trailer
lighting connector f or your vehicle
f rom your dealer.
Since lighting and wiring vary by
trailer type and brand, you should
have a qualif ied technician install a
suitable connector between the
vehicle and the trailer. Improper
equipment or installation can cause
damage to your vehicle’s electrical
system.Always consult your dealer bef ore
connecting the trailer lights to your
vehicle’s lighting system.When preparing to tow, and bef ore
driving away, be sure to check the
f ollowing:
The vehicle has been properly
serviced, and the tyres, brakes,
suspension, cooling system, and
lights are in good operating
condition.
The trailer has been properly
serviced and is in good condition.
All weights and loads are within
limits.
All items in or on the trailer are
properly secured and cannot shif t
while you drive. The towbar, saf ety chains, and any
other attachments are secure. There may be laws requiring special
outside mirrors when towing a trailer.
Check the local laws in the country.
Even if there are no legal
requirements, you should install
special mirrors if you cannot clearly
see behind you, or if the trailer
creates a blind spot.
Askyourtrailersalesorrental
agency if any other items are
recommended or required f or your
towing situation.
CONT INUED
T railer L ights
Additional Trailer EquipmentPre-T ow Checklist
Towing a Trailer
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