HONDA 2015 Civic Hybrid - Owner's Guide - Manual (Page 39)

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DRIVING DRIVING
Starting to Drive
Turn on the vehicle and start the engine to begin driving.
Before Starting the Engine
Check that the shift lever is in Park (P), then press the
brake pedal. Keep your foot fi rmly on the brake pedal
when starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in thinner air found at altitudes
above 8,000 feet (2,400 m). When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off
all electrical accessories such as the lights, climate control system, and rear
defogger in order to reduce battery drain.
Changing the Power Mode
Use the ENGINE START/STOP button to cycle through power modes or start the
engine.
Accessory or On mode: Press ENGINE START/STOP
once without pressing the brake pedal for Accessory
mode. Press it again for On mode.
Starting the engine: Press and hold the brake pedal,
then press ENGINE START/STOP. Keep your foot fi rmly
on the brake pedal when starting the engine.
Turning the vehicle off: Shift to Park (P), then press ENGINE START/STOP. If
you press the button and the shift lever is not in Park (P), the vehicle goes into
Accessory mode.
Brake pedal
Shifting
Change the shift position based on your driving needs.
Park (P): Used for parking or starting/stopping the
engine. Press the brake pedal, then press the release
button to shift.
Reverse (R): Used for reversing.
Neutral (N): Used for idling.
Drive (D): Used for normal driving.
Drive (S): Used for better acceleration, increased
engine braking, or driving in hilly terrain.
Low (L): Used for stronger engine power and braking
when driving in hilly terrain, or when the IMA battery
is low.
When you change the shift lever from D to R and vice versa, come to a complete
stop and keep the brake pedal depressed. Operating the shift lever before the
vehicle has come to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the accelerator pedal. You could
damage the transmission.
NOTICE
Release
button
VSA OFF
indicator
VSA OFF
button
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ® ), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC) System
Helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces by
regulating engine output and selectively applying the brakes.
Turning VSA On or Off
VSA is turned on every time you start the engine,
even if you previously turned it off. If you turn
VSA off, your vehicle has normal braking and
cornering ability, but not VSA traction and stability
enhancement.
Press and hold the VSA OFF button until you
hear a beep to turn VSA on or off. The VSA OFF
indicator appears when the system is off.
Traction control stops functioning, which may
make it easier when trying to free your vehicle if it
is stuck in mud or snow.