2018 Honda Civic Owners Manual - Braking

Braking

Brake System

  Parking Brake Use the parking brake to keep the vehicle stationary when parked. When the parking brake is applied, you can manually or automatically release it.

The electric parking brake can be applied any time the vehicle has battery, no matter which position the ignition switch*1 is in.

Pull the electric parking brake switch up gently and securely.

u The parking brake and brake system indicator comes on.

The ignition switch must be ON w*1 in order to release the electric parking brake.

Depress the brake pedal.

Press the electric parking brake switch.

u The parking brake and brake system indicator goes off.

Manually releasing the parking brake using the switch helps your vehicle start slowly and smoothly when facing down hill on steep hills.

*1: Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.

uuBrakinguBrake System

To release automatically

Use the accelerator pedal to release the parking brake when you are starting the vehicle facing uphill, or in a traffic jam.

Continuously variable transmission models

Depressing the accelerator pedal releases the parking brake.

Manual transmission models

Depress the accelerator pedal while releasing the clutch pedal releases the parking brake.

Continuously variable transmission models

Gently depress the accelerator pedal.

u The parking brake and brake system indicator goes off.

Manual transmission models

Gently depress the accelerator pedal and release the clutch pedal.

u The parking brake and brake system indicator goes off.

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uuBrakinguBrake System

The parking brake automatically releases as you depress the accelerator pedal when:

You are wearing the driver’s seat belt.

The engine is running.

Continuously variable transmission models

The transmission is not in or N.

Manual transmission models

The transmission is not in N.

Foot Brake Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A vacuum power assist helps to reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system

increases the stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very hard.

2 Brake Assist System P. 491

2 Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) P. 490

uuBrakinguBrake System

  Automatic Brake Hold

Continuously variable transmission models

Keeps the brake applied after releasing the brake pedal until the accelerator pedal is pressed. You can use this system while the vehicle is temporarily stopped, like at traffic lights and in heavy traffic.

Continued 487

uuBrakinguBrake System

Manual transmission models

Keeps the brake applied after releasing the brake pedal until you change a gear to a position other than N and:

Release the clutch pedal on a level road or when facing downhill.

Release the clutch pedal and depress the accelerator pedal when facing uphill. You can use this system while the vehicle is temporarily stopped, like at traffic lights and in heavy traffic.

Turning on the system

Comes On

Automatic Brake

Activating the system

On

Comes On

U.S.

Canceling the system Clutch Pedal

On

Goes Off

Hold Button

Brake Pedal

Comes On

Canada

Accelerator Pedal

Fasten your seat belt properly, then start the engine. Press the automatic brake hold button.

The automatic brake hold system indicator comes on. The system is turned on.

Depress the brake pedal to come to a complete stop.

The automatic brake hold indicator comes on. Braking is kept for up to 10 minutes.

Release the brake pedal after the automatic brake hold indicator comes on.

Shift into one of the gears other than (N and:

Release the clutch pedal on a level road or when facing downhill.

Release the clutch pedal and depress the accelerator pedal when facing uphill.

The system is canceled and the vehicle starts to move.

The automatic brake hold indicator goes off. The system releases the brake automatically.

uuBrakinguBrake System

The system automatically cancels when:

You engage the parking brake.

Continuously variable transmission models

You depress the brake pedal and move the shift lever to or R.

The system automatically cancels and the parking brake is applied when:

Braking is kept for more than 10 minutes.

The driver’s seat belt is unfastened.

The engine is turned off.

There is a problem with automatic brake hold system.

The battery is disconnected.

Manual transmission models

The engine stalls.

Turning off the automatic brake hold system

While the system is on, press the automatic brake hold button again.

u The automatic brake hold system indicator goes off.

If you want to turn off automatic brake hold while the system is in operation, press the automatic brake hold button with the brake pedal depressed.

uuBrakinguAnti-lock Brake System (ABS)

  ABS Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.

The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.

You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as “stomp and steer.”

The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.

ABS may activate when you depress the brake pedal when driving on:

Wet or snow covered roads.

Roads paved with stone.

Roads with uneven surfaces, such as potholes, cracks, manholes, etc.

When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.

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uuBrakinguBrake Assist System

  Brake Assist System Designed to assist the driver by generating greater braking force when you depress the brake pedal hard during emergency braking.

Press the brake pedal firmly for more powerful braking.

When brake assist operates, the pedal may wiggle slightly and an operating noise may be heard. This is normal. Keep holding the brake pedal firmly down.

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uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

Can assist you when there is a possibility of your vehicle colliding with a vehicle or a pedestrian detected in front of yours. The CMBSTM is designed to alert you when a potential collision is determined, as well as to reduce your vehicle speed to help minimize collision severity when a collision is deemed unavoidable.

How the system works

When to use

The camera is located behind the rearview mirror.

The radar sensor is in the lower bumper next to the fog light*.

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The system starts monitoring the roadway ahead when your vehicle speed is about 3 mph (5 km/h) and there is a vehicle in front of you.

The CMBSTM activates when:

The speed difference between your vehicle and a vehicle or pedestrian detected in front of you becomes about 3 mph (5 km/h) and over with a chance of a collision.

Your vehicle speed is about 62 mph (100 km/h) or less and there is a chance of a collision with an oncoming detected vehicle or a pedestrian in front of you.

Not available on all models

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

When the system activates

At system’s earliest collision alert stage, you can change the distance (Long/ Normal/Short) between vehicles at which alerts will come on through driver information interface*/audio/information screen * setting options.

2 List of customizable options P. 127, 343

Vibration alert on the steering wheel

When a potential collision to an oncoming detected vehicle is determined, the system alerts you with rapid vibration on the steering wheel, in addition to visual and audible alerts.

u Take appropriate action to prevent a collision (apply the brakes, operate the steering wheel, etc.).

Not available on all models

Continued 493

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

Collision Alert Stages The system has three alert stages for a possible collision. However, depending on circumstances, the CMBSTM may not go through all of the stages before initiating the last stage.

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

Press and hold the button until the beeper sounds to switch the system on or off.

When the CMBSTM is off:

The CMBSTM indicator in the instrument panel comes on.

A message on the driver information interface reminds you that the system is off.

The CMBSTM is in the previously selected ON or OFF setting each time you start the engine.

Not available on all models

Continued 495

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

The system may automatically shut off and the CMBSTM indicator will come on under certain conditions. Some examples of these conditions are listed below. Other conditions may reduce some of the CMBSTM functions.

2 Front Sensor Camera* P. 446

Driving in bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).

Sudden changes in ambient light, such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.

There is little contrast between objects and the background.

Driving into low sunlight (e.g., at dawn or dusk).

Strong light is reflected onto the roadway.

Driving in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.

Roadway objects or structures are misinterpreted as vehicles and pedestrians.

Reflections on the interior of the windshield.

Driving at night or in a dark condition such as a tunnel.

Driving on a snowy or wet roadway (obscured lane marking, vehicle tracks, reflected lights, road spray, high contrast on a snowy or wet roadway).

Driving on curvy, winding, or undulating roads.

The road is hilly or the vehicle is approaching the crest of a hill.

Not available on all models

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

Vehicle conditions

Headlight lenses are dirty or the headlights are not properly adjusted.

The outside of the windshield is blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet snow, etc.

The inside of the windshield is fogged.

An abnormal tire or wheel condition (wrong size, varied size or construction, improperly inflated, compact spare tire, etc.).

When tire chains are installed.

The vehicle is tilted due to a heavy load or suspension modifications.

The camera temperature gets too high.

Driving with the parking brake applied.

When the radar sensor in the lower bumper gets dirty.

Detection limitations

A vehicle or pedestrian suddenly crosses in front of you.

The distance between your vehicle and the vehicle or pedestrian ahead of you is too short.

A vehicle cuts in front of you at a slow speed, and it brakes suddenly.

When you accelerate rapidly and approach the vehicle or pedestrian ahead of you at high speed.

The vehicle ahead of you is a motorcycle, bicycle, mobility scooter or other small vehicle.

When there are animals in front of your vehicle.

When you drive on a curved, winding or undulating road that makes it difficult for the sensor to properly detect a vehicle in front of you.

The speed difference between your vehicle and a vehicle or pedestrian in front of you is significantly large.

An oncoming vehicle suddenly comes in front of you.

Another vehicle suddenly comes in front of you at an intersection, etc.

Your vehicle abruptly crosses over in front of an oncoming vehicle.

When driving through a narrow iron bridge.

When the lead vehicle suddenly slows down.

Continued

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uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

Limitations applicable to pedestrian detection only

When there is a group of people in front of your vehicle walking together side by side.

Surrounding conditions or belongings of the pedestrian alter the pedestrian’s shape, preventing the system from recognizing that the person is a pedestrian.

When the pedestrian is shorter than about 3.3 feet (1 meter) or taller than about

6.6 feet (2 meters) in height.

When a pedestrian blends in with the background.

When a pedestrian is bent over or squatting, or when their hands are raised or they are running.

When several pedestrians are walking ahead in a group.

When the camera cannot correctly identify that a pedestrian is present due to an unusual shape (holding luggage, body position, size).

Automatic shutoff

The CMBS may automatically shut itself off and the CMBS indicator comes and stays on when:

The temperature inside the system is high.

You drive off-road or on a mountain road, or curved and winding road for an extended period.

An abnormal tire condition is detected (wrong tire size, flat tire, etc.).

The camera behind the rearview mirror, or the area around the camera, including the windshield, gets dirty.

Once the conditions that caused the CMBS to shut off improve or are addressed (e.g., cleaning), the system comes back on.

uuBrakinguCollision Mitigation Braking SystemTM (CMBSTM)*

  With Little Chance of a Collision The CMBSTM may activate even when you are aware of a vehicle ahead of you, or when there is no vehicle ahead. Some examples of this are:

Your vehicle approaches another vehicle ahead of you and you change lanes to pass.

Your vehicle approaches or passes another vehicle that is making a left or right turn.

When driving through curves, your vehicle comes to a point where an oncoming vehicle is right in front of you.

You drive under a low or narrow bridge at high speed.

You drive over speed bumps, steel road plates, etc., or your vehicle approaches train tracks or roadside objects (such as a traffic sign and guard rail) on a curve or, when parking, stationary vehicles and walls.

Not available on all models

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