2021 Honda Civic Owners Manual - Before Driving

Before Driving

Driving Preparation

Check the following items before you start driving.

Exterior Checks

Make sure there are no obstructions on the windows, door mirrors, exterior lights, or other parts of the vehicle.

u Remove any frost, snow, or ice.

u Remove any snow on the roof, as this can slip down and obstruct your field of vision while driving. If frozen solid, remove ice once it has softened.

u When removing ice from around the wheels, be sure not to damage the wheel or wheel components.

Make sure the hood is securely closed.

u If the hood opens while driving, your front view will be blocked.

Make sure the tires are in good condition.

u Check air pressures, check for damage and excessive wear.

2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 548

Make sure there are no people or objects behind or around the vehicle.

u There are blind spots from the inside.

uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation

Interior Checks

Store or secure all items on board properly.

u Carrying too much cargo, or improperly storing it, can affect your vehicle’s handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe.

2 Maximum Load Limit P. 419

Do not pile items higher than the seat height.

u They can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden braking.

Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor mat.

u An object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator pedal operation while driving.

If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.

u They may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.

Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.

2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 138

Adjust your seating position properly.

u Adjust the front head restraint, too.

2 Adjusting the Seats P. 172

2 Adjusting the Front Head Restraints P. 177

Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly.

u Adjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.

2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 170

2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 169

Continued 417

uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation

Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the seats.

u They can interfere with the driver's ability to operate the pedals, the operation of the seats, or the operation of the sensors under the seats.

Everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.

2 Fastening a Seat Belt P. 42

Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you start the vehicle, and go off soon after.

u Always have a dealer check the vehicle if a problem is indicated.

2 Indicators P. 78

uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit

This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.

Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -

Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.

Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.

Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.

The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)

Continued

419

uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit

Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in step 4.

If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.

In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories, cargo, and trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver’s doorjamb.