Overheating; Emergency Engine Stop - Honda Civic 2020 Owner's Manual

HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED

Overheating

Signs your engine is overheating:
• The temperature gauge needle is at the H mark.
• The engine suddenly loses power.
• Steam or spray comes out from under the hood.
• The message Stop Driving When Safe. Engine Temperature Too Hot appears
on the display.
First thing to do:
1. Immediately park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off all accessories and
turn on the hazard warning lights.
2. If no steam or spray is present: Keep the vehicle running and open the hood
(See Under the Hood).
If steam or spray is present: Turn off the engine and wait until it subsides.
Then, open the hood (See Under the Hood).
3. Check that the cooling fan is operating and stop the engine once the
temperature gauge needle goes down. If the cooling fan is not operating,
immediately stop the engine.
4. Once the engine has cooled down, inspect the coolant level and check the
cooling system components for leaks. If the coolant level in the reserve tank
is low, add coolant until it reaches the MAX mark. If there is no coolant in
the reserve tank, make sure the radiator is cool, then cover the radiator cap
with a heavy cloth and open the cap. If necessary, add coolant up to the
base of the filler neck, and put the cap back on.
Once the engine has cooled sufficiently, restart it and check the temperature
gauge. If the temperature needle has gone down, resume driving. If it has not
gone down, contact a dealer for repairs.
If the coolant is leaking, contact a dealer for repairs.
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Use water as an emergency/temporary measure only. Have a dealer flush the
system with proper antifreeze as soon as possible.
Continuing to drive with the temperature gauge needle at the H mark may
damage the engine.
Continuing to drive with the Stop Driving When Safe. Engine Temperature Too
Hot message on the driver information interface may damage the engine.
Steam and spray from an overheated engine can seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam is coming out.
Removing the reserve tank cap while the engine is hot can cause the coolant
to spray out, seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and radiator cool down before removing the reserve
tank cap.

Emergency Engine Stop

Models with Smart Entry System
The ENGINE START/STOP button may be used to stop the engine due to an
emergency situation even while driving. If you must stop the engine, choose
one of the following operations:
• Press and hold the ENGINE START/STOP
button for two seconds, or
• Firmly press the ENGINE START/STOP
button three times.
The steering wheel will not lock. However,
because turning off the engine disables the
power assist the engine provides to the
steering and braking systems, it will require
significantly more physical effort and time
to steer and slow the vehicle. Use both feet on the brake pedal to slow down
the vehicle and stop immediately in a safe place. With manual transmission
models you can also downshift the transmission to utilize engine braking.
HANDLING THE UNEXPECTED
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