Honda 2005 Civic Owner's Manual page 139

Automatic Transmission
Neutral (N) Use Neutral if you
need to restart a stalled engine, or if
it is necessary to stop briefly with
the engine idling. Shift to the Park
position if you need to leave your
vehicle for any reason. Press on the
brake pedal when you are moving
the shift lever from Neutral to
another gear.
Drive (D) Use this position for
your normal driving. The
transmission automatically selects a
suitable gear for your vehicle speed
and acceleration. You may notice the
transmission shifting up at higher
speeds when the engine is cold. This
helps the engine warm up faster.
140
Drive (D ) This position is similar
3
to D, except only the first three
gears are selected. Use D to provide
engine braking when going down a
steep hill. D can also keep the
3
transmission from cycling between
third and fourth gears in stop-and-go
driving.
Second (2) To shift to Second,
press the release button on the front
of the shift lever. This position locks
the transmission in second gear. It
does not downshift to first gear
when you come to a stop.
Use Second gear:
For more power when climbing.
To increase engine braking when
going down steep hills.
For starting out on a slippery
surface or in deep snow.
To help reduce wheel spin.
Engine Speed Limiter
All models except U.S. DX and Value
Package
3
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, the engine
speed will enter into the tachometer's
red zone. If this occurs, you may feel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
RPM below the red zone.
U.S. DX and Value Package models
If you exceed the maximum speed
for the gear you are in, you may feel
the engine cut in and out. This is
caused by a limiter in the engine's
computer controls. The engine will
run normally when you reduce the
engine speed by upshifting or
slowing down.