Honda Accord Hybrid (2019 year). Instruction

464

When Driving

Precautions While Driving

Driving

Precautions While Driving

Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the power
system or driveline, or cause electrical component failure.

If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.

Transmission

As with a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle with an automatic transmission,
this vehicle will creep.
Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed when stopped.

■

In Rain

■

Other Precautions

■

Creeping

Precautions While Driving

NOTICE

Do not change the shift position while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.

NOTICE

If you repeatedly turn the steering wheel at an
extremely low speed, or hold the steering wheel in
the full left or right position for a while, the electric
power steering (EPS) system heats up. The system
goes into a protective mode, and limits its
performance. The steering wheel becomes harder
and harder to operate. Once the system cools down,
the EPS system is restored.
Repeated operation under these conditions can
eventually damage the system.

If the power mode is set to ACCESSORY while
driving, the power system will shut down and all
steering and brake power assist functions will stop,
making it difficult to control the vehicle.

Do not press the

(

N button, as you will lose

regenerative braking (and acceleration) performance.

During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as not to damage the power system or powertrain.

Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.

465

When Driving

Shifting

Continued

Driving

Shifting

Change the shift position in accordance with your driving needs.

■

Shift button positions

Shifting

While the High Voltage battery level is full, or the
High Voltage battery temperature is low,
regenerative braking may become less effective.

To prevent malfunction and unintended
engagement:

•

Do not spill any liquids on or around shift buttons.

•

Do not place or drop any objects on or around shift
buttons.

•

Do not let passengers or children operate the shift
buttons.

You may occasionally find that it takes longer than
usual for the vehicle to start moving when you select

(

R, release the brake pedal, and/or depress the

accelerator pedal. This may occur when the High
Voltage battery level is extremely low, and does not
indicate a vehicle malfunction.

WARNING

The vehicle can roll away if left unattended
without confirming that Park is engaged.

A vehicle that rolls away could cause a crash
resulting in serious injury or death.

Always keep your foot on the brake pedal
until you have confirmed that

(

is shown

on the shift position indicator.

Park
Used when parking or turning the power
on or off.
Transmission is locked.

Reverse
Used when reversing.

Neutral
Transmission is not locked.

Drive

●

Used for normal driving.

●

The deceleration paddle selector can be
used temporarily.

●

The deceleration paddle selector can be
used when SPORT mode is on.

When Driving

Shifting

466

Driving

■

(

P (parking) button

The shift position changes to

(

P when you

press the

(

P button while the vehicle is

parked with the power mode in ON.
The indicators on the sides of the

(

P button

come on.

Shifting

The beeper sounds and a message appears on the
driver information interface when you depress the
accelerator pedal with the shift position in

(

Change the shift position to

(

D or

(

R with the brake

pedal depressed.

When shifting positions in extremely low
temperatures (-22°F/-30°C), there may be a short
delay before the shift position is displayed. Always
confirm you are in the correct shift position before
driving.

(

P Button

Continued

467

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

Shift Operation

Shift Operation

NOTICE

When you change

(

D to

(

R and vice versa, come to

a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift button before the vehicle has
come to a complete standstill can damage the
transmission.

Use the shift position indicator and the shift button
indicator to check the shift position before selecting a
shift button.

If the indicator of the currently selected shift position,
or all the shift position indicators are blinking
simultaneously, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

The beeper sounds once when you change to

(

2 Customized Features P. 378

Shift Position Indicator
(Transmission System Indicator)

Press the

(

P button.

Press back the

(

R button.

Press the

(

N button.

Press the

(

D button.

Shift Button
Indicator

Deceleration Paddle Selector
Indicator

When Driving

Shifting

468

Driving

■

When opening the driver’s door

If you open the driver’s door under the following conditions, the shift position
automatically changes to

(

• The vehicle is in stationary with the power mode in ON, or moving at 1 mph (2

km/h) or slower.

• The transmission is in other than

(

• You have unfastened the driver side seat belt.

If you manually change the shift position from

(

P with the brake pedal

depressed, the shift position will automatically return to

(

P once you release

the brake pedal.

■

When turning off the power mode

If you turn the power system off while the vehicle is stationary, and the transmission
is in other than

(

P, the shift position automatically changes to

(

When opening the driver’s door

While the system is designed to automatically change
the shift position to

(

P under the described

conditions, in the interest of safety you should always
select

(

P before opening the driver’s door.

Make sure to park the vehicle in a safe place.

2 When Stopped P. 549

If you want to drive the vehicle after the shift position
has automatically changed to

(

P under the described

conditions, close the door, fasten the seat belt,
depress the brake pedal, then change the shift
position.

If you leave the vehicle, turn off the power system
and lock the doors.

Continued

469

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

If you want to keep the transmission in

(

N position [car wash mode]

With the power system on:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Press and release the

(

N button.

(

N (Neutral) hold mode will appear on the driver information interface.

3. Press the

(

N button again and hold it for two seconds.

The vehicle will enter car wash mode, which must be used when your vehicle
is pulled through a conveyor type automatic car wash where you or an
attendant do not remain in the vehicle.

If the POWER button is pressed after car wash
mode has been activated, the power mode
will change to ACCESSORY and a message
will be displayed on the driver information
interface.

For 15 minutes the transmission remains
in

(

N with the power mode will remain

in ACCESSORY. After that, the
transmission automatically changes to

(

P and the power mode changes to OFF.

Manually changing to

(

P cancels

ACCESSORY mode. The

(

P indicator

comes on and the power mode changes
to OFF. You must always put the
transmission into

(

P when car wash

mode is no longer needed.

If you want to keep the transmission in

(

N position [car wash

mode]

To keep the vehicle in

(

N position, you can also

follow this procedure:
While the power system is on, select

(

N, and then

within five seconds, press the POWER button.

Note that the transmission may not stay in

(

position while any of the following indicators is on:

•

Transmission system indicator.

•

Malfunction indicator lamp.

•

Charging system indicator.

470

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

Restriction on selecting a shift position

You cannot select a shift position under certain circumstances that may lead to a crash.

When the
transmission is in:

1. Under the circumstances
of that:

2. You cannot select:

3. The shift position
remains in/changes to:

How to change the
shift position

(

The brake pedal is not
depressed.

Other shift position

(

Release the accelerator
pedal and depress the
brake pedal.

The accelerator pedal is
depressed.

(

The vehicle is moving at low
speed without the brake pedal
depressed.

(

The vehicle is moving at low
speed with the accelerator
pedal depressed.

(

or (

The vehicle is moving forward.

(

Park your vehicle in a
safe place.

(

or (

The vehicle is moving backward.

(

, (

, or (

The vehicle is moving.

You cannot press the

(

button.

(

or (

The READY indicator is not on.

A shift position other than

(

P or

(

or (

Make sure that the
READY indicator
comes on.

471

When Driving

SPORT Mode

Driving

SPORT Mode

To turn the SPORT mode on and off, press the SPORT button.

The SPORT mode increases engine performance and handling

This mode is not recommended for fuel economy enhancement, but suitable for
driving on hills or through curves on mountain roads.

The SPORT mode is turned off every time you turn on the power system, even if you
turned it on the last time you drove the vehicle.

SPORT Button

SPORT Mode Indicator

Press

Models without adaptive
damper system

Models with adaptive
damper system

* Not available on all models

472

When Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

When you release the accelerator pedal, you can control the rate of deceleration
without removing your hands from the steering wheel. Using the deceleration
paddle selector situated on the steering wheel, you can sequentially shift through
four stages of deceleration.
When descending a hill, you can use the deceleration paddle selector to help
maintain the rate of deceleration, thereby allowing you to keep a safe distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead as well as utilize engine braking.

The default deceleration stage is

. Each

paddle selector operation makes a single
stage deceleration change.

The deceleration stage may not change if
you pull the paddle selector
continuously.

To select the different stages of deceleration:
• Pull back the

(

+ selector (right side) to decrease the deceleration stage.

• Pull back the

(

- selector (left side) to increase the deceleration stage.

Pull the

(

+ selector for a few seconds when you want to cancel the deceleration

paddle selector.

Deceleration Paddle Selector

If you are descending a hill when you select stage

the vehicle may enter stage

If you pull back right and left paddle selector at the
same time, the deceleration stage may not change.

CAUTION

Rapidly increasing the deceleration rate by
quickly shifting the deceleration paddle
can cause the tires to skid, resulting in a
crash that could injure or kill someone.

Always maintain a reasonable rate of
deceleration.

Increase

Deceleration
Stage

Decrease

Continued

473

When Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

In the following situations, the stage may not change
and the stage icon will blink even if you pull back the
selector. The deceleration stage may decrease or
cancel automatically:

•

The High Voltage battery is fully charged or its
temperature is too cold or too hot.

•

The speed of the vehicle is beyond the deceleration
range with SPORT mode off.

•

Hybrid system protection is needed.

•

The paddle selector is operated while your vehicle
is stopped automatically by ACC with LSF.

If either paddle selector is operated, ACC with LSF
will cancel automatically.

Increase the deceleration stage
when pulling the

(

- paddle

selector (left side)

Paddle Selector

Decrease the deceleration stage
when pulling the

(

+ paddle

selector (right side)

When to use

Shift position is in

(

Deceleration Stage

When SPORT mode is
OFF, the deceleration
stage appears.

When SPORT mode is
ON, the deceleration
stage and M appear.

474

When Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

Driving

■

When SPORT mode is OFF

If you pull back the paddle selector, the rate of deceleration will change temporarily,
and the stage will appear in the driver information interface.
When you want to cancel the deceleration paddle selector, pull the

(

+ selector

(right side) for a few seconds.
The deceleration paddle selector will cancel automatically and deceleration stage in
the driver information interface disappear when you drive with constant speed,
situations of acceleration and decelerate just before stopping your vehicle.

■

When SPORT mode is ON

If you pull back the paddle selector, the rate of deceleration will change and the
stage along with M will appear in the driver information interface. The deceleration
stage will not cancel automatically while SPORT mode is ON.
When you want to cancel the deceleration paddle selector, turn the SPORT mode
OFF, or pull the

(

+ selector (right side) for a few seconds. When canceled,

deceleration stage in the driver information interface disappears.

475

When Driving

ECON Button

Driving

ECON Button

*1:Models without adaptive damper system
*2:Models with adaptive damper system

The ECON button turns the ECON mode on and off.
The ECON mode helps you improve your fuel economy by adjusting the
performance of the climate control system and the accelerator pedal response.

ECON Button

While in ECON mode, the climate control system has
greater temperature fluctuations.

476

When Driving

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

Driving

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

Alerts pedestrians when a vehicle is propelled solely by electricity, approaching at
speeds around 12 mph (20 km/h) or less.

Press the button to turn the system on and
off.

The indicator in the button comes on
when the system is off.

The system is turned on every time you turn
the power system on, even if you turned it off
the last time you drove the vehicle.

Adaptive Damper System

Constantly controls your vehicle’s front and rear dampers according to current road
conditions, vehicle speed and steering operation.

You can change handling response by turning the SPORT mode on.

2 SPORT Mode P. 471

■

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System OFF Button

Canadian models

* Not available on all models

477

When Driving

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

Continued

Driving

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), System

VSA® helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the vehicle turns more or less
than what was intended. It also assists in maintaining traction on slippery surfaces.
It does so by regulating engine and motor output and selectively applying the
brakes.

When VSA® activates, you may notice that the
engine and motor do not respond to the
accelerator. You may also notice some noise
from the hydraulic system. You will also see
the indicator blink.

■

VSA® Operation

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System

VSA® may not function properly if tire type and size
are mixed. Make sure to use the same size and type
of tire, and the air pressures as specified.

When the VSA® indicator comes on and stays on
while driving, there may be a problem with the
system. While this may not interfere with normal
driving, have your vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.

VSA® cannot enhance stability in all driving situations
and does not control the entire braking system. You
still need to drive and corner at speeds appropriate
for the conditions and always leave a sufficient
margin of safety.

The main function of the VSA® system is generally
known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC). The
system also includes a traction control function.

The Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®) system, Vehicle
Stability Assist® (VSA®) OFF, adaptive cruise control
(ACC) with low speed follow (LSF), safety support,
and low tire pressure/TPMS indicators may come on
in amber along with a message in the driver
information interface when you set the power mode
to ON after re-connecting a 12-volt battery.
Drive a short distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
Each indicator should go off. If any do not, have your
vehicle checked by a dealer.

VSA® System
Indicator

When Driving

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control (ESC), System

478

Driving

This button is on the driver side control panel.
To partially disable VSA® functionality/
features, press and hold it until you hear a
beep.

Your vehicle will have normal braking and
cornering ability, but traction control function
will be less effective.

To restore VSA® functionality/features, press
the (VSA® OFF) button until you hear a beep.

VSA® is turned on every time you turn the
power system on, even if you turned it off the
last time you drove the vehicle.

■

VSA® On and Off

Vehicle Stability Assist® (VSA®), aka Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), System

In certain unusual conditions when your vehicle gets
stuck in shallow mud or fresh snow, it may be easier
to free it with the VSA® temporarily switched off.

When the

button is pressed, the traction control

function becomes less effective. This allows for the
wheels to spin more freely at low speed. You should
only attempt to free your vehicle with the VSA® off if
you are not able to free it when the VSA® is on.

Immediately after freeing your vehicle, be sure to
switch VSA® on again. We do not recommend driving
your vehicle with the VSA® system switched off.

You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediately after turning the power
system on or while driving. This is normal.

VSA® OFF Indicator

479

When Driving

Agile Handling Assist

Driving

Agile Handling Assist

Lightly brakes the front wheels, as needed, when you turn the steering wheel, and
helps support the vehicle’s stability and performance during cornering.

Agile Handling Assist

The agile handling assist cannot enhance stability in
all driving situations. You still need to drive and
corner at speeds appropriate for the conditions and
always leave a sufficient margin of safety.

When the VSA® system indicator comes on and stays
on while driving, the agile handling assist does not
activate.

You may hear a sound coming from the engine
compartment while the agile handling assist is
activated. This is normal.

Honda Accord Hybrid (2019 year). Instruction - part 30