Honda Civic GX 2006 Owner's Manual

2006 Civic GX Online Reference Owner's Manual Supplement

Use these links (and links throughout this manual) to navigate through this reference.
For a printed owner's manual, click on authorized manuals or go to www.helminc.com.
Refer to 2006 Civic Sedan Owner's Manual for topics not covered.

Owner's Identification Form

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................2

Instruments and Controls.............................................................................................................................3

Instrument panel indicator and gauge, and how to use dashboard and steering column controls.

Before Driving .................................................................................................................................................6

What gasoline to use, how to break-in your new car, and how to load luggage and other cargo.

Driving..............................................................................................................................

The proper way to start the engine, shift the transmission, and park, plus towing a trailer.

Maintenance...................................................................................................................................................16

The Maintenance Schedule shows you when you need to take your car to the dealer.

Taking Care of the Unexpected.................................................................................................................27

This section covers several problems motorists sometimes experience, and how to handle them.

Technical Information..............................................................................................................................

ID numbers, dimensions, capacities, and technical information.

Authorized Manuals (U.S. only).................................................................................................................34

How to order manuals and other technical literature.

...............................14

Contents

...32

Owner’s Identification

Main Menu

OWNER

ADDRESS

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

V. I. N.

DELIVERY DATE

(Date sold to original retail purchaser)

DEALER NAME DEALER NO.

ADDRESS

STREET

CITY STATE/PROVINCE ZIP CODE/

OWNER’S SIGNATURE

DEALER’S SIGNATURE

POSTAL CODE

POSTAL CODE

This Owner’s Manual should be
considered a permanent part of the
vehicle, and should remain with the
vehicle when it is sold.

The inf ormation and specifications
included in this publication were in
effect at the time of approval for
printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to
discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice
and without incurring any obligation
whatsoever.

Introduction

Main Menu

Your Civic GX runs on compressed
natural gas (CNG), a highly
pressurized version of the same
clean-burning natural gas used in
many homes.

Your Civic GX operates and
performs like a gasoline-powered
Civic. However, there are a few
diff erences you should be aware of.
In addition to reading the Civic
Sedan owner’s manual, please read
this supplement carefully to
understand the operation and unique
features of your Civic GX.

2

You will f ind important safety
information in this supplement and
in the owner’s manual. This
information alerts you to potential
hazards that could hurt you or others.
Please read it carefully.

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

Main Menu

Instrument Panel Indicators

Malfunction Indicator
Lamp

This indicator comes on for a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. If it
comes on at any other time, it
indicates one of the engine’s
emissions control systems may have
a problem. For complete inf ormation,
refer to the Civic Sedan owner’s
manual.

MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP

This indicator will also come on if
there is a problem in the fuel system.
If this happens, have the vehicle
checkedbyanauthorizedHonda
Civic GX dealer as soon as possible.
Drive moderately until the dealer has
inspected the problem. Avoid full­throttle acceleration and driving at
high speed.

CONTINUED

Instruments and Controls

3

Instrument Panel Indicators

Main Menu

If you smell natural gas or hear a
hissing sound, except when refueling,
the fuel system may have a leak.
Follow the instructions under

Fuel System Has a Leak

of this supplement.

29

4

Instruments and Controls

on page

If the

Low Fuel Indicator

LOW FUEL INDICATOR

This indicator comes on f or a few
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. It also
comesonasareminderthatyou
must ref uel soon. The approximate
driving distance remaining when this
indicator comes on is:

City driving 20--25 miles
Highway driving 25--30 miles

−

−

If the outside temperature falls
below 25°F ( 4°C), the pressure of

−

the natural gas in the fuel tank may
go down. If this happens, the fuel
gauge will show less than the actual
amount of fuel remaining, and the
indicator may come on.

If this indicator starts blinking and
the fuel level reading goes down to
empty when the engine is running, it
indicates a problem in the f uel
system. Have the vehicle checked by
an authorized Honda Civic GX dealer
as soon as possible.

Gauges, Rear Seat

Main Menu

LOWER ‘‘F’’ MARK

UPPER ‘‘F’’ MARK

FUEL GAUGE

This gauge shows how much fuel
you have. The quantity of fuel
remaining in the tank is calculated
based on the pressure and
temperature of the natural gas in the
fuel tank.

The lower ‘‘F’’ mark indicates a full
tank at a fill pressure of 3,000 psi.

The upper ‘‘F’’ mark indicates a full
tank at a fill pressure of 3,600 psi.

The gauge may show slightly more
or less than the actual amount. The
outside temperature, fill method, and
ambient conditions may affect the
pressure and temperature of the
natural gas.

Rear SeatFuel Gauge

UnlikethestandardCivic,theseat­back cannot be folded down.

Instruments and Controls

5

Fuel

Main Menu

Your Civic GX is designed to operate
on compressed natural gas (CNG).
The natural gas you use to refuel
must meet NFPA-52 and SAE J1616
standards for fuel composition and
quality.

If you use a fuel that does not meet
these standards, you may feel a
decrease in engine power and your
vehicle’s emissions controls may be
damaged.

6

Before Driving

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

The main component of compressed
natural gas is methane, a highly
flammable, colorless gas. While it is
the same gas that is burned in
everyday home appliances such as
kitchen stoves and water heaters,
theCNGinyourvehicleisstored
under high pressure (maximum
3,600 psi/24,800 kPa).

The CNG system in your vehicle,
including the tank and hoses, has
been designed to hold gas at this
pressure. It has also been tested for
safety. You should never smell gas
or hear a hissing sound unless you
are ref ueling. If you smell gas or
hear a hissing sound at any other
time, you need to shut down the
CNG system. Follow the instructions
on page .12

Compressed natural gas is
flammable and highly explosive.
You could be killed or seriously
injured if leaking natural gas is
ignited.

If you suspect a leak, have your
vehicle immediately inspected
and repaired by an authorized
Honda Civic GX dealer.

Fuel, Refueling Procedure

Main Menu

CNG Identif ication Ref ueling Procedure

CNG LABEL

There are two methods of refueling,
fast filling or slow f illing.

Fast f illing is normally used in fuel
stations for natural gas vehicles. It
takes about 3 to 5 minutes to f ill up
the fuel tank.

Slow filling is done with a vehicle
refueling appliance. Refueling takes
about 1 hour per gasoline gallon
equivalent.

Your vehicle has an identifying
‘‘CNG’’ label attached next to the
rear license plate. Do not remove
this label. This label is necessary f or

Always observe all safety
recommendations and operating
instructions on the refueling

equipment. During a fast fill, the natural gas is
insuring your vehicle. Driving
without this label may violate the
laws or regulations in some states.

When refueling, you should use a
fuel fill nozzle that complies with
ANSI/AGA NGV-1-1994 standards.
Nozzles are designed according to
their maximum fill pressure: P24 for
2,400 psi (pounds per square inch),
P30 for 3,000 psi, and P36 for 3,600
psi.

Your vehicle’s maximum f ill pressure
is 3,600 psi (24,800 kPa), so you
should refuel with a P36 nozzle.
Using a P30 nozzle will fill the tank
to the second (3,000 psi) fill mark on
the fuel gauge. Using a P24 nozzle
will not fill the tank completely.

warmed by the refueling process.
This causes the pressure in the tank
to rise and reduces the amount of
fuel you can put in.

Before Driving

7

Refueling Procedure

Main Menu

Filling the Fuel Tank

The refueling procedure can vary
with the refueling station. The
following steps explain the typical
refueling procedure with fast f ill
equipment. With slow fill equipment,
or other types of refueling
equipment, follow the instructions on
the equipment.

8

Before Driving

Push

Park with the driver’s side of the

1.
vehicle closest to the refueling
station.

Turn the ignition switch to the

2.
LOCK (0) position, and apply the
parking brake.

Open the fuel receptacle lid by

3.
pushing on the handle to the left
of the driver’s seat.

FUEL
RECEPTACLE

RECEPTACLE DUST CAP

Remove the receptacle dust cap

4.
from the fuel receptacle. Clean off
any dirt or debris around the fuel
receptacle.

Securely connect the CNG fill

Main Menu

5. 6.
nozzle to the fuel receptacle.

Turn the lever until the arrows on
the nozzle point to each other,
then follow the instructions on the
refueling station to begin refueling.

While ref ueling, you may hear a
chattering sound. This is normal.

Refueling Procedure

If you hear or see fuel/vapor
leaking from the nozzle-receptacle
connection, stop refueling
immediately. Dirt or other debris
may be preventing a positive
connection. Turn off the ref ueling
station, remove the nozzle,
reconnect it to the receptacle, and
begin refueling again. If it
continues to leak, have an
authorized Honda Civic GX dealer
inspect the sealing O-ring in the
receptacle. It may be missing,
damaged, or worn.

Refueling will stop automatically

7.
when the tank is full. Follow the
instructions on the refueling
stationtoturnitoff.

Disconnect the CNG fill nozzle

8.
fromthefuelreceptaclebyslowly
turning the lever on the nozzle 180
degrees. You may hear a brief
hissing sound as a small amount of
gasescapes.Thisisnormal.

CONTINUED

Before Driving

9

Refueling Procedure

Main Menu

If dirt or other debris are adhering to
theinsideofthefuelreceptacle,gas
may leak out after refueling. If this
happens, blow off the dirt or debris
with a little gas from the CNG fill
nozzle. If you need to add more fuel,
do the ref ueling procedure again.

Putthereceptacledustcaponthe

9.
fuel receptacle securely.

Push the fuel receptacle lid closed

10.
until it latches.

10

Before Driving

If you do not close the lid, the fuel
gauge on the instrument panel will
flash when you turn the ignition
switch to the ON (II) position. The
gauge will stop f lashing when you
close the lid.

If you are not sure how to operate
the refueling station, ask for
assistance.

Ref ueling Station Information

To obtain information about the
locations of compressed natural gas
(CNG) refueling stations, contact the
Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
(NGVC) at [phone]. Online,
use www.afdc.doe.gov for the 49
states, or www.cngvc.org for
California.

Fuel System Components

Main Menu

FUEL FILTER
(LOW PRESSURE)

FUEL INJECTORS

FUEL TANKFUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR

MANUAL SHUTOFF VALVE

FUEL FILTER
(HIGH PRESSURE)

Fuel system components include a
fuel tank located in the trunk, an
integrated fuel pressure regulator,

FUEL RECEPTACLEFUEL FEED LINE

an in-tank fuel shutoff valve, high
pressure f uel lines, electronically
controlled multipoint fuel injectors,
and other equipment.

Fuel system components in the Civic
GX comply with NFPA-52 standards.

Your vehicle is equipped with
genuine Honda component parts that
have been designed and approved
for use in a compressed natural gas
vehicle. Never modify or replace any
original components or parts with
those specified f or a gasoline­powered vehicle.

Improper parts or components can
damage your vehicle’s fuel system
and affect your vehicle’s safety and
performance.

CONTINUED

Before Driving

11