Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (2018 year). Instruction

When Driving

Shifting

384

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

If the indicator of the currently selected gear position,
or all the gear position indicators are blinking
simultaneously, there is a problem with the
transmission.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by an authorized Honda Clarity Plug-In
Hybrid dealer as soon as possible.

The beeper sounds once when you change to

(

Gear Position Indicator

READY Indicator

Press the

(

P button.

Press back the

(

R button.

Press the

(

N button.

Press the

(

D button.

Shift Button
Indicator

SPORT Mode Indicator

Deceleration Paddle
Selector Indicator

Continued

385

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

When opening the driver’s door

If you open the driver’s door under the following conditions, the gear 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 gear position from

(

P with the brake pedal

depressed, the gear 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 gear position automatically changes to

(

When opening the driver’s door

While the system is designed to automatically change
the gear 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. 447

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

(

P under the described

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

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

When Driving

Shifting

386

Driving

■

If you want to keep the transmission in

(

N position [car wash mode]

With the power system on:
1. Depress the brake pedal.
2. Make sure the READY indicator is on.
3. Press

(

N. Within six seconds press and hold

(

N for two seconds.

This puts the vehicle in 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 you want to cancel car wash mode, select a position other than

(

If you want to reduce energy consumption in car wash mode:
Press the POWER button during car wash mode.

Make sure the READY indicator is off.

The gear position remains in

(

N with the power mode in ACCESSORY for 15

minutes, then, it 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 shift to

(

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:

•

POWER SYSTEM indicator

•

Transmission system indicator

•

12-volt battery charging system indicator

387

When Driving

Shifting

Driving

■

Restriction on selecting a gear position

You cannot select a gear 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 gear position
remains in/changes to:

How to change the
gear position

(

The brake pedal is not
depressed.

Other gear 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.

(

or (

The READY indicator is not on.

A gear position other than

(

or (

Make sure that the
READY indicator
comes on.

388

When Driving

ECON Mode

Driving

ECON Mode

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

ECON Mode

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

When the ECON mode is active, the driver’s side seat
heater functions according to the status of the
climate control system. If you want to use only the
climate control system, press the seat heater button
to OFF.

If you select ECON mode, the threshold for the
engine to provide additional power is higher than it is
when the vehicle is in either of the other two drive
modes. Note that if the accelerator pedal is depressed
past the point at which you feel a click, the engine
will start in the ECON mode.

389

When Driving

SPORT Mode

Driving

SPORT Mode

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

The SPORT mode delivers crisp agility and responsiveness.
This mode is suitable for driving on hills or through curves on mountain roads.

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

SPORT Mode

Depending on the driving conditions, the engine may
start if you depress the accelerator pedal past the
point at which you feel a click. In SPORT mode,
however, the engine will start before this point.

SPORT Button

SPORT Mode
Indicator

390

When Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

When you release the accelerator pedal, you can control the rate of deceleration
without releasing 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.

Decrease

Increase

Deceleration
Stage

Continued

391

When Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

Driving

Deceleration Paddle Selector

In the following situations, the stage may not change
and the stage number 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.

When to use

Gear position is in

(

When SPORT mode is OFF,
the deceleration stage
appears.

Deceleration Stage

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

Increase the deceleration
stage when pulling the

(

paddle selector (left side)

Paddle Selector

Decrease the deceleration
stage when pulling the

(

paddle selector (right side)

392

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 is 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 disappear.

393

When Driving

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

Driving

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System

Alerts pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching when the vehicle speed is 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.

■

Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System Button

Canadian models

394

When Driving

Front Sensor Camera

Driving

Front Sensor Camera

The camera, used in systems such as LKAS, RDM, ACC with LSF, and CMBS

, is

designed to detect an object that triggers any of the systems to operate its
functions.

This camera is located behind the rearview
mirror.

To help reduce the likelihood that high interior
temperatures will cause the camera’s sensing
system to shut off, when parking, find a shady
area or face the front of the vehicle away from
the sun. If you use a reflective sun shade, do
not allow it to cover the camera housing.
Covering the camera can concentrate heat on
it.

■

Camera Location and Handling Tips

Front Sensor Camera

Never apply a film or attach any objects to the
windshield, hood, or front grill that could obstruct
the camera’s field of vision and cause the system to
operate abnormally.
Scratches, nicks, and other damage to the windshield
within the camera’s field of vision can cause the
system to operate abnormally. If this occurs, we
recommend that you replace the windshield with a
genuine Honda replacement windshield. Making
even minor repairs within the camera’s field of vision
or installing an aftermarket replacement windshield
may also cause the system to operate abnormally.
After replacing the windshield, have an authorized
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid dealer recalibrate the
camera. Proper calibration of the camera is necessary
for the system to operate properly.

Do not place an object on the top of the instrument
panel. It may reflect onto the windshield and prevent
the system from detecting lane lines properly.

Front Sensor
Camera

395

When Driving

Front Sensor Camera

Driving

Front Sensor Camera

If the Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot
Operate: Camera Temperature Too High message
appears:

•

Use the climate control system to cool down the
interior and, if necessary, also use defroster mode
with the airflow directed towards the camera.

•

Start driving the vehicle to lower the windshield
temperature, which cools down the area around
the camera.

If the Some Driver Assist Systems Cannot
Operate: Clean Front Windshield message
appears:

•

Park your vehicle in a safe place, and clean the
windshield. If the message does not disappear after
you have cleaned the windshield and driven for a
while, have your vehicle checked by an authorized
Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid dealer.

396

When Driving

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

Driving

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

Alerts and helps to assist you when the system detects a possibility of your vehicle
unintentionally crossing over detected lane markings and/or leaving the roadway
altogether.

The front camera behind the rearview mirror
monitors left and right lane markings (in white
or yellow). If your vehicle is getting too close to
detected lane markings without a turn signal
activated, the system, in addition to a visual
alert, applies steering torque and alerts you
with rapid vibrations on the steering wheel, to
help you remain within the detected lane.

2 Customized Features P. 306

As a visual alert, the Lane Departure
message appears on the driver information
interface.

If the system determines that its steering input
is insufficient to keep your vehicle on the
roadway, it may apply braking.

Braking is applied only when the lane
markings are solid continuous lines.

The system cancels assisting operations when you turn the steering wheel to avoid
crossing over detected lane markings.

If the system operates several times without detecting driver response, the system
beeps to alert you.

■

How the System Works

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

Important Safety Reminder
Like all assistance systems, the RDM system has
limitations.
Over-reliance on the RDM system may result in a
collision. It is always your responsibility to keep the
vehicle within your driving lane.

The RDM system only alerts you when lane drift is
detected without a turn signal in use. The RDM
system may not detect all lane markings or lane or
roadway departures; accuracy will vary based on
weather, speed and lane marker condition. It is
always your responsibility to safely operate the
vehicle and avoid collisions.

You can read about handling information for the
camera equipped with this system.

2 Front Sensor Camera P. 394

The RDM system may not work properly or may work
improperly under the certain conditions:

2 RDM Conditions and Limitations P. 398

There are times when you may not notice RDM
functions due to your operation of the vehicle, or
road surface conditions.

Continued

397

When Driving

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

Driving

The system becomes ready to start searching for lane markings when all the
following conditions are met:
• The vehicle is traveling between about 45 and 90 mph (72 and 145 km/h).
• The vehicle is on a straight or slightly curved road.
• The turn signals are off.
• The brake pedal is not depressed.
• The wipers are not in continuous operation.
• The vehicle is not accelerating or braking, and the steering wheel is not being

turned.

• The system makes a determination that the driver is not actively accelerating,

braking or steering.

■

How the System Activates

How the System Activates

If LKAS is off and you have selected Narrow from the
customized options using the driver information
interface, the message below will appear in case the
system determines a possibility of your vehicle
crossing over detected lane markings.

2 Customized Features P. 133

The RDM system may automatically shut off and the

indicator comes and stays on.

2 Indicators P. 86

RDM system function can be impacted when the
vehicle is:

•

Not driven within a traffic lane.

•

Driven on the inside edge of a curve, or outside of
a lane.

•

Driven in a narrow lane.

When Driving

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

398

Driving

Press the RDM button to turn the system on
and off.

The indicator in the button comes on and
the message appears on the driver
information interface when the system is
on.

The system may not properly detect lane markings and the position of your vehicle
under certain conditions. Some examples of these conditions are listed below.

■

Environmental conditions

• Driving in bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
• Sudden changes between light and dark, such as an entrance or exit of a tunnel.
• There is little contrast between lane lines and the roadway surface.
• Driving into low sunlight (e.g., at dawn or dusk).
• Strong light is reflected onto the roadway.
• Driving in the shadows of trees, buildings, etc.
• Shadows of adjacent objects are parallel to lane markings.
• Roadway objects or structures are misinterpreted as lane markers.
• Reflections on the interior of the windshield.

■

RDM On and Off

RDM On and Off

When you have selected Warning Only from the
customized options using the audio/information
screen, the system does not operate the steering
wheel and braking.

RDM Button

Indicator

■

RDM Conditions and Limitations

399

When Driving

Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System

Driving

■

Roadway conditions

• Driving on a snowy or wet roadway (obscured lane marking, vehicle tracks,

reflected lights, road spray, high contrast).

• Driving on a road with temporary lane markings.
• Faint, multiple, or varied lane markings are visible on the roadway due to road

repairs or old lane markings.

• The roadway has merging, split, or crossing lines (e.g., such as at an intersection

or crosswalk).

• The lane markings are extremely narrow, wide, or changing.
• The vehicle in front of you is driving near the lane lines.
• The road is hilly or the vehicle is approaching the crest of a hill.
• Driving on rough or unpaved roads, or over bumpy surfaces.
• When objects on the road (curb, guard rail, pylons, etc.) are recognized as white

lines (or yellow lines).

• Driving on roads with double lines.

■

Vehicle conditions

• Headlight lenses are dirty or the headlights are not properly adjusted.
• The outside of the windshield is streaked or blocked by dirt, mud, leaves, wet

snow, etc.

• The inside of the windshield is fogged.
• The camera temperature gets too high.
• An abnormal tire or wheel condition (wrong sized, varied size or construction,

improperly inflated tire, etc.).

• The vehicle is tilted due to a heavy load or suspension modifications.
• When tire chains are installed.

Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (2018 year). Instruction - part 25