Emergency Procedures

Based on discussions with rescue professionals, we recommend that emergency response personnel follow standard procedures developed by their own organization for assessing situations and dealing with potential hazards. Given our knowledge of Honda hybrids, we also recommend that you use the procedures outlined in this section.




VEHICLE FIRE
There are no unusual hazards if a Honda hybrid or the high-voltage battery box is involved in a fire. It should be noted, however, that extremely high temperatures (320-356°F; 160-180°C) can cause undeployed airbags to deploy.




SUBMERGED OR PARTIALLY SUBMERGED VEHICLE
Pull the vehicle out of the water, then use one of the procedures described below for preventing electric current from flowing through the high-voltage cables. There is no risk of electric shock from touching the car's body or framework in or out of the water.

PREVENTING CURRENT FLOW THROUGH HIGH-VOLTAGE CABLES
Before attempting to rescue occupants or move a damaged Honda hybrid, you should reduce the potential for current to flow from the electric motor or the battery module through the high-voltage cables.

There are two recommended methods for preventing current flow. They are discussed below.

BEST METHOD FOR PREVENTING HIGH-VOLTAGE CURRENT FLOW



Turn the ignition switch off.

This simple action turns off the engine and the electric motor, preventing current flow into the cables. It also turns off power to the airbags and the seat belt tensioners.

After you turn the ignition switch off, remove the key so the car cannot be accidentally restarted.

SECOND-BEST METHOD FOR PREVENTING HIGH-VOLTAGE CURRENT FLOW
Remove the main fuse, and cut both negative 12-volt battery cables. Removing the main fuse turns off the engine and the electric motor, preventing current flow from the motor into the cables. It also cuts power to the airbags and the seat belt tensioners.

Cutting the negative cables on the 12-volt battery cuts power to the high-voltage battery controllers, preventing current from flowing into the cables from the high-voltage battery.

1. Locate the underhood fuse box, and remove the cover (see model-specific for fuse box locations).




2. Locate the main fuse by referring to the diagram on top of, or inside, the fuse box cover. (The Insight fuse box is shown here only as an example. See the model-specific for photos of the Civic and Accord Hybrid fuse boxes.)




3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the main fuse assembly and remove it from the box. (The Civic Hybrid main fuse screws are shown here as an example. See model-specific pages for location of the main fuse screws in the Insight and Accord Hybrid.)




4. Locate the 12-volt battery and cut the negative cables with diagonal cutters.

NOTE: If you cannot perform either method to stop the engine and prevent current flow into the high-voltage cables, use extreme care, do not cut into the cables, and do not touch damaged cables as they may be hot.

EXTRICATING OCCUPANTS
If cutters or spreaders are needed to allow occupants to be rescued, make sure to stay within the cut zones recommended. Extricating Occupants

MOVING AND TOWING A HONDA HYBRID
If a disabled vehicle needs to be moved a short distance (to the side of the road, for example), and the car can still roll on the ground, the easiest way is to shift the transmission into neutral and manually push the vehicle.

To transport a vehicle away from an emergency location, a flatbed truck should be used if the vehicle might be repaired. If a flatbed is not available, the vehicle should be towed by wheel-lift equipment with the front wheels off the ground. Do not use sling-type towing equipment unless the car has been damaged beyond repair.