Jumpstarting a Civic Hybrid
 

Hi. I left the lights on last night in my 06 Civic Hybrid, and triple A tells me that they can't recharge the battery, it has to be towed somewhere. Where can I get this car towed to? What place jump starts hybrid batteries?

RE: Jumpstarting a Civic Hybrid
 

Does your owners manual confirm that you can't conventionally jumpstart your car?

If that's the case, I'm sure your dealership would juice you up for free.


If I had to guess, I'd say that if your car has a 12v standard car battery in addition to the advanced nickel/lithium/whatever hybrid cell, you probably can jumpstart it. I'd also guess that your lights would have drained your 12v system, not the hybrid battery.
And while the hybrid batter probably assists in cranking your engine during startup ignition, the 12v system can probably turn the car over without the assistance if it's charged.
Again, your owners manual will probably tell you all of this. If you're not supposed to jumpstart this car conventionally, it will probably say in giant letters something like, "CAUTION: JUMPSTARTING WILL DAMAGE THE BATTERY."
I'd even guess that if you popped the hood, there'd be a warning you your conventional battery to this effect, if you're not supposed to do this.

Chances are, you can jumpstart it. I mean, who'd design a car that needs to be towed every time you leave your lights on? I'd imagine that the gasoline engine can start and operate without the electromagnet hybrid motor, just for emergencies sake.

Your jump start your hybrid car normally as any other conventional cars.

there is a special twist
 

the negative ground jumper cable should be attached to the vehicle's ground strap.