To shut off Brake Hold on a Honda Civic, press the Brake Hold button again to deactivate it; the indicator on the instrument cluster should turn off. This returns the car to standard braking where you control stopping with the brake pedal.
Brake Hold is a convenience feature that automatically keeps the brakes applied after you come to a complete stop, until you press the accelerator or release the brake. Some drivers find it helpful in heavy traffic, while others prefer to disable it in certain conditions such as hilly terrain or if they want full manual control of each stop. If you want to disable it, here’s how to do it on most Civics.
Steps to turn off Brake Hold
Follow these steps to deactivate Brake Hold on your Civic. They assume you can access the small switch typically located on the lower dash near the driver’s knee.
- Locate the Brake Hold switch. It’s a small button labeled Brake Hold or HOLD, usually on the lower left side of the dashboard near the knee area or under the steering column.
- With the vehicle stationary or parked, press the Brake Hold switch to OFF. The Brake Hold indicator on the instrument cluster should turn off.
- Test the system by coming to a stop in Drive and confirming the car no longer automatically holds the brakes; lightly press the accelerator to verify it releases as usual.
- If you want to re-enable Brake Hold later, press the switch again to ON while driving or at a stop, and the indicator will reappear.
Note: The exact switch location and behavior can vary by trim and model year. If you cannot find the switch or the indicator does not respond, consult your owner’s manual or contact a Honda dealer for guidance.
What to do if you can’t locate the switch
In some Civics, the switch is tucked in a less obvious spot or the function may be managed differently by certain trims. Use these tips to locate or confirm the feature:
- Check the owner’s manual for the precise location of the Brake Hold switch for your specific model year and trim.
- Look for a button labeled HOLD or Brake Hold on the lower dash near the driver’s knee area, or occasionally around the steering column.
- If your Civic is equipped with a software/instrument cluster option, verify in the instrument cluster or vehicle settings menu whether Brake Hold can be toggled there; most Civics rely on the physical switch, but variations exist by year.
Always ensure you understand how Brake Hold works before relying on it in traffic. When disabled, you control every stop with the brake pedal and accelerator, which can be preferable in some driving conditions.
Summary
Shutting off Brake Hold on a Honda Civic is usually a matter of pressing the Brake Hold button again to deactivate it and verifying the indicator light goes out. The switch is typically found on the lower left dash near the knee area, though its exact location can vary by model year and trim. If you can’t find the switch, consult the owner’s manual or contact a dealer for guidance. Brake Hold remains a convenience feature and should be used with awareness of driving conditions.