Park (P) -

This position mechanically locks the transmission. Use Park whenever you are turning off or starting the engine. to shift out of Park, you must press on the brake pedal and have you foot off the accelerator pedal. Press the release button on the front of the shift lever to move it.

You must also press the release button to shift into Park, come to a complete stop before shifting into Park. The shift lever must be into Park before you can remove the key from the ignition switch.

Set the parking brake before you put the transmission in Park. This is to keeps the car from moving and putting pressure on the parking mechanism in the transmission,
marking it easier to move the shift lever out of Park when you want to drive away.

Reverse (R) -

To shift to Reverse from Park, you must press on the brake pedal and have you foot off the accelerator pedal. Press the release button on the front of the shift lever to move it. 
To shift to Reverse from Neutral, come to complete stop and then shift. Press the release button before shifting into Reverse from Neutral.

Neutral (N) -

Use Neutral if you need to restart a stall engine, or if it is necessary to stop briefly with the engine idling. Shift to Park position if you need to leave the car for any reason. Press on the brake pedal when you are moving the shift lever from Neutral to another gear.

Drive (D) -

Use this position for normal driving. The transmission automatically selects a suitable gear for your speed and acceleration.

Drive (D3) -

This position is similar to D, except only the first three gears are selected. To provide engine brake when going down a steep hill. D3 also keep the transmission from cycling between third and fourth gears in stop-and-go driving.

For faster acceleration when in D3 or D, you can get transmission to automatically downshift by pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor. The transmission will shift down one or two gears, depending on your speed.

Second (2) - /S

This position locks the transmission in second gear. It does not down shift to first gear when come to a stop . Second give you more power when climbing, and increased engine braking when going down steep hills. Use second gear when starting out on a slippery surface or in deep snow.  it will help reduce wheel spin.

First (1) - /L

With the lever on this position, the transmission locks in First gear. By up shifting and down shifting through 1, 2, D3 and D, you can operate this transmission much like a manual transmission without a clutch pedal.

For Honda Civic new model auto car only