service HONDA CIVIC 2012 9.G Owner's Manual

283
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuDOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Continued
Maintenance
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
The tires on your vehicle meet all U.S. Federal Safety
Requirements. All tires are also graded for treadwear, traction,
and temperature performance according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards. The following explains these
gradings.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width.
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
■Uniform Tire Quality Grading
■Treadwear
1Uniform Tire Quality Grading
For example:
Treadwear 200Traction AA
Temperature A
All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.

285
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuWear Indicators
Maintenance
Wear IndicatorsThe groove where the wear indicator is
located is 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) shallower than
elsewhere on the tire. If the tread has worn so
that the indicator is exposed, replace the tire.
Worn out tires have poor traction on wet
roads.
Tire Service Life
The life of your tires is dependent on man y factors, including driving habits, road
conditions, vehicle loading, inflation pressure, maintenance history, speed, and
environmental conditions (even when the tires are not in use).
In addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance, it is
recommended that you have annual inspections performed once the tires reach five
years old. All tires, including the spare, should be removed from service after 10
years from the date of manufacture, regardless of their condition or state of wear.
1Checking Tires
High speed driving
We recommend that you do not drive faster than the
posted speed limits and conditions allow. If you drive
at sustained high speeds (over 118 mph or 190
km/h), adjust the cold tire pressures as shown below
to avoid excessive heat build up and sudden tire
failure.
*1: Optional for U.S. models (summer tires)
Tire SizeP215/45R17 87V
215/45ZR17 91W *1
Pressure 35 psi (240 kPa, 2.4 kgf/cm 2
)
2.4  engine modelsExample of a Wear
Indicator mark

309
uuJump Startingu
Handling the Unexpected
Once your vehicle's engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following order. 1. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle's ground.
2. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle's battery - terminal.
3. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle's battery + terminal.
4. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle's battery + terminal.
Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
■What to Do After the Engine Starts

321
Handling the Unexpected
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle. ■Flat bed equipment
The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport your vehicle. ■ Wheel lift equipment
The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to
tow your vehicle.1Emergency Towing
NOTICE
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will
cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed
to support the vehicle's weight.
NOTICE
Improper towing such as towing behind a
motorhome or other motor vehicle can damage the
transmission.
Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain.
It is very dangerous, since ropes or chains may shift
from side to side or break.

323
Information
This chapter includes your vehicle's specifications, locations of identification numbers, and other information required by regulation.
Specifications.................................... 324
Identification Numbers
Vehicle Identification Nu mber (VIN) ...... 328
Engine Number and Transmission
Number...................................... 328
Devices that Emit Radio Waves ....... 329
Reporting Safety Defects ................. 330Emissions Testing
Testing of Readiness Codes.............. 331
Warranty Coverages ........................ 333
Authorized Manuals ......................... 335
Customer Service Information ......... 336

335
Information
Authorized Manuals
■Service Express
For electronic copies of service publications, you can purchase a subscription to
Service Express. Visit www.techinfo.honda.com for pricing and options.
■ For U.S. Owners:
The publications listed below can be purchased from Helm Incorporated. You can
order a manual by phone at (800) 782-4356 (credit card orders only), or online at
www.helminc.com .
Make an inquiry to Helm Inc. at (800) 782-4356 if you are interested in ordering
other models' or other years' manuals.
Publication
Form NumberForm Description
31TR36002012 Honda Civic 4-Door Owner’s Manual
31TR38002012 Honda Civic Navigation System Owner’s Manual
31TR3M002012 Honda Civic Service History
31TR3A002012 Honda Civic 4-Door Technology Reference Guide (DX)
31TR3B002012 Honda Civic 4-Door Technology Reference Guide (LX/HF)
31TR3C002012 Honda Civic 4-Door Technology Reference Guide (EX/EX-L/Si)
31TR3D002012 Honda Civic 4-Door Technology Reference Guide (EX/EX-L/Si with Navigation)
HON-R Order Form for Previous Years-
Indicate Year and Model Desired
1Authorized Manuals
For Canadian Owners:
Si vous avez besoin d'un Manuel du Conducteur en
français, veuillez demander à votre concessionnaire
de commander le numéro de pièce 33TR3C00

336
Information
Customer Service Information
Honda dealership personnel are trained professionals.
They should be able to answer all your questions. If you encounter a problem that
your dealership does not solve to your satisfaction, please discuss it with the
dealership's service manager or general manager. If you are dissatisfied with the
decision made by the dealership's management, contact Honda Customer Services.
U.S. Owners:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda Automobile Customer Services
Mail Stop 500-2N-7A
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Tel: (800) 999-1009 Canadian Owners:
Honda Canada Inc.
Customer Relations
180 Honda Boulevard Markham, ON
L6C 0H9 Tel: 1-888-9-HONDA-9
Fax: 1-877-939-0909
E-mail: [email protected]
In Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands:
Bella International
P.O. Box 190816
San Juan, PR 00919-0816
Tel: (787) 620-75461Customer Service Information
When you call or write, please give us the following information: • Vehicle Identification Number
2Vehicle Identification Number P. 328
• Date of purchase
• Odometer reading of your vehicle
• Your name, address, and telephone number
• A detailed description of the problem
• Name of the dealer who sold the vehicle to you

338
INDEX
Bulb Replacement..................................... 268
Brake Light, Taillight, Back-Up Light, Rear Turn Signal Light and Rear Side Marker
Lights..................................................... 275
Fog Lights ................................................ 272
Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Lights..................................................... 273
Headlights ............................................... 268
High-Mount Brake Light .......................... 277
Rear License Plate Light............................ 276
Bulb Specifications ............................ 324, 326
C
Carbon Monoxide Gas ................................ 62
Carrying Cargo .................................. 203, 205
CD Player ........................................... 151, 161
Certification Label .................................... 328
Changing Bulbs ......................................... 268
Charging System Indicator ................. 67, 313
Child Safety ................................................. 50
Childproof Door Locks ............................. 104
Emergency Trunk Opener ........................ 111
Child Seat .................................................... 50
Booster Seats ............................................. 61
Child Seat for Infants ................................. 52
Child Seat for Small Children ..................... 53
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Seat Belt.................................... 57
Larger Children .......................................... 60
Rear-facing Child Seat ............................... 52 Selecting a Child Seat ................................ 54
Using a Tether ........................................... 59
Childproof Door Locks ............................. 104
Cleaning the Exterior ............................... 294
Cleaning the Interior ................................ 292
Clock ............................................................ 98
Clutch Fluid ............................................... 266
Coat Hook ................................................. 138
Compact Spare Tire .................. 299, 325, 327
Console Compartment ............................. 135
Controls ....................................................... 97
Coolant (Engine) ...................................... 261
Adding to the Radiator ......... ............... .... 262
Adding to the Reserve Tank..................... 261
High Temperature Indicator ....................... 69
Low Temperature Indicator........................ 74
Overheating ............................................ 311
Creeping (Automatic Transmission) ........ 214
Cruise Control ........................................... 220
Indicator.................................................... 75
Cup Holders .............................................. 136
Customer Service Information ................. 336
Customized Features .................................. 86
D
Daytime Running Lights .......................... 120
Dead Battery ............................................. 307
Defrosting the Windshield and
Windows ................................................. 142
Devices that Emit Radio Waves ............... 329Dimming
Headlights .............................................. 118
Rearview Mirror ...................................... 125
Dipstick (Engine Oil) ................................ 255
Directional Signals (Turn Signal) ............. 118
Display/Information Button ...................... 82
Door Mirrors ............................................. 125
Doors .......................................................... 99
Auto Door Locking.................................. 105
Auto Door Unlocking .............................. 105
Door Open Indicator ........................... 27, 70
Keys.......................................................... 99
Locking/Unlocking the Doors
from the Inside...................................... 103
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside................................... 101
Lockout Prevention System ..................... 102
DOT Tire Quality Grading ........................ 283
Driving ...................................................... 201
Automatic Transmission .......................... 214
Braking ................................................... 229
Cruise Control ........................................ 220
Shifting Gear ...... ............................ 215, 217
Starting the Engine ................................. 211
Dust and Pollen Filter .............................. 291
E
Eco Assist System .......................................... 7
ECON Button ............................................ 123
Elapsed Time .............................................. 84

341
INDEX
Keys............................................................. 99
Lockout Prevention ................................. 102
Master Keys .............................................. 99
Number Tag............................................ 100
Rear Door Won’t Open ........................... 104
Remote Transmitter ................................ 101
Types and Functions.................................. 99
Valet Key ................................................ 100
Won’t Turn ............................................... 19
Kickdown (Automatic Transmission) ...... 214
L
Language (HFL) ........................................ 178
LATCH (Child Seats) ................................... 55
Lights ................................................ 118, 268
Automatic............................................... 119
Bulb Replacement ................................... 268
Daytime Running Lights .......................... 120
Fog Lights ............................................... 120
High-Beam Indicator ................................. 73
Interior.................................................... 134
Light Switches......................................... 118
Lights On Indicator.................................... 73
Turn Signals ............................................ 118
Load Limits ............................................... 205
Locking/Unlocking ..................................... 99
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .... ............. 105
Childproof Door Locks ............................ 104
From Inside ............................................. 103
From Outside .......................................... 101 Keys .......................................................... 99
Using a Key ............................................. 102
Lockout Prevention System ...................... 102
Low Battery Charge .................................. 313
Low Fuel Indicator ...................................... 68
Low Oil Pressure Indicator ................. 66, 313
Lower Anchors ............................................ 55
Lubricant Specifications Chart ......... 324, 326
Luggage (Maximum Load Limit) ............. 205
M
Maintenance ............................................. 239
Battery .................................................... 289
Brake/Clutch Fluid ................................... 266
Cleaning.................................................. 292
Coolant ................................................... 261
Heating and Cooling System.................... 291
Maintenance Minder™............................ 243
Oil ........................................................... 255
Precautions.............................................. 240
Radiator .................................................. 262
Remote Transmitter ................................. 290
Replacing Light Bulbs............................... 268
Safety ...................................................... 241
Service Items ................................... 245, 249
Tires ........................................................ 280
Transmission Fluid ................................... 263
Under the Hood ...................................... 251
Malfunction Indicator Lamp .............. 67, 314
Manual Transmission ................................ 217 Map Lights
................................................ 134
Maximum Load Limit ............................... 205
Meters, Gauges ........................................... 78
Mirrors ...................................................... 125
Adjusting ................................................ 125
Door ....................................................... 125
Exterior ................................................... 125
Interior Rearview ..................................... 125
Modifications (and Accessories) .............. 238
Moonroof ................................................. 116
MP3 ........................................... 151, 161, 167
Multi-Information Display ......................... 82
N
Numbers (Identification) .......................... 328
O
Odometer ............................................. 80, 83
Oil (Engine) ............................................... 254
Adding .................................................... 257
Checking................................................. 255
Displaying Oil Life ............................ 243, 247
Low Oil Pressure Indicator ................. 66, 313
Recommended Engine Oil ....................... 254
Viscosity .................................................. 254
Opening/Closing Hood....................................................... 253
Moonroof ............................................... 116
Power Windows ...................................... 114