278 HONDA CIVIC 2012 9.G Owners Manual

Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of the Civic 4-Door. You may
find descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your
particular model.
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but
not all, models. Your particular model may not have some of these features.
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and Canada.
The information and specifications included in this publication were
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any
obligation.2 Safe Driving P. 23
For Safe Driving P. 24 Seat Belts P. 28 Airbags P. 35
2Instrument Panel P. 65
Indicators P. 66 Gauges and Displays P. 78
2Controls P. 97
Setting the Clock P. 98 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 99
Opening and Closing the Moonroof *
P. 116
Adjusting the Seats P. 126
2 Features P. 143
Audio System *
P. 144 Audio System Basic Operation *
P. 147
Bluetooth ®
HandsFreeLink ®*
P. 177
2 Driving P. 201
Before Driving P. 202 Towing a Trailer P. 207
Refueling P. 234 Fuel Economy P. 237
2Maintenance P. 239
Before Performing Maintenance P. 240 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 278
Heating and Cooling *
System Maintenance P. 291
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 297
Tools P. 298 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 299
Overheating P. 311 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 313
2Information P. 323
Specifications P. 324 Identification Numbers P. 328
Emissions Testing P. 331 Warranty Coverages P. 333
Main Menu2012 Civic 4D Online Reference Owner's Manual

Visual Index
6Quick Reference Guide
❙Maintenance Under the Hood (P 251)
❙Windshield Wipers (P 121, 278)
❙Tires (P 280, 299)
❙Fog Lights *
(P 120, 272)
❙Door Lock/Unlock Control (P 101)
❙Power Door Mirrors*
(P 125)
❙Headlights (P 118, 268)
❙Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Lights (P 118, 273)
❙How to Refuel (P 235)
❙High-Mount Brake Light *
(P 277)
❙Emergency Trunk Release Lever
(P 111)
❙Opening/Closing the Trunk (P 109)
❙Back-Up Lights (P 275)
❙Brake/Taillights (P 275)
❙Rear Turn Signal Lights (P 275)
❙Rear Side Marker Lights (P 275)

17
Quick Reference GuideMaintenance (P 239)
Under the Hood (P 251)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid and clutch fluid.
● Check the battery regularly.
a Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the
dashboard.
b Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up
the hood.
c When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly
locked in place.
Lights (P 268)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P 278)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P 280)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.
* Not available on all models

239
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance Inspection and Maintenance ............ 240
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 241
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 242
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 243
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 251
Opening the Hood ........................... 253
Recommended Engine Oil ...... .......... 254
Oil Check ......................................... 255
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 257
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 258
Engine Coolant ................................ 261
Transmission Fluid ............................ 263
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 266
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 267
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 268
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 278
Checking and Maintaining Tires Checking Tires ................................. 280
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 281
Tire Labeling .................................... 281
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 283
Wear Indicators................................ 285 Tire Service Life ................................ 285
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 286
Tire Rotation .................................... 287
Winter Tires ..................................... 288
Battery ............................................... 289
Remote Transmitter Care *
Replacing the Battery ....................... 290
Heating and Cooling *
System
Maintenance ................................... 291
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 292
Exterior Care.................................... 294
* Not available on all models

240
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and inspection information. ■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when refueling. ■ Periodic inspections
• Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2 Automatic Transmission Fluid P. 263
• Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Brake/Clutch Fluid P. 266
• Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 280
• Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 268
• Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2 Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 278
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of
emissions control devices and systems may be
done by any automotive repair establishment or
individuals using parts that are "certified" to EPA standards.
According to state and federal regulations, failure to
perform maintenance on the maintenance main
items marked with # will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all maintenance services should
be performed in accordance with the intervals
indicated by the information display *
/multi-
information display *
.
2 Maintenance Service Items P. 245, 249
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks
that require more skills and tools, you can purchase a
subscription to the Service Express website at
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals P. 335
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first.
After performing maintenance, update the records in
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models

278
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
Checking Wiper Blades
If the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated, it will leave streaks and the metal wiper
arm may scratch the window glass.
Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber1.Lift the driver side wiper arm first, then the
passenger side.
2. Place a cloth on the edge of the lock tab.
Push the lock tab up with a flat-tip screw driver.
3. Slide the blade from the wiper arm.1Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
NOTICE
Avoid dropping the wiper arm; it may damage the windshield.
Lock Tab

342
INDEX
Trunk....................................................... 109
Outside Temperature Display .................... 85
Overheating .............................................. 311
P
Panic Mode ............................................... 113
Parking ...................................................... 233
Parking Brake ............................................ 229
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator ............................................ 66, 315
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator ................. 47
Passing Indicators ..................................... 118
Power Windows ........................................ 114
Precautions While Driving ........................ 213
Rain ......................................................... 213
Pregnant Women ....................................... 33
Puncture (Tire) .......................................... 299
R
Radiator ..................................................... 262
Radio (AM/FM) .................................. 149, 158
Radio Data System (RDS) .................. 150, 160
Range .................................................... 81, 84
RDS (Radio Data System) .................. 150, 160
Readiness Codes (Emissions Testing) ....... 331
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror
Button ...................................................... 123
Rear Seats (Folding Down) ....................... 132
Rearview Mirror ........................................ 125 Refueling
.................................................. 234
Fuel Gauge................................................ 78
Gasoline .................................. 234, 324, 326
Low Fuel Indicator ..................................... 68
Regulations ............................... 226, 283, 329
Remote Transmitter ................................. 101
Replacement
Battery .................................................... 290
Bulbs ....................................................... 268
Fuses ............................................... 318, 319
Tires ........................................................ 286
Wiper Blade Rubber ................................ 278
Reporting Safety Defects ......................... 330
Resetting a Trip Meter ......................... 80, 83
S
Safe Driving ................................................ 23
Safety Check ............................................... 27
Safety Labels ............................................... 63
Safety Message ........................................... 22
Seat Belts .................................................... 28
Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor.................. 32
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ................. 30
Checking................................................... 34
Fastening .................................................. 31
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Seat Belt ................................... 57
Pregnant Women ...................................... 33
Reminder .................................................. 29
Warning Indicator ............................... 29, 68 Seat Heaters
............................................. 139
Seats .......................................................... 126
Adjusting ................................................ 126
Front Seats.............................................. 126
Rear Seats ............................................... 132
Seat Heaters ........................................... 139
Security System ........................................ 112
Immobilizer System Indicator..................... 74
Security System Alarm Indicator ................ 74
SEL/RESET Knob .................................... 80, 82
Select Lever ................................ 15, 215, 217
Operation ................................. 15, 216, 217
Releasing ................................................ 310
Won’t Move ........................................... 310
Selecting a Child Seat ................................ 54
Selector Knob (Audio) ..................... 147, 155
Setting the Clock ........................................ 98
Shift Lever .................................. 15, 215, 217
Shift Position Indicator ...................... 67, 216
Shifting (Transmission) .................... 215, 217
Shoulder Anchor ........................................ 32
Side Airbags ............................................... 42
Cutoff System ........................................... 44
Off Indicator ............................................. 44
Side Curtain Airbags .................................. 45
Snow Tires ................................................ 288
Spare Tire ................................. 299, 325, 327
Spark Plugs ....................................... 324, 326
Specifications ........................................... 324
Specified Fuel ........................... 234, 324, 326
Speedometer .............................................. 78

344
INDEX
W
Wallpaper.................................................... 93
Warning and Information Messages ......... 76
Warning Indicator On/Blinking ................ 313
Warning Labels ........................................... 63
Warranties (Warranty Manual provided
separately) ............................................... 333
Watts ................................................. 324, 326
Wear Indicators (Tire) ............................... 285
Wheel Cover .............................................. 303
Wheel Nut Wrench (Jack Handle) ............ 302
Window Washers ...................................... 121
Adding/Refilling Fluid ............................... 267
Switch ..................................................... 121
Windows (Opening and Closing) ............. 114
Windshield ................................................ 121
Cleaning .................................................. 295
Defrosting/Defogging .............................. 142
Washer Fluid............................................ 267
Wiper Blades ........................................... 278
Wipers and Washers ................................ 121
Winter Tires ............................................... 288
Snow Tires ............................................... 288
Tire Chains .............................................. 288
Wipers and Washers ................................. 121
Checking and Replacing Wiper Blades ..... 278
WMA ......................................... 151, 161, 167
Worn Tires ................................................. 280