Maintenance minder 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

9
Quick Reference GuideInstrument Panel (P 65)
U. S.
Canada
U. S.
Canada
System Indicators
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator
Vehicle Stability
Assist (VSA ®
) System
Indicator
VSA ®
OFF Indicator
Low Tire Pressure
Indicator*
/
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator * Electric Power
Steering (EPS)
Indicator
Lights Reminders Lights On Indicator
High Beam IndicatorFog Light Indicator *
Immobilizer System
Indicator Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
System Indicators
Cruise Control
Indicator *
System Message
Indicator *
Parking Brake
and Brake System
Indicator Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
Door Open Indicator Cruise Main Indicator*
Tachometer Instant Fuel
Economy Gauge
*
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security Alarm
System Indicator * Shift Lever Position Indicator
*Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges
(P 78)/Information Display *
(P 80) /
Multi-Information Display *
(P 82) /System Indicators (P 66)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator *
TPMS Indicator * Turn Signal and
Hazard Warning
Indicators
High Temperature
Indicator
Low Temperature
Indicator
Maintenance Minder
Indicator *
Daytime Running
Lights Indicator *
Washer Level
Indicator *
i-VTEC
Indicator
REV
Indicator2.4  engine models
Ambient Meter
*
*
Not available on all models

75
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
ECON Mode
Indicator
*
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w , and goes
off when the engine starts.
● Comes on when you press the ECON
button.
2 ECON Button P. 123
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator*●
Comes on when you press the
CRUISE button.
2 Cruise Control P. 220—
CRUISE CONTROL
Indicator*●
Comes on if you have set a speed for
cruise control.
2 Cruise Control P. 220—
Washer Level
Indicator*●
Comes on when washer fluid gets
low.● Refill washer fluid.
2Refilling Window Washer Fluid
P. 267
—
Maintenance
Minder Indicator *●
Comes on when the scheduled
maintenance is due soon.2 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243—
i-VTEC Indicator*
●
Comes on when the i-VTEC system
switches the low RPM cams to the
high RPM cams.● When the i-VTEC indicator comes on,
the REV indicator begins to come on
simultaneously.
2i-VTEC indicator P. 79
—
REV Indicators*
●
Come on when the tachometer
reading approaches the red zone.
2 REV indicators P. 79—
Indicator
Indicator
* Not available on all models

77
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages*
Instrument Panel
MessageConditionExplanation
●
Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due soon.
● Consequently, "SERVICE DUE NOW" and "SERVICE PAST DUE" follow.2 Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 248
●
Appears when you open the driver's door while the ignition key is in ACCESSORY
(q .
●
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0 , then remove the
key.
● Appears when you open the driver's door while the
ignition key is in LOCK
(0 .
●
Remove the key from the ignition switch.

81
uuGauges and DisplaysuInformation Display*
Instrument Panel
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg or l/100 km.
The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the average fuel
economy is also reset.
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder TM
.
2 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243
Shows the estimated distance you can travel on the remaining fuel. This distance is
estimated from the fuel economy of your trips in the past.
Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not installed. 2 Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message P. 314
■Average Fuel Economy
■Engine Oil Life
■Range
■Check Fuel Cap

uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display*
84
Instrument Panel
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg or l/100 km.
The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the average fuel
economy is also reset.
Shows the estimated distance you can travel on the remaining fuel. This distance is
estimated from the fuel economy of your trips in the past.
Shows the time elapsed since the last time Trip A or Trip B was reset.
Shows the average speed in mph or km/h since the last time Trip A or Trip B was reset.
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder TM
.
2 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243
■Average Fuel Economy
■Range
■Elapsed Time
■Average Speed
■Engine Oil Life
1Average Fuel Economy
You can choose to reset either Trip A or average fuel
economy A when you refuel.
2 Customized Features P. 86
You can choose an item to be displayed in the fuel
consumption screen. Average fuel economy, range,
elapsed time, or average speed can be selected. 2 Customized Features P. 86
2.4  engine models
1Range
You can choose an item to be displayed in the fuel
consumption screen. Range, elapsed time, or average
speed can be selected.
2 Customized Features P. 86
1.8  engine models

89
uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display*
Continued
Instrument Panel
■
List of customizable options
*1: Default Setting Setup Group Customizable Features Description Selectable settings
Vehicle
InformationMaintenance infoReset the Maintenance Minder
TM
.No/Yes
Odometer/ Trip Meter Trip Meter Reset Reset the trip meter. Trip A/Trip B
Select Trip/Odometer
Switch between odometer, trip meter A, and trip
meter B. ODO
*1
/Trip A/Trip B
Adjust ClockSets time display 12 hour or 24 hour and adjust the time.12 h *1
/24 h

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

243
Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Minder™
If the engine oil life is less than 15%, you will see the Maintenance Minder messages
appear on the information display *
or the multi-information display *
every time you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w . The messages notify you when to change the
engine oil, or when to bring your vehicle to a dealer for indicated maintenance
services.
To Use Maintenance Minder TM
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
2. Press the (SEL/RESET) knob repeatedly
until the engine oil life appears on the
information display.
The Maintenance Minder indicator ( ) stays
on in the instrument panel after the engine oil
life becomes 0%. Have the indicated
maintenance done by a dealer immediately.
■Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Models with information display
1Displaying the Engine Oil Life
Based on the engine operating conditions, the
remaining engine oil life is calculated and displayed
as a percentage.
Displayed Engine Oil Life (%)Calculated Engine Oil Life (%)
100 100 to 91
9090 to 81
80 80 to 71
7070 to 61
60 60 to 51
5050 to 41
40 40 to 31
3030 to 21
20 20 to 16
1515 to 11
10 10 to 6
55 to 1
00
* Not available on all models

244
uuMaintenance Minder™uTo Use Maintenance MinderTM
Maintenance
To switch the display, press the (SEL/RESET) knob.
■Maintenance Minder Messages on the Information Display
Oil Life DisplayExplanationInformationMaintenance Minder Indicator
The engine oil life indicator starts
to appear along with other due
soon maintenance item codes
when the remaining oil life
becomes 15 percent.The engine oil is approaching the
end of its service life.
Starts to come on when the
remaining engine oil life becomes
15 percent.
It goes off when the display is switched.
The “SERVICE” message also starts
to appear along with the engine oil
life indicator and the maintenance
item codes.The engine oil has almost reached
the end of its service life, and the
maintenance items should be
inspected and serviced as soon as
possible.
The remaining engine oil life has
passed its service life, and a negative distance appears after
driving over 10 miles (U.S. models)
or 10 km (Canadian models). The
negative distance on the display
blinks.The engine oil life has passed.
The maintenance items must be
inspected and serviced immediately.
Stays on as a reminder even when
the display is switched.