2012 HONDA ACCORD COUPE check engine

µµ
The timing belt should be replaced
according to the Maintenance
Minder (see page ).
Replace the timing belt every 60,000
miles (100,000 km) if you regularly
drive your vehicle in any of the
f ollowing conditions:
Always use Honda Power Steering
Fluid. You may use another power
steering f luid as an emergency
replacement, but have the power
steering system f lushed and ref illed
with Honda PSF as soon as possible.
A low power steering f luid level can
indicate a leak in the system. Check
the f luid level f requently, and have
the system inspected as soon as
possible.
Pour the f luid slowly and caref ully
so you do not spill any. Clean up
any spills immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment. In very high temperatures
(over 110°F, 43°C).
In very low temperatures
(under 20°F, 29°C).
If you f requently tow a trailer.341
V6 models
Timing Belt
Power Steering Fluid, Timing Belt
364
UPPER LEVEL
V6 models LOWER LEVEL
TM
Turning the steering wheel to f ull lef t
or right lock and holding it there can
damage the power steering pump.

Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe

Diagnosing why the engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position:You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. The engine’s starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor
operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run. When you turn the ignition switch to
the START (III) position, you do not
hear the normal noise of the engine
trying to start. You may hear a
clicking sound, a series of clicks, or
nothing at all.
Check these things:
Check the transmission interlock.
If you have a manual transmission,
the clutch pedal must be pushed
all the way to the f loor or the
starter will not operate. With an
automatic transmission, it must be
in Park or neutral.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON
(II) position. Turn on the
headlights, and check their
brightness. If the headlights are
very dim or do not come on at all,
the battery is discharged. See on page . Turn the ignition switch to the
START (III) position. If the
headlights do not dim, check the
condition of the f uses. If the f uses
areOK,thereisprobably
something wrong with the
electrical circuit f or the ignition
switch or starter motor. You will
need a qualif ied mechanic to
determine the problem (see
on page ).
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery connections (see page ).
You can then try jump starting the
vehicle from a booster battery (see
page ).
400 400
387415
If theEngineWon’tStart
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
Jump Starting Emergency T owing
398

T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe

In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to the START (III)
position, but the engine does not run.Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page .
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the instrument panel
to blink rapidly (see page ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the low f uel indicator may
not be working.
There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ). If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See
on page .
78
305
408 415
If theEngineWon’tStart
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
399

T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe

µKeep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until everything is
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short.
If the booster battery is in another
vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle.
Start the vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
that the jumper cables have good
metal-to-metal contact.
Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then from the booster battery.
Connect the second jumper cable to
thenegative( )terminalonthe
booster battery. Connect the other
end to the engine hanger as shown.
Do not connect this jumper cable to
any other part of the engine. 7. 6. 5.
V6 models
Jump Starting
402
V6 models

T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe

If you do not f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. Add coolant
if the level is below the MIN mark.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. Af ter the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap, and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine, and set the
temperature to maximum heat
(climate control to AUTO at
‘‘ ’’). Add coolant to the
radiator up to the base of the f iller
neck. If you do not have the
proper coolant mixture available,
you can add plain water.
Remember to have the cooling
system drained and ref illed with
the proper mixture as soon as you
can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine, and check
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair (see
on page ).
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may need to add
coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.
6.
7.
8.
9.
11. 10.
415
If theEngineOverheats
Emergency
Towing
404
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe

This indicator should never come on
when the engine is running. If it
starts flashing or stays on, the oil
pressure has dropped very low or
lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible, and you should
take immediate action.Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If it does not go
out within 10 seconds, turn of f the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving
(see
on page
). If the charging system indicator
comes on brightly when the engine
is running, the battery is not being
charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
1.
2.
3.
4.
415 350
291
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Emergency T owing Charging System
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator, Charging System Indicator
405
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe

If the indicator comes on
while driving, it means one
of the engine’s emissions control
systems may have a problem. Even
though you may f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
increased emissions. Continued
operation may cause serious damage.
If your vehicle has an automatic
transmission, the malf unction
indicator lamp may also come on
with the ‘‘D’’ indicator. If the indicator comes on repeatedly,
even though it may turn of f as you
continue driving, have your vehicle
checked by your dealer as soon as
possible.
Your vehicle has certain ‘‘readiness
codes’’ that are part of the on-board
diagnostics f or the emissions
systems. In some states, part of the
emissions testing is to make surethese codes are set. If they are not
set, the test cannot be completed.
If the battery in your vehicle has
been disconnected or gone dead,
thesecodesmaybeerased.Itcan
take several days of driving under
various conditions to set the codes
again.
If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the indicator coming on
could be due to a loose or missing
f uel f ill cap. Tighten the cap until it
clicks at least once. Tightening the
cap will not turn the indicator of f
immediately; it takes several days of
normal driving. To check if they are set, turn the
ignition switch to the ON (II)
position, without starting the engine.
The malf unction indicator lamp will
come on f or 20 seconds. If it then
goes of f , the readiness codes are set.
If it blinks f ive times, the readiness
codes are not set. If possible, do not
take your vehicle f or an emissions
test until the readiness codes are set.
Refer to
for
more information (see page ). 433
Readiness Codes
Emissions T esting
Malf unction Indicator L amp
406
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and the engine. Those repairs
may not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe

.............................
Carrying Cargo .298
.............
CAUTION, Explanation of . iii
.........................................
CD Care .232
..........................
CD Changer .153, 201
........................
Certif ication Label .418
............................................
Chains .385
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .393
Changing Oil ........................................
How to .352
......................................
When to .341
...
Charging System Indicator . 56,405
............
Check Fuel Cap Message . 287
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 304
.....................................
Child Saf ety .33
..............................
Booster Seats .48
.............................
Child Seats .40, 41
Important Saf ety ..........................
Reminders .33-50
..........................................
Inf ants .38
..........................
Larger Children .47
.........................................
LATCH .42
......................
Risks with Airbags .34
.............................
Small Children .39
..........................................
Tether .46
...........................
Warning Labels .52
..........
Where Should a Child Sit . 34.......................................
Child Seats .33
.........................................
LATCH .42
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 374
...............
Climate Control System . 130
..........................
On/Off Button .132
..............................................
Clock .241
...................................
Clutch Fluid .363
..................
CO in the Exhaust . 51,430
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 305
..............................
Compact Spare .392
.........................................
Compass .246
.................
Console Compartment . 117
.................
Consumer Inf ormation . 436
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 53
Coolant ........................................
Adding .354
....................................
Checking .292
.........................
Proper Solution .354
...................
Temperature Gauge . 65
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .430
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 62
............
Cruise Control Operation . 250
...................................
Cup Holders .116
.........................
Customer Service .436 ...............
DANGER, Explanation of . iii
...................................
Dashboard .3, 54
..........
Daytime Running Lights . 60,72
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .60
.................................
Dead Battery .400
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 438
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 75
......
Def rosting the Windows . 128,134
............................
Dimensions .420, 422
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 70
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 357
..................................
Engine Oil .291
..........................
Directional Signals .70
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 321
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .353
Doors ..........................
Auto Door Lock .81
.......................
Auto Door Unlock .84
..............
Locking and Unlocking . 80
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 424
Downshif ting, Manual .............................
Transmission .306
Index
D
II

2012 Accord Coupe