Page 362 of 454

Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.Reinstall the under cover and put the
holding clips back in place. Make
sure the under cover is installed
under the edge of the f ront bumper.
The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the Maintenance Minder (see
page ).
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Remove the transmission f iller bolt,
and caref ully f eel inside the bolt hole
with your f inger.
The f luid level should be up to the
edge of the bolt hole. If it is not, add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
hole. Reinstall the f iller bolt, and
tighten it securely.
To check the transmission f luid level,
remove the under cover holding clips
with a flat-tip screwdriver, then
remove the under cover caref ully. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 0W-20 or 5W-20
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication Seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stif f er shif ting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
341
CONT INUED
4-cylinder models
T ransmission Fluid
Manual Transmission
359
Correct level FILLER BOLT
TM
Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 363 of 454
Remove the check bolt and look for
transmission f luid coming out of the
bolt hole. If a small amount of f luid
drips out of the bolt hole, reinstall
the check bolt.
Check the f luid level with the
transmission at normal operating
temperature and the vehicle sitting
on level ground.
If no f luid comes out, remove the
f iller bolt and washer. Slowly add
Honda Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) until it starts to run out of the
check bolt hole.
V6 models
T ransmission Fluid
360
FILLER BOLT
WASHER
CHECK BOLT
DRAIN BOLT
Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 364 of 454

Pour the f luid into the f iller hole
slowly and caref ully so you do not
spill any. Clean up any spills
immediately; it could damage
components in the engine
compartment.The transmission should be drained
and ref illed with new f luid according
to the Maintenance Minder (see
page ).
If you are not sure how to check and
add f luid, contact your dealer.
Let the f luid run out until it stops,
then reinstall the check bolt and the
f iller bolt.
Make sure to put a new washer on
each bolt when reinstalling it.
Reinstall the under cover and put the
holding clips back in place. Make
sure the under cover is installed
under the edge of the f ront bumper. If Honda MTF is not available, you
may use an SAE 0W-20 or 5W-20
viscosity motor oil with the API
Certif ication Seal that says ‘‘FOR
GASOLINE ENGINES’’ as a
temporary replacement. However,
motor oil does not contain the proper
additives, and continued use can
cause stiffer shifting. Replace as
soon as it is convenient.
341
T ransmission Fluid
361
TM
Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 365 of 454

Check the f luid level in the
reservoirs monthly. There are up to
two reservoirs, depending on the
model. They are:Brake f luid reservoir (all models)
Clutch f luid reservoir
(manual transmission only) Always use Honda Heavy Duty
Brake Fluid DOT 3. If it is not
available, you should use only DOT 3
or DOT 4 f luid, f rom a sealed
container, as a temporary
replacement.
Using any non-Honda brake f luid can
cause corrosion and decrease the lif e
of the system. Have the brake
system f lushed and ref illed with
Honda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid
DOT 3 as soon as possible.
Brake f luid marked DOT 5 is not
compatible with your vehicle’s
braking system and can cause
extensive damage.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If the level is at or
below the MIN mark, your brake
system needs attention. Have the
brake system inspected f or leaks or
worn brake pads.
Independent of the Maintenance
Minder inf ormation, replace the
brake f luid every 3 years.
Brake and Clutch Fluid
Brake Fluid
362
MAX
MIN
Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 366 of 454
Check the level on the side of the
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The f luid should be between the
UPPER LEVEL and LOWER LEVEL.
If not, add power steering f luid to the
UPPER LEVEL.
The f luid level should be between
theMINandMAXmarksontheside
of the reservoir. If it is not, add
brake f luid to bring it up to that level.
Use the same fluid specified for the
brake system. A low f luid level can indicate a leak
in the clutch system. Have this
system inspected as soon as possible.
CONT INUED
Manual transmission only
Power Steering Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Brake and Clutch Fluid, Power Steering Fluid
363
MAX
4-cylinder models
MIN UPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 392 of 454

Support the f ront wiper blade
arms with a f olded towel or rag so
they do not touch the windshield.
To minimize sticking, apply a
silicone spray lubricant to all door
and trunk seals. Also, apply a
vehiclebodywaxtothepainted
surfaces that mate with the door
and trunk seals.
Cover the vehicle with a
‘‘breathable’’ cover, one made
f rom a porous material such as
cotton. Non-porous materials, such
as plastic sheeting, trap moisture,
which can damage the paint.
Leave the parking brake off. Put
the transmission in reverse
(manual) or Park (automatic).
If possible, periodically run the
engine until it reaches f ull
operating temperature (the
cooling f ans cycle on and of f
twice). Pref erably, do this once a
month.
Block the rear wheels.
If the vehicle is to be stored f or a
longer period, it should be
supported on jackstands so the
tires are of f the ground.
Leave one window open slightly (if
the vehicle is being stored
indoors).
Disconnect the battery.
Vacuum dirt and dust f rom the
leather f requently. Pay close
attention to the pleats and seams.
Clean the leather with a sof t cloth
dampened with a 90% water and 10%
neutral wool detergent solution.
Then buf f it with a clean, dry cloth.
Remove any dust or dirt on leather
surf aces immediately.
If equipped
Leather
Vehicle Storage, Interior Care
389
Maint enance
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 396 of 454

CONT INUED
If you have a f lat tire while driving,
pull over saf ely. Drive slowly along
the shoulder until you get to an area
far away from traffic lanes.Turn on the hazard warning lights,
and turn the ignition switch to the
LOCK (0) position. Have all
passengers get out of the vehicle
while you change the tire.
Take the tool kit out of the trunk.
Unscrew the wing bolt and take
the spare tire out of its well.
Park the vehicle on f irm, level, and
non-slippery ground. Put the
transmission in Park (automatic)
or reverse (manual). Apply the
parking brake. The tools are in the trunk. Open
the trunk and raise the trunk f loor
by pulling up the strap.
5. 4. 3. 2.
1.
Changing a Flat Tire
393
JACK
SPARE TIRE TOOL KIT
TRUNK FLOOR STRAP
The vehicle can easily roll off
the jack, seriously injuring
anyone underneath.
Follow the directions for
changing a tire exactly, and
never get under the vehicle
when it is supported only by the
jack.
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
2012 Accord Coupe
Page 401 of 454

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