2012 HONDA ACCORD COUPE check engine light

This shows how much f uel you have.
It may show slightly more or less
than the actual amount. The needle
returns to the bottom after you turn
of f the ignition.
The trip meter shows the number of
miles (U.S.) or kilometers (Canada)
driven since you last reset it.
There are two trip meters: Trip A
and Trip B. Switch between these
displays by pressing the select/reset
knob repeatedly.
Each trip meter works independently,
so you can keep track of two
dif f erent distances.
To reset a trip meter, display it and
then press and hold the select/reset
knob until the number resets to ‘‘0.0’’. When you turn the ignition switch to
the ON (II) position, your last
selection is displayed. This shows the temperature of the
engine’s coolant. During normal
operation, the pointer should rise
from the bottom mark to about the
middle of the gauge. In severe
driving conditions, such as very hot
weather or a long period of uphill
driving, the pointer may rise to the
upper zone. If it reaches the red
(hot) mark, pull saf ely to the side of
the road. Turn to page for
instructions and precautions on
checking the engine cooling system.
403
Fuel Gauge
T emperature Gauge
Trip Meter
Gauges
65
Avoid driving with an extremely low
f uel level. Running out of f uel could
cause the engine to misf ire, damaging
the catalytic converter.

Inst rument s and Cont rols
2012 Accord Coupe

Youshoulddothefollowingchecks
and adjustments bef ore you drive
your vehicle.Make sure all windows, mirrors,
and outside lights are clean and
unobstructed. Remove f rost, snow,
or ice.
Check that the hood is f ully closed.
Check that the trunk is f ully
closed.
Check that any items you may be
carrying are stored properly or
f astened down securely. Visually check the tires. If a tire
looks low, use a gauge to check its
pressure. When you start the engine, check
the gauges and indicators in the
instrument panel (see page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the seat adjustment (see
page ).
Check the adjustment of the
inside and outside mirrors (see
page ).
Check the steering wheel
adjustment (see page ).
Make sure the doors are securely
closed and locked.
Fasten your seat belt. Check that
your passengers have f astened
their seat belts (see page ).
2.
1.
6.
7.
8.
9.
3.
4.
5.
76
14 55
10. 11.
93
94
106On vehicles with power
On vehicles with manual
Preparing to Drive
304

Driving
adjustable seatsadjustable seats
2012 Accord Coupe

The hydraulic system that operates
the brakes has two separate circuits.
Each circuit works diagonally across
the vehicle (the lef t-f ront brake is
connected with the right-rear brake,
etc.). If one circuit should develop a
problem, you will still have braking
at two wheels.
Your vehicle is equipped with disc
brakes at all f our wheels. A power
assist helps reduce the ef f ort needed
on the brake pedal. The emergency
brake assist system increases the
stopping f orce when you depress the
brake pedal hard in an emergency
situation. The anti-lock brake system
(ABS) helps you retain steering
control when braking very hard.
Resting your f oot on the pedal keeps
the brakes applied lightly, builds up
heat, reduces their ef f ectiveness and
reduces brake pad lif e. In addition,
f uel economy can be reduced. It also
keeps your brake lights on all the
time, conf using drivers behind you. Check the brakes after driving
through deep water. Apply the
brakes moderately to see if they f eel
normal. If not, apply them gently and
f requently until they do. Be extra
cautious in your driving. Constant application of the brakes
when going down a long hill builds
up heat and reduces their ef f ective-
ness. Use the engine to assist the
brakes by taking your f oot of f the
accelerator and downshif ting to a
lower gear.
The f ront and rear disc brakes on all
models have audible brake pad wear
indicators.
If the brake pads need replacing, you
will hear a distinctive, metallic
screeching sound when you apply
the brake pedal. If you do not have
the brake pads replaced, they will
screech all the time. It is normal f or
the brakes to occasionally squeal or
squeak when you apply them. Braking System Design
Brake Pad Wear Indicators
Braking System
321

Driving
2012 Accord Coupe

This section explains why it is
important to keep your vehicle well
maintained and how to f ollow basic
maintenance saf ety precautions.
This section also includes
instructions on how to read the
Maintenance Minder messages on
the information display, and
instructions f or simple maintenance
tasks you may want to take care of
yourself .
If you have the skills and tools to
perf orm more complex maintenance
tasks on your vehicle, you may want
to purchase the service manual. See
page f or inf ormation on how to
obtain a copy, or see your dealer.......................
Maintenance Saf ety .340
.................
Maintenance Minder . 341
..............................
Fluid Locations .348
........................
Adding Engine Oil .350
Changing the Engine Oil and ...........................................
Filter .352
..............................
Engine Coolant .354
....................
Windshield Washers .356
.......................
Transmission Fluid .357
..........
Automatic Transmission . 357
..............
Manual Transmission . 359
................
Brake and Clutch Fluid . 362
....................
Power Steering Fluid . 363
....................................
Timing Belt .364
.............................................
Lights .365
................
Cleaning the Seat Belts . 374
.....................................
Floor Mats .375
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 375
.................................
Wiper Blades .376
...............................................
Tires .379
...................
Checking the Battery . 387
.............................
Vehicle Storage .388
..................................
Interior Care .389
U.S. Vehicles:
439
Maintenance
Maintenance, replacement, or
repair of emissions control
devices and systems may be done
by any automotive repair
establishment or individual using
parts that are ‘‘certif ied’’ to EPA
standards.
Maint enance
339
TM

2012 Accord Coupe

̵µ µ
µ
µ
µ
U.S. Vehicles:
However, service at a dealer is not
mandatory to keep your warranties
in effect. Maintenance may be done
by any qualif ied service f acility or
person who is skilled in this type of
automotive service. Make sure to
have the service f acility or person
reset the display as previously
described. Keep all receipts as proof
of completion, and have the person
who does the work f ill out your
Honda Service History or Canadian
Maintenance Log. Check your
warranty booklet f or more
inf ormation.
We recommend using Honda parts
and fluids whenever you have
maintenance done. These are
manuf actured to the same high
quality standards as the original
components, so you can be conf ident
of their perf ormance and durability. According to state and federal
regulations, f ailure to perf orm
maintenance on the items marked
with will not void your emissions
warranties. However, all
maintenance services should be
perf ormed in accordance with the
intervals indicated by the
inf ormation display.
Youshouldcheckthefollowing
items at the specif ied intervals. If
you are unsure of how to perf orm
any check, turn to the appropriate
page listed.
Engine oil level Check every
time you fill the fuel tank. See
page .
Engine coolant level Check the
radiator reserve tank every time
you f ill the f uel tank. See page . Automatic transmission Check
the f luid level monthly. See page
.
Brakes Check the f luid level
monthly. See page .
Tires Check the tire pressure
monthly. Examine the tread f or
wear and foreign objects. See page .
Lights Check the operation of
all the lights monthly. See page .
357
362
379
291 292365
Maintenance Minder
Owner’s Maintenance Checks
346
TM

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

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

.............................
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