2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID engine

Contents
Child Safety P. 54Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 66Safety Labels P. 67Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 110 Security System P. 113 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 115
Adjusting the Mirrors P. 125 Adjusting the Seats P. 126
Climate Control System P. 137Audio Error Messages P. 162 General Information on the Audio System P. 164When Driving P. 198Braking P. 213Parking Your Vehicle P. 217
Accessories and Modifications P. 226Maintenance Under the Hood P. 235 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 247
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 254 12 Volt Battery P. 263 Remote Transmitter Care P. 264
Cleaning P. 266Engine Does Not Start P. 279 Jump Starting P. 280Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 282
Fuses P. 289 Emergency Towing P. 292Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 297 Reporting Safety Defects P. 298
Authorized Manuals P. 303 Customer Service Information P. 304
Quick Reference Guide
P. 2
Safe Driving
P. 27
Instrument Panel
P. 69
Controls
P. 101
Features
P. 141
Driving
P. 191
Maintenance
P. 227
Handling the Unexpected
P. 271
Information
P. 293
Index
P. 305

10Quick Reference Guide
The Honda IMA SystemThe main power source for the Honda IMA system is the gasoline engine.
The electric motor assists the engine to improve fuel economy, based on
current operating conditions.
Tips to Improve Fue
l Economy
To help your vehicle’s fuel economy:
●Avoid aggressive acceleration/braking
● Monitor the ambient meter and the Eco drive bar
displayed on the multi-information display.
It reflects your driving style. (P8, 87)
Start-up/Low speed cruise/
Aggressive acceleration
● The electric motor assists the
engine. Low speed cruise
● Only IMA motor is
powering the vehicle and
IMA battery is discharging.
Slow acceleration/High
speed cruise
● Only the engine powers
the vehicle. Deceleration
● The IMA system charges
the IMA battery.
Stop
● Auto Idle Stop is in
operation.
Vehicle
Speed
TimeEco Drive Bar
Display
IMA
System IMA
System
IMA
System
IMA
System
IMA
System
Electric
Motor Assist Engine
ON Electric
Motor Assist Electric
Motor OFF
Charging
Engine
OFF Engine
ON
Engine OFF
Engine OFF
IMA
Battery IMA
Battery IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
IMA
Battery
Fuel
Fuel Fuel
Fuel
Fuel
Electric Motor OFF

18Quick Reference Guide
Driving
(P191)
Release ButtonShift Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
(P
.
Move the shift lever without
pressing the release button.
Press the release button to
move the shift lever.
Automatic Transmission (CVT)
(P203)
● Shift to
(P
and depress the brake pedal when starting the engine.
● Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Used when reversing.
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving.
Drive (S)
Used for:
●Better acceleration●Increased engine braking●Going up or down hills
Low●Used to further increase
engine braking●Used when going up or down
hills●Used when IMA battery is
low

19Quick Reference Guide
VSA
® OFF Button
(P209)
● The vehicle stability assist (VSA
®) system
helps stabilize the vehicle during
cornering, and helps maintain traction
while accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces.
● VSA
® comes on automatically every time
you start the engine.
● To turn VSA
® on or off, press and hold
the button until you hear a beep.
Cruise Control
(P205)
● Cruise control allows you to maintain a
set speed without keep ing your foot on
the accelerator pedal.
● To use cruise control, press the CRUISE
button, then press once you have
received the desired speed (above 25 mph
or 40 km/h).
Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)
(P210)
● TPMS monitors tire pressure.
● TPMS is turned on automatically every
time you start the engine.
−/SET
U.S. models only
Refueling
(P222)
a
Push the fuel fill door
release handle.
b
Turn the fuel fill cap
slowly to remove the
cap.
c
Place the cap in the
holder on the fuel fill
door.
d
After refueling, screw
the cap back on until it
clicks at least once.
Fuel recommendation: Unle aded gasoline with a pump octane number 87 or
higher
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 US gal (50 L)

20Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance
(P227)
Under the Hood
(P235)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid.
● Check the 12 volt 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
(P247)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P252)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires
(P254)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter driving.

Quick Reference Guide21
Handling the Unexpected
(P271)
Flat Tire
(P273)
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the
trunk.
Indicators Come On (P285)
●Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Engine Won't Start
(P279)
● If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse
(P289)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.
Overheating
(P283)
● Park in a safe location. If you do not see
steam under the hood, open the hood,
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing
(P292)
● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

66Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas HazardCarbon Monoxide GasThe engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.■
Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the trunk open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the trunk open,
open all the windows and set the climate control system as shown below.
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the climate control system in the same manner if you sit in your parked
vehicle with the engine running.
1Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3
WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.

71
uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off either when the engine starts or
after several seconds if the engine
is not started. If "readiness codes"
have not been set, it blinks five
times before it goes off.
●
Comes on if there is a problem
with the emissions control system.
●
Blinks when a misfire in the
engine's cylinders is detected.
●
Readiness codes are part of the on board
diagnostics for the emissions control
systems.
2 Testing of Readiness Codes P. 299
●
Comes on while driving - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
●
Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe
place where there are no flammable
objects. Stop the engine for 10 minutes
or more, and wait for it to cool down.
Then, take the vehicle to a dealer.
2 If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks P. 286
12 Volt Battery
Charging System
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
, and goes
off when the engine starts.
●
Comes on when the 12 volt battery
is not charging.
●
Comes on while driving - Turn off the
climate control system and rear defogger
in order to reduce electricity
consumption.
2 If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 285
Indicator
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
●
Indicates in which position your
shift lever is.
2Shifting P. 203
.