2012 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID winter tires

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.

227
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing MaintenanceInspection and Maintenance ............ 228
Safety When Performing Maintenance .... 229Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 230
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 231
Maintenance Under the HoodMaintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 235Opening the Hood ........................... 236
Recommended Engine Oil ................ 237
Oil Check ......................................... 238
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 239Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter .. 240
Engine Coolant ................................ 242
Transmission Fluid ............................ 244
Brake Fluid ....................................... 245
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 246
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 247
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 252Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires ................................. 254
Tire and Loading Information Label .. 255
Tire Labeling .................................... 255
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles) .. 257Wear Indicators................................ 259 Tire Service Life ................................ 259
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 260
Tire Rotation .................................... 261
Winter Tires ..................................... 262
12 Volt Battery .................................. 263
Remote Transmitter Care
Replacing the Battery ....................... 264
Climate Control System Maintenance ...... 265Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 266
Exterior Care.................................... 268

262
uuChecking and Maintaining Tires uWinter Tires
Maintenance
Winter TiresIf driving on snowy or frozen roads, mount all season marked ”M+S” tires, snow
tires, or tire chains; reduce speed; and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles
when driving.
Be particularly careful when operating the steering wheel or brakes to prevent
skidding.
Use tire chains, snow tires, or all season tires when necessary or according to the
law.
When mounting, refer to the following points.
For winter tires:
• Select the size and load ranges that are the same as the original tires.
• Mount the tires to all four wheels.
For tire chains:
• Install them on the front tires only.
• Because your vehicle has limited tire clearance, we strongly recommend using the
chains listed below:
• Follow the chain manufacturer's instruction when installing. Mount them as
tightly as you can.
• Check that the chains do not touch the brake lines or suspension.
• Drive slowly.
Cable-type: SCC Radial Chain SC1030
1Winter Tires
NOTICETraction devices that are the wrong size or improperly
installed can damage your vehicle's brake lines,
suspension, body, and wheels. Stop driving if they are
hitting any part of the vehicle.
When tire chains are mounted, follow the chain
manufacturer's instructions regarding vehicle
operational limits.
3
WARNING
Using the wrong chains, or not properly
installing chains, can damage the brake
lines and cause a crash in which you can be
seriously injured or killed.
Follow all instruc tions in this owner's
manual regarding the selection and use of
tire chains.

311
INDEX
Spare Tire......................................... 273, 295
Spark Plugs ............................................... 294
Specifications ........................................... 294
Specified Fuel ................................... 222, 294
Speedometer .............................................. 82
SRS Airbags (Airbags) ................................ 39
Starting the Engine .................................. 198
Does Not Start ........................................ 279
Engine Switch Buzzer .............................. 117
Jump Starting ......................................... 280
Steering Wheel ........................................ 124
Adjusting ................................................ 124
Stopping ................................................... 217
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ....... 42
Switches (Around the Steering Wheel) ............................................ 2, 3, 117
System Message Indicator ......................... 76TTachometer................................................ 82
Temperature High Temperature Indicator ...................... 78
Low Temperature Indicator ....................... 78
Outside Temperature Display .................... 86
Temperature Sensor .................................. 86
Time (Setting) ........................................... 102
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..................................................... 210
Indicator ........................................... 75, 288
Tires .......................................................... 254 Air Pressure ..................................... 255, 295
Checking and Maintaining ....................... 254
Compact Spare Tire ......................... 273, 295
Inspection ................................................ 254
Labeling .................................................. 255
Puncture (Flat Tire) ................................... 273
Regulations ............................................. 257
Rotation .................................................. 261
Tire Chains .............................................. 262
Wear Indicators ....................................... 259
Winter ..................................................... 262
Tools .......................................................... 272
Towing a Trailer ....................................... 197
Towing Your Vehicle ................................ 197
Emergency .............................................. 292
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) .................................................... 210
Indicator ............................................ 75, 288
Transmission ............................................. 203
Automatic ............................................... 203
Fluid ........................................................ 244
Number ................................................... 296
Shift Lever Position Indicator .............. 71, 204
Trip Meter ................................................... 84
Troubleshooting ....................................... 271
Blown Fuse ...................................... 289, 290
Brake Pedal Vibrates .................................. 23
Buzzer Sounds When Opening Door .......... 23
Emergency Towing .................................. 292
Engine Does Not Start ............................. 279
Noise When Braking .................................. 23 Overheating ............................................ 283
Puncture/Flat Tire .................................... 273
Rear Door Won’t Open...................... 22, 108
Regular Gasoline ............................. 222, 294
Shift Lever Won’t Move ........................... 282
Warning Indicators .................................... 70
Trunk ......................................................... 110
Lid........................................................... 110
Light Bulb................................................ 294
Turn Signals .............................................. 118
Indicators (Instrument Panel) ..................... 76
UUnlocking the Doors ................................ 105
Unlocking the Front Doors from the
Inside ......................................................... 15
USB Adapter Cable ................................... 143
USB Flash Drives ....................................... 166VValet Key................................................... 104
Vanity Mirrors ............................................... 5
Vehicle Identification Number ................ 296
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA
®) .................. 208
Off Button............................................... 209
Off Indicator.............................................. 74
System Indicator ........................................ 73
Viscosity (Oil) .................................... 237, 295
VSA
® (Vehicle Stability Assist) .................. 208

312INDEX
WWallpaper.................................................... 97
Warning and Information Messages ......... 80
Warning Indicator On/Blinking ................ 285
Warning Labels ........................................... 67
Warranties (Warranty Manual provided separately) ............................................... 301
Watts ......................................................... 294
Wear Indicators (Tire) ............................... 259
Wheel Nut Wrench (Jack Handle) ............ 276
Window Washers ...................................... 121
Adding/Refilling Fluid ............................... 246
Switch ..................................................... 121
Windows (Opening and Closing) ............. 115
Windshield ................................................ 121
Cleaning .................................................. 269
Defrosting/Defogging .............................. 138
Washer Fluid............................................ 246
Wiper Blades ........................................... 252
Wipers and Washers ................................ 121
Winter Tires ............................................... 262
Snow Tires ............................................... 262
Tire Chains .............................................. 262
Wipers and Washers ................................. 121
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades .. 252
WMA ......................................................... 157
Worn Tires ................................................. 254