2012 HONDA CIVIC ECO mode

Continued39
uuAirbagsuFront Airbags (SRS)
Safe DrivingFront airbags are designed to inflate during moderate-to-severe frontal collisions.
When the vehicle decelerates suddenly, the sensors send information to the control
unit which signals one or both front airbags to inflate.
A frontal collision can be either head-on or angled between two vehicles, or when a
vehicle crashes into a stationary object, such as a concrete wall.
While your seat belt restrains your torso, the
front airbag provides supplemental protection
for your head and chest.
The front airbags deflate immediately so that
they won't interfere with the driver's visibility
or the ability to steer or operate other
controls.
The total time for inflation and deflation is so fast that most occupants are not
aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in front of them.
■Operation
■How the Front Airbags Work1How the Front Airbags Work
After a front airbag inflates in a crash, you may see
what looks like smoke. This is actually powder from
the airbag's surface. Although the powder is not
harmful, people with respiratory problems may
experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs,
get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Although the driver's and front passenger's airbags
normally inflate within a split second of each other, it
is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can
happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin,
or threshold, that determines whether or not the
airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will
provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental
protection offered by the airbag would be minimal.

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uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators
Safe Driving
Airbag System Indicators
If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on and a
message appears on the multi-information display*
.
■ When the ignition switch is turned to ON
(w
The indicator comes on for a few seconds,
then goes off. This tells you the system is
working properly.
If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, have the
system checked by a dealer as soon as possible. If you don't, your airbags and seat
belt tensioners may not work properly when they are needed.
■SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Indicator
1SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Indicator
3WARNING
Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in
serious injury or death if the airbag systems
or tensioners do not work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts
you to a possible problem.
*
* Not available on all models

uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators
48
Safe Driving■ When the side airbag off indicator comes on
This indicator comes on if the passenger's side airbag has been turned off because
the passenger is too small to be sitting in the front seat, is slouching or not sitting
upright, or has leaned into the airbag's deployment path.
Unless the passenger is a smaller statured adult or a child, the indicator should go
off when the passenger returns to a proper upright sitting position.
■Side Airbag Off Indicator1Side Airbag Off Indicator
When you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , the
indicator should come on for a few seconds and then
go out. If it doesn't come on, stays on, or comes on
while driving without a passenger in the front seat,
have the system checked by a dealer as soon as
possible.
*
CanadaU.S.
* Not available on all models

49
uuAirbagsuAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations: ■When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced. ■ When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash. ■ Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver's seat position sensor or the weight sensors in the
passenger's seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate
a person with disabilities, contact a Honda dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, American
Honda Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009 and for Canadian vehicles,
Honda Canada Customer Relations at 888-9-HONDA-9.
1Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners, sensors, and control unit.

63
Safe Driving
Safety Labels
Label Locations
These labels are in the locations shown. They warn you of potential hazards that can cause serious injury or death. Read these labels
carefully.
If a label comes off or becomes hard to read (except for the U.S. dashboard label which may be removed by the owner), contact a dealer
for a replacement.
Sun Visor
U.S. models Canadian models
Radiator Cap DoorjambsU.S. models
U.S. models only Dashboard
Canadian models
Doorjambs

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Instrument Panel
Indicators
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Parking Brake and Brake
System Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is released.
● Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
● Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
● The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level. 2What to do when the indicator
comes on P. 315
● Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer. 2If the Brake System Indicator Comes On P. 315
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w , and goes
off when the engine starts.
● Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
● Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place. 2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 313
U.S.
Canada
* Not available on all models

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uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
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.
2Testing of Readiness Codes P. 331
● 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. 2If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Comes On or Blinks P. 314
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 battery is not charging.
● Comes on while driving - Turn off the
heating and cooling *
system and rear
defogger in order to reduce electricity
consumption. 2If the Charging System Indicator
Comes On P. 313
Shift Position
Indicator*●
Indicates in which position your shift lever is.2 Shifting P. 215—
Indicator
* Not available on all models

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uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Transmission
Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Blinks if the transmission system has a problem.
●Blinks while driving - Avoid sudden
starts and acceleration and have the vehicle checked by a dealer
immediately.
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
● Comes on and the beeper sounds if
you are not wearing a seat belt when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w . If the front passenger is not
wearing a seat belt, the indicator
comes on about six seconds later.
● Blinks while driving if either you or the front passenger has not fastened
a seat belt. The beeper sounds and
the indicator blinks at regular intervals.
●
The beeper stops and the indicator goes
off when you and the front passenger fasten their seat belts.
● Stays on after you or the front
passenger has fastened the seat
belt - A detection error may have
occurred in the sens or. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. 2Seat Belt Reminder P. 29
Low Fuel
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately 1.9 U.S. gal./7.5 Liter left).
● Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.●Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon
as possible.
● Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
* Not available on all models