2012 HONDA CIVIC sensor

uuAirbagsuSide Airbags
44
Safe DrivingTo reduce the likelihood that a front passenger may be injured by an inflating side
airbag, the passenger side airbag is automatically turned off when: • The height sensors detect a child or short-statured adult is seated in the front
passenger seat.
• The position sensor detects that the front passenger is leaning into the
deployment path of the side airbag.
When the side airbag cutoff system is activated, the side airbag off indicator comes
on. 2 Side Airbag Off Indicator P. 48
If the side airbag off indicator comes on, have the passenger sit upright. A few
seconds after the passenger is sitting properly, the side airbag will automatically be
turned on, and the indicator will go off.
If the front passenger is a child, stop when it is safe to do so, and have the child sit
properly restrained in a rear seat.
■Side Airbag Cutoff System
■Side Airbag Off Indicator
1Side Airbag Cutoff System
The sensors that monitor the front passenger's height
and body position may not work if: • The seat-back is wet
• The passenger is touching a metal or other
electrical conductive object
• A seat cushion is on the seat
• The passenger is wearing excessively thick clothing
Sensor that
monitor the
passenger’s height.
Sensor that monitor
the passenger’s position.

Continued47
uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators
Safe Driving■When the passenger airbag off
indicator comes on
The indicator comes on to alert you that the
passenger's front airbag has been turned off.
This occurs when the weight sensors detect
65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an infant
or small child, on the seat.
Infants and small children should always ride properly restrained in a back seat. 2 Child Safety P. 50
Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.
If the front passenger seat is empty, the passenger's front airbag will not deploy and
the indicator will not come on.
■Passenger Airbag Off Indicator1Passenger Airbag Off Indicator
If the indicator comes on with no front passenger and
no objects on the passenger’s seat, or with an adult
riding there, something may be interfering with the weight sensors. Such as: • An object hanging on the seat or in the seat-back pocket.
• A child seat or other object pressing against the
rear of the seat-back.
• A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of
the front passenger's seat.
• The front seat or seat-back is forced back against
an object on the seat or floor behind it.
• An object placed under the front passenger's seat.
If none of these conditions exist, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and
goes off repeatedly if the total weight on the seat is
near the airbag cutoff threshold.
U.S. Canada

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.

74
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●
Comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes
off.
● Comes on if the immobilizer system
cannot recognize the key
information.
●Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0 ,
pull the key out, and then insert the key
and turn it to ON
(w again.
● Repeatedly blinks - The system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
● Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Security System
Alarm Indicator *
●
Blinks when the Security System
Alarm has been set.
2 Security System Alarm P. 112—
Low Temperature
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
● Comes on when the engine coolant
temperature is low.
●If the indicator stays on after the engine
has reached normal operating
temperature, there may be problem
with the temperature sensors. Have the
vehicle inspected by a dealer.
—
Indicator
* Not available on all models

Continued85
uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display*
Instrument Panel
Shows the outside temperature in Fahrenheit (U.S.) or Celsius (Canada). ■
Adjusting the outside temperature display
Adjust the temperature reading up to ±5°F or ±3°C if the temperature reading seems incorrect.
Use the multi-information display's customized features to correct the temperature. 2 Customized Features P. 86
Shows the instant fuel economy as a bar graph in mpg or l/100 km. Engine horsepower usage while driving is
displayed in the power monitor.
“100%” indicates that horsepower is at its maximum.
Shows you turn-by-turn driving directions to your destination linked with the
navigation system. 2 Refer to the navigation system manual
■Outside Temperature *
■Instant Fuel Economy *
■Power Monitor*
1Outside Temperature
The temperature sensor is in the front bumper.
Road heat and exhaust from another vehicle can
affect the temperature reading when your vehicle
speed is less than 19 mph (30 km/h).
It may take several minutes for the display to be
updated after the temperature reading has stabilized.
1Power Monitor
Engine horsepower is affected by external conditions
such as driving conditions, or vehicle condition. The
power monitor can compensate for some of these
variables, but different readings may be displayed.
■Turn-by-Turn Directions
*1Turn-by-Turn Directions
You can select whether the turn-by-turn display
comes on or not during the route guidance.
2 Customized Features P. 86
* Not available on all models

119
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluLight Switches
Controls
Automatic lighting control can be used when
the ignition switch is in ON
(w.
When you turn the light switch to
#Y , the
headlights and other exterior lights will switch
on and off automatically depending on the
ambient brightness.
The headlights, all other exterior lights, and the instrument panel lights turn off
within 15 seconds after you remove the key and close the driver's door.
If you turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0 with the headlight switch on, but do not
open the door, the lights turn off after 10 minutes (3 minutes, if the switch is in the
#Y position).
The lights turn on again when you unlock or open the driver's door. If you unlock
the door, but do not open it within 15 seconds, the lights go off. If you open the
driver's door, you will hear a lights on reminder chime.
■Automatic Lighting Control *1Automatic Lighting Control
We recommend that you turn on the lights manually
when driving at night, in a dense fog, or in dark areas
such as long tunnels or parking facilities.
The light sensor is in the location shown below.
Do not cover this light sensor with anything;
otherwise, the automatic lighting system may not
work properly.
You can change the AUTO light sensitivity and
automatic lighting off timer setting using the multi-
information display.
2 Customized Features P. 86
Light Sensor
■Automatic Lighting Off Feature
* Not available on all models

132
uuAdjusting the SeatsuRear Seats
Controls
Rear Seats1.Remove the center shoulder belt from the
guide.
2. Pull the release lever in the trunk to release
the lock.
3. Fold the seat-back down.
If the rear head restraints get caught on the
front seat-backs, remove the head restraints. 2 Removing and Reinstalling the Head
Restraints P. 130
■Folding Down the Rear Seats1Folding Down the Rear Seats
The rear seat-back(s *
) can be folded down to
accommodate bulkier items in the trunk.
Never drive with the seat-back folded down and the
trunk lid open.
2 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 62
To lock the seat-back upright, push it backwards until
it locks.
When returning a seat-back to its original position,
push it firmly back. Also, make sure all rear shoulder
belts are positioned in front of the seat-back, and the
center shoulder belt is re-positioned in the guide.
Make sure that the folded seat-back does not press against the front passenger seat, as this can cause the
weight sensors in the front passenger seat to work
improperly. 2 Passenger Airbag Off Indicator P. 47
Also make sure all items in the trunk or items
extending through the opening into the rear
seats are properly secured. Loose items can fly
forward if you have to brake hard.
Guide
Center
Shoulder
Belt
Release Lever
* Not available on all models

204
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Be sure items placed on the floor behind the front seats cannot roll under the seats.
uThey can interfere with the driver's ability to operate the pedals, the operation
of the seats, or the operation of the sensors under the seats.
• Everyone in the vehicle must fasten their seat belt.
2 Fastening a Seat Belt P. 31
• Make sure that the indicators in the instrument panel come on when you start the
vehicle, and go off soon after.
uAlways have a dealer check the vehicle if a problem is indicated.
2 Indicators P. 66