2012 HONDA CIVIC Check engine

Contents
Child Safety P. 50 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 62 Safety Labels P. 63
Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 109 Security System P. 112 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 114
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 117 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 125
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 134 Heating and Cooling*
P. 140
Audio Error Messages *
P. 172 General Information on the Audio System *
P. 174
When Driving P. 211 Braking P. 229 Parking Your Vehicle P. 233
Accessories and Modifications P. 238
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 251 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 268
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 280 Battery P. 289 Remote Transmitter Care *
P. 290
Cleaning P. 292
Engine Does Not Start P. 306 Jump Starting P. 307 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 310
Fuses P. 318 Emergency Towing P. 321
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 329 Reporting Safety Defects P. 330
Authorized Manuals P. 335 Customer Service Information P. 336
Quick Reference GuideP. 2
Safe DrivingP. 23
Instrument PanelP. 65
ControlsP. 97
FeaturesP. 143
DrivingP. 201
MaintenanceP. 239
Handling the UnexpectedP. 297
InformationP. 323
IndexP. 337
2012 Civic 4D Online Reference Owner's Manual
Note: All page numbers referenced in this document are hyperlinked.

8
Quick Reference GuideSafe Driving (P 23)
Airbags (P 35)
● Your vehicle is fitted with airbags to help protect you and
your passengers during a moderate-to-severe collision.
Child Safety (P 50)
● All children 12 and younger should be seated in the rear seat.
● Smaller children should be properly restrained in a forward-facing child seat.
● Infants must be properly restrained in a rear-facing child seat.
Exhaust Gas Hazard (P 62)
● Your vehicle emits dangerous exhaust gases that contain carbon
monoxide. Do not run the engine in confined spaces where carbon
monoxide gas can accumulate.
Before Driving Checklist (P 27)
● Before driving, check that the front seats, head restraints,
steering wheel, and mirrors have been properly adjusted. Seat Belts
(P 28)
● Fasten your seat belt and sit upright well
back in the seat.
● Check that your passengers are wearing
their seat belts correctly.
Fasten your lap belt as
low as possible.

17
Quick Reference GuideMaintenance (P 239)
Under the Hood (P 251)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid and clutch fluid.
● Check the 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 (P 268)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P 278)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P 280)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.
* Not available on all models

18
Quick Reference GuideHandling the Unexpected (P 297)
Flat Tire (P 299)
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the
trunk.
Indicators Come On
(P 313) ● Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Engine Won't Start
(P 306) ●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P 318)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.Overheating (P 311)
● 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
(P 321) ● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.

66
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

67
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

69
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● If it comes on at any other time, there
is a problem with the ABS.
● Stays on constantly - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer. With this
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-lock
function. 2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
P. 231
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:-Supplemental restraint system
- Side airbag system
- Side curtain airbag system
- Seat belt tensioner
●
Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
High Temperature
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Blinks when the engine coolant
temperature goes up, and stays on if
the temperature continues to rise.
● Blinks while driving - Drive slowly to
prevent overheating.
● Stays on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place and allow the
engine to cool. 2Overheating P. 311
* Not available on all models

71
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Trunk Open
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds if you turn
the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes
off.
● Comes on if the trunk is not completely
closed.
●Goes off when the trunk is closed.
EPS (Electric
Power
Steering
System)
Indicator● Comes on when you turn the ignition
switch to ON
(w , and goes off when the
engine starts.
● Comes on if there is a problem with the
EPS (Electric Power Steering System).
●
Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. 2If the EPS Indicator Comes On
P. 315
Daytime
Running
Lights
Indicator *●
Comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then
goes off.
● Comes on if there is a problem with the
DRL system.
●
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Daytime Running Lights P. 120
—
TPMS
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when you
turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
● Comes on if there is a problem with the
TPMS, or when a compact spare tire is
temporarily installed.
●Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer. If the vehicle is
fitted with a compact spare, get your
regular tire repaired or replaced and put
back on your vehicle as soon as you can.
—
U.S.
models onlyModels with
information
display
* Not available on all models