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Contents
This owner’s manual should be considered a permanent part of the  
vehicle and should remain with the vehicle when it is sold.
This owner’s manual covers all models of the Civic 4-Door. You may 
find descriptions of equipment and features that are not on your 
particular model. 
Images throughout this owner’s manual (including the front cover)  
represent features and equipment that are available on some, but  
not all, models. Your particular model may not have some of these  features. 
This owner’s manual is for vehicles sold in the United States and  Canada. 
The information and specifications included in this publication were  
in effect at the time of approval for printing. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.  
reserves the right, however, to discontinue or change specifications  
or design at any time without notice and without incurring any  
obligation.2 Safe Driving  P. 23
For Safe Driving P. 24 Seat Belts P. 28 Airbags P. 35
2Instrument Panel  P. 65
Indicators P. 66 Gauges and Displays P. 78
2Controls  P. 97
Setting the Clock P. 98 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 99 
Opening and Closing the Moonroof *
 P. 116
Adjusting the Seats P. 126
2 Features  P. 143
Audio System *
 P. 144 Audio System Basic Operation *
 P. 147
Bluetooth ®
 HandsFreeLink ®*
 P. 177
2 Driving  P. 201
Before Driving P. 202 Towing a Trailer P. 207 
Refueling P. 234 Fuel Economy P. 237
2Maintenance  P. 239
Before Performing Maintenance P. 240 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243 
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 278 
Heating and Cooling *
 System Maintenance P. 291
2 Handling the Unexpected  P. 297
Tools P. 298 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 299 
Overheating P. 311 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 313
2Information  P. 323
Specifications P. 324 Identification Numbers P. 328 
Emissions Testing P. 331 Warranty Coverages P. 333
Main Menu2012 Civic 4D Online Reference Owner's Manual 
     
        
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Visual Index
4Quick Reference Guide
❙Door Mirror Controls *
 (P 125)
❙Passenger's Front Airbag  
(P 38)
❙Parking Brake  (P 229)
❙Glove Box (P 135)
❙Rearview Mirror  (P 125)
❙Accessory Power Socket  
(P 137)
❙Shift Lever 
Automatic Transmission  
(P 214) 
Manual Transmission 
(P 217)
❙Hood Release Handle  (P 253)
❙Fuel Fill Door Release Handle  (P 235)
❙Driver’s Pocket
❙Trunk Release (P 109)
❙Power Door Lock Master Switch *
 (P 104)
❙Power Window Switches  (P 114)
❙Auxiliary Input Jack*
 (P 145)
❙Interior Fuse Box  (P 319)
❙Driver's Front Airbag  (P 38)              
     
        
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Visual Index
6Quick Reference Guide
❙Maintenance Under the Hood  (P 251)
❙Windshield Wipers (P 121, 278)
❙Tires (P 280, 299)
❙Fog Lights *
 (P 120, 272)
❙Door Lock/Unlock Control  (P 101)
❙Power Door Mirrors*
 (P 125)
❙Headlights  (P 118, 268)
❙Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side Marker Lights  (P 118, 273)
❙How to Refuel (P 235)
❙High-Mount Brake Light *
 (P 277)
❙Emergency Trunk Release Lever  
(P 111)
❙Opening/Closing the Trunk  (P 109)
❙Back-Up Lights (P 275)
❙Brake/Taillights  (P 275)
❙Rear Turn Signal Lights  (P 275)
❙Rear Side Marker Lights  (P 275)   
     
        
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9
Quick Reference GuideInstrument Panel (P 65)
U. S.
Canada
U. S.
Canada
System Indicators
Malfunction  
Indicator Lamp Low Oil Pressure  
Indicator 
Charging System  
Indicator 
Anti-lock Brake  System (ABS)  
Indicator 
Vehicle Stability  
Assist (VSA ®
) System 
Indicator 
VSA ®
 OFF Indicator
Low Tire Pressure  
Indicator*
/
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator * Electric Power 
Steering (EPS) 
Indicator
Lights Reminders Lights On Indicator 
High Beam IndicatorFog Light Indicator *
Immobilizer System  
Indicator Seat Belt Reminder  
Indicator
System Indicators
Cruise Control  
Indicator *
System Message 
Indicator *
Parking Brake 
and Brake System  
Indicator Supplemental 
Restraint System 
Indicator 
Side Airbag Off  
Indicator
Door Open Indicator Cruise Main Indicator*
Tachometer Instant Fuel  
Economy Gauge
*
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security Alarm 
System Indicator * Shift Lever Position Indicator
*Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges 
(P 78)/Information Display *
 (P 80) /
Multi-Information Display *
 (P 82) /System Indicators  (P 66)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator *
TPMS Indicator * Turn Signal and  
Hazard Warning 
Indicators
High Temperature 
Indicator
Low Temperature 
Indicator
Maintenance Minder  
Indicator *
Daytime Running 
Lights Indicator *
Washer Level 
Indicator *
i-VTEC  
Indicator 
REV  
Indicator2.4  engine models
Ambient Meter
*
*
 Not available on all models  
     
        
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11
Quick Reference Guide
Steering Wheel (P 124)
● To adjust, pull the adjustment lever  
towards you, adjust to the desired  
position, then lock the lever back in place.
Unlocking the Front  Doors from the Inside  
(P 103) ● Pull either front door inner handle to  
unlock and open it at the same time.Trunk  (P 109)
● To unlock and open the trunk:
• Pull the trunk release.
• Press the trunk release button *
.
• Turn the key in the cylinder on the trunk *
.
Power Door Mirrors *
 
(P 125) ● With the ignition switch in ON 
(w, move 
the selector switch to L or R.
● Push the appropriate edge of the  
adjustment switch to adjust the mirror.
Trunk Release
Selector Switch
Adjustment Switch
Power Windows  (P 114)
● With the ignition switch in ON 
(w, open 
and close the power windows.
● If the power window lock button is in the  
OFF position, each passenger's window  
can be opened and closed with its own 
switch.
● If the power window lock button is in the  
ON position (indicator is on), each 
passenger's window switch is disabled.
Power Window Lock Button
Window  
Switch Indicator
*
 Not available on all models              
     
        
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19
Quick Reference GuideWhat to Do IfThe ignition switch does  not turn from 
(0 to (q . 
Why? ●
The steering wheel  may be locked.
● Try to turn the steering wheel left and right  
while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does  not turn from 
(q  to (0  and 
I cannot remove the key.  
Why? The shift lever should be moved to 
(P
.
Why does the brake pedal  pulsate slightly when  
applying the brakes? This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a  
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never  
pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be  
opened from inside the  
vehicle. Why? Check if the childproof lock is in the  
LOCK position. If so, open the rear  door with the outside door handle. 
To cancel this function, push the lever  
to the UNLOCK position.     
     
        
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20
Quick Reference Guide
Why do the doors lock  
after I unlocked the doors  
using a remote  transmitter?If you do not open the doors within 30 seconds, the doors are 
relocked automatically for security.
Why does the beeper 
sound when I open the driver's door? The beeper sounds when: ●
The key is left in the ignition switch.
● The exterior lights are left on.
Why does the beeper  
sound when I start driving? The beeper sounds when: ●
Driver and/or front passenger are not wearing their seat belts.
● The parking brake lever is not fully released.
Why do I hear a screeching  
sound when I apply the  
brake pedal? The brake pads may need to be replaced. Have your vehicle  
inspected by a dealer.
Is it possible to use  
unleaded gasoline with a  Pump Octane Number  
(PON) of 87 or higher on 
this vehicle? Unleaded gasoline with a PON of 91 or higher is recommended. 
If premium unleaded gasoline with a PON of 91 or higher is not 
available, you can temporarily use the gasoline with a PON of  87 or higher.  
This will result in decreased engine 
performance, and can cause 
occasional metallic knocking noise in the engine.
Models with remote transmitter
2.4  engine models 
     
        
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26
uuFor Safe DrivinguYour Vehicle's Safety Features
Safe Driving
Your Vehicle's Safety Features 
The following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and  
your passengers.
1Your Vehicle's Safety Features 
Your vehicle is equipped with many features that  
work together to help protect you and your  
passengers during a crash. 
Some features do not require any action on your part.  
These include a strong steel framework that forms a  
safety cage around the passenger compartment, 
front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering  
column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat  belts in a sufficient crash. 
However, you and your passengers cannot take full  
advantage of these features unless you remain seated  
in the correct position and always wear your seat  
belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to  
injuries if they are not used properly.
 Safety Cage 
 Crush Zones
 Seats and Seat-Backs
 Head Restraints
 Collapsible Steering Column
 Seat Belts
 Front Airbags
 Side Airbags
 Side Curtain Airbags
 Door Locks
 Seat Belt Tensioners
 Occupant Position Detection
     System (OPDS) Sensor
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
6
912
10
11
7
8
7
10
8
9