2012 HONDA CIVIC ECO mode

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

7
Quick Reference GuideEco Assist System*
(P 123)
Ambient Meter ● Changes color to reflect your driving
style.
Green: Fuel efficient driving
Blue green: Moderate acceleration/
deceleration
Blue: Aggressive acceleration/
deceleration
● The ambient meter color changes in
accordance with your brake or
accelerator pedal operation.
ECON Button (P 123)
Helps maximize fuel economy.
ECON Mode Indicator (P 75)
Comes on when the ECON button is pressed. This message is displayed for a few seconds
when the ECON button is pressed.
Models with multi-information display
*
Not available on all models

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

15
Quick Reference GuideDriving (P 201)
2 1
D3
P
R
N DRelease Button Shift Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
(P.
Move the shift lever without
pressing the release button.
Press the release button to
move the shift lever.
Manual Transmission
(P 217)
Automatic Transmission (P 215)
● Shift to
(P and depress the brake pedal when starting the engine.
● Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine. Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving.
Drive (D3) Used when:
•Going up or down hills
•Towing a trailer in hilly terrain
Second
Used to increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 2nd gear)
First
Used to further increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 1st gear)
* Not available on all models

16
Quick Reference Guide
VSA®
OFF Button (P 224)
● The vehicle stability assist (VSA ®
) system
helps stabilize the vehicle during
cornering, and helps maintain traction
while accelerating on loose or slippery
road surfaces.
● VSA ®
comes on automatically every time
you start the engine.
● To turn VSA ®
on or off, press and hold
the button until you hear a beep.
Cruise Control *
(P 220)
● Cruise control allows you to maintain a
set speed without keeping your foot on
the accelerator pedal.
● To use cruise control, press the CRUISE
button, then press once you have
received the desired speed (above 25 mph or 40 km/h).
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) (P 225)
● TPMS monitors tire pressure.
● TPMS is turned on automatically every
time you start the engine.
–/SET
U.S. models only
Refueling (P 234)
a Push the fuel fill door
release handle.
b Turn the fuel fill cap
slowly to remove the cap.
c Place the cap in the
holder on the fuel fill
door.
d After refueling, screw
the cap back on until it
clicks at least once.
Fuel recommendation:
Unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number 87 or
higher required
Premium unleaded gasoline with a pump octane number
91 or higher recommended
Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 US gal (50 L)
1.8  engine models
2.4  engine models

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

Continued29
uuSeat BeltsuAbout Your Seat Belts
Safe Driving
■Proper use of seat belts
Follow these guidelines for proper use: • All occupants should sit upright, well back in the seat, and remain in that position
for the duration of the trip. Slouching and leaning reduces the effectiveness of
the belt and can increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.
• Never place the shoulder part of a lap/shoulder seat belt under your arm or
behind your back. This could cause very serious injuries in a crash.
• Two people should never use the same seat belt. If they do, they could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
• Do not put any accessories on the seat belts. Devices intended to improve comfort
or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability
and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.
Your vehicle monitors front seat belt use. If
the ignition switch is turned to ON
(w before
the driver's seat belt is fastened, a beeper will
sound and the indicator will blink. If the driver
does not fasten the belt before the beeper
stops, the indicator will remain on.
The beeper will also periodically sound and
the indicator will blink while driving until the
driver's and front passenger’s seat belts are
fastened.
■Seat Belt Reminder
1About Your Seat Belts
If a rear seat passenger moves around and extends
the seat belt, the lockable retractor may activate. If
this happens, release the retractor by unfastening the
seat belt and allow the belt to retract completely.
Then refasten the belt.
1Seat Belt Reminder
The indicator will also come on if a front passenger
does not fasten their seat belt within 6 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned to ON
(w .
When no one is sitting in the front passenger's seat,
or a child or small adult is riding there, the indicator will not come on.
This is because the weight sensors in the seat cannot detect their presence.
*
* Not available on all models

36
uuAirbagsuAirbag System Components
Safe Driving
The front, front side, and side curtain
airbags are deployed according to the
direction and severity of impact. The airbag
system includes:
aTwo SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
front airbags. The driver's airbag is stored
in the center of the steering wheel; the
front passenger's airbag is stored in the
dashboard. Both are marked "SRS AIRBAG."
bTwo side airbags, one for the driver and
one for a front passenger. The airbags are
stored in the outer edges of the seat-
backs. Both are marked "SIDE AIRBAG."
cTwo side curtain airbags, one for each
side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored
in the ceiling, above the side windows.
The front and rear pillars are marked "SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG."
dAn electronic control unit that continually
monitors and records information about
the sensors, the airbag activators, the
seat belt tensioners, and driver and front
passenger seat belt use when the ignition switch is in ON
(w.
eAutomatic front seat belt tensioners. The
driver's and front passenger's seat belts
incorporate sensors that detect whether
or not they are fastened.
fA driver's seat position sensor. If the seat
is too far forward, the airbag will inflate
with less force.
gWeight sensors in the front passenger's
seat. The front passenger's airbag will be
turned off if the weight on the seat is 65
lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant
or small child).
hImpact sensors that can detect a
moderate to severe front or side collision.
iAn indicator on the dashboard that alerts
you that the front passenger's front
airbag has been turned off.
jSensors that can detect if a child or small
statured adult is in the deployment path
of the front passenger's side airbag.
kAn indicator on the instrument panel that
alerts you to a possible problem with your
airbag system or seat belt tensioners.
lAn indicator on the instrument panel that
alerts you that the front passenger's side
airbag has been turned off.