Page 2 of 345

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. 
     
        
        Page 4 of 345
3
Quick Reference Guide
❙Headlights/Turn Signals (P 118)
❙Fog Lights*
 (P 120)
❙Wipers/Washers  (P 121)
❙Cruise Control Buttons *
 (P 220)
❙Km/Mile Change Knob  (P 78)
❙CLOCK Knob*
 (P 98)
❙MENU Button *
 (P 86)
❙ /   /   /   Buttons *
 (P 86)+–
❙Navigation System Voice Control Buttons *
 
()  See Navigation System Manual
❙Bluetooth ®
 HandsFreeLink ®
 System 
Voice Control Buttons *
 (P 177)
❙ (SEL/RESET) Knob  (P 80, 82)
❙SOURCE Button*
 (P 86)
❙ (Display/Information) Button *
 (P 82)
❙Horn (Press an area around  .)
❙Brightness Control  (P 122)
* Not available on all models            
     
        
        Page 6 of 345
5
Quick Reference Guide
❙Seat Belt to Secure a Child Seat (P 59)
❙Seat Belt (Installing a Child Seat)  (P 57)
❙Sun Visors
❙Vanity Mirrors
❙Moonroof Switch*
 (P 116)
❙Map Lights *
 (P 134)
❙USB Adapter Cable *
 
(P 145)
❙Accessory Power  
Socket *
 (P 137)
❙Front Seat  (P 126)
❙Seat Belts (P 28)
❙Side Airbags  (P 42)
❙Rear Seat (P 132)
❙LATCH to Secure a Child Seat  (P 55)
❙Ceiling Light (P 134)
❙Side Curtain Airbags  (P 45)
❙Coat Hook (P 138)
❙Grab Handle
* Not available on all models          
     
        
        Page 7 of 345
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)   
     
        
        Page 10 of 345

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  
     
        
        Page 11 of 345
10
Quick Reference GuideControls (P 97)
Turn Signals  (P 118)
Turn Signal Control Lever
Right
Left Lights 
(P 118)Light Control Switches
Low Beam High Beam
Flashing
Wipers and Washers  
(P 121)
Wiper/Washer Control Lever Adjustment Ring: Long Delay 
: Short Delay
MIST OFF
INT: Low speed with intermittent 
LO: Low speed wipe 
HI: High speed wipe Pull toward  
you to spray 
washer fluid.          
     
        
        Page 18 of 345
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       
     
        
        Page 21 of 345

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