Page 1 of 345

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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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. 
     
        
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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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77
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages*
Instrument Panel
MessageConditionExplanation
●
Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due soon.
● Consequently, "SERVICE DUE NOW" and "SERVICE  PAST DUE" follow.2 Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi- 
Information Display  P. 248
●
Appears when you open the driver's door while the  ignition key is in ACCESSORY 
(q .
●
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0 , then remove the 
key.
● Appears when you open the driver's door while the  
ignition key is in LOCK 
(0 .
●
Remove the key from the ignition switch.    
     
        
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80
uuGauges and DisplaysuInformation Display*
Instrument Panel
Information Display *
The information display shows the odometer, trip meter, engine oil life and  
maintenance service item  codes, and other gauges.
Press the   (SEL/RESET) knob to change the display. 
Shows the total number of miles or kilometers that your vehicle has accumulated.
Shows the total number of miles or kilometers driven since the last reset. Meters A  
and B can be used to measure 2 separate trips. ■ Resetting a trip meter
To reset a trip meter, display it, then press and hold the   knob. The trip meter is  reset to “0.0”.
■Switching the Display
1Switching the display 
Each time you press the   knob, the information  
display changes as follows:
Average Fuel A 
Trip Meter A, Odometer
Average Fuel B 
Trip Meter B, Odometer
Engine Oil Life
Range
Trip Meter A, Odometer
■Odometer
■Trip Meter1Trip Meter 
Switch between trip meter A and trip meter B by  
pressing the   knob.
* Not available on all models  
     
        
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81
uuGauges and DisplaysuInformation Display*
Instrument Panel
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg or l/100 km.  
The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the average fuel  
economy is also reset. 
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder TM
.
2 Maintenance Minder™  P. 243
Shows the estimated distance you can travel on the remaining fuel. This distance is  
estimated from the fuel economy of your trips in the past. 
Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not installed. 2 Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message  P. 314
■Average Fuel Economy
■Engine Oil Life
■Range
■Check Fuel Cap 
     
        
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uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display*
84
Instrument Panel
Shows the estimated average fuel economy of each trip meter in mpg or l/100 km.  
The display is updated at set intervals. When a trip meter is reset, the average fuel 
economy is also reset. 
Shows the estimated distance you can travel on the remaining fuel. This distance is 
estimated from the fuel economy of your trips in the past. 
Shows the time elapsed since the last time Trip A or Trip B was reset. 
Shows the average speed in mph or km/h since the last time Trip A or Trip B was  reset. 
Shows the remaining oil life and Maintenance Minder TM
.
2 Maintenance Minder™  P. 243
■Average Fuel Economy
■Range
■Elapsed Time
■Average Speed
■Engine Oil Life
1Average Fuel Economy 
You can choose to reset either Trip A or average fuel  
economy A when you refuel.
2 Customized Features  P. 86
You can choose an item to be displayed in the fuel  
consumption screen. Average fuel economy, range,  
elapsed time, or average speed can be selected. 2 Customized Features  P. 86
2.4  engine models
1Range 
You can choose an item to be displayed in the fuel  
consumption screen. Range, elapsed time, or average  
speed can be selected.
2 Customized Features  P. 86
1.8  engine models 
     
        
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87
uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display*
Continued
Instrument Panel
■
Customization flow
Press the MENU button.1Customized Features 
You can exit the customizing screen at any time by  
pressing the MENU button.
Vehicle Menu
Vehicle Information
Odometer/Trip Meter
Adjust Clock
Maintenance info
Trip Meter Reset
Select Trip/Odometer