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 5 of 345
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)
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 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
Page 67 of 345

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
Page 108 of 345

107
uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuCustomizing the Auto Door Locking/Unlocking Setting*
Continued
Controls
*1: Default setting
■Customizing Flow for Auto Door Locking Options
StepsDrive Lock Mode*1Park Lock ModeOff
1
Apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever out of
(P
.
Apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to
(P.
Apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to
(P .
2Close the driver’s door.Open the driver’s door.
3Turn the ignition switch to ON (w.Turn the ignition switch to ON (w.
4
Press and hold the front of the master door lock switch on the driver’s door for more
than five seconds. Release the switch after you hear a click twice.
Press and hold the front of the master
door lock switch on the driver’s door for
more than five seconds. Release the switch
after you hear one click.
5Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY (q within 20 seconds.
uCustomization is completed.
Models with automatic transmission
Models with automatic transmissionModels with automatic transmission
Page 109 of 345

108
uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuCustomizing the Auto Door Locking/Unlocking Setting*
Controls
*1: Default setting for manual transmission models
*2: Default setting for automatic transmission models
■Customizing Flow for Auto Door Unlocking Options
Steps
Ignition Switch Unlock ModePark Unlock Mode
Off
To unlock driver’s
door*1To unlock all doorsTo unlock driver’s
door*2To unlock all doors
1
Apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever out of
(P
.
Apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to
(P.
Apply the parking brake.
Move the shift lever to
(P.
2Close the driver’s door.Open the driver’s door.
3Turn the ignition switch to ON (w .Turn the ignition switch to ON (w.
4
Press and hold the rear of the master door lock switch on the driver’s door for more than five seconds. You will hear a click t wice.
5Release the switch.
Keep pressing the switch
for another five seconds
to hear one more click.
Release the switch.
Keep pressing the switch
for another five seconds
to hear one more click.
Release the switch.
6Turn the ignition switch to ACCESSORY (q within 20 seconds.
uCustomization is completed.
Models with automatic transmission
Models with automatic transmissionModels with automatic transmission