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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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uuBefore DrivinguMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit The maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver's doorjamb. 
This figure includ es the total weight of  all occupants, cargo, and 
accessories, and the tongue load if you are towing a trailer. 
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit - (1) Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and  
cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your 
vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers 
that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers 
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the ava ilable amount of cargo and 
luggage load capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount 
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will  be five 150 lb. passengers in 
your vehicle, the amount of av ailable cargo and luggage load 
capacity is 650 lbs.(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
1Maximum Load Limit 
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all  
occupants, all accessories, all cargo, and the tongue  load. 2 Specifications  P. 324, 326
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): 
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications  P. 324, 326
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading  can affect handling and stability 
and cause a crash in which you 
can be hurt or killed. 
Follow all load limits and other  loading guidelines in this manual.Label Example 
     
        
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286
uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire and Wheel Replacement
Maintenance
Tire and Wheel Replacement 
Replace your tires with radials of the same size, load range, speed rating, and  
maximum cold tire pressure rating (as shown on the tire’s sidewall). Using tires of a  
different size or construction can cause the ABS and VSA®
 (vehicle stability assist) 
system to work incorrectly. 
It is best to replace all four tires at the same time. If that isn’t possible, replace the  
front or rear tires in pairs. 
Make sure that the wheel’s specifications match those of the original wheels. 
If you replace a wheel, only use TPMS specified wheels approved for your vehicle.
1Tire and Wheel Replacement
3WARNING
Installing improper tires on your vehicle can  
affect handling and stability. This can cause  
a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or  
killed. 
Always use the size and type of tires  
recommended in  this owner’s manual.
U.S. models only 
     
        
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323
Information
This chapter includes your vehicle's specifications, locations of identification numbers, and other information required by regulation.
Specifications.................................... 324
Identification Numbers
Vehicle Identification Nu mber (VIN) ...... 328
Engine Number and Transmission 
Number...................................... 328
Devices that Emit Radio Waves ....... 329
Reporting Safety Defects ................. 330Emissions Testing
Testing of Readiness Codes.............. 331
Warranty Coverages ........................ 333
Authorized Manuals ......................... 335
Customer Service Information ......... 336  
     
        
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324
Information
Specifications
■Vehicle Specifications
*1: DX, LX and HF models 
*2: EX and EX-L models
ModelHonda Civic 4-Door
No. of Passengers: 
Front 2
Rear 3 
Total 5
Weights:
Gross Vehicle  
Weight Rating U.S.: 3,660 lbs (1,660 kg) *1
Canada: 1,660 kg *1
U.S.: 3,792 lbs (1,720 kg) *2
Canada: 1,720 kg *2
Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (Front)
U.S.: 1,985 lbs (900 kg)
*1
Canada: 900 kg *1
U.S.: 2,029 lbs (920 kg) *2
Canada: 920 kg *2
Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (Rear)
U.S.: 1,742 lbs (790 kg) *1
Canada: 790 kg *1
U.S.: 1,786 lbs (810 kg) *2
Canada: 810 kg *2
Air Conditioning: 
Refrigerant Type  HFC-134a (R-134a) 
Charge Quantity 13.2 – 15.0 oz (375 – 425 g) 
Lubricant Type SP-10
1.8  engine models■Engine Specifications
■Fuel
■Battery
■Washer Fluid
Displacement110 cu-in (1,798 cm 3
)
Spark Plugs NGK DILZKR7B11GS 
DENSO DXU22HCR-D11S
Fuel: TypeUnleaded gasoline, Pump octane number  
of 87 or higher
Fuel Tank Capacity 13.2 US gal (50 ℓ)
Capacity/Type36AH(5)/45AH(20) 
36AH(5)/47AH(20) 
38AH(5)/47AH(20)
Tank CapacityU.S.: 2.6 US qt (2.5 ℓ) 
Canada: 4.8 US qt (4.5 ℓ)
■Light Bulbs
*3: Not available on all models
Headlights (Low Beam)51W (HB4)
Headlights (High Beam) 60W (HB3)
Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side  
Marker Lights28/8W
Brake/Taillights 21/5W
Back-Up Lights21W
Rear Turn Signal Lights 21W (Amber)
Rear Side Marker Lights3CP
High-Mount Brake Light 21W
Rear License Plate Light5W
Trunk Light 5W
Interior Lights
Map Lights *38W
Ceiling Light8W 
     
        
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325
uuSpecificationsu
Continued
Information
■Brake/Clutch Fluid
■Automatic Transmission Fluid
■Manual Transmission Fluid
SpecifiedHonda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3
SpecifiedHonda ATF DW-1 
(automatic transmission fluid)
Capacity Change 2.5 US qt (2.4 ℓ)
SpecifiedHonda Manual Transmission Fluid
Capacity Change 1.5 US qt (1.4 ℓ)
■Engine Oil
■Engine Coolant
Recommended·Genuine Honda Motor Oil 0W-20 
·API Premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil
Capacity Change 3.7 US qt (3.5 ℓ) 
Change  
including  
filter
3.9 US qt (3.7 ℓ)
SpecifiedHonda Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type2
Ratio 50/50 with distilled water
Capacity1.48 US gal (5.59 ℓ)  
(change including the remaining  
0.125 US gal (0.475 ℓ) in the reserve tank)
■Tire
*1: DX and LX models 
*2: HF model 
*3: EX and EX-L models
Regular
SizeP195/65R15 89H *1
P195/65R15 89S *2
P205/55R16 89H *3
Pressure  
psi(kPa[kgf/cm
2
])30 (210 [2.1]) *1
32 (220 [2.2]) *2, *3
Compact  
Spare Size T135/80D15 99M 
Pressure  
psi(kPa[kgf/cm
2
]) 60 (420 [4.2])
Wheel SizeRegular15 x 6J
*1, *2
16 x 6 1/2J *3
Compact Spare15 x 4T 
     
        
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326
uuSpecificationsu
Information
■Vehicle Specifications
ModelHonda Civic 4-Door
No. of Passengers: 
Front 2
Rear 3 
Total 5
Weights:
Gross Vehicle  
Weight Rating U.S.: 3,924 lbs (1,780 kg) 
Canada: 1,780 kg
Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (Front)
U.S.: 2,116 lbs (960 kg) 
Canada: 960 kg
Gross Axle Weight  
Rating (Rear)
U.S.: 1,830 lbs (830 kg) 
Canada: 830 kg
Air Conditioning: 
Refrigerant Type  HFC-134a (R-134a)
Charge Quantity 13.2 – 15.0 oz (375 – 425 g) 
Lubricant Type SP-10
2.4  engine models■Engine Specifications
■Fuel
■Battery
■Washer Fluid
Displacement144 cu-in (2,354 cm 3
)
Spark Plugs NGK ILZKR7B-11S 
DENSO SXU22HCR11S
Fuel: TypeUnleaded gasoline, Pump octane number  
of 91 or higher
Fuel Tank Capacity 13.2 US gal (50 ℓ)
Capacity/Type38AH(5)/47AH(20)
Tank CapacityU.S.: 2.6 US qt (2.5 ℓ) 
Canada: 4.8 US qt (4.5 ℓ)
■Light Bulbs
Headlights (Low Beam)51W (HB4)
Headlights (High Beam) 60W (HB3)
Fog Lights55W (H11)
Front Turn Signal/Parking/Side  
Marker Lights 28/8W
Brake/Taillights21/5W
Back-Up Lights 21W
Rear Turn Signal Lights21W (Amber)
Rear Side Marker Lights 3CP
High-Mount Brake LightLED
Rear License Plate Light 5W
Trunk Light5W
Interior Lights Map Lights 8W 
Ceiling Light 8W 
     
        
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327
uuSpecificationsu
Information
■Brake/Clutch Fluid
■Manual Transmission Fluid
SpecifiedHonda Heavy Duty Brake Fluid DOT 3
SpecifiedHonda Manual Transmission Fluid
Capacity Change 2.0 US qt (1.9 ℓ)
■Engine Oil
■Engine Coolant
Recommended·Genuine Honda Motor Oil 0W-20 
·API Premium-grade 0W-20 detergent oil
Capacity Change 4.2 US qt (4.0 ℓ) 
Change  
including  
filter
4.4 US qt (4.2 ℓ)
SpecifiedHonda Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type2
Ratio 50/50 with distilled water
Capacity1.45 US gal (5.5 ℓ)  
(change including the remaining  
0.125 US gal (0.475 ℓ) in the reserve tank)
■Tire
*1: Optional for U.S. models (summer tires)
Regular
SizeP215/45R17 87V 
215/45ZR17 91W *1
Pressure  
psi(kPa[kgf/cm
2
])32 (220 [2.2])
Compact  
Spare Size T135/80D16 101M 
Pressure  
psi(kPa[kgf/cm
2
]) 60 (420 [4.2])
Wheel SizeRegular17 x 7J
Compact Spare16 x 4T