2012 HONDA CIVIC TENSIONER

21
Quick Reference Guide
California Proposition 65 Warning Event Data Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR).
The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understanding how a vehicle’s
systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related
to vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is
designed to record such data as: • How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts were
buckled/fastened;
• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accelerator
and/or brake pedal; and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
These data can help provide a better understanding of the
circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data
are recorded by your vehicle only if a non-trivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under normal driving
conditions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and
crash location) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type of
personally identifying data routinely acquired during a crash
investigation.
WARNING: This product contains or emits
chemicals known to the state of California to cause
cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is required,
and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to the
vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as law enforcement, that
have the special equipment, can read the information if they have
access to the vehicle or the EDR.
The data belongs to the vehicle owner and may not be accessed by
anyone else except as legally required or with the permission of the
vehicle owner.
Service Diagnostic Recorders
This vehicle is equipped with service-related devices that record
information about powertrain performance. The data can be used
to verify emissions law requirements and/or help technicians
diagnose and solve service problems. It may also be combined with
data from other sources for research purposes, but it remains
confidential.
California Perchlorate Contamination Prevention Act
The airbags, seat belt tensioners, and CR type batteries in this
vehicle may contain perchlorate materials - special handling may apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/
As you read this manual, you will find information that is preceded
by a symbol. This information is intended to help you avoid
damage to your vehicle, other property, or the environment.
NOTICE

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uuFor Safe DrivinguYour Vehicle's Safety Features
Safe Driving
Your Vehicle's Safety Features
The following checklist will help you take an active role in protecting yourself and
your passengers.
1Your Vehicle's Safety Features
Your vehicle is equipped with many features that
work together to help protect you and your
passengers during a crash.
Some features do not require any action on your part.
These include a strong steel framework that forms a
safety cage around the passenger compartment,
front and rear crush zones, a collapsible steering
column, and tensioners that tighten the front seat belts in a sufficient crash.
However, you and your passengers cannot take full
advantage of these features unless you remain seated
in the correct position and always wear your seat
belts. In fact, some safety features can contribute to
injuries if they are not used properly.
Safety Cage
Crush Zones
Seats and Seat-Backs
Head Restraints
Collapsible Steering Column
Seat Belts
Front Airbags
Side Airbags
Side Curtain Airbags
Door Locks
Seat Belt Tensioners
Occupant Position Detection
System (OPDS) Sensor
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
6
912
10
11
7
8
7
10
8
9

uuSeat BeltsuAbout Your Seat Belts
30
Safe DrivingThe front seats are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners to enhance safety.
The tensioners automatically tighten the front seat belts during a moderate-to-
severe frontal collision, sometimes even if the collision is not severe enough to
inflate the front airbags.
■Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners1Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners
The seat belt tensioners can only operate once.
If a tensioner is activated, the SRS indicator will come
on. Have a dealer replace the tensioner and
thoroughly inspect the seat belt system as it may not
offer protection in a subsequent crash.
During a moderate-to-severe side impact, the
tensioner on that side of the vehicle also activates.

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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.

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uuAirbagsuAirbag System Indicators
Safe Driving
Airbag System Indicators
If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on and a
message appears on the multi-information display*
.
■ When the ignition switch is turned to ON
(w
The indicator comes on for a few seconds,
then goes off. This tells you the system is
working properly.
If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, have the
system checked by a dealer as soon as possible. If you don't, your airbags and seat
belt tensioners may not work properly when they are needed.
■SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Indicator
1SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Indicator
3WARNING
Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in
serious injury or death if the airbag systems
or tensioners do not work properly.
Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as
soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts
you to a possible problem.
*
* Not available on all models

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uuAirbagsuAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations: ■When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced. ■ When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, front seat belt
tensioners, and each seat belt that was worn during the crash. ■ Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver's seat position sensor or the weight sensors in the
passenger's seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate
a person with disabilities, contact a Honda dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, American
Honda Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009 and for Canadian vehicles,
Honda Canada Customer Relations at 888-9-HONDA-9.
1Airbag Care
We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners, sensors, and control unit.

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uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● If it comes on at any other time, there
is a problem with the ABS.
● Stays on constantly - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer. With this
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-lock
function. 2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
P. 231
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:-Supplemental restraint system
- Side airbag system
- Side curtain airbag system
- Seat belt tensioner
●
Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
High Temperature
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Blinks when the engine coolant
temperature goes up, and stays on if
the temperature continues to rise.
● Blinks while driving - Drive slowly to
prevent overheating.
● Stays on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place and allow the
engine to cool. 2Overheating P. 311
* Not available on all models

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INDEX
Trunk....................................................... 109
Outside Temperature Display .................... 85
Overheating .............................................. 311
P
Panic Mode ............................................... 113
Parking ...................................................... 233
Parking Brake ............................................ 229
Parking Brake and Brake System Indicator ............................................ 66, 315
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator ................. 47
Passing Indicators ..................................... 118
Power Windows ........................................ 114
Precautions While Driving ........................ 213
Rain ......................................................... 213
Pregnant Women ....................................... 33
Puncture (Tire) .......................................... 299
R
Radiator ..................................................... 262
Radio (AM/FM) .................................. 149, 158
Radio Data System (RDS) .................. 150, 160
Range .................................................... 81, 84
RDS (Radio Data System) .................. 150, 160
Readiness Codes (Emissions Testing) ....... 331
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror
Button ...................................................... 123
Rear Seats (Folding Down) ....................... 132
Rearview Mirror ........................................ 125 Refueling
.................................................. 234
Fuel Gauge................................................ 78
Gasoline .................................. 234, 324, 326
Low Fuel Indicator ..................................... 68
Regulations ............................... 226, 283, 329
Remote Transmitter ................................. 101
Replacement
Battery .................................................... 290
Bulbs ....................................................... 268
Fuses ............................................... 318, 319
Tires ........................................................ 286
Wiper Blade Rubber ................................ 278
Reporting Safety Defects ......................... 330
Resetting a Trip Meter ......................... 80, 83
S
Safe Driving ................................................ 23
Safety Check ............................................... 27
Safety Labels ............................................... 63
Safety Message ........................................... 22
Seat Belts .................................................... 28
Adjusting the Shoulder Anchor.................. 32
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners ................. 30
Checking................................................... 34
Fastening .................................................. 31
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Seat Belt ................................... 57
Pregnant Women ...................................... 33
Reminder .................................................. 29
Warning Indicator ............................... 29, 68 Seat Heaters
............................................. 139
Seats .......................................................... 126
Adjusting ................................................ 126
Front Seats.............................................. 126
Rear Seats ............................................... 132
Seat Heaters ........................................... 139
Security System ........................................ 112
Immobilizer System Indicator..................... 74
Security System Alarm Indicator ................ 74
SEL/RESET Knob .................................... 80, 82
Select Lever ................................ 15, 215, 217
Operation ................................. 15, 216, 217
Releasing ................................................ 310
Won’t Move ........................................... 310
Selecting a Child Seat ................................ 54
Selector Knob (Audio) ..................... 147, 155
Setting the Clock ........................................ 98
Shift Lever .................................. 15, 215, 217
Shift Position Indicator ...................... 67, 216
Shifting (Transmission) .................... 215, 217
Shoulder Anchor ........................................ 32
Side Airbags ............................................... 42
Cutoff System ........................................... 44
Off Indicator ............................................. 44
Side Curtain Airbags .................................. 45
Snow Tires ................................................ 288
Spare Tire ................................. 299, 325, 327
Spark Plugs ....................................... 324, 326
Specifications ........................................... 324
Specified Fuel ........................... 234, 324, 326
Speedometer .............................................. 78