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. 
     
        
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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       
     
        
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18
Quick Reference GuideHandling the Unexpected (P 297)
Flat Tire  (P 299)
● Park in a safe location and replace the  
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the  
trunk.
Indicators Come On  
(P 313) ● Identify the indicator and consult the  
owner's manual.
Engine Won't Start  
(P 306) ●If the battery is dead, jump start using a  
booster battery.
Blown Fuse  (P 318)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical  
device does not operate.Overheating  (P 311)
● Park in a safe location. If you do not see  
steam under the hood, open the hood,  
and let the engine cool down.
Emergency Towing  
(P 321) ● Call a professional towing service if you  
need to tow your vehicle.          
     
        
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67
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Malfunction  
Indicator Lamp
●
Comes on when you turn the  
ignition switch to ON 
(w , and goes 
off either when the engine starts or  
after several seconds if the engine 
is not started. If "readiness codes"  
have not been set, it blinks five  
times before it goes off.
● Comes on if there is a problem  
with the emissions control system.
● Blinks when a misfire in the  
engine's cylinders is detected.
● Readiness codes are part of the on board  
diagnostics for the emissions control  
systems.
2Testing of Readiness Codes  P. 331
● Comes on while driving  - Have the 
vehicle checked by a dealer.
● Blinks while driving  - Stop in a safe 
place where there are no flammable  
objects. Stop the engine for 10 minutes 
or more, and wait for it to cool down.  
Then, take the vehicle to a dealer. 2If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp  
Comes On or Blinks  P. 314
Charging System  
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the  
ignition switch to ON 
(w , and goes 
off when the engine starts.
● Comes on when the battery is not  charging.
● Comes on while driving  - Turn off the 
heating and cooling *
 system and rear 
defogger in order to reduce electricity  
consumption. 2If the Charging System Indicator  
Comes On  P. 313
Shift Position  
Indicator*●
Indicates in which position your  shift lever is.2 Shifting  P. 215—
Indicator
* Not available on all models   
     
        
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99
Continued
Controls
Locking and Unlocking the Doors
Key Types and Functions 
This vehicle comes with the following keys:
Use the keys to start and stop the engine, to  
lock and unlock the doors and to open the 
trunk. You can also use the remote  
transmitter*
 to lock and unlock the doors and 
to open the trunk. 
There is a panic button in the remote  
transmitter.
■Master Keys
1Key Types and Functions 
All of the keys have an immobilizer system. The  
immobilizer system helps to protect against vehicle  theft. 2 Immobilizer System  P. 112
The keys contain precision electronics.
Adhere to the following advice to prevent damage to  the electronics: • Do not leave the keys in direct sunlight, or in  
locations with high temperature or high humidity.
• Do not drop the keys or set heavy objects on them.
• Keep the keys away from liquids.
• Do not take the keys apart except for replacing the  
battery.
If the circuits in the keys are damaged, the engine  
may not start, and the remote transmitter may not  work. 
If the keys do not work properly, have them 
inspected by a dealer.
Black
* Not available on all models  
     
        
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101
uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuLocking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside
Continued
Controls
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside■Locking the doors
Press the LOCK button. 
Once:
uSome exterior lights will flash, all the  
doors will lock, and the security system  sets.
Twice (within five seconds after the first  
push):
uA beeper sounds and verifies the security  
system is set.
■ Unlocking the doors
Press the UNLOCK button.
Once:
uSome exterior lights will flash twice, and  
the driver's door unlocks.
Twice:
uThe remaining doors unlock.
■Using the Remote Transmitter *1Using the Remote Transmitter 
If you do not open a door within 30 seconds of  
unlocking the vehicle with the remote transmitter,  
the doors will automatically relock. 
You can change the relock timer setting.
2 Customized Features  P. 86
If the interior light switch is in the door activated 
position, the interior lights come on when you press  
the UNLOCK button. 
No doors opened: The lights fade out after 30 
seconds. 
Doors relocked with the remote: The lights go off  immediately. 2 Interior Lights  P. 134
The remote transmitter uses low-power signals, so  
the operating range may vary depending on the  
surroundings. 
The remote will not lock the vehicle when a door is  open. 
If the distance at which it works varies, the battery is  probably low. 
If the LED does not come on when you press a 
button, the battery is dead. 2 Replacing the Battery  P. 290
You can customize the door unlock mode setting. 2 Customized Features  P. 86
Models with multi-information display
LED 
Unlock  
Button Lock 
Button
* Not available on all models   
     
        
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113
uuSecurity SystemuSecurity System Alarm*
Controls
■
Setting the security system alarm
The security system alarm automatically sets when the following conditions have  
been met: • The ignition switch is in LOCK 
(0 , and the key has been removed from the 
ignition switch.
• The hood and trunk are closed.
• All doors are locked with the key or the remote transmitter.
■ When the security system alarm sets
The security system indicator in the instrument panel blinks. When the blinking  
interval changes after about 15 seconds, the security system is set. ■ To cancel the security system alarm
The security system is canceled when the vehicle is unlocked using the key or remote  
transmitter, or the ignition switch is turned to ON 
(w . The security system indicator 
goes off at the same time.
■The panic button on the remote  
transmitter
If you press the panic button for  
approximately one second, the following will  
occur for about 30 seconds: • The horn sounds.
• Some exterior lights flash.
■ Canceling panic mode
Press any button on the remote transmitter, or turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w .
■Panic Mode
1Security System Alarm 
Do not set the security system alarm when someone  
is in the vehicle or a window is open. The system can  
accidentally activate when:•Unlocking the door with the lock tab or the master  
door lock switch.
• Opening the trunk with the trunk release or the  
emergency trunk opener.
If the battery goes dead after you have set the  
security system alarm, the security alarm may go off  
once the battery is recharged or replaced. 
If this occurs, deactivate the security system alarm by 
unlocking a door using the key or remote transmitter. 
Do not attempt to alter this system or add another  device to it.
Panic  
Button  
     
        
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118
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluTurn Signals
Controls
Turn SignalsThe turn signals can be used when the ignition  
switch is in ON 
(w.
Light Switches
Rotating the light switch turns the lights on  
and off, regardless of the position of the 
ignition switch. ■High beams
Push the lever forward until you hear a click. ■ Low beams
When in high beams, pull the lever back to 
return to low beams.■ Flashing the high beams
Pull the lever back, and release it.
Right Turn
Left Turn
■Manual Operation
1Light Switches 
If you remove the key from the ignition switch while  
the lights are on, a chime sounds when the driver’s  
door is opened. 
When the lights are on, the lights on indicator in the  
instrument panel will be on. 2 Lights On Indicator  P. 73
Do not leave the lights on when the engine is off  
because it will cause the battery to discharge.
High Beams
Flashing the high beams
Low Beams
Turns on side marker, tail, and  
rear license plate lights 
Turns on headlights, parking, side  
marker, tail, and rear license plate lights