2012 HONDA CIVIC emergency towing

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.

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.

210
uuTowing a TraileruTowing Your Vehicle
Driving
•Closely watch your high temperature indicator. If the indicator remains on, turn
off the heating and cooling *
system and reduce speed. Pull to the side of the road
safely to cool down the engine if necessary.
• Shift to the
(d position if the transmission shifts frequently.
Towing Your Vehicle
Your vehicle is not designed to be towed behind a motor home. If your vehicle needs
to be towed in an emergency, refer to the emergency towing information.
2 Emergency Towing P. 321
■Driving in Hilly Terrain
Automatic transmission models
* Not available on all models

297
Handling the UnexpectedThis chapter explains how to h andle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 298
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 299
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 306
Jump Starting .................................... 307
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 310
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 311 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes
On ............................................. 313
If the Charging System Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 313
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or Blinks ................................... 314
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On ....... 315
If the EPS Indicator Comes On.......... 315
If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes
On ................................................. 316
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 316 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 317
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 318
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 320
Emergency Towing ........................... 321

306
Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine
If the engine does not start, turn the ignition switch to START
(e and check the
starter.
Starter conditionChecklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns
over slowly.
The battery may be dead. Check
each of the items on the right and
respond accordingly.Check brightness of the interior light.
Turn on interior lights and check brightness. ● If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery P. 289
● If the interior lights come on normally 2 Fuses P. 318
The starter turns over normally
but the engine doesn’t start.
There may be a problem with the
fuse. Check each of the items on
the right and respond accordingly.Review the engine start procedure.
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again.
2 Starting the Engine P. 211
Check the immobilizer system indicator.
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2Immobilizer System P. 112
Check the fuel level.
There should be enough fuel in the tank. 2 Fuel Gauge P. 78
Check the fuse.
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Inspecting and Changing Fuses P. 320
If the problem continues:
2Emergency Towing P. 321
1Checking the Engine
If you must start the vehicle immediately, use an
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2 Jump Starting P. 307

321
Handling the Unexpected
Emergency Towing
Call a professional towing service if you need to tow your vehicle. ■Flat bed equipment
The operator loads your vehicle on the back of a truck.
This is the best way to transport your vehicle. ■ Wheel lift equipment
The tow truck uses two pivoting arms that go under the front tires and lift them off
the ground. The rear tires remain on the ground. This is an acceptable way to
tow your vehicle.1Emergency Towing
NOTICE
Trying to lift or tow your vehicle by the bumpers will
cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed
to support the vehicle's weight.
NOTICE
Improper towing such as towing behind a
motorhome or other motor vehicle can damage the
transmission.
Never tow your vehicle with just a rope or chain.
It is very dangerous, since ropes or chains may shift
from side to side or break.

343
INDEX
SRS Airbags (Airbags)................................ 38
Starting the Engine .................................. 211
Does Not Start ........................................ 306
Engine Switch Buzzer .............................. 117
Jump Starting ......................................... 307
Steering Wheel ........................................ 124
Adjusting ................................................ 124
Stopping ................................................... 233
Summer Tires ............................................ 288
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) ....... 38
Switches (Around the Steering Wheel) ............................. 2, 3, 117
System Message Indicator ......................... 72
T
Tachometer ................................................ 78
Temperature
High Temperature Indicator ....... ............... 69
Low Temperature Indicator ....................... 74
Outside Temperature Display .................... 85
Temperature Sensor .................................. 85
Time (Setting) ............................................. 98
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) ..................................................... 225
Indicator ............................. 71, 72, 316, 317
Tires .......................................................... 280
Air Pressure............................. 281, 325, 327 Checking and Maintaining ...................... 280
Inspection ............................................... 280
Labeling .................................................. 281 Puncture (Flat Tire)................................... 299
Regulations ............................................. 283
Rotation .................................................. 287
Spare Tire ................................ 299, 325, 327
Summer .................................................. 288
Tire Chains .............................................. 288
Wear Indicators ....................................... 285
Winter ..................................................... 288
Tools .......................................................... 298
Towing a Trailer ....................................... 207
Equipment and Accessories ..................... 208
Load Limits .............................................. 207
Towing Your Vehicle ................................ 210
Emergency .............................................. 321
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring
System) .................................................... 225
Indicator .............................. 71, 72, 316, 317
Transmission ..................................... 215, 217
Automatic ............................................... 215
Fluid ................................................ 263, 264
Manual.................................................... 217
Number ................................................... 328
Shift Position Indicator ....................... 67, 216
Trip Meter ............................................. 80, 83
Troubleshooting ....................................... 297
Blown Fuse ...................................... 318, 319
Brake Pedal Vibrates .................................. 19
Buzzer Sounds When Opening Door .......... 20
Emergency Towing .................................. 321
Engine Won’t Start .................................. 306
Noise When Braking .................................. 20 Overheating ............................................ 311
Premium Gasoline ........................... 234, 326
Puncture/Flat Tire .................................... 299
Rear Door Won’t Open...................... 19, 104
Select Lever Won’t Move ......................... 310
Warning Indicators .................................... 66
Trunk ......................................................... 109
Lid........................................................... 109
Light Bulb........................................ 324, 326
Turn Signals .............................................. 118
Indicators (Instrument Panel) ..................... 73
U
Unlocking the Doors ................................ 101
Unlocking the Front Doors from the Inside ......................................... 11
USB Adapter Cable ........................... 144, 145
USB Flash Drives ....................................... 176
VValet Key ................................................... 100
Vanity Mirrors ............................................... 5
Vehicle Identification Number ................ 328
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®
).................. 223
Off Button............................................... 224
Off Indicator.............................................. 70
System Indicator ........................................ 70
Viscosity (Oil) ............................ 254, 325, 327
VSA ®
(Vehicle Stability Assist) .................. 223