
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 

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.          

72
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Low Tire  Pressure  
Indicator 
Low Tire  Pressure/ TPMS  
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when you  
turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w .
● Comes on if the tire pressure of any of the  
tires becomes significantly low.
● Comes on for a while and then goes off 
when a compact spare tire is temporarily 
installed.
● Blinks for about one minute, and then 
stays on if there is a problem with the  
TPMS, or when a compact spare tire is  
temporarily installed.
●
Comes on while driving  - Stop in a 
safe place, check tire pressures, and  
inflate the tire(s) if necessary.
● Blinks and remains on  - Have the 
vehicle checked by a dealer. If the  
vehicle is fitted with a compact spare,  
get your regular tire repaired or 
replaced and put back on your vehicle  
as soon as you can.
System  
Message  
Indicator *
●
Comes on for a few seconds when you  
turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w , then 
goes off.
● Comes on along with a beep when a  
problem is detected. A system message on  
the multi-information display appears at  
the same time.
● While the indicator is on, press the 
 (display/information) button to 
see the message again.
● Refer to the Indicators information in  
this chapter when a system message  
appears on the multi-information  
display. Take the appropriate action for the message.
● The multi-information display does not return  
to the normal screen unless the warning is  
canceled, or the   button is pressed.
—
U.S. 
models  only
Models with 
information 
display
Models with 
multi-
information 
display
Models with information display
Models with multi-information displayModels with multi-information display
* Not available on all models   

225
uuWhen DrivinguTPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
Driving
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)Monitors the tire pressure while you are  
driving. If your vehicle's tire pressure becomes 
significantly low, the low tire pressure  
indicator comes on. 
Monitors the tire pressure while you are  
driving. If your vehicle's tire pressure becomes  
significantly low, the low tire pressure/TPMS 
indicator comes on and a message appears on  
the multi-information display. 
“CHECK TIRE PRESSURE” is displayed when a  
tire has significantly low pressure. 
U.S. models only
1TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) 
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and  
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can 
trigger the low tire pressure indicator to come on.2 If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes On  P. 316
Tire pressure checked and inflated in: • Warm weather can become under-inflated in  
colder weather.
• Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer weather.
The low tire pressure indicator will not come on as a  
result of over inflation. 
Conditions such as low ambient temperature and  
altitude change directly affect tire pressure and can  
trigger the low tire pressure/TPMS indicator to come  on. 2 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator  
Comes On or Blinks  P. 317
Tire pressure checked and inflated in:
• Warm weather can become under-inflated in  
colder weather.
• Cold weather can become over-inflated in warmer  weather.
The low tire pressure/TPMS indicator will not come 
on as a result of over inflation.
Models with information display
Models with multi-information display
Models with information display
Models with multi-information display    

226
uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Driving
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required 
Federal Explanation Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked 
monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure  
recommended by the vehicle manufactu rer on the vehicle placard 
or tire inflation pressure label. 
(If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated  
on the vehicle placard or tire  inflation pressure label, you should 
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.) 
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with  
a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low 
tire pressure telltale  
when one or more of your tires is  significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you  
should stop and check yo ur tires as soon as possible, and inflate 
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly  under-inflated tire causes the tire to 
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces  
fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's  
handling and stopping ability.
U.S. models 

227
uuWhen DrivinguTire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Required Federal Explanation
Continued
Driving
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire  
maintenance, and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain 
correct tire pressure, even if u nder-inflation has not reached the 
level to trigger il lumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction  
indicator to indicate when the sy stem is not operating properly. 
The TPMS malfunction indic ator is provided by a separate telltale, 
which displays the  symbol “TPMS” when illuminated.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,  
the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as  
intended.  
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, including  
the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the 
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. 
Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or  
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the 
replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Models with information display 

280
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Tires
Checking Tires 
To safely operate your vehicle, your tires must be of the proper type and size, in  
good condition with adequate tread, and properly inflated. ■Inflation guidelines
Properly inflated tires provide the best  combination of handling, tread life, and comfort. 
Refer to the driver’s doorjamb label or specification’s  page for the specified pressure.
Underinflated tires wear unevenly, adversely affect handling and fuel economy, and  
are more likely to fail from overheating. 
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards,  and wear unevenly. 
Every day before you drive, look at each of the tires. If one looks lower than the  
others, check the pressure with a tire gauge. 
At least once a month or before long trips, use a gauge to measure the pressure in  
all tires, including the spare. Even tires in good condition can lose 1 to 2 psi (10 to  
20 kPa, 0.1 to 0.2 kgf/cm 2
) per month.
■ Inspection guidelines
Every time you check inflation, also examine the tires and valve stems.Look for:• Bumps or bulges on the side or in the tread. Replace the tire if you find any cuts,  
splits, or cracks in the side of the tire. Replace it if you see fabric or cord.
• Remove any foreign objects and inspect for air leaks.
• Uneven tread wear. Have a dealer check the wheel alignment.
• Excessive tread wear.
2 Wear Indicators  P. 285
• Cracks or other damage around valve stem.
1Checking Tires 
Measure the air pressure when tires are cold. This  
means the vehicle has been parked for at least three  
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). If  
necessary, add or release air until the specified 
pressure is reached. 
If checked when hot, tire pressure can be as much as  
4–6 psi (30–40 kPa, 0.3–0.4 kgf/cm 2
) higher than if 
checked when cold. 
Have a dealer check the tires if you feel a consistent  
vibration while driving. New tires and any that have  
been removed and reinstalled should be properly balanced.
3WARNING
Using tires that are excessively worn or  
improperly inflated can cause a crash in  
which you can be seriously hurt or killed. 
Follow all instruction s in this owner’s 
manual regarding tire inflation and  
maintenance. 

uuChecking and Maintaining TiresuTire Labeling
282
Maintenance
The tire identification number (TIN) is a group of numbers and letters that look like  
the example in the side column. TIN is located on the sidewall of the tire. 
Cold Tire Pressure  – The tire air pressure when the vehicle has been parked for at 
least three hours or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). 
Load Rating  – Means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given 
inflation pressure. 
Maximum Inflation Pressure  – The maximum tire air pressure that the tire can 
hold. 
Maximum Load Rating  – Means the load rating for a tire at the maximum 
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
Recommended Inflation Pressure  – The cold tire inflation pressure recommended 
by the manufacturer. 
Treadwear Indicators (TWI)  – Means the projections within the principal grooves 
designed to give a vi sual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread.
■Tire Identification Number (TIN)
■Glossary of Tire Terminology
1Tire Identification Number (TIN)
DOT B97R FW6X 2209 
DOT: This indicates that the tire meets all  
requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 
B97R: Manufacturer's identification mark. 
FW6X: Tire type code.
22 09: Date of manufacture.
Year 
Week