2012 HONDA CIVIC fluid

10
Quick Reference GuideControls (P 97)
Turn Signals (P 118)
Turn Signal Control Lever
Right
Left Lights
(P 118)Light Control Switches
Low Beam High Beam
Flashing
Wipers and Washers
(P 121)
Wiper/Washer Control Lever Adjustment Ring: Long Delay
: Short Delay
MIST OFF
INT: Low speed with intermittent
LO: Low speed wipe
HI: High speed wipe Pull toward
you to spray
washer fluid.

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

66
Instrument Panel
Indicators
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Parking Brake and Brake
System Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and goes off when it is released.
● Comes on when the brake fluid
level is low.
● Comes on if there is a problem
with the brake system.
● The beeper sounds and the
indicator comes on if you drive
with the parking brake not fully released.
●
Comes on while driving - Make sure
the parking brake is released. Check the
brake fluid level. 2What to do when the indicator
comes on P. 315
● Comes on along with the ABS
indicator - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer. 2If the Brake System Indicator Comes On P. 315
Low Oil Pressure
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w , and goes
off when the engine starts.
● Comes on when the engine oil
pressure is low.
● Comes on while driving - Immediately
stop in a safe place. 2If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator
Comes On P. 313
U.S.
Canada
* Not available on all models

75
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
ECON Mode
Indicator
*
●
Comes on when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w , and goes
off when the engine starts.
● Comes on when you press the ECON
button.
2 ECON Button P. 123
CRUISE MAIN
Indicator*●
Comes on when you press the
CRUISE button.
2 Cruise Control P. 220—
CRUISE CONTROL
Indicator*●
Comes on if you have set a speed for
cruise control.
2 Cruise Control P. 220—
Washer Level
Indicator*●
Comes on when washer fluid gets
low.● Refill washer fluid.
2Refilling Window Washer Fluid
P. 267
—
Maintenance
Minder Indicator *●
Comes on when the scheduled
maintenance is due soon.2 Maintenance Minder™ P. 243—
i-VTEC Indicator*
●
Comes on when the i-VTEC system
switches the low RPM cams to the
high RPM cams.● When the i-VTEC indicator comes on,
the REV indicator begins to come on
simultaneously.
2i-VTEC indicator P. 79
—
REV Indicators*
●
Come on when the tachometer
reading approaches the red zone.
2 REV indicators P. 79—
Indicator
Indicator
* Not available on all models

76
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages *
Instrument Panel
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages *
The following messages appear only on the multi-information display. Press the (display/information) button to see the message
again with the system message indicator on.
MessageConditionExplanation
● Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not
installed.
2 Check/Tighten Fuel Cap Message P. 314
●
Appears if there is a problem with the DRL system.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Daytime Running Lights P. 120
●
Appears when washer fluid gets low.●Refill washer fluid.
2Refilling Window Washer Fluid P. 267Canadian models
* Not available on all models

121
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluWipers and Washers
Controls
Wipers and WashersThe windshield wipers and washers can be
used when the ignition switch is in ON
(w.
■ MIST
The wipers run at high speed until you release
the lever. ■ Wiper switch (OFF, INT, LO, HI)
Change the wiper switch setting according to
the amount of rain. ■ Adjusting the delay
Turn the adjustment ring to adjust the wiper
delay. ■ Washer
Sprays while you pull the lever toward you.
When you release the lever, the wipers make
two or three more sweeps before stopping.
1Wipers and Washers
NOTICE
Do not use the wipers when the windshield is dry.
The windshield will get scratched, or the rubber
blades will get damaged.
NOTICE
In cold weather, the blades may freeze to the
windshield, becoming stuck.
Operating the wipers in this condition may damage
the wipers. Use the defroster to warm the
windshield, then turn the wipers on.
If the vehicle speeds up while the wipers are
operating intermittently, the length of the wipe
interval shortens. When the vehicle starts moving, the
wipers make a single sweep.
When the vehicle speeds up, the wiper operation’s
shortest delay setting ( ) and the LO setting become the same.
Turn the washers off if no washer fluid comes out.
The pump may get damaged.
Intermittent Time
Adjustment Ring
MIST
INT: Low speed with
intermittent
OFF
LO: Low speed wipe
HI: High speed wipe
Pull to use
washer.
Long delay
Short delay

213
uuWhen DrivinguPrecautions While Driving
Driving
Precautions While Driving
Avoid driving in deep water and on flooded roads. This can damage the engine or
cause electrical component failure.
If there is a strong impact with something under the vehicle, stop in a safe location.
Check the underside of the vehicle for damage or any fluid leaks.
■In Rain
■Other Precautions
1Precautions While Driving
NOTICE
Do not operate the shift lever while pressing the
accelerator pedal. You could damage the
transmission.
If the ignition switch is turned to ACCESSORY
(q or
LOCK
(0 while driving, the engine will shut down
and all steering and brake power assist functions will
stop, making it difficult to control the vehicle.
Do not put the shift lever in
(N , as you will lose
engine braking (and acceleration) performance.
During the first 600 miles (1,000 km) of operation,
avoid sudden acceleration or full throttle operation so
as to not damage the engine or powertrain.
Avoid hard braking for the first 200 miles (300 km).
You should also follow this when the brake pads are
replaced.
NOTICE
The following can damage the under spoiler: • Parking the vehicle by a parking block
• Parallel parking along the road shoulder
• Driving towards the bottom of a hill
• Driving up or down to a different surface level
(such as a road shoulder)
• Driving on a rutted or bumpy road
• Driving on a road with potholes.
2.4  engine models

239
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance Inspection and Maintenance ............ 240
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 241
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 242
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 243
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 251
Opening the Hood ........................... 253
Recommended Engine Oil ...... .......... 254
Oil Check ......................................... 255
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 257
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 258
Engine Coolant ................................ 261
Transmission Fluid ............................ 263
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 266
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 267
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 268
Checking and Maintaining Wiper
Blades .......................................... 278
Checking and Maintaining Tires Checking Tires ................................. 280
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 281
Tire Labeling .................................... 281
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 283
Wear Indicators................................ 285 Tire Service Life ................................ 285
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 286
Tire Rotation .................................... 287
Winter Tires ..................................... 288
Battery ............................................... 289
Remote Transmitter Care *
Replacing the Battery ....................... 290
Heating and Cooling *
System
Maintenance ................................... 291
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 292
Exterior Care.................................... 294
* Not available on all models