2012 HONDA CIVIC hand brake

Visual Index
4Quick Reference Guide
❙Door Mirror Controls *
(P 125)
❙Passenger's Front Airbag
(P 38)
❙Parking Brake (P 229)
❙Glove Box (P 135)
❙Rearview Mirror (P 125)
❙Accessory Power Socket
(P 137)
❙Shift Lever
Automatic Transmission
(P 214)
Manual Transmission
(P 217)
❙Hood Release Handle (P 253)
❙Fuel Fill Door Release Handle (P 235)
❙Driver’s Pocket
❙Trunk Release (P 109)
❙Power Door Lock Master Switch *
(P 104)
❙Power Window Switches (P 114)
❙Auxiliary Input Jack*
(P 145)
❙Interior Fuse Box (P 319)
❙Driver's Front Airbag (P 38)

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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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Quick Reference GuideWhat to Do IfThe ignition switch does not turn from
(0 to (q .
Why? ●
The steering wheel may be locked.
● Try to turn the steering wheel left and right
while turning the ignition key.
The ignition switch does not turn from
(q to (0 and
I cannot remove the key.
Why? The shift lever should be moved to
(P
.
Why does the brake pedal pulsate slightly when
applying the brakes? This can occur when the ABS activates, and does not indicate a
problem. Apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. Never
pump the brake pedal.
The rear door cannot be
opened from inside the
vehicle. Why? Check if the childproof lock is in the
LOCK position. If so, open the rear door with the outside door handle.
To cancel this function, push the lever
to the UNLOCK position.

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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

Continued203
uuBefore DrivinguDriving Preparation
Driving
•Store or secure all items on board properly.
uCarrying too much cargo, or improp erly storing it, can affect your vehicle's
handling, stability, stopping distance, and tires, and make it unsafe. 2 Maximum Load Limit P. 205
• Do not pile items higher than the seat height.
uThey can block your view and may be thrown forward in the event of sudden
braking.
• Do not place anything in the front seat footwells. Make sure to secure the floor mat *
.
uAn object or unsecured floor mat can interfere with your brake and accelerator
pedal operation while driving.
• If you have any animals on board, do not let them move around in the vehicle.
uThey may interfere with driving and a crash could occur.
• Securely close and lock all doors and the trunk.
2 Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside P. 103
• Adjust your seating position properly.
uAdjust the head restraint, too.
2 Adjusting the Seats P. 126
2 Adjusting the Head Restraints P. 129
• Adjust the mirrors and steering wheel properly for your driving.
uAdjust them while sitting in the proper driving position.
2 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 125
2 Adjusting the Steering Wheel P. 124
■Interior Checks1Interior Checks
The headlight aim is set by the factory, and does not
need to be adjusted. However, if you regularly carry
heavy items in the trunk or tow a trailer, have the
aiming readjusted at a dealer or by a qualified
technician.
* Not available on all models

241
uuBefore Performing MaintenanceuSafety When Performing Maintenance
Maintenance
Safety When Performing Maintenance
Some of the most important safety precautions are given here.
However, we cannot warn you of every conceivable hazard that can arise in
performing maintenance. Only you can decide whether or not you should perform
a given task. • To reduce the possibility of fire or explosion, keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames
away from the battery and all fuel related parts.
• To clean parts, use a commercially available degreaser or parts cleaner, not
gasoline.
• Wear eye protection and protective clothing when working with the battery or
compressed air.
• Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which is poisonous and can kill you.
uOnly operate the engine if there is sufficient ventilation.
• The vehicle must be in a stationary condition.
uMake sure your vehicle is parked on level ground, the parking brake is set, and
the engine is off.
• Be aware that hot parts can burn you.
uMake sure to let the engine and exhaust system cool thoroughly before
touching vehicle parts.
• Be aware that moving parts can injure you.
uDo not start the engine unless instructed, and keep your hands and limbs away
from moving parts.
■Maintenance Safety
■Vehicle Safety
1Safety When Performing Maintenance
3WARNING
Improperly maintaining this vehicle or
failing to correct a problem before driving
can cause a crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the inspection and
maintenance recommendations according
to the schedules in this owner's manual.
3WARNING
Failure to properly follow maintenance
instructions and precautions can cause you
to be seriously hurt or killed.
Always follow the procedures and
precautions in this owner's manual.

251
Continued
Maintenance
Maintenance Under the Hood
Maintenance Items Under the Hood
1.8  engine models
Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Radiator Cap
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Handle)
Clutch Fluid
(Light Gray Cap)
Manual transmission
models
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Automatic
Transmission Fluid
Dipstick (Yellow Loop)
Automatic transmission
models
Battery

252
uuMaintenance Under the HooduMaintenance Items Under the Hood
Maintenance
2.4  engine models
Engine Oil Dipstick
(Orange Handle)
Washer Fluid
(Blue Cap)
Engine Coolant Reservoir
Radiator Cap Brake Fluid
(Black Cap)
Engine Oil Fill Cap
Clutch Fluid
(Light Gray Cap)
Battery