Page 1 of 345

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 
     
        
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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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2
Quick Reference Guide
Quick Reference Guide
Visual Index
❙System Indicators (P 66)
❙Gauges (P 78)
❙Information Display *
 (P 80)
❙Navigation System *
 
()  See Navigation System Manual
❙Audio System *
 (P 144)
❙Hazard Warning Button
❙Heating and Cooling *
 System 
(P 140)
❙Rear Window Defogger  (P 123) 
❙Seat Heater Switches *
 (P 139)
❙Ignition Switch  (P 117)
❙Steering Wheel Adjustments  
(P 124)
❙ (Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®
) 
System OFF) Button *
 (P 223)
❙ECON Button *
 (P 123)
❙Multi-Information Display *
 (P 82)
❙Heated Mirror Button *
 (P 123)  
❙ (Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®
) 
System OFF) Button *
 (P 223)            
     
        
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12
Quick Reference Guide
Heating and Cooling*
 System  (P 140)
● Rotate the fan control dial to adjust the fan speed and airflow.
● Press the Mode buttons (  /   /   /  ) to select the vents air flows from.
● Rotate the temperature control dial to adjust the temperature.
● Use the   button for maximum cool setting.
● Rotate the fan control dial to OFF to turn the system off.
● Press the   button to defrost the windshield.
Fan Control  Dial
(Rear Window Defogger/ Heated Mirror *
) Button
 (Windshield 
Defroster) Button
A/C (Air Conditioning) Button *
Air flows from floor and  
windshield defroster vents.
Air flows from floor vents.
Air flows from floor and 
dashboard vents.
Air flows from dashboard 
vents.
 Button
 Button
 Button
*
(Recirculation) Button
Temperature  
Control Dial Button
 Button
Clock 
(P 98)
a Press the CLOCK knob to access the  
clock adjustment mode screen.
b Turn the CLOCK knob to adjust the 
hours.
c Press the CLOCK knob. The display 
switches to minute adjustment.
d Turn the CLOCK knob to adjust the 
minutes.
e Press the CLOCK knob to complete clock adjustment.
The navigation system receives signals from  
GPS satellites, updating the clock  
automatically.
Models without navigation system
Models with navigation system    
     
        
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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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62
Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas 
The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,  
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon  
monoxide gas will not get into the interior. ■Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the trunk open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into  
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the trunk open,  
open all the windows and set the heating and cooling *
 system as shown below.
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the   mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the heating and cooling *
 system in the same manner if you sit in your parked 
vehicle with the engine running.
1Carbon Monoxide Gas 
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up  with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.  
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the  
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic. 
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and  
even kill you. 
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that  
expose you to carbon monoxide.
* Not available on all models 
     
        
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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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69
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
ABS (Anti-lock  
Brake System)  
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when  
you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w , then goes off.
● If it comes on at any other time, there  
is a problem with the ABS.
● Stays on constantly  - Have the 
vehicle checked by a dealer. With this  
indicator on, your vehicle still has  
normal braking ability but no anti-lock 
function. 2ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)  
P. 231
Supplemental  
Restraint System 
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when  
you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on if a problem with any of  
the following is detected:-Supplemental restraint system
- Side airbag system
- Side curtain airbag system
- Seat belt tensioner
●
Stays on constantly or does not  
come on at all  - Have the vehicle 
checked by a dealer.
High Temperature  
Indicator
● Comes on for a few seconds when  
you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w , then goes off.
● Blinks when the engine coolant  
temperature goes up, and stays on if  
the temperature continues to rise.
● Blinks while driving  - Drive slowly to 
prevent overheating.
● Stays on while driving  - Immediately 
stop in a safe place and allow the  
engine to cool. 2Overheating  P. 311
* Not available on all models