
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 

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. 

9
Quick Reference GuideInstrument Panel (P 65)
U. S.
Canada
U. S.
Canada
System Indicators
Malfunction  
Indicator Lamp Low Oil Pressure  
Indicator 
Charging System  
Indicator 
Anti-lock Brake  System (ABS)  
Indicator 
Vehicle Stability  
Assist (VSA ®
) System 
Indicator 
VSA ®
 OFF Indicator
Low Tire Pressure  
Indicator*
/
Low Tire Pressure/
TPMS Indicator * Electric Power 
Steering (EPS) 
Indicator
Lights Reminders Lights On Indicator 
High Beam IndicatorFog Light Indicator *
Immobilizer System  
Indicator Seat Belt Reminder  
Indicator
System Indicators
Cruise Control  
Indicator *
System Message 
Indicator *
Parking Brake 
and Brake System  
Indicator Supplemental 
Restraint System 
Indicator 
Side Airbag Off  
Indicator
Door Open Indicator Cruise Main Indicator*
Tachometer Instant Fuel  
Economy Gauge
*
Speedometer
Fuel Gauge
Security Alarm 
System Indicator * Shift Lever Position Indicator
*Low Fuel Indicator
Gauges 
(P 78)/Information Display *
 (P 80) /
Multi-Information Display *
 (P 82) /System Indicators  (P 66)
Trunk Open Indicator
ECON Mode Indicator *
TPMS Indicator * Turn Signal and  
Hazard Warning 
Indicators
High Temperature 
Indicator
Low Temperature 
Indicator
Maintenance Minder  
Indicator *
Daytime Running 
Lights Indicator *
Washer Level 
Indicator *
i-VTEC  
Indicator 
REV  
Indicator2.4  engine models
Ambient Meter
*
*
 Not available on all models  

36
uuAirbagsuAirbag System Components
Safe Driving
The front, front side, and side curtain  
airbags are deployed according to the  
direction and severity of impact. The airbag  
system includes:
aTwo SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)  
front airbags. The driver's airbag is stored 
in the center of the steering wheel; the  
front passenger's airbag is stored in the  
dashboard. Both are marked "SRS AIRBAG."
bTwo side airbags, one for the driver and  
one for a front passenger. The airbags are  
stored in the outer edges of the seat- 
backs. Both are marked "SIDE AIRBAG."
cTwo side curtain airbags, one for each  
side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored 
in the ceiling, above the side windows.  
The front and rear pillars are marked  "SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG."
dAn electronic control unit that continually  
monitors and records information about  
the sensors, the airbag activators, the  
seat belt tensioners, and driver and front 
passenger seat belt use when the ignition  switch is in ON 
(w.
eAutomatic front seat belt tensioners. The  
driver's and front passenger's seat belts  
incorporate sensors that detect whether 
or not they are fastened.
fA driver's seat position sensor. If the seat  
is too far forward, the airbag will inflate  
with less force.
gWeight sensors in the front passenger's  
seat. The front passenger's airbag will be  
turned off if the weight on the seat is 65 
lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant  
or small child).
hImpact sensors that can detect a  
moderate to severe front or side collision.
iAn indicator on the dashboard that alerts  
you that the front passenger's front  
airbag has been turned off.
jSensors that can detect if a child or small  
statured adult is in the deployment path  
of the front passenger's side airbag.
kAn indicator on the instrument panel that  
alerts you to a possible problem with your 
airbag system or seat belt tensioners.
lAn indicator on the instrument panel that  
alerts you that the front passenger's side  
airbag has been turned off. 

65
Instrument Panel
This chapter describes the buttons, indicators, and gauges that are used while driving.
Indicators ............................................ 66
Multi-Information Display Warning and 
Information Messages *
.................... 76
Gauges and Displays
Gauges .............................................. 78 
Information Display *
.......................... 80
Multi-Information Display *
................. 82
* 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     

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   

68
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage*
Transmission  
Indicator
*
●
Comes on for a few seconds when  
you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w , then goes off.
● Blinks if the transmission system has  a problem.
●Blinks while driving  - Avoid sudden 
starts and acceleration and have the  vehicle checked by a dealer  
immediately.
Seat Belt  
Reminder 
Indicator
● Comes on and the beeper sounds if  
you are not wearing a seat belt when  
you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w . If the front passenger is not 
wearing a seat belt, the indicator  
comes on about six seconds later.
● Blinks while driving if either you or  the front passenger has not fastened  
a seat belt. The beeper sounds and 
the indicator blinks at regular  intervals.
●
The beeper stops and the indicator goes  
off when you and the front passenger  fasten their seat belts.
● Stays on after you or the front  
passenger has fastened the seat  
belt  - A detection error may have 
occurred in the sens or. Have the vehicle 
checked by a dealer. 2Seat Belt Reminder  P. 29
Low Fuel  
Indicator
●
Comes on when the fuel reserve is  
running low (approximately 1.9 U.S. gal./7.5 Liter left).
● Blinks if there is a problem with the 
fuel gauge.●Comes on  - Refuel your vehicle as soon 
as possible.
● Blinks  - Have the vehicle checked by a 
dealer.
* Not available on all models