Page 2 of 345

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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91
uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display*
Continued
Instrument Panel
*1: Not available on all models 
*2: Default SettingSetup Group Customizable Features Description Selectable settings
Customize  
Settings Trip  Computer  SetupAdjust  
Outside Temp.  
Display
*1 Adjusts the temperature reading by a few degrees.
-5°F ~ ±0°F
*2
 ~ +5°F (U.S.)
-3°C ~ ±0°C *2
 ~ +3°C (Canada)
Trip A Reset 
with Refuel Set Trip A and the average fuel economy to reset 
when you refuel.
On/Off
*2
Display  km/miles Changes the displayed measurement on the multi-information display.
Auto
*2
/km/miles
Fuel Efficiency  
Backlight Turns the ambient meter feature on and off. On
*2
/Off
Lighting Setup Interior Light 
Dimming Time
Changes the length of time the interior lights stay on 
after you close the doors.
60sec/30sec
*2
/15sec
Headlight  Auto Off  
Timer Changes the length of time the exterior lights stay 
on after you close the driver’s door.
60sec/30sec/15sec
*2
/0sec
Auto Light Sensitivity *1Changes the timing for the headlights to come on. Max/High/Mid
*2
/Low/Min 
     
        
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97
Controls
This chapter explains how to operate the various controls necessary for driving.
Setting the Clock ................................ 98
Locking and Unlocking the Doors
Key Types and Functions ... ................. 99
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the  Outside .......................................... 101
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the 
Inside ............................................. 103
Childproof Door Locks ..................... 104 
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking *
........ 105
Opening and Closing the Trunk ....... 109
Security System ................................ 112
Immobilizer System .......................... 112 
Security System Alarm *
.................... 112
Opening and Closing the Windows ..... 114Opening and Closing the Moonroof*...... 116Operating the Switches Around the 
Steering WheelIgnition Switch ................................. 117 
Turn Signals ..................................... 118 
Light Switches.................................. 118Fog Lights *
...................................... 120
Daytime Running Lights ................... 120
Wipers and Washers ........................ 121 
Brightness Control ........................... 122 Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror *
 
Button ........................................... 123
ECON Button *
................................. 123
Adjusting the Steering Wheel........... 124 Adjusting the Mirrors
....................... 125
Interior Rearview Mirror ................... 125 
Power Door Mirrors *
....................... 125
Adjusting the Seats .......................... 126
Adjusting the Seat Positions ............. 126
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience  Items ................................................ 134
Interior Lights .................................. 134 
Interior Convenience Items .............. 135
Heating and Cooling *
....................... 140
Using Vents, Heating and A/C *
........ 140
* Not available on all models  
     
        
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101
uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuLocking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside
Continued
Controls
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside■Locking the doors
Press the LOCK button. 
Once:
uSome exterior lights will flash, all the  
doors will lock, and the security system  sets.
Twice (within five seconds after the first  
push):
uA beeper sounds and verifies the security  
system is set.
■ Unlocking the doors
Press the UNLOCK button.
Once:
uSome exterior lights will flash twice, and  
the driver's door unlocks.
Twice:
uThe remaining doors unlock.
■Using the Remote Transmitter *1Using the Remote Transmitter 
If you do not open a door within 30 seconds of  
unlocking the vehicle with the remote transmitter,  
the doors will automatically relock. 
You can change the relock timer setting.
2 Customized Features  P. 86
If the interior light switch is in the door activated 
position, the interior lights come on when you press  
the UNLOCK button. 
No doors opened: The lights fade out after 30 
seconds. 
Doors relocked with the remote: The lights go off  immediately. 2 Interior Lights  P. 134
The remote transmitter uses low-power signals, so  
the operating range may vary depending on the  
surroundings. 
The remote will not lock the vehicle when a door is  open. 
If the distance at which it works varies, the battery is  probably low. 
If the LED does not come on when you press a 
button, the battery is dead. 2 Replacing the Battery  P. 290
You can customize the door unlock mode setting. 2 Customized Features  P. 86
Models with multi-information display
LED 
Unlock  
Button Lock 
Button
* Not available on all models   
     
        
        Page 126 of 345
125
Controls
Adjusting the Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirror 
Adjust the angle of the rearview mirror when you are sitting in the correct driving  
position.Flip the tab to switch the position.
The night position will help to reduce the glare  
from headlights behind you when driving  after dark.
Power Door Mirrors*
You can adjust the door mirrors when the  
ignition switch is in ON 
(w.
■ Mirror position adjustment
L/R selector switch:  Select the left or right 
mirror. After adjusting the mirror, return the  
switch to the center position. 
Mirror position adjustment switch:  Press 
the switch left, right, up, or down to move the  
mirror.
■Rearview Mirror with Day and Night Positions
1Adjusting the Mirrors 
Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and  
adjusted for best visibility. 
Adjust the mirrors before you start driving. 2 Adjusting the Seat Positions  P. 126
Tab
Daytime  Position
Night PositionUp
Down
Selector  
Switch
Adjustment  
Switch
* Not available on all models    
     
        
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134
Controls
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items
Interior Lights■ON
The interior lights come on regardless of  
whether the doors are open or closed. ■ Door activated
The interior lights come on in the following  
situations: • When any of the doors are opened.
• You unlock the driver's door.
• You remove the key from the ignition 
switch.
■ OFF
The interior lights remain off regardless of 
whether the doors are open or closed. 
The map lights can be turned on and off by  
pressing the lenses.
■Interior Light Switches1Interior Light Switches 
In the door activated position, the interior lights fade  
out and go off about 30 seconds after the doors are closed. 
The lights go off after 30 seconds in the following  
situations:• When you unlock the driver's door but do not open  it.
• When you remove the key from the ignition switch  
but do not open a door.
You can change the interior lights dimming time. 2 Customized Features  P. 86
The interior lights go off immediately in the following  
situations: • When you lock the driver's door.
• When you close the driver's door with the key in  
the ignition switch.
• When you turn the ignition switch to ON 
(w .
If you leave any of the doors open without the key in  
the ignition switch, the interior lights go off after  
about 15 minutes.
Models with multi-information display
All models
Door Activated Position
Off
Front
Door Activated Position
On
Off
Rear
■Map Lights
*
1Map Lights 
When the ceiling light switch is in the door activated  
position and any door is open, the map light will not  
go off when you press the lens.
* Not available on all models      
     
        
        Page 136 of 345
135
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Continued
Controls
Interior Convenience ItemsPull the handle to open the glove box. 
Pull the handle to open the console  compartment.
■Glove Box1Glove Box
3WARNING
An open glove box can cause serious injury  
to your passenger in a crash, even if the  
passenger is wearing the seat belt. 
Always keep the glove box closed while  
driving.
■Console Compartment    
     
        
        Page 137 of 345
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
136
Controls
■ Front seat beverage holders
Are located in the console between the front  seats. ■ Rear seat beverage holders *
Fold the armrest down to use the rear seat  
beverage holders.
■Beverage Holders1Beverage Holders
NOTICE
Spilled liquids damage the upholstery, carpeting, and  
electrical components in the interior. 
Be careful when you are using the beverage holders.  
Hot liquid can scald you.
* Not available on all models