
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. 

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.          

297
Handling the UnexpectedThis chapter explains how to h andle unexpected troubles.
Tools
Types of Tools .................................. 298
If a Tire Goes Flat Changing a Flat Tire ......................... 299
Engine Does Not Start Checking the Engine ........................ 306
Jump Starting .................................... 307
Shift Lever Does Not Move .............. 310
Overheating How to Handle Overheating ............. 311 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking
If the Low Oil Pressure Indicator Comes 
On ............................................. 313
If the Charging System Indicator Comes 
On ................................................. 313
If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes  On or Blinks ................................... 314
If the Brake System Indicator Comes On ....... 315
If the EPS Indicator Comes On.......... 315 
If the Low Tire Pressure Indicator Comes 
On ................................................. 316
If the TPMS Indicator Comes On ...... 316 If the Low Tire Pressure/TPMS Indicator 
Comes On or Blinks ....................... 317
Fuses Fuse Locations ................................. 318 
Inspecting and Changing Fuses ........ 320
Emergency Towing ........................... 321  

306
Handling the Unexpected
Engine Does Not Start
Checking the Engine 
If the engine does not start, turn the ignition switch to START 
(e and check the 
starter.
Starter conditionChecklist
Starter doesn’t turn or turns  
over slowly. 
The battery may be dead. Check  
each of the items on the right and  
respond accordingly.Check brightness of the interior light. 
Turn on interior lights and check brightness. ● If the interior lights are dim or do not come on at all
2Battery  P. 289
● If the interior lights come on normally  2 Fuses  P. 318
The starter turns over normally  
but the engine doesn’t start. 
There may be a problem with the  
fuse. Check each of the items on  
the right and respond accordingly.Review the engine start procedure. 
Follow its instructions, and try to start the engine again. 
2 Starting the Engine  P. 211
Check the immobilizer system indicator. 
When the immobilizer system indicator is blinking, the engine cannot be started.
2Immobilizer System  P. 112
Check the fuel level. 
There should be enough fuel in the tank.  2 Fuel Gauge  P. 78
Check the fuse. 
Check all fuses, or have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Inspecting and Changing Fuses  P. 320
If the problem continues:
2Emergency Towing  P. 321
1Checking the Engine 
If you must start the vehicle immediately, use an  
assisting vehicle to jump start it.
2 Jump Starting  P. 307 

307
Continued
Handling the Unexpected
Jump Starting
Turn off the power to electric devices, such as audio and lights. Turn off the engine,  
then open the hood.
1.Connect the first jumper cable to your 
vehicle's battery  + terminal.
2. Connect the other end of the first jumper  
cable to the assisting vehicle's  + terminal.
uUse a 12-volt booster battery only.
3. Connect the second jumper cable to the  
assisting vehicle's  - terminal.
■Jump Starting Procedure1Jump Starting 
Securely attach the jumper cables clips so that they  
do not come off when the engine vibrates. Also be  
careful not to tangle the jumper cables or allow the  
cable ends to touch each other while attaching or  
detaching the jumper cables.
3WARNING
A battery can explode if you do not follow  
the correct procedure, seriously injuring 
anyone nearby. 
Keep all sparks, open flames, and smoking  
materials away from the battery.
Booster Battery
1.8  engine models
2.4  engine models
Booster Battery   

uuJump Startingu
308
Handling the Unexpected
4.Connect the other end of the second  
jumper cable to the engine mounting bolt  
as shown. 
Do not connect this jumper cable to any 
other part.
5. If your vehicle is connected to another 
vehicle, start the assisting vehicle's engine 
and increase its rpm slightly.
6. Attempt to start your vehicle's engine. If it 
turns over slowly, check that the jumper 
cables have good metal-to-metal contact.1Jump Starting 
Battery performance degrades in cold conditions and  
may prevent the engine from starting.1.8  engine models
2.4  engine models   

309
uuJump Startingu
Handling the Unexpected
Once your vehicle's engine has started, remove the jumper cables in the following order. 1. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle's ground.
2. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle's battery  - terminal.
3. Disconnect the jumper cable from your vehicle's battery  + terminal.
4. Disconnect the other end of the jumper cable from the assisting vehicle's battery + terminal.
Have your vehicle inspected by a nearby service station or a dealer.
■What to Do After the Engine Starts 

INDEX
337
INDEX
INDEX
A 
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)..................  231
Accessories and Modifications ................  238
Accessory Power Sockets .........................  137
Additives Coolant ..................................................  261 
Engine Oil ...............................................  254 
Washer ...................................................  267
Additives, Engine Oil ...............................  254
Adjusting
Armrest ..................................................  133 
Front Seats..............................................  126 
Head Restraints .......................................  129 
Mirrors....................................................  125 
Rear Seats ...............................................  132
Steering Wheel .......................................  124 
Temperature .............................................  85
Air Conditioning System (Heating and  Cooling System) ......................................  140
Cooling...................................................  142 
Defrosting the Windshield and  Windows ..............................................  142
Dust and Pollen Filter ..............................  291 
Heating...................................................  141
Air Pressure ..............................  281, 325, 327
Airbags .......................................................  35
Advanced Airbags .....................................  41
After a Collision ........................................  39
Airbag Care ..............................................  49 
Event Data Recorder .................................  21 
Front Airbags (SRS) ...................................  38 Indicator ........................................  46, 69, 73 
Passenger Airbag Off Indicator ..................  47 
Sensors......................................................  35
Side Airbag Cutoff System .........................  44 
Side Airbag Off Indicator ...........................  48 
Side Airbags ..............................................  42
Side Curtain Airbags ..................................  45
AM/FM Radio ....................................  149, 158
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ..................  231
Indicator ....................................................  69
Armrest .....................................................  133
Audio Remote Controls ............................  156
Audio System ............................................  144
Adjusting the Sound ........................  148, 157
Auxiliary Input Jack ..................................  145
Error Messages ........................................  172 
General Information ................................  174 
MP3/WMA/AAC ......................................  167
Reactivating.............................................  146 
Recommended CDs .................................  174 
Recommended Devices ............................  176 
Remote Controls .....................................  156 
Security Code ..........................................  146 
Theft Protection.......................................  146
USB Adapter Cable ..................................  145 
USB Flash Drives ......................................  176
Authorized Manuals .................................  335
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .................  105
Customize ...................................  88, 92, 106
Automatic Lighting ..................................  119
Automatic Transmission ...........................  214 Creeping .................................................  214
Fluid ........................................................  263 
Kickdown ................................................  214
Operating the Shift Lever...................  15, 216 
Shift Lever Does Not Move ......................  310 
Shifting ...................................................  215
Auxiliary Input Jack ..................................  145
Average Fuel Economy ........................  81, 84
Average Speed ...........................................  84
B 
Battery ......................................................  289
Charging System Indicator.................  67, 313 
Jump Starting ..........................................  307 
Maintenance (Checking the Battery) ........  289 
Maintenance (Replacing) .........................  290
Belts (Seat) ..................................................  28
Beverage Holders .....................................  136
Bluetooth ®
 Audio .....................................  170
Bluetooth ®
 HandsFreeLink ®
.....................  177
Booster Seats (For Children) ......................  61
Brake System ............................................  229
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)...................  231 
Brake Assist System .................................  232 
Fluid ........................................................  266
Foot Brake...............................................  230 
Indicator............................................  66, 315 
Parking Brake ..........................................  229
Brightness Control (Instrument Panel) ....  122