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. 
     
        
        Page 15 of 345
14
Quick Reference Guide
002300
75°F miles
  (P 155)On models with multi-information display
Multi-Information Display
AM Button FM Button
SCAN Button
SKIP/SEEK Button
Selector Knob
 Button
 (Sound) 
Button *
 (Power) 
Button
CD Button
AUX Button CD Slot
 (CD Eject) 
Button
Preset Buttons  (1-6)
 Button
SETUP ButtonSKIP/SEEK ButtonPHONE Button
*
●
Audio Remote Controls *
 (P 156)
●  /   Button
Press and release to adjust the volume up/ 
down.
● SOURCE Button 
Press and release to change the audio  
mode: FM1/FM2/AM/CD/AUX.
●  /   Button
Radio: Press and release to change the  preset station. 
Press and hold to select the next or 
previous strong station.
CD/USB device:
Press and release to skip to the  
beginning of the next song or  
return to the beginning of the 
current song. 
Press and hold to change a folder.
 /   /   /   Button+–
SOURCE  
Button
+–      
     
        
        Page 100 of 345

99
Continued
Controls
Locking and Unlocking the Doors
Key Types and Functions 
This vehicle comes with the following keys:
Use the keys to start and stop the engine, to  
lock and unlock the doors and to open the 
trunk. You can also use the remote  
transmitter*
 to lock and unlock the doors and 
to open the trunk. 
There is a panic button in the remote  
transmitter.
■Master Keys
1Key Types and Functions 
All of the keys have an immobilizer system. The  
immobilizer system helps to protect against vehicle  theft. 2 Immobilizer System  P. 112
The keys contain precision electronics.
Adhere to the following advice to prevent damage to  the electronics: • Do not leave the keys in direct sunlight, or in  
locations with high temperature or high humidity.
• Do not drop the keys or set heavy objects on them.
• Keep the keys away from liquids.
• Do not take the keys apart except for replacing the  
battery.
If the circuits in the keys are damaged, the engine  
may not start, and the remote transmitter may not  work. 
If the keys do not work properly, have them 
inspected by a dealer.
Black
* Not available on all models  
     
        
        Page 102 of 345

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 103 of 345

uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuLocking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside
102
Controls
Fully insert the key and turn it. ■ Locking the driver's door
Push the lock tab forward 
a or push the 
master door lock switch in the lock direction 
b, and close the door.
Pull and hold the outside door handle, then  
push the lock tab forward 
a.
Release the handle, then close the door.
■ Locking the passenger's doors
Push the lock tab forward and close the door.
■ Lockout prevention system
The doors cannot be locked when the key is in the ignition switch, and any door is open.
■Locking/Unlocking the Doors Using a Key1Locking/Unlocking the Doors Using a Key 
When you lock the driver's door with a key, all of the  
other doors lock at the same time. When unlocking, 
the driver's door unlocks first. Turn the key a second  
time within a few seconds to unlock the remaining  doors. 
You can customize the door unlock mode setting. 2 Customized Features  P. 86
Models with remote transmitter
Models with multi-information display
Lock
Unlock
■Locking a Door Without Using a Key1Locking a Door Without Using a Key 
When you lock the driver's door, all the other doors  
lock at the same time. 
Make sure you have the key in your hand before 
locking the door to prevent it from being locked in  the vehicle.
Models with remote transmitter
Models with remote transmitter
Models without remote transmitter
Models with remote transmitter      
     
        
        Page 104 of 345

103
uuLocking and Unlocking the DoorsuLocking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside
Continued
Controls
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside■Locking a door
Push the lock tab forward. ■ Unlocking a door
Pull the lock tab rearward. 
Pull the front door inner handle.
uThe door unlocks and opens in one  
motion.
■Using the Lock Tab1Using the Lock Tab 
When you lock the door using the lock tab on the  
driver's door, all of the other doors lock at the same  time. 
When you unlock the door using the lock tab on the  
driver's door, only the driver's door will unlock.
Models with remote transmitter
To Unlock Lock Tab
To Lock
■Unlocking Using the Inne
r Handle of Front Doors1Unlocking Using the Inner Handle of Front Doors 
The inner front door handles are designed to allow  
front seat occupants to open the door in one motion. 
However this feature requires that front seat 
occupants never pull a front door inner handle while  
the vehicle is in motion. 
Children should always ride in a rear seat where  
childproof door locks are provided.
2 Childproof Door Locks  P. 104
Inner  
Handle        
     
        
        Page 112 of 345
111
uuOpening and Closing the TrunkuUsing the Remote Transmitter*
Controls
Using the Remote Transmitter *
Press the trunk release button *
 for 
approximately one second to unlock and open  
the trunk.
Emergency Trunk Opener
The trunk release lever allows you to open the  
trunk from inside for your safety. 
Slide the release lever in the direction of the  arrow.
Trunk  
Button
1Emergency Trunk Opener 
Parents should decide if their children should be  
shown how to use this feature.
Lever
* Not available on all models    
     
        
        Page 113 of 345

112
Controls
Security System
Immobilizer System 
The immobilizer system prevents a key that has not been pre-registered from  
starting the engine. Each key contains electronic transmitters that use electronic  
signals to verify the key. 
Pay attention to the following when inserting the key into the ignition switch: •Do not allow objects that emit strong radio waves near the ignition switch.
• Make sure the key is not covered by or touching a metal object.
• Do not bring a key from another vehicle's immobilizer system near the ignition 
switch.
Security System Alarm *
The security system alarm activates when the doors, trunk, or hood are opened  
without the key, or remote transmitter. ■ When the security system alarm activates
The horn sounds intermittently and all of the exterior lights flash.■ To deactivate the security system alarm
Unlock the vehicle using the key, or remote transmitter. The system, along with the  
horn and flashing lights, is deactivated.
1Immobilizer System
NOTICE
Leaving the ignition key in the vehicle can result in  
theft or accidental movement of the vehicle.  
Always take the ignition key with you whenever you  
leave the vehicle unattended. 
Do not alter the system or add other devices to it. 
Doing so may damage the system and make your  
vehicle inoperable.
1Security System Alarm 
The security alarm continues for a maximum of two  
minutes until the security system deactivates.
* Not available on all models