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