
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 

17
Quick Reference GuideMaintenance (P 239)
Under the Hood (P 251)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer  
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid and clutch fluid.
● Check the battery regularly.
a Pull the hood release handle under the corner of the  
dashboard.
b Locate the hood latch lever, pull the lever up, and lift up 
the hood.
c When finished, close the hood and make sure it is firmly 
locked in place.
Lights  (P 268)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades 
(P 278)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks  
across the windshield.
Tires  (P 280)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter 
driving.
* Not available on all models       

121
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluWipers and Washers
Controls
Wipers and WashersThe windshield wipers and washers can be  
used when the ignition switch is in ON 
(w.
■ MIST
The wipers run at high speed until you release  
the lever. ■ Wiper switch (OFF, INT, LO, HI)
Change the wiper switch setting according to  
the amount of rain. ■ Adjusting the delay
Turn the adjustment ring to adjust the wiper  
delay. ■ Washer
Sprays while you pull the lever toward you. 
When you release the lever, the wipers make  
two or three more sweeps before stopping.
1Wipers and Washers
NOTICE
Do not use the wipers when the windshield is dry. 
The windshield will get scratched, or the rubber  
blades will get damaged.
NOTICE
In cold weather, the blades may freeze to the  
windshield, becoming stuck.
Operating the wipers in this condition may damage  
the wipers. Use the defroster to warm the  
windshield, then turn the wipers on. 
If the vehicle speeds up while the wipers are  
operating intermittently, the length of the wipe  
interval shortens. When the vehicle starts moving, the  
wipers make a single sweep. 
When the vehicle speeds up, the wiper operation’s  
shortest delay setting ( ) and the LO setting become  the same. 
Turn the washers off if no washer fluid comes out. 
The pump may get damaged.
Intermittent Time  
Adjustment Ring
 MIST
 INT: Low speed with
              intermittent
 OFF
 LO: Low speed wipe
 HI: High speed wipe
Pull to  use 
washer.
Long delay 
Short delay  

239
Maintenance
This chapter discusses basic maintenance.
Before Performing Maintenance Inspection and Maintenance ............ 240
Safety When Performing Maintenance..... 241
Parts and Fluids Used in Maintenance Service ........................................... 242
Maintenance Minder™ .................... 243
Maintenance Under the Hood Maintenance Items Under the Hood ..... 251 
Opening the Hood ........................... 253 
Recommended Engine Oil ...... .......... 254
Oil Check ......................................... 255 
Adding Engine Oil ............................ 257
Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter ..... 258
Engine Coolant ................................ 261
Transmission Fluid ............................ 263
Brake/Clutch Fluid ............................ 266 
Refilling Window Washer Fluid......... 267
Replacing Light Bulbs ....................... 268
Checking and Maintaining Wiper 
Blades .......................................... 278
Checking and Maintaining Tires Checking Tires ................................. 280
Tire and Loading Information Label ...... 281 
Tire Labeling .................................... 281
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)....... 283
Wear Indicators................................ 285 Tire Service Life ................................ 285
Tire and Wheel Replacement ........... 286
Tire Rotation .................................... 287 
Winter Tires ..................................... 288
Battery ............................................... 289
Remote Transmitter Care *
Replacing the Battery ....................... 290
Heating and Cooling *
 System 
Maintenance ................................... 291
Cleaning
Interior Care .................................... 292
Exterior Care.................................... 294
* Not available on all models  

240
Maintenance
Before Performing Maintenance
Inspection and Maintenance 
For your safety, perform all listed inspections and maintenance to keep your vehicle  
in good condition. If you become aware of any abnormality (noise, smell, insufficient  
brake fluid, oil residue on the ground, etc.), have your vehicle inspected by a dealer.  
(Note, however, that service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in 
effect.) Refer to the separate maintenance booklet for detailed maintenance and  inspection information. ■Daily inspections
Perform inspections before long distance trips, when washing the vehicle, or when  refueling. ■ Periodic inspections
• Check the automatic transmission fluid level monthly.
2 Automatic Transmission Fluid  P. 263
• Check the brake fluid level monthly.
2 Brake/Clutch Fluid  P. 266
• Check the tire pressure monthly. Examine the tread for wear and foreign objects.
2 Checking and Maintaining Tires  P. 280
• Check the operation of the exterior lights monthly.
2 Replacing Light Bulbs  P. 268
• Check the condition of the wiper blades at least every six months.
2 Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades  P. 278
■Types of Inspection and Maintenance
1Inspection and Maintenance 
Maintenance, replacement, or repair of  
emissions control devices and systems may be  
done by any automotive repair establishment or 
individuals using parts that are "certified" to  EPA standards. 
According to state and federal regulations, failure to  
perform maintenance on the maintenance main  
items marked with # will not void your emissions  
warranties. However, all maintenance services should  
be performed in accordance with the intervals  
indicated by the information display *
/multi-
information display *
.
2 Maintenance Service Items  P. 245, 249
If you want to perform complex maintenance tasks  
that require more skills and tools, you can purchase a  
subscription to the Service Express website at 
www.techinfo.honda.com .
2 Authorized Manuals  P. 335
If you want to perform maintenance yourself, make  
sure that you have the necessary tools and skills first. 
After performing maintenance, update the records in 
the separate maintenance booklet.
U.S. models
* Not available on all models 

278
Maintenance
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades
Checking Wiper Blades 
If the wiper blade rubber has deteriorated, it will leave streaks and the metal wiper  
arm may scratch the window glass.
Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber1.Lift the driver side wiper arm first, then the  
passenger side.
2. Place a cloth on the edge of the lock tab. 
Push the lock tab up with a flat-tip screw driver.
3. Slide the blade from the wiper arm.1Changing the Wiper Blade Rubber
NOTICE
Avoid dropping the wiper arm; it may damage the  windshield.
Lock Tab     

279
uuChecking and Maintaining Wiper BladesuChanging the Wiper Blade Rubber
Maintenance
4.Slide the wiper blade out from its holder by  
pulling the tabbed end out.
5. Remove the retainers from the rubber blade 
that has been removed, and mount to a  
new rubber blade.
uCorrectly align the rubber protrusion and  
the retainer grooves.
6. Slide the new wiper blade onto the holder  from the bottom end.
uThe tab on the blade should fit in the  
indent of the wiper blade.
7. Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm, 
then push down the lock tab.
8. Lower the passenger side wiper arm first,  
then the driver side.
Blade
Top Retainer
Blade
Tab Indent   

344
INDEX
W 
Wallpaper....................................................  93
Warning and Information Messages .........  76
Warning Indicator On/Blinking ................ 313
Warning Labels ...........................................  63
Warranties (Warranty Manual provided 
separately) ............................................... 333
Watts .................................................  324, 326
Wear Indicators (Tire) ............................... 285
Wheel Cover .............................................. 303
Wheel Nut Wrench (Jack Handle) ............ 302
Window Washers ...................................... 121
Adding/Refilling Fluid ............................... 267 
Switch ..................................................... 121
Windows (Opening and Closing) ............. 114
Windshield ................................................ 121
Cleaning .................................................. 295 
Defrosting/Defogging .............................. 142
Washer Fluid............................................ 267 
Wiper Blades ........................................... 278 
Wipers and Washers ................................ 121
Winter Tires ............................................... 288
Snow Tires ............................................... 288 
Tire Chains .............................................. 288
Wipers and Washers ................................. 121
Checking and Replacing Wiper Blades ..... 278
WMA .........................................  151, 161, 167
Worn Tires ................................................. 280