2012 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN towing

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
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.
2Safe Driving P.23
For Safe Driving P. 24 Seat Belts P. 28Airbags P. 35
2Instrument Panel P. 65
Indicators P.66 Gauges and Displays P. 78
2Controls P. 97
Setting the Clock P. 98Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 99
Opening and Closing the Moonroof* P. 116
Adjusting the Seats P. 126
2Features 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. 240Maintenance 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
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IndexIndex
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TOCChapter Table of Contents
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2012 Civic Sedan
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and Canada.Online Reference Owner's Manual

Contents
Child Safety P. 50 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 62 Safety Labels P. 63
Opening and Closing the Trunk P. 109Security System P. 112 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 114
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 117Adjusting 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. 280Battery 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. 329Reporting 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
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* Not available on all models2012 Civic Sedan

15
Quick Reference Guide - 2012 Civic SedanDriving (P 201)
2
1
D3
P
R
N
DRelease Button
Shift Lever
Depress the brake pedal and press the
release button to move out of
(P.
Move the shift lever without
pressing the release button.
Press the release button to
move the shift lever.
Manual Transmission (P 217)
Automatic Transmission (P 215)
● Shift to
(P and depress the brake pedal when starting the engine.
● Shifting
Park
Turn off or start the engine.
Transmission is locked.
Reverse
Neutral
Transmission is not locked.
Drive
Normal driving.
Drive (D3)
Used when:
•Going up or down hills
•Towing a trailer in hilly terrain
Second
Used to increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 2nd gear)
First
Used to further increase engine braking
(the transmission is locked in 1st gear)
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18
Quick Reference Guide - 2012 Civic SedanHandling 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.
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201
Driving
This chapter discusses driving, refueling, and information on items such as accessories.
Before Driving
Driving Preparation .......................... 202
Maximum Load Limit........................ 205
Towing a Trailer Towing Preparation .......................... 207
Driving Safely with a Trailer .............. 209
Towing Your Vehicle ........................ 210
When Driving
Starting the Engine .......................... 211
Precautions While Driving................. 213
Automatic Transmission ................... 214Shifting ..........................................
215
Shifting .......................................... 217
Cruise Control
*............................... 220
VSA® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka ESC
(Electronic Stability Control), System ...... 223
TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) ... 225
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) -
Required Federal Explanation ......... 226
Braking
Brake System ................................... 229
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........... 231
Automatic transmission models
Manual transmission models
Brake Assist System ......................... 232
Parking Your Vehicle When Stopped ................................ 233
Parking ............................................ 233
Refueling Fuel Information .............................. 234
How to Refuel ................................. 235
Fuel Economy .................................... 237
Improving Fuel Economy .................. 237
Accessories and Modifications
Accessories ...................................... 238
Modifications................................... 238
* Not available on all models
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205
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Continued
Driving
Maximum Load Limit
The maximum load for your vehicle is 850 lbs (385 kg).
See Tire and Loading Information label attached to the driver's doorjamb.
This figure includes the total weight of all occupants, cargo, and accessories, and
the tongue load if you are towing a trailer.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit -
(1) Locate the statement "The comb ined weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg
or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the "XXX" amount equals 1,4000 lbs. and there
will be five 150 lb. passengers in in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 - 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)1Maximum Load Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, all
occupants, all a ccessories, all cargo, and the tongue
load. 2 Specifications
P. 324
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle axle. 2 Specifications
3WARNING
Overloading or improper loading
can affect handling and stability
and cause a crash in which you
can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this manual.Label Example
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2 2
P . 3 2 6
P . 3 2 4
2 2
P . 3 2 6

206
uuBefore Driving uMaximum Load Limit
Driving
(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a tra iler, load from your trailer will be transferred
to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how this reduces the
available cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
In addition, the total weight of the vehicle, all occupants, accessories, cargo, and
trailer tongue load must not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Both are on a label on the driver's doorjamb.
Load Limits Example
Example1
Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs (68 kg x 2 = 136 kg) Cargo Weight
550 lbs
(249 kg)
Example2 Max Load 850 lbs
(385 kg) Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs
(68 kg x 5 = 340 kg) Cargo Weight
100 lbs
(45 kg)
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207Continued
Driving
Towing a Trailer
Your vehicle is not designed to tow a trailer. Attempting to do so can void your
warranties.
Towing Preparation
Your vehicle can tow a trailer if you carefully observe the load limits, use the proper
equipment, and follow the towing guidelin es. Check the load limits before driving.
■Total trailer weight
Maximum allowable weight of the trailer,
cargo, and everything in or on it must not
exceed 1,000 lbs (450 kg). Towing loads in
excess of this can seriously affect vehicle
handling and performance and can damage
the engine and drivetrain.
■Tongue load
The weight of the tongue with a fully loaded
trailer on the hitch should be approximately
10% of the total trailer weight.
• Excessive tongue load reduces front tire
traction and steering control. Too little
tongue load can make the trailer unstable
and cause it to sway.
• To achieve a proper tongue load, start by
loading 60% of the load toward the front
of the trailer and 40% toward the rear.
Readjust the lo ad as needed.
■Towing Load Limits
HF model
Except HF model
1Towing Load Limits
Check if all loads are within limits at a public scale.
If a public scale is not av ailable, add the estimated
weight of your cargo load to the weight of your
trailer (as quoted by th e manufacturer), and the
tongue load.
Break-in Period
Avoid towing a trailer duri ng your vehicle's first 600
miles (1,000 km).
3WARNING
Exceeding any load limit or improperly
loading your vehicle and trailer can cause a
crash in which you can be seriously hurt or
killed.
Check the loading of your vehicle and
trailer carefully before starting to drive.
Total Load
To n gue LoadTongue Load
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