Page 2 of 361

Contents
Child Safety P. 52 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 65 Safety Labels P. 66
Opening and Closing the Tailgate P. 104 Security System P. 106 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 108
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 111 Adjusting the Mirrors P. 120
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 132 Heating and Cooling System*
P. 142
Rear Entertainment System *
P. 173 Audio Error Messages P. 185 Audio Remote Controls P. 189
Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ® P. 194 Compass P. 223
Off-Highway Driving Guidelines P. 237 When Driving P. 239 Braking P. 253
Refueling P. 259 Fuel Economy P. 262 Accessories and Modifications P. 263
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 273 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 285
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 296 Battery P. 305 Remote Transmitter Care P. 306
Heating and Cooling System *
/Climate Control System *
Maintenance P. 309 Cleaning P. 310
Engine Does Not Start P. 323 Jump Starting P. 324 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 326
Fuses P. 333 Emergency Towing P. 336When You Cannot Open the Tailgate P. 337
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 343 Reporting Safety Defects P. 344
Authorized Manuals P. 349 Customer Service Information P. 350
Quick Reference GuideP. 2
Safe DrivingP. 23
Instrument PanelP. 67
ControlsP. 95
FeaturesP. 149
DrivingP. 225
MaintenanceP. 265
Handling the UnexpectedP. 315
InformationP. 339
IndexP. 351
Note: All page numbers referenced in this document are hyperlinked.
2012 CR-V Online Reference Owner's Manual
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88
uuGauges and DisplaysuMulti-Information Display
Instrument Panel
*1: Default SettingSetup Group Customizable Features Description Selectable settings
Customize Settings
Trip Computer Setup
Adjust
Outside Temp.
DisplayAdjusts the temperature reading by a few degrees.-5°F ~ ±0°F
*1
~ +5°F (U.S.)
-3°C ~ ±0°C *1
~ +3°C
(Canada)
Trip A reset triggerChanges the setting of how to reset trip meter A,
average fuel economy A, average speed A, and elapsed time A.With Refuel/Manual only *1
/
IGN OFF
Trip B reset triggerChanges the setting of how to reset trip meter B,
average fuel economy B, average speed B, and elapsed time B.With Refuel/Manual only *1
/
IGN OFF
Fuel Efficiency
BacklightTurns the ambient meter feature on and off.On *1
/Off
Lighting Setup
Interior Light Dimming TimeChanges the length of time the interior lights stay on
after you close the doors.60sec/30sec *1
/15sec
Headlight Auto Off TimerChanges the length of time the exterior lights stay on
after you close the driver’s door.60sec/30sec/15sec *1
/0sec
Auto Light SensitivityChanges the timing for the headlights to come on.Max/High/Mid/Low/Min *1
Page 96 of 361

95
Controls
This chapter explains how to operate the various controls necessary for driving.
Setting the Clock ................................ 96
Locking and Unlocking the Doors
Key Types and Functions ... ................. 97
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Outside ............................................ 99
Locking/Unlocking the Doors from the Inside ............................................. 101
Childproof Door Locks ..................... 102
Auto Door Locking/Unlocking .......... 103
Opening and Closing the Tailgate ... 104
Security System ................................ 106
Immobilizer System .......................... 106
Security System Alarm *
.................... 106
Opening and Closing the Windows ..... 108Opening and Closing the Moonroof*...... 110Operating the Switches Around the
Steering WheelIgnition Switch ................................. 111
Turn Signals ..................................... 112
Light Switches.................................. 112Fog Lights *
...................................... 114
Daytime Running Lights ................... 114
Wipers and Washers ........................ 115
Brightness Control ........................... 117 Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror *
Button ........................................... 118
ECON Button ................................... 119
Adjusting the Steering Wheel........... 119 Adjusting the Mirrors
....................... 120
Interior Rearview Mirror ................... 120
Power Door Mirrors ......................... 121
Adjusting the Seats .......................... 122
Adjusting the Seat Positions ............. 122
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items ................................................ 132
Interior Lights .................................. 132
Interior Convenience Items .............. 133
Heating and Cooling System *
......... 142
Using Vents, Heating and A/C.......... 142
Climate Control System *
.................. 145
Using Automatic Climate Control .... 145
Automatic Climate Control Sensors . 148
* Not available on all models
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99
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 and tailgate 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 flash twice, and the
driver's door unlocks.
Twice:
uThe remaining doors and tailgate unlock.
■Using the Remote Transmitter1Using 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. 84
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. 132
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 or
the tailgate 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 Button Battery P. 306
You can customize the door unlock mode setting. 2 Customized Features P. 84
LED
Unlock
Button Lock
Button
Page 121 of 361
120
Controls
Adjusting the Mirrors
Interior Rearview Mirror
Adjust the angle of the rearview mirror when you are sitting in the correct driving
position.Flip the tab to switch the position.
The night position will help to reduce the glare
from headlights behind you when driving
after dark.
When driving after dark, the automatic
dimming rearview mirror reduces the glare
from headlights behind you. Press the auto
button to turn this function on and off. When
activated, the auto indicator comes on.
■Rearview Mirror with Day and Night Positions *
1Adjusting the Mirrors
Keep the inside and outside mirrors clean and
adjusted for best visibility.
Adjust the mirrors before you start driving.
2 Adjusting the Seat Positions P. 122
Tab
Daytime
Position
Night PositionUp
Down
■Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror *
Indicator
Auto ButtonSensor
1Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror
*
The auto dimming function cancels when the shift
position is in
(R .
* Not available on all models
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132
Controls
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items
Interior Lights■ON
The interior lights come on regardless of
whether the doors are open or closed. ■ Door activated
The interior lights come on in the following
situations: • When any of the doors are opened.
• You unlock the driver's door.
• You remove the key from the ignition
switch.
Only the cargo area light comes on when the
tailgate is opened. ■ OFF
The interior lights remain off regardless of
whether the doors are open or closed.
The map lights can be turned on and off by
pressing the lenses.
■Interior Light Switches1Interior Light Switches
In the door activated position, the interior lights fade
out and go off about 30 seconds after the doors are closed.
The lights go off after 30 seconds in the following
situations:
• When you unlock the driver's door but do not open it.
• When you remove the key from the ignition switch
but do not open a door.
You can change the interior lights dimming time. 2 Customized Features P. 84
The interior lights go off immediately in the following
situations: • When you lock the driver's door.
• When you close the driver's door with the key in
the ignition switch.
• When you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
If you leave any of the doors open without the key in
the ignition switch, the interior lights go off after
about 15 minutes.
Door Activated Position
Off
Front
Door Activated Position
On
Off
Rear and Cargo Area
■Map Lights
1Map Lights
When the interior light switch is in the door activated
position and any door is open, the map light will not
go off when you press the lens.
Page 134 of 361
133
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
Continued
Controls
Interior Convenience ItemsPull the handle to open the glove box. You
can lock the glove box with the master key.
Slide the lid using the release knob to open or
close the console compartment.
■Glove Box1Glove Box
3WARNING
An open glove box can cause serious injury
to your passenger in a crash, even if the
passenger is wearing the seat belt.
Always keep the glove box closed while
driving.
Glove Box
To Lock
■Console Compartment
Page 135 of 361
uuInterior Lights/Interior Convenience ItemsuInterior Convenience Items
134
Controls
■ Front seat beverage holders
Are located in the console between the front seats. ■ Rear seat beverage holders
Fold the armrest down to use the rear seat
beverage holders.
■Beverage Holders1Beverage Holders
NOTICESpilled liquids can damage the upholstery, carpeting,
and electrical components in the interior.
Be careful when you are using the beverage holders.
Hot liquid can scald you.