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
Page 18 of 361
17
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P 265)
Under the Hood (P 273)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and windshield washer
fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check brake fluid.
● Check the battery condition monthly.
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 285)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P 292)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P 296)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter
driving.
Page 19 of 361
18
Quick Reference Guide
Handling the Unexpected (P 315)
Flat Tire (P 317)
● Park in a safe location and replace the
flat tire with the compact spare tire in the
cargo area.
Indicators Come On
(P 329) ● Identify the indicator and consult the
owner's manual.
Engine Won't Start
(P 323) ●If the battery is dead, jump start using a
booster battery.
Blown Fuse (P 333)
● Check for a blown fuse if an electrical
device does not operate.Overheating (P 327)
● 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 336) ● Call a professional towing service if you
need to tow your vehicle.
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69
uuIndicatorsu
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanation
Malfunction
Indicator Lamp
●Comes on when you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , and goes off either when the
engine starts or after several seconds if the
engine is not started. If "readiness codes"
have not been set, it blinks five times before it goes off.
● Comes on if there is a problem with the
emissions control system.
● Blinks when a misfire in the engine's cylinders
is detected.
● Readiness codes are part of the on board diagnostics
for the emissions control systems.
2Testing of Readiness Codes P. 345
● Comes on while driving - Have the vehicle checked
by a dealer.
● Blinks while driving - Stop in a safe place where
there are no flammable objects. Stop the engine for
10 minutes or more, and wait for it to cool down.
Then, take the vehicle to a dealer. 2If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp Comes On or
Blinks P. 330
Charging System
Indicator
●
Comes on when you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , and goes off when the engine
starts.
● Comes on when the battery is not charging.
● Comes on while driving - Turn off the heating and
cooling system *
/climate control system *
and rear
defogger in order to reduce electricity consumption. 2If the Charging System Indicator Comes On
P. 329
Shift Lever
Position Indicator
● Indicates current shift lever position.
(d indicator:
● Comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on when you press the (d button
while the shift lever is in (D .
2 Shifting P. 243
* Not available on all models
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97
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, and
to lock and unlock all the doors and tailgate.
You can also use the remote transmitter to
lock and unlock the doors and tailgate.
■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. 106
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.
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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
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107
uuSecurity SystemuSecurity System Alarm*
Controls
■
Setting the security system alarm
The security system alarm automatically sets when the following conditions have
been met: • The ignition switch is in LOCK
(0 , and the key has been removed from the
ignition switch.
• The hood and tailgate are closed.
• All doors are locked with the key or the remote transmitter.
■ When the security system alarm sets
The security system alarm indicator in the instrument panel blinks. When the
blinking interval changes after about 15 seconds, the security system alarm is set.
■ To cancel the security system alarm
The security system alarm is canceled when the vehicle is unlocked using the key or
remote transmitter, or the ignition switch is turned to ON
(w . The security system
alarm indicator goes off at the same time.
■The panic button on the remote
transmitter
If you press the panic button for
approximately one second, the following will
occur for about 30 seconds: • The horn sounds.
• Some exterior lights flash.
■ Canceling panic mode
Press any button on the remote transmitter, or turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
■Panic Mode
1Security System Alarm *
Do not set the security system alarm when someone
is in the vehicle or a window is open. The system can
accidentally activate when: • Unlocking the door with the lock tab or the master
door lock switch.
If the battery goes dead after you have set the
security system alarm, the security alarm may go off
once the battery is recharged or replaced.
If this occurs, deactivate the security system alarm by
unlocking a door using the key or remote transmitter.
Do not attempt to alter this system or add another device to it.
Panic
Button
* Not available on all models
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112
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluTurn Signals
Controls
Turn SignalsThe turn signals can be used when the ignition
switch is in ON
(w.
Light Switches
Rotating the light switch turns the lights on
and off, regardless of the position of the
ignition switch. ■High beams
Push the lever forward until you hear a click. ■ Low beams
When in high beams, pull the lever back to
return to low beams. ■ Flashing the high beams
Pull the lever back, and release it.
Right Turn
Left Turn
■Manual Operation
1Light Switches
If you remove the key from the ignition switch while
the lights are on, a chime sounds when the driver’s
door is opened.
When the lights are on, the lights on indicator in the
instrument panel will be on. 2 Lights On Indicator P. 74
Do not leave the lights on when the engine is off
because it will cause the battery to discharge.
High Beams
Flashing the high beams
Low Beams
Turns on parking, side marker,
tail, and rear license plate lights
Turns on headlights, parking, side
marker, tail, and rear license plate lights