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 3 of 361
2
Quick Reference Guide
Quick Reference Guide
Visual Index
❙Hazard Warning Button
❙ECON Button (P 119)
❙Navigation System *
() See Navigation System Manual
❙Audio System (P 150)
❙Heating and Cooling System *
(P 142)
❙Climate Control System *
(P 145)
❙Rear Window Defogger (P 118)
❙Ignition Switch (P 111)
❙Steering Wheel Adjustments
(P 119)
❙ (Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA ®)
System OFF) Button (P 248)
❙Heated Mirror Button *
(P 118)
❙System Indicators (P 68)
❙Gauges (P 77)
❙Information Display (P 78)
❙Multi-Information Display (P 81)
Page 13 of 361
12
Quick Reference Guide
Heating and Cooling System*
(P 142)
● Rotate the fan control dial to adjust the fan speed.
● Press the Mode buttons ( / / / ) to select the vents air flows from.
● Rotate the temperature control dial to adjust the temperature.
● Use the button for maximum cool setting.
● Rotate the fan control dial to OFF to turn the system off.
● Press the button to defrost the windshield.
Fan Control
Dial (Rear Window Defogger/
Heated Mirror
*
) Button
(Windshield
Defroster) Button
A/C (Air Conditioning) Button
Air flows from floor and
windshield defroster vents.
Air flows from floor vents.
Air flows from floor and
dashboard vents.
Air flows from dashboard
vents.
Button
Button
Button(Recirculation) Button
Temperature
Control Dial
Button
Button
Page 66 of 361

65
Safe Driving
Exhaust Gas Hazard
Carbon Monoxide Gas
The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless,
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon
monoxide gas will not get into the interior. ■Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever
• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.
When you operate a vehicle with the tailgate open, airflow can pull exhaust gas into
the interior and create a hazardous condition. If you must drive with the tailgate
open, open all the windows and set the heating and cooling system *
/climate control
system *
as shown below.
1. Select the fresh air mode.
2. Select the mode.
3. Set the fan speed to high.
4. Set the temperature control to a comfortable setting.
Adjust the heating and cooling system *
/climate control system *
in the same manner
if you sit in your parked vehicle with the engine running.
1Carbon Monoxide Gas
An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not run the engine with the garage door closed.
Even when the garage door is open, drive out of the
garage immediately after starting the engine.
3WARNING
Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.
Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and
even kill you.
Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that
expose you to carbon monoxide.
* Not available on all models
Page 70 of 361

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
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
Page 119 of 361

118
uuOperating the Switches Around the Steering WheeluRear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror*
Button
Controls
Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror *
Button
Press the rear defogger and heated door mirror button to defog the rear window
and mirrors when the ignition switch is in ON
(w .
The rear defogger and heated door mirrors
automatically switch off after 20 minutes.
However, if the outside temperature is -8°C or
below, they do not automatically switch off.
The rear defogger and heated door mirrors
automatically switch off after 10-30 minutes
depending on the outside temperature.
However, if the outside temperature is 0°C or
below, they do not automatically switch off.1Rear Defogger/Heated Door Mirror *
Button
NOTICEWhen cleaning the inside of the rear window, be careful not to damage the heating wires.
It is critical to wipe the window from side to side
along the defogger heating wires.
This system consumes a lot of power, so turn it off
when the window has been defogged.
Also, do not use the system for a long period when
the engine is idling. This may weaken the battery,
making it difficult to start the engine.Models with heating and cooling system
Models with climate control system
* Not available on all models
Page 143 of 361

142
Controls
Heating and Cooling System*
Using Vents, Heating and A/C
Mode Buttons
Change airflow.
Floor and defroster vents
Floor vents
Dashboard and floor vents
Dashboard vents
Fan Control Dial
Adjusts the fan speed.
Rotate the dial all the
way to OFF to turn everything off.
Button
Turns on the A/C, selects airflow
from the dashboard vents, and
switches the mode to recirculation.
A/C Button
Press to cool the interior or
dehumidify while heating. Windshield Defroster Button
Turns on the A/C, selects airflow from
the defroster vents at the base of the
windshield, and switches the mode to
fresh air.
Temperature
Control Dial
Adjusts the interior
temperature.
(Recirculation) Button
Press the button and switch the mode
depending on environmental conditions.
Recirculation Mode (indicator on):
Recirculates air from the vehicle’s interior
through the system.
Fresh Air Mode (indicator off):
Maintains outside ventilation. Keep the system
in fresh air mode in normal situations.
* Not available on all models