2012 HONDA CR-Z check engine light

Contents
Child Safety P. 56 Exhaust Gas Hazard P. 64 Safety Labels P. 65
Opening and Closing the Hatch P. 104 Security System P. 105 Opening and Closing the Windows P. 107
Adjusting the Mirrors P. 118Adjusting the Seats P. 119
Climate Control System P. 132
Audio with Navigation System *
P. 151 Audio Error Messages P. 167
Bluetooth ® HandsFreeLink ®*
P. 173
When Driving P. 198 Braking P. 220 Parking Your Vehicle P. 224
Accessories and Modifications P. 236
Maintenance Under the Hood P. 245 Replacing Light Bulbs P. 258
Checking and Maintaining Tires P. 269 12 Volt Battery P. 278 Remote Transmitter Care P. 279
Cleaning P. 281
Engine Does Not Start P. 293 Jump Starting P. 294 Shift Lever Does Not Move P. 296
Fuses P. 304 Emergency Towing P. 308 When You Cannot Open the Hatch P. 310
Devices that Emit Radio Waves P. 315 Reporting Safety Defects P. 316
Authorized Manuals P. 321 Customer Service Information P. 322
Quick Reference GuideP. 2
Safe DrivingP. 29
Instrument PanelP. 67
ControlsP. 97
FeaturesP. 135
DrivingP. 191
MaintenanceP. 237
Handling the UnexpectedP. 285
InformationP. 311
IndexP. 323
Note: All page numbers referenced in this document are hyperlinked.
2012 CR-Z Online Reference Owner's Manual

22
Quick Reference Guide
Maintenance (P237)
Under the Hood (P245)
● Check engine oil, engine coolant, and window washer fluid. Add when necessary.
● Check transmission fluid (CVT).
● Check brake fluid and clutch fluid.
● Check the 12 volt 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 (P258)
● Inspect all lights regularly.
Wiper Blades
(P266)
● Replace blades if they leave streaks
across the windshield.
Tires (P269)
● Inspect tires and wheels regularly.
● Check tire pressures regularly.
● Install snow tires for winter driving.

74
uuIndicatorsu
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Low
Temperature
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w .
● Comes on when the engine
coolant temperature is low.
● If the indicator stays on after the engine
has reached normal operating
temperature, there may be a problem
with the temperature sensors. Have the
vehicle inspected by a dealer.
—
Side Airbag Off
Indicator
●
Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w , then goes off.
● Comes on when the passenger
side airbag system is automatically shut off.
●
It does not mean there is a problem with
your side airbags.
● Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
● Comes on when someone is sitting in
the seat - Have the passenger sit
properly.
High Beam
Indicator● Comes on when the high beam
headlights are on.
——
U.S.
Canada
U.S.
Canada

198
Driving
When Driving
Starting the Engine1.Make sure the parking brake is applied.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(P , then
depress the brake pedal.
uAlthough it is possible to start the vehicle in
(N , it is safer to start it in (P.
2. Check that the shift lever is in
(N . Then
depress the brake pedal with your right
foot, and the clutch pedal with your left foot.
uThe clutch pedal must be fully depressed
to start the engine.
1Starting the Engine
Keep your foot firmly on the brake pedal when starting the engine.
The engine is harder to start in cold weather and in
thinner air found at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2,400 meters).
When starting the engine in cold weather, turn off all
electrical accessories such as the lights, climate
control system, and rear defogger in order to reduce
battery drain.
If the exhaust system sounds abnormal or you can
smell exhaust gas inside the vehicle, have your vehicle
checked by a dealer. There may be a problem with
the engine or exhaust system.
Brake PedalAutomatic transmiss ion (CVT) models
Clutch Pedal
Brake PedalManual transmission models

uuWhen DrivinguShifting
204
Driving
■Shift Lever Operation1Shift Lever Operation
NOTICE
When you change the shift lever from (D to (R and
vice versa, come to a complete stop and keep the brake pedal depressed.
Operating the shift lever before the vehicle has come
to a complete standstill can damage the transmission.
Use the shift lever position indicator to check the
lever position before pulling away.
Whichever position the shift lever is in when driving,
a blinking
(D indicator indicates a transmission
problem.
Avoid sudden acceleration and have the transmission
checked by a dealer as soon as possible.
The fuel supply may be cut off if you drive at engine
speeds in or over the tachometer red zone (engine
speed limit). If this happens, you may experience a
slight jolt.
It may not be possible to operate the shift lever if the
brake pedal is applied while the shift lever release
button is held down. Depress the brake pedal first.
Tachometer's
Red Zone
Shift Lever Position Indicator Depress the brake pedal and
press the shift lever release button to shift. Shift without pressing the
shift lever release button.
Press the shift lever
release button and shift. M (7-Speed Manual Shift Mode) Indicator/
Shift Indicator

221
uuBrakinguBrake System
Driving
Your vehicle is equipped with disc brakes at all four wheels. A power assist helps
reduce the effort needed on the brake pedal. The brake assist system increases the
stopping force when you depress the brake pedal hard in an emergency situation.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) helps you retain steering control when braking very hard.2 Brake Assist System P. 223
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) P. 222
■Foot Brake1Foot Brake
Check the brakes after driving through deep water,
or if there is a buildup of road surface water. If
necessary, dry the brakes by lightly depressing the
pedal several times.
If you hear a continuous metallic friction sound when
applying the brakes, the brake pads need to be
replaced. Have the vehicle checked by a dealer.
Constantly using the brake pedal while going down a
long hill builds up heat, which reduces the brake
effectiveness. Apply engine braking by taking your
foot off the accelerator pedal and downshifting to a
lower gear. With manual transmission use a lower
gear for greater engine braking.
Do not rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, as it will lightly apply the brakes and cause
them to lose effectiveness over time and reduce pad
life. It will also confuse drivers behind you.

222
uuBrakinguABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Driving
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Helps prevent the wheels from locking up, and helps you retain steering control by
pumping the brakes rapidly, much faster than you.
The electronic brake distribution (EBD) system, which is part of the ABS, also
balances the front-to-rear braking distribution according to vehicle loading.
You should never pump the brake pedal. Let the ABS work for you by always
keeping firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal. This is sometimes referred to as
“stomp and steer.” ■ ABS operation
The brake pedal may pulsate slightly when the ABS is working. Keep holding the
pedal firmly down. On dry pavement, you will need to press on the brake pedal very
hard before the ABS activates. However, you may feel the ABS activate immediately
if you are trying to stop on snow or ice.
When the vehicle speed goes under 6 mph (10 km/h), the ABS stops.
■ABS1ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
NOTICE
The ABS may not function correctly if you use an
incorrect tire type and size.
When the ABS indicator comes on while driving,
there may be a problem with the system.
While normal braking is not affected, there is a
possibility of the ABS not operating. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer immediately.
The ABS does not reduce the time or distance it takes
to stop the vehicle. It only helps with steering control
during hard braking.
In the following cases, your vehicle may need more
stopping distance than a vehicle without the ABS: • When driving on rough road surfaces, including
when driving on uneven surfaces, such as gravel or snow.
• When tire chains are installed.
You may hear a motor sound coming from the
engine compartment while system checks are being
performed immediatel y after starting the engine or
while driving. This is normal.

251
uuMaintenance Under the HooduChanging the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Maintenance
5.Remove the oil filter and dispose of the
remaining oil.
6. Check that the filter gasket is not stuck to
the engine contact surface.
uIf it is stuck, you must detach it.
7. Wipe away dirt and dust adhering to the contact surface of the engine block, and
install a new oil filter.
uApply a light coat of new engine oil to
the oil filter rubber seal.
8. Put a new washer on the drain bolt, then
reinstall the drain bolt.
uTightening torque:
29 lbfft (39 Nm, 4.0 kgfm)
9. Pour the recommended engine oil into the engine.
uEngine oil change capacity (including filter):
3.8 US qt (3.6 L)
10. Reinstall the engine oil fill cap securely and
start the engine.
11. Run the engine for a few minutes, and
then check that there is no leak from the
drain bolt or oil filter.
12. Stop the engine, wait for three minutes,
and then check the oil level on the
dipstick.
uIf necessary, add more engine oil.
1Changing the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
You will need a special wrench to replace the oil
filter. You can buy this wrench from a dealer.
When installing the new oil filter, follow the
instructions supplied with the oil filter.
Reinstall the engine oil fill cap. Start the engine. The
low oil pressure indicator should go off within five
seconds. If it does not, turn off the engine, and check your work.
Oil Filter