2012 HONDA CR-Z maintenance

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 your vehicle. 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 and Canada.
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.2 Safe Driving P. 29
For Safe Driving P. 30 Seat Belts P. 34 Airbags P. 41
2Instrument Panel P. 67
Indicators P. 68 Gauges and Multi-Information Display P. 81
2Controls P. 97
Setting the Clock P. 98 Locking and Unlocking the Doors P. 99
Operating the Switches Around the Steering Wheel P. 109
Interior Lights/Interior Convenience Items P. 124
2Features P. 135
Audio System P. 136 Audio without Navigation System P. 141
General Information on the Audio System P. 169
2Driving P. 191
Before Driving P. 192 Towing a Trailer P. 197
Refueling P. 232 Fuel Economy P. 235
2Maintenance P. 237
Before Performing Maintenance P. 238 Maintenance Minder ™
P. 241
Checking and Maintaining Wiper Blades P. 266
Climate Control System Maintenance P. 280
2 Handling the Unexpected P. 285
Tools P. 286 If a Tire Goes Flat P. 287
Overheating P. 297 Indicator, Coming On/Blinking P. 299
2Information P. 311
Specifications P. 312 Identification Numbers P. 314
Emissions Testing P. 317 Warranty Coverages P. 319
Main Menu2012 CR-Z Online Reference Owner's Manual

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

Visual Index
6
Quick Reference Guide
❙Maintenance Under the Hood (P 245)
❙Windshield Wipers (P 113, 266)
❙Door Lock/Unlock
Control (P 100)
❙Headlights
(P 110, 258)
❙Front Turn Signal/Parking/
Side Marker Lights (P 110, 262)
❙Tires
(P 269, 287)
❙Fog Lights *
(P 112)❙Rear License Plate Light (P 265)
❙Brake/Taillights
(P 264)
❙Back-Up Lights (P 263)
❙Rear Turn Signal Lights (P 263)
❙Rear Side Marker Lights (P 264)
❙High-Mount Brake Light (P 265)
❙How to Refuel
(P 233)
❙Rear Wiper (P114,268)
❙Opening/Closing the Hatch (P 104)
❙Hatch Release
(P104)
❙Side Turn Signal Lights (P 110, 262)
❙Door Mirrors
(P 118)

12
Quick Reference Guide
To Keep the IMA Battery in Good Condition
Drive your vehicle at least once a month for more than 30 minutes. Parking your vehicle for an extended period can cause the IMA battery
to weaken or decrease the IMA battery life. Safety Precautions
Do not cover the air intake.
Air Intake
Do not touch the Honda IMA System
A high voltage current runs through Honda IMA System. Consult your authorized dealer when
maintenance or repair is needed.
Do not spill any liquids on or around the IMA
battery, as they can damage the IMA battery. If
you accidentally spill liquids on or around the
battery, ensure that the spill is completely
wiped up as soon as possible.
The IMA system indicator may come on.
IMA Battery
IMA Power Cable
If a crash occurs ● Be careful of electric shock hazard.
uIf a crash severely damaged your vehicle, there is a possibility of electrical shock. Do not
touch the IMA system components or its wiring (orange).
● Avoid contact with IMA battery fluid.
uThe battery fluid may leak as a result of a crash. Avoid any skin or eye contact with the
fluid. The battery fluid is corro sive. If you accidentally touched it, flush your eyes or skin
with a large quantity of water for at least five minutes, and seek medical attention
immediately.
● Use a fire extinguisher for an electrical fire.
uAttempting to extinguish an electrical fire with a small quantity of water can be dangerous.
When the vehicle is disposed ● The IMA battery is a Nickel hydride battery. Honda collects and recycles used IMA batteries –
consult with your dealer for proper batter y disposal in the event your vehicle is not
repairable.
If the air intake is obstructed during
vehicle operation, the IMA battery can
become too hot. To protect the battery,
the system may start limiting IMA
battery output power and cause the IMA system and 12 volt battery
charging system indicators to come on.
IMA System Indicator
(P86)
12 Volt Battery Charging System Indicator (P69)

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.

31
uuFor Safe DrivinguImportant Safety Precautions
Safe Driving
■Pay appropriate attention to the task of driving safely
Engaging in cell phone conversation or other activities that keep you from paying
close attention to the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians could lead to a crash.
Remember, situations can change quickly, and only you can decide when it is safe to
divert some attention away from driving. ■ Control your speed
Excessive speed is a major factor in crash injuries and deaths. Generally, the higher
the speed, the greater the risk, but serious injuries can also occur at lower speeds.
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the maximum speed posted. ■ Keep your vehicle in safe condition
Having a tire blowout or a mechanical failure can be extremely hazardous.
To reduce the possibility of such problems, check your tire pressures and condition
frequently, and perform all regularly scheduled maintenance.

55
uuAirbagsuAirbag Care
Safe Driving
Airbag Care
You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle
inspected by a dealer in the following situations: ■When the airbags have deployed
If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced.
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be
replaced. ■ When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision
Even if the airbags did not inflate, have your dealer inspect the following: the driver’s
seat position sensor, weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, seat belt tensioners,
and each seat belt that was worn during the crash.
■ Do not remove or modify a front seat without consulting a dealer
This would likely disable the driver's seat position sensor or the passenger’s weight
sensors. If it is necessary to remove or modify a seat to accommodate a person with
disabilities, contact a Honda dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, American Honda
Automobile Customer Service at 800-999-1009 and for Canadian vehicles, Honda
Canada Customer Relations at 888-9-HONDA-9.
1Airbag Care
We recommends against the use of salvaged airbag
system components, including the airbag, tensioners,
sensors, and control unit.

78
uuIndicatorsuMulti-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
Instrument Panel
Multi-Information Display Warning and Information Messages
The following messages appear only on the multi-information display. Press the / (information) button to see the message agai n
with the system message indicator on.
MessageConditionExplanation
● Appears when the fuel fill cap is loose or is not installed.
2 Tighten Fuel Cap Message P. 301
●
Appears if there is a problem with the DRL system.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2Daytime Running Lights P. 112
●
Appears when washer fluid gets low.●Refill washer fluid.
2Refilling Window Washer Fluid P. 257
●
Appears when the scheduled maintenance is due
soon.
● Consequently, SERVICE DUE NOW and SERVICE
PAST DUE follow.
2Maintenance Minder Messages on the Multi-
Information Display P. 241
●
Appears when you open the driver’s door while the
ignition key is in ACCESSORY
(q .
●
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0 , then remove the
key.
4
Canadian models