Meaning, Reset & Fix For Check Emission System Problem Honda Civic

Last updated on July 20th, 2023 at 07:22 pm

Overview for Check Emission System Honda Civic Problems

If you are having an emission system problem Honda Civic then this is a post for you. You see the check emission system glowing on your dashboard did not just appear for no reason. Fixing the Check emission system Honda Civic 2012 or other Honda models is as important as it is for fixing any other warning light that comes up on your dashboard. Generally, warning lights are indications of a problem that you don’t know about or address and they can’t be ignored to avoid more problems.

And this post will discuss aspects of the 2012 Honda Civic check engine light and other Honda models, like the check emission system Honda civic 2013, check emission system Honda civic 2015, and the check emission system Honda civic 2014.

I will also address the following topics in this post: What does check emission system mean on Honda Civic 2012, how to reset check emission system Honda civic 2012, and other models like Honda Civic 2013, 2014, 2015, etc., how do you fix an emission problem; we are specifically looking at the emission system problem Honda Civic?

To find out more on how you can fix various Honda Civic emissions system problems, then read the entire article. So with let’s get started with what a check emission system light means on Honda Civic 2012. related Article: All About Radio Code For 2006 Honda Accord

Content Table( Quickly skip to each section with this fable)

What Does Check Emission System Mean on Honda Civic 2012?

The check emission system on your Honda Civic 2012 means that there’s a problem with your emissions system. The most common problems that can turn on the check emission system light on your Honda Civic 2012 are

Dirty air filter,
Damaged EGR hoses, valves, or pipes,
Damaged PVC valve hoses.,
Loose gas cap,
Clogged catalytic converter, and
Faulty spark plugs.

To know the exact problem that triggered the check emission system light, use a scan tool to read the trouble code and have the problem fixed.

Read this too: How To Reset Check Emission System Acura TSX

How to Reset Check Emission System Honda Civic 2012?

To reset the check emission system light of a Honda Civic 2012, you can do any one of the following:

Step 1. Take the car to a Honda service center and have it go through a computerized checkup. Fix the problem as detected after having the car scanned and the light would turn off.
Step 2. Turn off the engine, use a wrench to disconnect the positive power cable of your battery. Leave it for 20 minutes and then place the key in the ignition and turn it on. Off the ignition and reconnect the positive power cable. Go back and turn on the ignition and in a few minutes, the light should be off.
Step 3. Turn the car on and off three times uninterruptedly and the light should go off. However, the best way to have a Honda Civic 2012 check emission system light reset is to diagnose and solve the problem. This would save the car further damages and save you extra cost. Turning off the light without fixing the problem is like not taking drugs when sick and expecting recovery.

What does it Mean When the Emission System Light Comes on while driving?

When your check emission system light comes on, it means that the onboard diagnostic system of your car has detected a malfunction in your car’s emission control system.

The emission control system limits the number of harmful gases that are released into the atmosphere from your car by isolating them in a closed system. The emission control system consists of the gas cap, fuel tank, carbon canister, fuel tank vapor control valve, canister vent valve, evaporative canister purge valve, evaporative emission canister, evaporative two-way valve, and vapor recirculation tube. If any of these components develop a fault or there is an engine-related problem that affects the emission control system then surely, the check emission system light of your car will come on.

If you have your car scanned you can see the fault code and use it as a guide to know why the light is on.

What Does it Mean When a Honda Civic Says Check Emission System?

If you notice that a Honda Civic says Check Emission System light, it is an indication that there’s a faulty component or a malfunction that’s affecting the emission control system. The fault can be a loose gas cap, dirty oil filter, low oil pressure, bad gas, loose oil dipstick, loose spark plug wires, or faulty spark plugs. Although, the fault may vary from Honda Civic to Honda Civic depending on the model.

To avoid getting stranded because of the fault, have the Honda Civic scanned with a scan tool to read the code and fix the fault accordingly.

Fix for Emission System Problem Honda Civic(How Do You Fix An Emission Problem)

Different emission problems can occur, to fix them you have to know which problem it is that has occurred. Here is a list of Honda emissions system problems and how to fix them.

1. Faulty Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)System Hoses

The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system is one of the common Honda civic emissions system problems and it is also known as the PVC valve. The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system is responsible for removing blow-by (unwanted) gases from the crankcase of the internal combustion engine to the intake manifold. It has hoses that are prone to wear and tear. They can get broken or clogged when this happens it causes the 2012 Honda civic check engine light to come on. To know if the PVC valve hoses are faulty, inspect the PVC valve, and if you notice any have it replaced. You can watch this video on how to replace the PCV valve Honda Civic

2. Dirty Air Filter

The air filter on the air cleaner system filters dirt, dust, and debris from getting into your car engine. After some time if it can get clogged and can cause the check emission system Honda civic 2013, 2014, 2015, or even your 2012 to come on. For this Honda Civic emissions system problem, you have two options of fixing it. To fix the issue, you can either decide to clean the filter or you can as well have the air filter replaced. Here is a video on Honda civic cabin air filter replacement. You may love to check out my selection of 10 Best Cabin Air Filter For Car On Amazon & How you can Choose the right Cabin Air Filter for your car

Video to watch on how to go about the Honda civic cabin air filter replacement

And for how to clean Honda civic air filter, see step below:

How to Clean Honda Civic air Filter

To clean the air filter with a vacuum cleaner:

The easiest way to clean the car air filter is with a vacuum cleaner. Start by connecting the air filter hose attachment to your average home vacuum cleaner and you have the perfect tool that will help get into the filter ridges.

Next, all you have to do is to Vacuum both sides of the filter for around two to 4 minutes max while ensuring that visible dirt and grime are going out. Remember to also keep the filter on bright light because this will enable see some of the dirt that still requires your attention. Check the filter one more time and you are ready to place it back in.

Clean the air filter with water:

You can clean Honda civic air filter with water as well it only issues here is that it take longer and more time. Cleaning your car air filter generally with water requires a much longer time, especially when the drying time is taken into account, but you will get excellent results.

If you are cleaning with water, start by filling your bucket with clean water and a small amount of detergent and wash. You have to turn filter it on various sides, and then use your hands to remove any dirt and dust from the filter material till it is totally clean. Then take it out of the water and shake it a little more before rinsing it with fresh water.

Once clean, place the filter on a clean cloth and let it dry. Depending on where you dry it, it can take up to 24 hours for the filter to dry completely, so make sure you have plenty of time before you plan to use your car again.

3. Damaged Hoses, Fittings, and Canister of the Evaporative Emissions Control System

The Evaporative Emissions Control (EVAP) system prevents harmful vapor from the fuel system from getting released into the atmosphere. Its hoses, fitting, and canister can get damaged and affect the emission control system. If damaged, have them replaced. This article shows you how to fix the EVAP system.

4. Loose or Bad Gas Cap

A loose or bad gas cap can cause gas fumes to be released when the car is not being driven, it also allows fuel to evaporate. A loose gas cap can be fixed by simply removing it and replacing it tighter. If the gas cap is bad then it would fit getting it replaced as soon as possible would solve the problem. This video shows you how to fix a loose gas cap

5. Damaged hoses, Clogged Pipes, and Faulty Valves of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation System

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is responsible for allowing exhaust gases to enter the intake system when the combustion temperature is high. The hoses of the EGR can get worn and tear, the pipes can get clogged, and the valves faulty. Check the EGR and look out for these different faults and replace bad parts.

6. Damaged Air Cleaner Intake Hose

This is the source of another emission problem as it gets worn and tears. This hose connects the air filter to the engine throttle body and sends air to the combustion engine. If damaged, dust and debris would find their way into the hose and it would also affect the engine. Buy a new air cleaner intake hose and fix it yourself or have a mechanic fix it.

common cause of Check Emission System Honda Civic 2013

When that check emission system light of a Honda Civic 2013 comes on then there’s a problem in the EVAP system. This warning light can mean several things and so taking a guess shouldn’t be an option. The EVAP system also has several components and so to detect the part that’s malfunctioning you will have to thoroughly check the different parts for defects. An easier way is to scan the car for trouble codes.

For Honda Civic 2013 users, the most common reason for the check emission system light is a faulty or loose gas cap. For a loose gas cap, tightening it should turn off the light. If the light doesn’t go off, inspect the gas cap for defects like cracks and worn edges. If you find any then your gas cap is bad and needs to be replaced. Once you’ve replaced a bad gas cap, the check emission system should turn off.

reason for the red Check Emission System Honda Civic 2015 light

That red warning Check Emission System light that you just noticed on your Honda Civic 2015 model is an indication of any of the following:

Loose or bad gas cap,
Faulty spark plugs and plug wires,
Bad or clogged catalytic converter,
The mass airflow sensor needs to be replaced,
The O2 (oxygen) sensor needs to be replaced, or
Leaking ORVR vent tube.

If the light is flashing then you would need to fix the problem immediately but if the light is steady then the problem is not that serious but still needs to be fixed. Never ignore a Check Emission System light. If you don’t can’t diagnose the fault on your own have the car driven to a Honda service center and have a professional look at it.

what to do when you notice a Check Emission System Honda Civic 2014 light

What do you do when the check emission system of your Honda Civic 2014 comes on? The first thing to do is to diagnose the problem using an OBD-II scanner. Like any other model of the Honda Civic, the light is to warn you of a problem in the emissions system of your car. The light is often caused by a loose or bad gas cap, faulty spark plugs, loose spark plug wires, and a bad or clogged catalytic converter. If you are not experienced in fixing emissions-related problems, have your car taken to a professional who will first diagnose and then solve the problem.

2012 Honda Civic Check Engine Light

The check engine light that came up while you are driving is as important as any other warning light. It doesn’t mean that you should slow down, pull the car over and have it towed immediately to an auto repair shop, no. What it means is that your 2012 Honda Civic’s onboard computer has just detected a problem that needs your attention. You don’t need to start worrying as soon as you see the light, it might just be a minor problem. But whether it is a minor or major problem, having it fixed is the best solution.

When the check engine light turns on, the electronic control module (ECM) immediately records the problem in form of trouble codes so you can easily know what the exact problem that caused the light is.

There are different reasons why the light must have turned on, they include:

Transmission issues,
Emissions control problems,
Loose, bad, or missing gas cap,
Old or dead battery,
Fuel and air metering systems problems,
Faulty spark plugs and plug wires,
Ignition system faults,
O2 (oxygen) sensor problems,
Bad catalytic converter, and
Fuel pump problems.

common cause of 2012 Honda Civic Check Transmission Light

The most common light for Honda Civic 2012 owners is the check engine light. However, the check transmission light is another way that your car communicates with you and lets you know that there’s a transmission problem.

Different functions in the Honda Civic 2012 are controlled by the main engine computer, including the transmission shifts gears. The check transmission light is a warning light that you need to be aware of and know what may cause it to come on and have it fixed before it incurs more damage that requires more expenses.

What can turn on the check transmission light of your Honda Civic 2012?

Issues with a transmission temperature sender.
Low transmission fluid that needs a refill.
Lose transmission wiring connection.

It is easier to maintain the transmission than to repair or replace it. Don’t wait till there’s a problem before you regularly maintain the transmission.

You can start by checking the transmission fluid level and see if it needs to be changed or refilled.

Check Emission System Acura Tl light

The Acura TI models are likely to show the check emission system light when the gas cap is loose or faulty.

This is however not the only reason but to detect the problem that the check emission system has detected you will need to scan for trouble codes.

After scanning for the codes, you will know where to start solving the problem.

If you tighten or replace the gas cap and you still notice the light then don’t hesitate to have a mechanic run a computerized check-up.

What you should Know about Check Emission System Honda Odyssey 2012

The check emission system light on a Honda Odyssey 2012 will only come up when the sensors have detected a problem that it needs you to solve.

The problem can be as simple as having a loose gas cap that needs tightening or replacement, or a broken EVAP hose, a leaking solenoid valve, and a carbon canister or vapor control valve that needs to be repaired or replaced.

Usually, you would need to retrieve the codes to better approach resetting the light but if you don’t understand the codes then that would pose a problem and you would need a professional mechanic to help.

If for instance, the code reads P0302, a spark plug and a coil are needed, PO455 a large leakage have been detected in the Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System, PO456, a small leakage has been detected in the EVAP System, and so on.

I hope this article on the emission system problem Honda civic cars have and their fix has helped you.

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Jeffery Ekweghi

Hi dear, my name is Jeffery Ekweghi, and I am a certified mechanic and autobody parts technician. I created this site to share my expertise and experience with car lovers looking to resolve their car-related issues. I am certified in private cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. I have worked as a mechanic since 2015 and have experience in vehicle brands like Subaru, Jeep, Toyota, TATA, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia, TVs, and Others; however, I primarily specialize in Toyota vehicles.