Open the hood by pulling the interior hood release, then releasing the front latch and lifting it. The hood is supported by gas struts, so no prop rod is needed.
Step 1: Inside the cabin
Inside the car, locate the hood release lever under the dashboard on the driver's side and pull it to release the primary latch.
- Park on a level surface with the engine off and the parking brake engaged.
- Find the release handle near the left kick panel, typically marked with a hood icon.
- Pull the lever firmly; you should hear a pop indicating the primary latch has released.
With the interior latch released, the hood will pop up slightly but still be secured by a secondary latch at the front. Proceed to the front of the car to fully open it.
Step 2: At the front of the vehicle
At the front center of the car, locate the secondary safety latch under the edge of the hood and release it to allow the hood to rise fully. The Civic uses gas struts to hold the hood open once released.
- Stand in front of the car and look under the hood edge at the center to find the secondary latch.
- Push or slide the latch outward to release it.
- Lift the hood with both hands until it is supported by the gas struts; the hood should stay up on its own.
Note: The 2012 Honda Civic commonly uses gas-filled struts to hold the hood open. There is typically no traditional prop rod to secure the hood.
Summary
Opening the hood of a 2012 Honda Civic is a two-step process: release the interior latch, then release the front safety latch and lift the hood. The hood is held up by gas struts, so no prop rod is needed. Always ensure the engine is cool before inspecting the engine bay.