In modern Honda Civics, you set the clock through the infotainment touchscreen: go to Settings or Setup, select Clock/Time, disable Auto Time if needed, and adjust hours and minutes. On older Civics without a touchscreen, use the radio clock button or steering-wheel controls to set the time manually.
Modern Civics: Using the touchscreen infotainment system
Where to find clock settings on the display
This method covers Civics built in the past decade that rely on the central display for clock adjustments. You’ll typically access the clock options through the home screen by entering Settings or Setup, then selecting Clock or Date/Time.
- Power the car on to ACC or ON so the infotainment system is active.
- Open the Home screen and tap Settings or Setup.
- Select Clock, Date, or Time (the exact wording varies by year and trim).
- Turn off Auto Time (Auto Time/Auto Time Zone) if it is enabled, so you can set the time manually.
- Use the on-screen controls to set the hour and minute. Choose 12-hour or 24-hour format as preferred.
- Exit the menu and confirm the new time is displayed on the instrument cluster and home screen.
Once you’ve saved the manual setting, the system should keep the time unless your car is set to auto time and moves to a different time zone or DST updates.
Older Civics or non-touchscreen models: Manual adjustment
Using the radio clock or steering-wheel controls
For Civics that rely on physical radio controls or a basic gauge cluster, clock adjustment is done via the radio’s Clock (CLK) button or the vehicle’s clock menu accessed with steering-wheel buttons. The steps can vary by generation, so consult your owner’s manual if the controls differ.
- Turn on the ignition to access the radio and instrument cluster.
- Press the CLOCK or CLK button on the radio to enter manual clock mode. If your model uses a display menu, press Menu/Setup on the steering wheel to reach Clock settings.
- Use the seek/tune knob, arrow buttons, or the steering-wheel controls to select hours, then minutes.
- Confirm the setting by pressing the clock/enter button (or simply exit the menu depending on the model).
- Ensure the time zone in the clock settings matches your current location and exit the menu.
After saving, check the clock on the dash or radio display to ensure it remains accurate.
Tips, time zones, and daylight saving
Clock behavior can differ by region and trim. If your Civic shows a GPS or satellite time, enabling Auto Time or Auto Time Zone can keep the clock accurate while you travel across zones. Remember to adjust for daylight saving time if your area observes it, or disable auto time if you’re in a location that doesn’t follow DST.
- Auto Time/Auto Time Zone: Enable only if you want automatic updates based on GPS data.
- Time Zone: Set the correct zone for your location to avoid constant 1- or 2-hour errors during travel.
- DST: Ensure daylight saving time is enabled if your region observes it.
If you notice the clock keeps resetting after you turn off the car, check the vehicle’s battery and ignition power supply, as low voltage can affect clock memory in older vehicles.
Summary
Setting the time on a Honda Civic is straightforward but varies by model year. Modern Civics use the touchscreen Settings menu to adjust Clock/Time, often with an option to disable Auto Time if you want manual control. Older Civics rely on the radio’s clock function or steering-wheel/menu controls. Remember to verify time, date, time zone, and DST settings after making changes, and use Auto Time only if you want automatic updates while driving.