What kind of tires does a 2012 Honda Civic take
Most 2012 Honda Civic models use 195/65R15 or 205/55R16 all-season touring tires, while the performance-oriented Civic Si uses 215/45R17 tires. The exact size depends on the trim and wheel package, so confirm on your driver’s door-jamb tire placard or in the owner’s manual. Here’s how the sizes break down by model, plus guidance on tire types, pressures, and smart replacement choices in 2025.
Contents
Factory tire sizes by trim
Honda equipped the 2012 Civic with different wheel/tire packages across trims. Use the list below to identify the typical original-equipment (OE) tire size that came with your model.
- DX and LX: 195/65R15 (all-season touring)
- HF (high fuel economy): 195/65R15 (low rolling resistance all-season)
- EX and EX-L: 205/55R16 (all-season touring)
- Si (sedan and coupe): 215/45R17 (performance all-season or summer)
- Hybrid: 195/65R15 (low rolling resistance all-season)
- Natural Gas (CNG): 195/65R15 (low rolling resistance all-season)
If your car has aftermarket wheels or a regional package, the size could differ. Always verify the size on the tire sidewall or on the driver’s door placard before ordering replacements.
What type of tire should you choose?
Your driving conditions and trim should guide the tire type. The options below cover daily commuting, maximum fuel economy, performance driving, and winter weather.
- Daily commuting (most non-Si trims): All-season touring tires for comfort, long tread life, and wet-braking confidence.
- Fuel economy focus (HF, Hybrid, CNG): Low rolling resistance (LRR) all-seasons to maximize mpg while maintaining safe braking.
- Performance driving (Si): Performance all-season for year-round grip, or dedicated summer tires for the best dry/wet handling in warm months.
- Snow and ice: Dedicated winter tires for sub-freezing climates; they dramatically improve traction and stopping versus all-seasons.
For safety and insurance compliance, match or exceed the speed rating and load index shown on your door placard; non-Si models typically use an H- or V-rated tire, while the Si often specifies a higher speed rating.
Recommended pressures and key fitment facts
Maintaining correct pressure and choosing compatible wheels ensure ride quality, handling, and tire life. The highlights below apply to most 2012 Civics.
- Tire pressure: Check the driver’s door placard for the exact cold PSI; most trims call for around 32 psi front and rear. Hybrid/HF may specify slightly higher.
- Wheel diameters: 15-inch (DX/LX/HF/Hybrid/CNG), 16-inch (EX/EX-L), 17-inch (Si).
- Bolt pattern: 5×114.3 mm; hub bore: 64.1 mm. Use hub-centric rings if your aftermarket wheels have a larger bore.
- TPMS: The car uses a tire-pressure monitoring system—ensure sensors are transferred or new ones are programmed when changing wheels.
- Rotation: Front-to-rear (or cross-rotation for non-directional tires) every 5,000–7,500 miles helps maximize tread life and even wear.
Because specifications can vary with market and equipment, the door placard remains the definitive source for pressure, load, and speed ratings on your exact vehicle.
How to confirm your exact tire size in two minutes
If you’re unsure which tires to order, follow these quick steps to avoid returns and fitment headaches.
- Open the driver’s door and read the tire placard for size, load, speed rating, and cold PSI.
- Check the current tire sidewall (e.g., 205/55R16) to confirm what’s fitted now.
- Match or exceed the placard’s load and speed ratings when choosing replacements.
- If wheels were changed, confirm their diameter and width, and ensure the tire size you pick is approved for that wheel width.
These steps ensure you purchase tires that fit properly and meet safety requirements.
Popular replacement tire picks (2025)
All-season touring (most non-Si trims)
For comfort, longevity, and strong wet-weather performance, these models are widely regarded and commonly available in 195/65R15 and 205/55R16.
- Michelin CrossClimate 2
- Continental TrueContact Tour
- Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack
- Goodyear Assurance ComfortDrive
These choices balance quiet ride, tread life, and braking performance—ideal for daily driving.
Low-rolling-resistance (HF, Hybrid, Natural Gas)
If maximizing mpg is your goal, LRR tires reduce energy loss without sacrificing safety when you choose reputable models.
- Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus
- Michelin Energy Saver A/S
- Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max
- Continental ProContact EcoPlus
LRR designs can add range and efficiency, but always prioritize braking and wet grip when comparing options.
Performance options for Civic Si (215/45R17)
Si owners can choose year-round performance all-seasons or warm-weather summer tires for sharper handling and braking.
- Performance all-season: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4; Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06 Plus; Bridgestone Potenza RE980AS+
- Summer performance (warm climates only): Firestone Firehawk Indy 500; Michelin Pilot Sport series (availability varies by size); Continental ExtremeContact Sport line
Summer tires deliver the best dry/wet grip in heat but lose traction in cold; switch to all-season or winter tires when temperatures drop.
Dedicated winter/snow
For sustained sub-freezing conditions or frequent snow, winter tires dramatically improve safety and control.
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
- Michelin X-Ice Snow
- Continental VikingContact 7
Install winter tires on all four wheels for balanced handling and predictable braking.
Summary
The 2012 Honda Civic typically uses 195/65R15 (DX/LX/HF/Hybrid/CNG), 205/55R16 (EX/EX-L), or 215/45R17 (Si). Most drivers will want quality all-season touring tires; HF/Hybrid/CNG trims benefit from low-rolling-resistance models, and the Si pairs best with performance all-season or summer rubber. Always confirm size, load, and speed ratings on your door placard and match or exceed those specs for safe, headache-free replacement.
What tires are recommended for a Honda Civic?
Best Honda Civic Tires
- yokohama. YK-GTX. 4.7 Read Reviews (2264) Long-lasting and reliable all-season performance.
- michelin. Defender 2. 4.8 Read Reviews (8117) Better stopping distances and all-season grip.
- continental. ControlContact Sport SRS+ 4.6 Read Reviews (1806)
- kumho. Solus Majesty 9 TA91. 4.5 Read Reviews (540)
What kind of tires are on a 2012 Honda Civic?
2012 Honda Civic tires could be 195/65R15, 205/55R16, or 215/45R17, and a brand new 2012 Civic could’ve left the factory with a set of Michelin Pilot MXM4, Continental ContiProContact, Bridgestone Ecopia EP20, Firestone Affinity Touring S4 FF, or Dunlop SP Sport 5000 tires attached.
What size tires fit a 2012 Honda Fit?
The Honda Fit also comes with a range of tire sizes, including 185/60R15 tires and 185/55R16 tires.
What size wheels are on a 2012 Honda Civic?
This new 16” x 6.5” 5-V-spoke replacement wheel design came as an option on the Honda Civic for the years 2012, 2013 & 2014. These 2012-2014 Honda Civic wheels came standard on most EX & EX-L models whether coupe or sedan.