
Changing the clock in your Civic is a straightforward process that typically takes less than a minute. The exact method depends on your Civic's model year and the type of audio or infotainment system it has. For most modern Civics (approximately 2016 and newer), you'll use the touchscreen, while older models have physical buttons on the audio head unit.
For Honda Civics with a Touchscreen (e.g., 2016-2025 Models):
For Older Honda Civics with Knob/Button Audio Systems:
If you're unsure which system you have, consulting your owner's manual is the most reliable step. The process is designed to be intuitive, and using the auto-set feature is the best way to ensure your clock is always accurate.

Just use the touchscreen. On my 2020 Civic, I go to 'Settings,' then 'System,' and find 'Clock Adjustment' in there. The best part is the 'Auto Set' option. Turn that on, and you'll never have to mess with it again—it sets itself using GPS. It's one less thing to worry about twice a year when the time changes.

On my older 2012 Civic, there are no touchscreen menus. The trick is the physical buttons. You press and hold the "SOUND" button on the radio until the time on the display starts flashing. Then you use the "H" and "M" buttons to change the hour and minute. It's a very simple, old-school way of doing it, but it works perfectly every time.

I always forget how to do this after daylight saving time. What I learned is that the method is totally different depending on your Civic's year. New ones use the screen; my 2018 has a 'Settings' menu for the clock. But my friend's 2015 required holding down the radio's 'SOUND' button. The safest bet is to just keep your owner's manual in the glovebox. A quick look at the index for "clock" gives you the exact steps for your specific car.

Beyond just pushing buttons, consider enabling the automatic time setting if your Civic has it. This feature, often called GPS Time or Auto Set, uses satellite signals to maintain perfect accuracy. It's a set-it-and-forget-it solution that accounts for time zone changes and daylight saving automatically. For manual changes, the process is a simple menu dive on newer models or a button-hold sequence on older ones. The goal is to make your life easier, so opting for automation is the smartest move for long-term convenience.


