What is the Power Outlet on my 2016 Civic EX good for ?

alternator

My manual says the power outlet is not suitable for use with a cigarette lighter, but does not say what it is good for, or warn about other other things it might not be good for.

Can someone enlighten me please ?

93tracker5spd

Hello! The power outlet in any 12v system is designed for a special type of plug.

Anything with this type of plug which is listed as operating on 12v DC will work with your power outlet. You will find these on hand held car vacs', emergency air pumps for tires, certain phone chargers, and a myriad of other consumer items that give you the convenience of operating them in your automobile. The reason a cigarette lighter is not recommended for this outlet, is that the lighter outlet has one or two tabs inside that are by-metal and as the lighter heats so do the tabs until they expand releasing the lighter to pop out, the power outlet does not have these tabs and won't hold the lighter in until hot. Hope this helps to clear things up. And good luck.

stever

I use one of mine for my Garmin GPS.

alternator

Thanks so much. I doubt Honda could have explained it better, but they should have at least tried. Many customizable things were barely touched on in their minimalistic owner's manual.