This post is all observation and opinion so take as you wish.
I caught this thread from another:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/auto-stop.5091.html
Yeah, I know I'm a Prius driver talking to Civic drivers about their animal, but after reading this thread, it seems that there is something of a similarity between the Prius and the Civic in getting auto stop to work during the winter.
Engine temperature is key. It seems that both vehicles will run their ICEs until they reach an optimal temperature. And both will run their engines to provide hot coolant for cabin heat. I'm not surprised that Civic pilots can coax their auto-stop during cold weather by "deactivating" their climate control system. I can also get my ICE to turn off at stops by turning off the climate system. Now, this only works if the ICE internal temp is inside the bounds expected by the ECUs, but it still will accomplish the same thing.
I'm glad we have something in common.