Simple DIY Steps for Accord, CR-V, Civic, and More
If you’re the kind of person who enjoys taking care of your own vehicle maintenance, you’re not alone. Plenty of Honda drivers across Ontario—from high school grads at Durham College to seasoned DIYers in places like Whitby, Mississauga, and Ottawa—prefer to roll up their sleeves and handle oil changes at home. But there’s one part of the process that often causes confusion: resetting the oil life indicator. Whether you’re driving a Honda Accord, CR-V, Civic, Pilot, or another model, knowing how to reset your oil light is a small but important step to complete the job right.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to reset the oil light on a Honda, why that indicator shows up in the first place, and how to handle other dashboard warnings with confidence. No tools required—just a few minutes of your time and a little patience.
What Is the Oil Life Indicator on a Honda?
The Honda oil life indicator is part of the Maintenance Minder™ system, a built-in tool designed to help drivers keep their engine in good condition. It doesn’t just measure mileage; it also accounts for engine conditions, driving habits, and climate to calculate when you should change your oil.
When your oil life drops below a certain percentage—usually 15% or lower—your Honda will alert you with a warning on the dashboard. This might appear as a wrench icon, or as a digital message such as “Service Due Soon” or “Oil Life 15%.”
Once you change the oil, the system needs to be manually reset to clear the notification and begin tracking from 100% again. If you skip this step, your car will continue to warn you even though the oil has been changed.
Why Resetting the Oil Life Indicator Matters
If you’re confident your oil change was done correctly, it can be tempting to ignore the indicator—but don’t. Failing to reset the oil life system means:
- Inaccurate maintenance tracking – You won’t get a true reading of when your next oil change is due.
- Persistent dashboard warnings – The message can be distracting and easy to forget about until real issues arise.
- Possible warranty issues – For newer vehicles, some warranties require regular maintenance with accurate tracking.
Resetting the oil life light takes less than a minute once you know how. Let’s walk through how it’s done.
How to Reset Oil Life on a Honda: Step-by-Step Instructions
Honda vehicles share many similarities when it comes to dashboard systems, but the exact steps to reset the oil light on a Honda can vary slightly depending on the model and year.
Here’s how to reset the oil life indicator in the most common Honda models.
Reset Oil Life on a Honda Accord (2018–2025)
- Turn the ignition to ON (don’t start the engine). If you have a push-button start, press the button twice without pressing the brake pedal.
- Use the Home button on the steering wheel. Navigate to the Maintenance menu using the up/down arrows.
- Select Oil Life. Press ENTER.
- Hold the ENTER button for 10 seconds. A reset mode will appear.
- Select “All Due Items” or just “Engine Oil.” Press ENTER again to confirm.
Your oil life should now display 100%, and the warning light will disappear.
Reset Oil Light on a Honda CR-V (2017–2025)
- Turn the ignition to ON.
- Navigate to the Settings menu using the steering wheel controls.
- Scroll to Maintenance Info and press ENTER.
- Highlight Oil Life and press and hold ENTER for 10 seconds.
- Choose “Reset” when prompted.
You’re good to go—no need to visit a dealership!
Reset Oil Life in a Honda Civic (2016–2025)
- Turn on the vehicle without starting the engine.
- Use the Info button (i button) on the steering wheel to navigate to the Oil Life screen.
- Press and hold the Reset button (or ENTER) for 10 seconds.
- Select “Reset” when the confirmation prompt appears.
Older Honda Models (Before 2015)
If your Honda has a simpler, analog dashboard, use these steps:
- Turn the ignition key to ON (position II).
- Press and hold the trip/reset button on the dashboard.
- Keep holding until the oil life or maintenance light blinks and resets.
Usually, this takes around 10 seconds.
Troubleshooting: What If the Light Doesn’t Reset?
If your oil life indicator doesn’t reset properly:
- Double-check your steps — It’s easy to miss a button press or hold time.
- Confirm your oil was changed — Some indicators may not reset if they detect poor oil quality.
- Try again — Sometimes, it takes more than one attempt for the system to recognize the reset.
Still having trouble? Visit your Honda dealership or trusted mechanic for help. The reset process is quick and often complimentary.
Understanding Other Honda Dashboard Warning Lights
Your oil life indicator isn’t the only thing keeping an eye on your car’s health. Honda dashboard warning lights cover a wide range of issues. Here are a few you might come across:
- Check Engine Light (amber) – A general warning that something in your engine or emissions system needs attention.
- Battery Light (red) – Indicates charging issues—could be the alternator or battery.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – Lights up when one or more tires are under-inflated.
- Brake System Light – Could mean low brake fluid or an issue with the braking system.
When in doubt, refer to your owner’s manual or use a diagnostic scan tool to read error codes. Staying on top of these warnings can prevent costly repairs later.
FAQs About Honda Maintenance Light Reset
Q: Do I need any tools to reset the oil life indicator?
A: Nope! Just your key or push-button ignition and the buttons on your dashboard or steering wheel.
Q: What happens if I don’t reset the oil life after changing my oil?
A: The system will keep showing old data, and you won’t get accurate reminders for your next service.
Q: Does the oil life indicator go off automatically?
A: No. You must reset it manually after changing your oil.
Q: Can I reset the oil life without changing the oil?
A: Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. The system is designed to help protect your engine. Resetting without changing the oil could lead to engine damage over time.
Q: How do I know when it’s time to change my oil?
A: When the oil life percentage hits 15%, you’ll get a reminder. Make sure to plan to change your oil before it drops to 0%.
DIY Honda Maintenance Tips
Learning how to reset your oil life indicator is just one part of becoming a more confident, hands-on Honda owner. Here are a few extra tips for keeping your car running like a dream:
- Stick to a maintenance schedule. Even if you’re doing the work yourself, follow Honda’s recommended service intervals.
- Use quality parts and fluids. Especially engine oil—check your owner’s manual for the right viscosity.
- Keep records. Whether it’s a handwritten log or a phone note, tracking your oil changes can help with resale value or warranty claims.
- Learn your dashboard. Get familiar with the warning lights so you can respond quickly when they show up.
Resetting the oil life indicator in your Honda might seem like a small detail, but it plays a big role in maintaining your car and your peace of mind. Once you’ve changed your oil and reset the oil light, your Honda’s Maintenance Minder can get back to doing its job—accurately reminding you of what’s next.
Whether you’re driving a Honda Accord, CR-V, or Civic through the streets of Oshawa, commuting along the 401, or heading out for a weekend up north, the process is quick, easy, and totally doable on your own. So next time your oil life percentage hits zero, don’t stress. Now that you know how to reset the oil light on a Honda, you can stay ahead of maintenance with confidence.