Seeing that “Maintenance Due” or wrench light on your Honda Civic’s dashboard can be a little reminder you don’t need. But resetting the oil life monitor is a simple task you can do yourself in just a minute. This quick and easy guide will show you exactly How To Reset Oil Life On Honda Civic for various model years.
Your car’s system calculates oil life based on engine revolutions, temperature, and mileage. When it reaches 15%, it’ll give you a reminder. At 0%, it’s time for a change. After that fresh oil is in, resetting the system is crucial so it can accurately track your next service interval.
How To Reset Oil Life On Honda Civic
The process varies significantly between older models with physical buttons and newer ones with touchscreen infotainment systems. We’ll cover all the common methods. First, a critical safety note: always perform this reset with the vehicle in Park and the engine OFF, but the electrical power ON (so you can see the dashboard).
Tools You’ll Need
You don’t need any special tools. Just your own two hands and a minute of time. For most methods, you’ll use the steering wheel controls or buttons on your instrument cluster.
- Your vehicle key or key fob.
- A basic understanding of your dashboard controls.
Method 1: For Older Civics (Roughly 2006-2015 Models with a Dashboard Button)
Many Civics from this era have a simple reset button on the instrument panel, often near the speedometer. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “ON” (II) position. Do not start the engine. You should see all your warning lights illuminate.
- Locate the small, recessed button on your instrument cluster. It’s often labeled “Select/Reset” or just has an icon. You may need a pen or paperclip to press it.
- Press and hold the button. You will see the oil life display start to blink.
- Continue holding the button until the display resets to 100%. This usually takes about 10 seconds.
- Turn the ignition off and then start your engine to verify the reset was succesful. The maintenance reminder light should be gone.
Method 2: For Civics with an “i” Button (Roughly 2012-2015 Models)
Some models replaced the physical reset button with an “i” button on the steering wheel. The steps are still very straightforward.
- Turn the ignition to the “ON” (II) position. Again, do not start the engine.
- Press the “i” button on the left side of the steering wheel repeatedly. This will cycle through different displays on your instrument cluster (Trip A, Trip B, etc.).
- Stop when you see the “Oil Life” percentage displayed.
- Once the Oil Life is showing, press and hold the “i” button. The percentage will begin to blink.
- Keep holding the button until the display shows “Oil Life 100%”. Release the button.
- Turn off the ignition. You’re done! The system is now reset.
Method 3: For Newer Civics with Touchscreen (2016 and Later, Including 10th & 11th Gen)
This is the most common method for modern Honda Civics. The entire process is handled through the digital gauge cluster or the central touchscreen. The steps can vary slightly between the fully digital cluster and the partial one, but the menu path is similar.
- Put the vehicle in Park. Start the engine and let it idle. It’s often easier to do the reset with the engine running for these models.
- Use the steering wheel controls (usually the right side) to navigate. Look for buttons labeled with up/down arrows or “sel” (select).
- Scroll through the instrument cluster displays until you find the “Vehicle Settings” or “Settings” menu. Select it.
- Within Settings, scroll to find “Maintenance” or “Maintenance Info.” Select it.
- You will now see “Engine Oil Life” or similar. Select it, and you should see an option to “Reset.”
- Confirm the reset when prompted. The display should now read 100%.
- You can also often acces this through the main touchscreen. Go to “Settings” > “Vehicle” > “Maintenance Info.” The steps are very intuitive once your in the menu.
If You Have a Digital Speedometer Cluster
For Civics with the full digital “Audi-style” cluster, the process is particularly visual.
- With the car on, use the “Home” button on the steering wheel to enter the main menu on your instrument cluster.
- Navigate to the “Vehicle Settings” icon (it looks like a car).
- Scroll down to “Maintenance.”
- Select “Reset All” or “Reset Item.” If you choose “Reset Item,” you can then select “Engine Oil” specifically.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.
What If the Reset Isn’t Working?
Sometimes, the system might not reset on the first try. Don’t panic. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Timing is Key: Make sure you’re pressing and holding the button for the full duration (usually 10+ seconds). It often takes longer than you think.
- Ignition Position: For older models, the key must be in the “ON” position where the dash lights are on, but the engine is not cranking. For newer ones, the engine is often running.
- Menu Navigation: On touchscreen models, ensure you are in the correct sub-menu. Sometimes the reset option is buried a level deeper than you expect.
- Battery Disconnect: As a last resort, disconnecting the car battery for a few minutes can sometimes clear the reminder, but it will also reset your clock and radio presets.
Why Resetting Your Oil Life Monitor Matters
It’s not just about turning off an annoying light. The oil life system is a sophisticated computer that helps you maintain your engine properly. If you don’t reset it, it cannot accurately calculate when your next oil change is due.
This could lead to the system telling you to change oil too soon, or worse, not alerting you when it’s actually time. Consistent maintenance based on accurate readings is key to ensuring your Honda Civic’s engine runs smoothly for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to change my oil exactly when it hits 15% or 0%?
The 15% warning is just that—a warning to plan your service soon. You should aim to change the oil at or before it reaches 0%. Driving a short while after it hits 0% is generally okay, but don’t delay for hundreds of miles.
Can I reset the oil light without changing the oil?
Technically, yes. But you should never do this. Resetting the monitor without putting in fresh oil means the system is tracking life for old, degraded oil. This can lead to severe engine wear and damage. Always reset only after a full oil and filter change.
My Civic has different menus than described. What should I do?
Your best resource is your owner’s manual. It has the exact procedure for your specific model year and trim. You can usually find a digital copy online if you’ve lost the physical one.
Does resetting the oil life also reset other maintenance reminders?
On older models, it often just resets the oil life. On newer models with the touchscreen system, you usually have the option to “Reset All” maintenance items (like tire rotation, filter changes) or just the oil life individually. Be sure to select the correct option.
The maintenance light is still on after a reset. What now?
Double-check that you completed the full sequence. If it persists, there might be another pending maintenance reminder (like for a cabin air filter) that needs to be cleared separately. Consult your manual for all maintenance reset procedures.
Final Tips for Success
Resetting your Civic’s oil life is a simple piece of vehicle ownership. By following the correct steps for your model, you can ensure your maintenance schedule stays on track. Remember, this guide is for the oil life indicator only. Other warning lights, like the red oil pressure light, indicate serious problems and require immediate attention—do not ignore those.
Taking that minute to reset the system after every oil change helps you keep a reliable record of your car’s care. It’s a small task with big benefits for the long-term health of your Honda Civic. With this guide, you’ll never be confused by that dashboard reminder again.