If you’ve ever glanced at your Honda’s instrument cluster and seen “Trip A” or “Trip B” on the display, you might have wondered what they’re for. What Is Trip A And Trip B Honda? These are simple but incredibly useful tools built into your car’s odometer system, designed to help you track different driving distances separately from the main odometer.
Think of them as independent mileage counters you can start, stop, and reset whenever you want. They offer practical benefits for managing your fuel efficiency, tracking service intervals, and monitoring specific journeys. This guide will explain everything you need to know about these handy features.
What Is Trip A And Trip B Honda
At its core, Trip A and Trip B are two separate trip meters in your Honda vehicle. They are part of the multi-information display (MID) found in the gauge cluster, right between your speedometer and tachometer. Unlike your main odometer, which permanently records the total miles on the car, these trip meters are resettable.
You can use them to measure the distance of any drive or series of drives. For example, you might use Trip A to track miles per tank of gas and Trip B to track the distance of a single road trip. They are standard feature on almost every modern Honda, from the Civic and CR-V to the Accord and Pilot.
How to Find and Use Your Trip Meter
The location of the trip meter controls is generally consistent across Honda models. You’ll operate it using buttons or stalks on your steering wheel or instrument panel.
Locating the Controls:
* Steering Wheel Controls: Most newer Hondas have “i” (info) or “sel/reset” buttons on the steering wheel.
* Instrument Panel Stalk: On some older models, there is a small stalk or button sticking out from the instrument cluster directly infront of the driver.
* The Display: The trip information will be shown in the digital screen within your speedometer.
Basic Operation (Resetting):
1. Ensure your trip meter is showing. You might need to cycle through display options using the “i” or “sel” button until you see “Trip A” or “Trip B.”
2. Press and hold the “reset” button (often the same “sel/reset” button) for about 1-2 seconds.
3. You’ll see the numbers reset to zero. That’s it!
Switching Between Trip A, Trip B, and Odometer:
Simply press the “sel” or “i” button briefly (do not hold it) to cycle through the different displays. It will typically go in this order: Odometer → Trip A → Trip B → Back to Odometer.
Practical Uses for Trip A and Trip B
These meters are more than just numbers; they’re tools for smarter car management. Here are the most common and helpful ways to use them.
Tracking Fuel Economy (Miles Per Gallon):
This is arguably the most popular use. You can get a very accurate MPG reading for a specific tank of gas.
* Reset Trip A when you fill your gas tank completely.
* Drive normally until your next fill-up.
* At the next fill-up, note the miles on Trip A and the gallons it took to refill.
* Divide Trip A miles by gallons used. For example, 320 miles / 10 gallons = 32 MPG.
* Reset Trip A again and repeat.
Monitoring a Road Trip:
Use Trip B to track the total distance of a long journey.
* Reset Trip B at the start of your vacation or business trip.
* At the end of each day or the entire trip, you can see exactly how far you’ve traveled without affecting your fuel-tracking on Trip A.
Measuring Commute or Specific Route Distance:
Curious how far your daily commute really is? Or the distance to your frequent weekend destination?
* Reset a trip meter at the start of the route.
* Check it when you arrive. This is perfect for calculating reimbursement for work miles.
Keeping Up with Maintenance Intervals:
Honda recommends service at certain mileage intervals (like every 5,000 or 10,000 miles). Your trip meter can help.
* Reset Trip A after an oil change or tire rotation.
* Check it periodically to see how many miles you’ve driven since that service.
* This gives you a heads-up for when the next service is due, independent of the main odometer.
Comparing Different Driving Styles:
Want to see if gentle driving really saves fuel?
* Reset Trip A at the start of a week where you drive very conservatively. Calculate MPG at the end.
* Reset Trip B the next week and drive more aggressively. Compare the two MPG results.
Trip Meter vs. Odometer vs. Range
It’s important not to confuse these terms, as they show different information.
* Trip Meter (A/B): Resettable. Measures any specific distance you choose.
* Main Odometer: Permanent and should never be reset. It shows the total lifetime miles/kilometers the vehicle has traveled. Tampering with it is illegal.
* Range Display: This is an estimate (usually shown as “miles to empty”) calculated by the car’s computer based on current fuel level and recent driving habits. It’s a guess, not a precise measurement like the trip meter.
Advanced Features in Some Honda Models
Depending on your Honda’s trim level and year, your trip computer might offer enhanced data linked to the trip meters.
* Average Fuel Economy: Shows the average MPG since the last trip meter reset.
* Instant Fuel Economy: Shows your real-time MPG, which helps you see how driving habits affect efficiency.
* Average Speed: Calculates your average speed for the current trip.
* Elapsed Time: Can show how long the trip meter has been running since the last reset.
To access these, use your steering wheel controls to cycle through the different information screens while your trip meter is active.
Step-by-Step Guide for Common Honda Models
The process is very similar, but here are some model-specific pointers.
For Honda Civic (especially newer models with digital clusters):
1. Use the “i” buttons on the left side of the steering wheel.
2. Press the top or bottom “i” button to cycle to Trip A or B.
3. Press and hold the “i” button in the center (often labeled “sel/reset”) to reset the displayed trip meter.
For Honda CR-V and Pilot:
1. Locate the “i” or “sel/reset” stalk on the instrument panel, usually to the left of the steering wheel.
2. Press the end of the stalk to cycle displays.
3. Pull the entire stalk toward you and hold for a second to reset.
For Honda Accord:
1. On models with steering wheel controls, use the buttons labeled “info” or “sel.”
2. On some models, there is a physical button on the dashboard to the left of the steering column.
3. The process remains the same: cycle to view, hold to reset.
If you’re unsure, the quickest reference is always your owner’s manual. It has the exact instructions for your specific model year.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
My trip meter won’t reset.
* Make sure you are holding the reset button long enough (a full 1-2 seconds).
* Ensure you have the correct trip meter (A or B) displayed before trying to reset it.
* On some models, the car must be in the “On” position or the engine running.
The display is stuck on “Trip A” and I can’t switch it.
* Try pressing the button more firmly. The buttons can sometimes be less responsive.
* Turn the car off and on again. This can reset the display cycle.
* Check your fuses. A blown fuse for the instrument cluster could cause issues.
Trip meter resets on its own.
This is unusual. It could indicate a minor electrical glitch or a failing battery. If your car’s battery is weak or was recently disconnected, it can sometimes cause the trip meters to reset. If it happens repeatedly without reason, have your battery and charging system checked.
All displays (odo, trip) are blank.
This points to a problem with the instrument cluster itself. A fuse, a loose connection, or a faulty cluster would need professional diagnosis.
Tips and Tricks for Maximum Utility
* Designate a Purpose: Be consistent. Always use Trip A for fuel tank miles and Trip B for oil change miles, for example. This prevents confusion.
* Use the Average MPG Display: If your car has it, resetting the trip meter also resets the average MPG calculation. This gives you a clean slate for your next measurement period.
* Check Before Selling: When selling your car, note the odometer reading. You can also use the trip meters to show a potential buyer the distance of a test drive.
Long-Term Tracking: You can use a trip meter for very long periods (like tracking miles over a whole year), but remember it will reset if the car battery dies or is disconnected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What’s the difference between Trip A and Trip B in my Honda?
A: There is no functional difference. They are two identical, independent counters. The distinction is only for your convenience, so you can track two different things at once.
Q: Can I reset my main odometer using the trip meter button?
A: No, absolutely not. The main odometer is protected and cannot be reset through normal means. Attempting to alter it is illegal.
Q: Why does my Honda have two trip meters?
A: It provides flexibility. With two, you can track a short-term trip and a long-term maintenance interval simultaneously without losing data.
Q: Do Trip A and B affect the “miles to empty” range display?
A: Not directly. The “miles to empty” is calculated separately by the car’s computer. However, your driving habits over the current trip (which affect fuel economy) will influence the range estimate.
Q: How do I switch from kilometers to miles on the trip display?
A: The units for the trip meter follow the main setting for the instrument cluster. You can usually change this in your vehicle settings menu via the touchscreen or using steering wheel controls. Consult your manual for the exact steps.
Q: Will disconnecting the battery reset my trip meters?
A: In most cases, yes. Disconnecting the vehicle battery typically resets Trip A and Trip B to zero, along with your radio presets and clock time. The main odometer will not be affected.
Q: What does “Trip” mean on a Honda?
A: It simply refers to a journey or a measured distance. The trip meter is a tool to measure that distance.
Mastering your Honda’s Trip A and Trip B functions is a small step that can lead to better vehicle management and cost savings. By using these simple tools, you gain a clearer picture of your driving habits, your car’s health, and your fuel expenses. Next time you get in your Honda, take a moment to set a trip meter—you might be surprised at how useful those little numbers can be.