How do you reset the oil life on a Honda?
With the ignition in the ON position and the engine off, you can reset the oil life indicator in a few quick steps. In most Hondas, this is done using the steering wheel controls to select Oil Life and then holding a reset button until it reads 100%.
The exact steps can vary by year and trim, especially with different instrument displays or the presence of a digital multi-information display. This guide covers the general method and model-specific variations for popular Honda models such as Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Pilot.
Common reset procedure that works on many Honda models
Use the following steps if your vehicle uses a standard instrument cluster and the maintenance minder shows Oil Life on the main display.
- Turn the ignition to the ON position while keeping the engine off.
- Navigate to the Oil Life display using the SEL/RESET button on the steering wheel or the instrument cluster.
- Press and hold the SEL/RESET button for about 5 seconds until the Oil Life percentage resets to 100%.
- Release the button, turn the ignition off, then start the engine to verify that Oil Life now shows 100%.
- If the Oil Life does not reset after several seconds, repeat the steps or try the alternative method for your model (such as using the TRIP/RESET knob or the maintenance menu).
Note: Some older or specialty trims may require using the TRIP/RESET knob while turning the ignition to ON, or navigating through the maintenance menu in the information display to reset Oil Life.
Model-specific instructions
Below are model-specific variants for popular Honda vehicles. If your year or trim isn’t listed, the general method above should apply, but always check your owner’s manual for any exceptions.
Honda Civic (2016–present)
Reset steps for Civics with a standard instrument cluster:
- Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
- On the instrument cluster, press and hold the SEL/RESET knob until the Oil Life percentage resets to 100%.
- If your Civic uses the i-MID display, go to Maintenance > Oil Life, select Reset, then return to the main screen. Turn the ignition off and back on to confirm.
Note: Some trims require a longer hold or a reset via the maintenance menu on the display.
Honda Accord (2018–present)
Reset steps for Accords with a digital display:
- With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, access the Maintenance or Vehicle Information display.
- Navigate to Oil Life under Maintenance and select Reset (or follow the on-screen prompts to reset).
- Return to the home screen and verify that Oil Life shows 100% after the reset.
If your Accord uses a more traditional instrument cluster, you may still reset Oil Life by holding the SEL/RESET button to cycle to Oil Life and resetting it as described above.
Honda CR-V (2017–present)
Reset steps for CR-V models with a multi-information display:
- Turn the ignition to ON (engine off).
- Use the steering wheel controls to locate Oil Life on the information display.
- Press and hold the SEL/RESET button until Oil Life resets to 100%.
- If Oil Life isn’t visible, navigate to Maintenance > Oil Life and perform the reset from there.
Many CR-V trims use the same approach, with the reset accomplished by a held press of the reset button or via the maintenance menu.
Honda Pilot and other recent models
For Pilot and similar newer models, the procedure follows the same general pattern:
- Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.
- Access Oil Life through the instrument cluster or the vehicle’s information/maintenance menu.
- Hold the reset control (often SEL/RESET or equivalent) until Oil Life returns to 100%.
- Verify by starting the engine and confirming Oil Life reads 100%.
If your vehicle uses a different route (e.g., a dedicated Oil Life option within the media display), follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reset.
Tips and watch-outs
- Reset the Oil Life indicator only after you actually change the oil or as recommended by your maintenance schedule.
- If you don’t see Oil Life or the reset doesn’t work, double-check the owner’s manual for year- and trim-specific steps, or contact a Honda dealer. Some models may require a longer button hold or a reset through the maintenance menu rather than a direct button press.
Summary
Resetting the oil life on a Honda is a quick maintenance task that most owners can perform in a few seconds. The standard method involves turning the ignition to the ON position with the engine off, using the SEL/RESET control to locate Oil Life, and holding the reset button until the reading returns to 100%. Variations exist by model and year, so consult the owner’s manual if you don’t see the expected options on your display. Perform the reset after an oil change or as advised by service intervals, and verify the result by starting the engine to confirm theOil Life reads 100%.
