How to change Honda HRV oil life?
The oil life indicator on the Honda HR-V is reset after an oil change so the maintenance minder can accurately track remaining life. In most recent HR-Vs, you reset it by using the instrument cluster controls and the SEL/RESET button on the steering wheel until the display shows 100% oil life.
In this guide, we outline what the oil life indicator means, provide step-by-step reset instructions that cover common HR-V years and trims, and share tips for troubleshooting if the reset doesn’t take. The goal is to help you restore the maintenance Minder to its default 100% after you’ve completed an oil change, while avoiding misreads that could delay upcoming service.
Understanding the oil life indicator
The oil life percentage is part of Honda’s Maintenance Minder system. It estimates how much life remains in the engine oil based on factors such as driving conditions, engine temperature, and mileage. After you change the oil, you should reset this indicator to 100% so the system can correctly time your next oil change. Resetting does not physically change the oil—it simply restarts the life-tracking calculation.
Standard reset procedure for most HR-V models
Use this method if your HR-V has the steering-wheel SEL/RESET button and a multi-information display (MID). It works on the majority of recent HR‑V generations and trims.
- Turn the ignition to ON with the engine OFF.
- On the instrument cluster, scroll to the Oil Life display using the SEL/RESET button (or the appropriate navigation in the MID) until Oil Life is shown.
- Press and hold the SEL/RESET button for about 5–10 seconds until the Oil Life reads 100%.
- Turn the ignition OFF, then start the engine to confirm the Oil Life shows 100%.
After performing these steps, the maintenance minder should indicate 100% oil life. It will begin to decrease as you drive under typical conditions, reflecting the anticipated need for future maintenance.
Alternate method for older trims or different displays
Some older HR-Vs or trims use the trip odometer/info button sequence rather than the steering-wheel SEL/RESET control. If your model follows that setup, try this approach.
- With the ignition ON and the engine OFF, cycle the display to Oil Life using the trip/info button.
- Press and hold the same button (often the trip/reset button) until the Oil Life resets to 100%.
If this method doesn’t work on your vehicle, consult the owner’s manual for model-specific instructions or contact a Honda dealer. Some rare cases may require a service tool reset if there’s a fault in the maintenance data.
Tips and best practices
General guidance to keep your HR-V's maintenance minder accurate: use the recommended oil grade and change interval as specified in your owner’s manual, record the date and mileage of the oil change, and verify the Oil Life after resetting. If you recently disconnected the battery or lost power to the clock, the system might need reinitialization or a dealer reset.
Troubleshooting quick checks
If the Oil Life does not reset after following the steps, try these checks: ensure the ignition is in ON with the engine off, hold the reset button long enough (often 5–10 seconds), and verify you’re on the Oil Life screen during the reset. If problems persist, there may be a fault in the Maintenance Minder memory or a need for diagnostic scan. In that case, a dealer or qualified mechanic can perform a fault code check and reinitialize the system.
Summary
Resetting the Honda HR-V oil life after an oil change is a quick procedure that returns the maintenance minder to 100% so it can accurately monitor future oil life. The standard method uses the SEL/RESET button and the MID in most modern HR‑Vs; some older trims may require using the trip/info controls. If the reset fails, consult the owner’s manual for model-specific steps or seek assistance from a Honda service professional. Always pair the reset with a proper oil change and a confirmed oil level check to protect your engine’s health.
Quick reminder
At the end of the process, you should verify the display shows 100%. Keep a simple maintenance log noting oil type, change date, and mileage, so you stay aligned with Honda’s recommended service intervals.
How do I Reset my oil life display?
To reset the oil light, turn the ignition to the "on" position without starting the engine, and then follow your car's specific procedure: the most common methods are pressing the gas pedal to the floor three times within 10 seconds, or holding down dashboard buttons until the light blinks and resets. Always perform the reset after an oil change and check your owner's manual for precise instructions.
General method (pedal-based)
This method works for many vehicles, particularly older models.
- Turn the ignition on: Insert the key and turn it to the "on" position, but do not start the engine.
- Pump the gas pedal: Fully press and release the accelerator pedal to the floor three times within 10 seconds.
- Check the reset: Turn the ignition off, then start the engine to verify that the light has been reset.
General method (button-based)
This method is common for newer vehicles with dashboard menus.
- Turn the ignition on: Insert the key and turn it to the "on" position, but do not start the engine.
- Navigate the menu: Use the buttons on your steering wheel or dashboard to scroll through the menus until you find the "oil life" or "vehicle information" section.
- Hold the reset button: Press and hold the "reset" or "OK" button for a few seconds until a message confirms the reset is complete, such as "Reset Successful" or "100%".
- Turn off and restart: Turn the ignition off, then start the engine to ensure the light is gone.
If the general methods don't work
- Consult your owner's manual: The exact procedure varies by make and model, so your owner's manual is the best source for specific instructions.
- Try a combination: Some vehicles may require a combination, such as holding both the brake and gas pedals down simultaneously while turning the key to the "on" position.
- Take it to a professional: If you are unable to reset it yourself, a local auto shop can perform the reset for you.
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How do I Reset my Honda oil life?
To reset a Honda's oil life, turn the ignition to the "on" position without starting the engine, then use the steering wheel controls to navigate to the "Maintenance" or "Engine Oil Life" screen, and press and hold the "Enter" or "Select/Reset" button for about 10 seconds to reset it to 100%. The exact button names and menu options may vary slightly depending on the model year.
This video demonstrates how to reset the oil life on a 2016 Honda Accord: 49sBlu-TSXYouTube · Apr 24, 2015
General steps for newer Honda models
- Turn the vehicle on: With your foot off the brake, press the engine start button twice for a push-button start, or turn the key to the "on" position.
- Navigate to the maintenance menu:
- Use the steering wheel's buttons to find the "Menu" or "Home" button, often with an "i" icon.
- Press the "Home" button to get to the main menu, then use the navigation wheel to select the "Maintenance" or "Vehicle Maintenance" icon (often a wrench symbol).
- For some older models, you may need to press the "Menu" button and then the "SOURCE" button multiple times.
- Select "Oil Life": Navigate to the "Engine Oil Life" or "Oil Life" option within the maintenance menu.
- Reset the indicator:
- Press and hold the "Enter," "Select/Reset," or roller wheel button for about 10 seconds.
- The indicator will start to blink, and you may need to press and hold the button again or select "Reset" or "All Due Items" to confirm.
- Verify the reset: The oil life should now show 100%. You can cycle through the menu again to confirm.
You can watch this video to see how to reset the oil life on a 2016-2020 Honda Civic: 1mThe RIX ExperienceYouTube · Apr 20, 2020
If you have a different model year
- Older models: The process may involve a physical "SEL/RESET" button on the dashboard, which you'll need to press and hold until the oil life resets.
- Check your owner's manual: For the most accurate instructions for your specific vehicle, consult your owner's manual.
How does the Honda oil life indicator work?
A Honda oil life indicator, or Maintenance Minder, works by using the car's computer to calculate remaining oil life based on real-time engine operating conditions. It monitors factors like engine speed, temperature, ambient temperature, time, and vehicle use to determine when an oil change is necessary, displaying the percentage remaining and maintenance codes. The system is designed to recommend changes for optimal oil performance, which can be sooner than the 10,000-mile baseline, depending on driving habits.
This video demonstrates how to check the oil life percentage on a Honda using the steering wheel controls: 31sNeil Huffman Honda of FrankfortYouTube · Mar 24, 2022
How it works
- Monitors engine data: The onboard computer continuously collects data from various sensors, including engine speed (RPM), engine temperature, and ambient temperature.
- Considers driving conditions: The system evaluates how you drive, factoring in the time spent idling, the average speed, and how often the engine is started.
- Calculates oil life: It uses this data to calculate the remaining oil life, which is displayed as a percentage.
- Provides alerts: When the oil life reaches 15%, the Maintenance Minder light and codes will appear on the dashboard. The display will show negative mileage once service is overdue.
- Includes a time limit: Even if the percentage is still high, Honda still requires the oil to be changed at least once every 12 months.
- Does not check oil level: The indicator does not monitor the oil level itself. It's crucial to check the oil level regularly with the dipstick, as it won't be reflected by the oil life percentage.
This video explains how the oil life indicator works in a Honda CR-V: 57sDmitry SapkoYouTube · Jul 8, 2024
How to check and reset
- Check oil life: Use the steering wheel controls to cycle through the information on the Multi-Information Display (MID) until you find the maintenance information or oil life percentage.
- Reset oil life: After an oil change, hold the Select/Reset button until the oil life display flashes, then press and hold it again until it resets to 100%.
You can watch this video to learn how to reset the engine oil life on a 2006-2011 Honda Civic: 59sTRQYouTube · Jan 22, 2025
How to Reset oil life on a Honda HR-V?
To reset the oil life on a Honda HR-V, turn the ignition to the "on" position, locate the reset button (usually a trip knob on older models or a selector wheel on newer models), and press and hold it until the oil life percentage starts to flash. Once it flashes, release the button, then press and hold it again until the indicator shows 100%100 %100% and turns off.
For older models (2016-2020) with a trip reset knob
- Turn the ignition to the "on" position (without starting the engine).
- Press the "trip reset" knob repeatedly until "Oil Life XX%" is displayed.
- Press and hold the same knob until the percentage starts to flash.
- Release the knob, then press and hold it again until the oil life resets to 100%100 %100%.
You can watch this video to see how to reset oil life on a 2016-2020 Honda HR-V: 55sVagabond BuildsYouTube · Mar 20, 2025
For newer models (2023-2025) with a touchscreen and control wheel
- Turn the ignition to the "on" position.
- Press the "home" icon on the steering wheel to clear any current messages.
- Press the "home" icon again until you reach the "Information" menu.
- Use the clickable wheel to scroll to and select "Maintenance".
- Once the oil life is displayed, press and hold the wheel for about 10 seconds to enter the reset menu.
- Scroll to "All Due Items" or "Engine Oil" and press the wheel to reset it to 100%100 %100%.
