What Is Honda Maintenance Minder, And How Does It Work?

Original publication: August 15, 2019 | Updated: May 2025

Modern Honda vehicles are built to minimize guesswork when it comes to service—and a key component behind that convenience is the Honda Maintenance Minder system. Standard across the current lineup of 2025 models such as the Honda CR-V, HR-V, Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, and Pilot, this intelligent onboard feature uses vehicle-specific data to track maintenance needs and notify you at the right time—not too early and never too late.

Whether you're driving a hybrid model like the 2025 CR-V Hybrid or a turbocharged Civic, the Maintenance Minder helps maximize vehicle health while avoiding unnecessary servicing. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works and what it tracks.

How the Honda Maintenance Minder System Works

The Maintenance Minder is an algorithm-based monitoring system that replaces traditional mileage-based service intervals with a more personalized, condition-based approach. Rather than relying solely on preset kilometre thresholds, it continuously monitors:

• Engine temperature
• Ambient temperature
• Driving habits
• Speed
• Trip duration
• Engine load and RPM
• Start/stop cycles

Using these real-time inputs, the system calculates the degradation of engine oil and other critical systems, then presents this information on your vehicle’s multi-information display (MID) or digital dashboard.

Understanding the Engine Oil Life Indicator

One of the main features of Maintenance Minder is the Engine Oil Life percentage. This percentage, shown on your dashboard or infotainment display, represents the remaining useful life of your engine oil—not how much oil is in the system.

• 100% means freshly changed oil.
• 15% triggers the first service reminder and the wrench icon will illuminate.
• 5% prompts a more urgent reminder.
• 0% signals that the recommended oil change interval has passed and service is overdue.
• Negative % or mileage indicates how far past the recommended interval you've driven.

This helps eliminate the outdated “every 5,000 km” mentality by adapting to how you actually drive, whether that means extended oil change intervals on highway-heavy commutes or more frequent service for city drivers or towing.

Main and Sub Maintenance Minder Codes

When your vehicle requires service, the system displays a main code (A or B) along with sub-codes (1 through 6) to indicate which specific services are recommended.

Main Codes

• A – Engine oil replacement only.
• B – Comprehensive service: engine oil and filter change, brake inspection, fluid level check, tire inspection, and additional items as needed (including parking brake adjustment and front/rear brake pad inspection).

Sub-Codes

These appear alongside the main code to specify additional required maintenance:

• 1 – Tire rotation
• 2 – Replace air cleaner element, inspect drive belt, replace cabin dust/pollen filter
• 3 – Replace transmission fluid (for CVT, 10-speed, or hybrid eCVT depending on your model)
• 4 – Replace spark plugs, inspect timing chain components (not belt), and check water pump*
• 5 – Replace engine coolant
• 6 – Replace rear differential fluid (typically for AWD models like CR-V, Passport, or Ridgeline)

Note: Most modern Honda models like the 2025 Civic and CR-V no longer use a timing belt and instead feature a timing chain, which generally doesn’t require regular replacement. The system adjusts accordingly depending on engine type.

How the System Differs Between Models

The Maintenance Minder adapts its alerts depending on your vehicle’s configuration:

• Hybrid models (e.g., 2025 Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid): Maintenance schedules are adjusted for electric drive systems, and fluid service intervals differ from gas-only models.
• AWD models (e.g., 2025 Ridgeline, Pilot): The system includes rear differential service reminders (sub-code 6) based on AWD usage patterns.
• CVT-equipped models: Transmission fluid change intervals will trigger at different times compared to 10-speed automatic models.

In all cases, the system aligns with Honda’s official maintenance schedule while tailoring service timing based on driving conditions.

How to Check Oil Life and Maintenance Minder Codes

On most 2025 models, including the Civic and HR-V, simply use the steering wheel controls to toggle through the MID:

1. Turn the ignition or power switch to ON.
2. Use the ▲/▼ arrows on the steering wheel to scroll to Maintenance Info or Oil Life.
3. Press ENTER to view detailed maintenance codes and oil life percentage.

Alternatively, many newer Hondas will display this information on startup when a service is due or overdue.

How to Reset the Maintenance Minder

After completing service, the Maintenance Minder must be reset manually (unless your service technician does it for you):

1. Turn the vehicle on without starting the engine.
2. Navigate to Oil Life using the steering wheel buttons.
3. Press and hold the Enter/Reset button for 10+ seconds until the oil life and codes begin to blink.
4. Release and press the button again for 5+ seconds until it resets to 100% and codes disappear.

This process may vary slightly depending on your vehicle’s model and infotainment setup. Always refer to your owner’s manual for detailed steps.

How Long Can You Go Without an Oil Change?

Thanks to modern engine oil formulations and the Maintenance Minder’s predictive technology, many new Honda vehicles can go up to 12,000–15,000 kilometres between oil changes, depending on driving conditions. However, if you frequently tow, idle, drive in extreme temperatures, or make short trips, you’ll likely see shorter intervals.

The best part? You don’t need to guess. The Maintenance Minder calculates all of this for you.

Why Honda Maintenance Minder Still Matters

With modern Hondas incorporating more technology than ever—including advanced safety features like Honda Sensing 360, EV or hybrid systems, and more sophisticated powertrains—maintenance must be timely and precise. The Maintenance Minder system ensures that each Honda is cared for based on how it’s actually driven, not just on arbitrary distance markers.

By following its reminders and codes, you maintain your vehicle’s performance, protect its resale value, and reduce the risk of long-term mechanical issues.