Help: 2006 Honda Civic EX service light

[Miss Hin]

Hi savvy car people.

This piece of "mystery" has been something I wanted solved for a long time.

The wrench light that comes on that is supposed to alert me to oil changes (better yet, services my car requires)

Usually it rotates between, A1 or B1 or A12 or B12.

Always A then B then A then B

I know what the symbols and numbers mean when it comes to the service needed.

What I really want to know is whether or not the wrench light is actually directly related to the oil life. Or if it's just comes on every certain number of Kilometres (I never monitored it so closely, but the car is 81000kms and I serviced it about 6 times. Three A services and three B services)

What I also want to know is whether those symbols are just programmed to show up after certain kilometres or are they actually monitoring the car's needs.

It seems like to me that this is all a gimmick to get people to spend more money.

Each A service is a about $45 and each B service is about $200.

Please shed some light on this situation.

For everyone else that owns a civic that is 2006 and newer, do you take the car into a dealership each time? Or you just ignore the wrench and get it done at Mr Lube or Canadian Tire.

I saw how they reset the oil life. You just hold down the reset button when the car is turned off, and then turn the car on. After about 10 seconds, the wrench blinks and you let go the button then press the reset button again and the oil life goes back to 100%.

That worries me, since the reset seems too simple of an operation.

If any of your know exactly what determines which symbol to show up, it would help if you could enlighten me.

Thanks

Sorry for the long windedness.

[orange7]

It's calculated by kilometers driven since last reset of that particular service. I don't really follow the service reminder. I follow my own knowledge, but the service light does help remind me that it's been a while since i've done an oil change.

[Rikaro]

it's just a reminder. Don't trust it too much.

[SpuGen]

The "oil life" is read by the ecu.
It depends on how many times you start it, speeds you drive at, RPM, throttle% and stuff.

So yes, you could go with the oil life wrench, or you can just wait it out. I waited it out on mine when I had it. It's mainly a friendly reminder of when you should ideally change your oil.

[77civic1200]

Originally Posted by SpuGen

The "oil life" is read by the ecu.
It depends on how many times you start it, speeds you drive at, RPM, throttle% and stuff.

So yes, you could go with the oil life wrench, or you can just wait it out. I waited it out on mine when I had it. It's mainly a friendly reminder of when you should ideally change your oil.

+1

oh, and the reset procedure should be in your owners manual, its not some big secret they try to hide from you

[TypeRNammer]

Everything that you need to know is in the owners manual.

If a service B pops up, DO NOT TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP, it's an overpriced oil change and tire rotation and bullshit check ups.

[fliptuner]

$45 for an oil change at the dealership is good considering the oil (synthetic) and a generic filter are going to run you $35+ and you don't get your hands dirty, have to worry about disposal and get an OE filter.

B service is usually just a tire rotation, brake check and fluid check.

By the sounds of it, you spent about $800 to maintain your car for the last 3 years. If you're not mechanically inclined or don't have a place to do it, I think it's a reasonable price to pay.

I do 99% of the work on all my cars so I would do the B service stuff on my driveway but I also wouldn't hesitate do get the oil change done at Honda if I was feeling lazy (not for that price at least).

[GordonTse]

Originally Posted by SpuGen

The "oil life" is read by the ecu.
It depends on how many times you start it, speeds you drive at, RPM, throttle% and stuff.

So yes, you could go with the oil life wrench, or you can just wait it out. I waited it out on mine when I had it. It's mainly a friendly reminder of when you should ideally change your oil.

correct. it's how you drive your car that determines the oil life. i personally do all my own servicing because i work at a dealership, free oil, hoist to use, i have all the tools i need, etc.. and if i need honda parts, i get staff pricing. hehe

[Miss Hin]

^ lucky!! I wish I had hook ups like that!!

Thanks for all the info guys.

I just wanted to make sure that the oil life thing is actually based on usage, not just based on mileage.

Also that the symbols that comes with it is not some gimmick, but actually really what the car needs.

I'm never taking a b service to the dealership again!!

Feels so ripped off now!!

Thanks again.

[alex.w *//]

Main Item B/B1


Replace engine oil* and filter.
Rotate tires,** inspect for wear and adjust pressure
Service front and rear brakes.
Inspect parking brake adjustments.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids and check for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system.

all this for $200-$400?

major rip off, especially the inspection part, even with simple car knowledge, anyone can do this.

jack up the car yourself and when you're waiting for the oil to drain, look for any defects, uncertainty.

[k20a]

Originally Posted by TypeRNammer

Everything that you need to know is in the owners manual.

If a service B pops up, DO NOT TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP, it's an overpriced oil change and tire rotation and bullshit check ups.

Originally Posted by fliptuner

B service is usually just a tire rotation, brake check and fluid check.

No, B Service is not just a tire rotation, brake CHECK and fluid check.

Originally Posted by alex.w *//

Main Item B/B1


Replace engine oil* and filter.
Rotate tires,** inspect for wear and adjust pressure
Service front and rear brakes.
Inspect parking brake adjustments.
Inspect tie rod ends, steering gear box and boots.
Inspect suspension components.
Inspect driveshaft boots.
Inspect brake hoses and lines (including ABS)
Check all fluid levels, condition of fluids and check for leaks.
Inspect exhaust system.

all this for $200-$400?

major rip off, especially the inspection part, even with simple car knowledge, anyone can do this.

jack up the car yourself and when you're waiting for the oil to drain, look for any defects, uncertainty.

They say it could void warranty if you don't keep some history with the dealerships. (Like if it's ALL oil changes or no service).

But I do agree it's overpriced, but IMO, I think you should go to dealership for service once in a while and other times, just do your own work.

[77civic1200]

The main thing you are paying for on a B service, is the brake SERVICE. Its not just a simple inspection, peeking at the pads. They are removing the calipers and pads, cleaning everything off and re-lubing everything. Considering how susceptible honda/acura braking systems are to seizing, you should really get the service done. It is a preventative maintenance, sure you can skip it, but be prepared to be replacing calipers and slides every few years.

[Miss Hin]

^ if they actually do it.

Every time I go to the dealership I have a sneaking feeling of being ripped off.

Apparently they say they change the air filter too....

How dirty do those things get in 8 months anyway. the one that filters the cabin air.

How crucial is it to change that. I have a feeling they never changed mine.

[77civic1200]

Air filter/cabin filter aren't part of the B service, well at least not at Acura. Don't know about honda.

[GordonTse]

cabin filter has another number. look in your owners manual it tells you all the abbreviations.

[Miss Hin]

Cool,

Thanks guys.