Honda Maintenance Minder Codes, List & Chart
Don't let surprise Honda maintenance codes on your dash add unnecessary stress to your day! New Honda models are fitted with integrated Honda Maintenance Minders and codes, but even though they're efficient and designed to make auto care simpler for trained technicians, they can be tricky for drivers to understand.
If your vehicle's got a new Honda B1 service alert lighting up the cockpit, the Planet Honda team created this quick reference guide to help you know what to do to get back on the road safely. Let's look at what specific service codes mean so you can navigate your Honda Maintenance Minder system like a pro.
What's the Honda Maintenance Minder?
If you drive a new Honda model, your vehicle likely has a Maintenance Minder system. The name might make it sound complicated, but it's actually quite straightforward and can clue you in on how critical parts are working. The Maintenance Minder monitors your vehicle's engine temperature, speed, ambient temperature, and driving duration to measure auto care needs.
When the Honda Maintenance Minder notices something wrong or functioning at a suboptimal level, it sends a visual alert to your vehicle's dash. These alerts typically include a combination of graphics and Honda maintenance codes. Did your dashboard recently light up with a picture and a code, but you're not sure what the code means? Here's how to decipher it.
How Does the Honda Maintenance Minder Work?
Today's vehicles don't typically include maintenance schedules, which is good news. Printed maintenance intervals can't take driving habits, weather conditions, and unforeseen wear and tear into consideration and could cost you more money by suggesting oil changes and battery checks at the wrong times. With the Honda Maintenance Minder, you get a personalized maintenance forecast for your vehicle – without any extra effort.
The Honda Maintenance Minder uses sensors that are strategically placed throughout your vehicle to monitor and detect any issues with parts and performance. Sensors give you a much more accurate reading of your vehicle's health and can even show you the percent of oil life remaining! But to truly set you up for success, Honda engineers took this system a step further by populating Honda maintenance codes alongside those graphics, too. These codes tell you what type of service is needed as long as you know what they stand for.
What Do Honda Maintenance Codes Mean?
Honda maintenance codes are divided into three categories: oil codes, service main codes, and service sub-codes. Main codes are denoted by an "A" or a "B," while sub-codes are numbered one through seven. Each Honda maintenance code has a different meaning, so you'll know exactly what's wrong and how severe the problem is.
If you see a Honda A1 service code on your dash or notice a Honda B12 service alert appear during your drive, the letters and numbers you see will tell you exactly what work needs to be done. To better understand your Honda maintenance system, including your Honda oil life codes, here's an index for you to follow:
Honda Oil Life Codes
- 15% Oil Life: You'll need fresh oil soon, so go ahead and schedule your appointment at our service center
- 5% Oil Life: Your oil is dirty, low, and unable to protect your vehicle properly
- 0% Oil Life: Your oil level is dangerously low, and your car needs immediate service
Main Honda Service Codes List
| Visible Code | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| A | Replace engine oil | Fill oil tank to capacity |
| B | Replace engine oil and oil filter | Fill oil tank to capacity |
| Inspect front and rear brakes | Check brake pads and disc thickness and damage Check calipers for damage, leaks, and tightness Check parking brake linings for cracking, glazing, wear Check for oil or grease contamination |
|
| Check parking brake adjustment | Note the number of clicks when the parking brake pedal is depressed (typically 5 or 6) | |
| Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and gearbox boots | Make sure the steering linkage is connected Check gearbox boots for damage or grease leakage |
|
| Inspect suspension components | Make sure bolts are sufficiently tightened Check the ball joint boots for deterioration or damage |
|
| Inspect driveshaft boots | Make sure boots have no cracks and boot bands are tight | |
| Inspect brake hoses and lines, including ABS/VSA | Note any leakage or damage on the master cylinder or VSA modulator-control unit | |
| Inspect all fluid levels and condition of fluids | Use the proper tools to check engine coolant, transmission fluid, rear differential fluid on AWD models, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid | |
| Inspect exhaust system | Check the mufflers, exhaust pipes, and catalytic converter heat shields for damage, leaking, and tightness | |
| Inspect fuel lines and connections | Make sure all connections are tight and that there are no cracks or deterioration |
Honda Service Sub-Codes Chart
| Visible Code | What It Means | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rotate tires and check tire inflation | Follow the tire change pattern in your owner's manual |
| 2 | Replace air cleaner element Replace dust and pollen filter Inspect drive belt |
Change the air cleaner element, usually every 15,000 mi Replace the filter when the hot or cold airflow is noticeably different Look for cracks, damage, and proper positioning of drive belt auto-tensioner indicator |
| 3 | Replace transmission fluid | Use Honda ATF DW-1 in the following capacities: 2.3 qts for 2WD models, 2.7 qts for AWD models |
| 4 | Replace spark plugs Replace timing belt and inspect water pump Inspect valve clearance |
Use ILZKR7B-11S (NGK) or SXU22HCR11S (DENSO) spark plugs If you drive in very cold or hot temperatures, replace components every 60,000 mi Intake clearance should be 0.009 in, exhaust clearance should be 0.010 to 0.011 in |
| 5 | Replace engine coolant | Use Honda Long Life Type 2, or add Honda Extreme Cold Weather Type 2 concentrate for extended cold-weather driving |
| 6 | Replace rear differential fluid (AWD models) | Use Honda Dual Pump Fluid II |
| 7 | Replace brake fluid | Replace each time a reminder appears or every 3 yrs |
Tricky Honda Maintenance Codes & How to Decipher Them
Based on the charts above, you'll notice that service main codes are always either an "A" or a "B," and sub-codes are numbered one through seven. But what if a Honda A12 service code or a Honda A13 service alert appears on your dash? What do 12 and 13 stand for?
These Honda maintenance codes are actually a combination of two separate alerts: "A12" stands for A, 1, and 2, or "replace engine oil," "rotate tires and check tire inflation," "replace the air cleaner element," "replace the dust and pollen filters," and "inspect the drive belt."
Get Top-Shelf Honda Service at Planet Honda
If you've used the charts and information above to self-diagnose your vehicle's issues and locate any damage, give yourself a pat on the back! You successfully determined your model's needs, and now it's time to trust the professionals at the Planet Honda service department to get your car, truck, van, or SUV up and running again.
We even make it easy to schedule service with our online calendar, or you can call or stop by if that works better for you. Our technicians are factory-trained and make repairs and adjustments with genuine Honda parts. Keep your Honda model in top shape with regular at-home inspection and routine service center maintenance. We can't wait to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Honda service codes?
Honda service codes, also called Honda maintenance codes, are lettered and numbered indicators that appear on your vehicle's dashboard to show you what's happening with specific automotive parts and fluids. Honda maintenance codes are labeled "A" or "B" and numbered one through seven, so you'll know exactly where to look to find any problems. Once you locate the issue, drop your model by our service center for repairs!
What does service A mean on a Honda?
The Honda maintenance code "A" stands for "Replace engine oil." The letter "A" will be accompanied by numbers one through seven or a combination of numbers one through seven to direct you to the exact vehicle components that need service. For example, a Honda maintenance code of A3 would mean you need to replace engine oil and transmission fluid to keep your car protected.
What does service B mean on a Honda?
Noticing a Honda "B" service code on your vehicle's dashboard? Letter "B" alerts indicate a varying range of internal issues. You may need to inspect or adjust your brakes, inspect your suspension, check your exhaust system, or more. The number (or numbers) that follow the service "B" code will give you a more detailed description of the problem at hand.
About The Author
Planet Honda NH is a leading expert in Honda vehicles, offering a customer-first, eco-conscious approach to car buying and service. As a certified Green Dealer and Water Conservation Badge recipient, Planet Honda is proud to lead with sustainability while delivering exceptional value and care to drivers across New Hampshire.