The Honda CRV has been in production since 1996 and is a mid-range utility vehicle slotting between the Hr-V and larger Pilot/ Passport models. The Honda CRV is available on the market worldwide and has been said to stand for “Comfortable Runabout Vehicle”.
With this model being so popular, it is surprising that many owners struggle to locate the Honda CRV oil life reset settings. The engine oil life percentage on your Honda CRV should be reset when your oil is changed to provide an accurate reading for your vehicle.
However, if you forget to reset this then the percentage shown will show a false indication of the life left in your engine oil. If you find yourself in this predicament, then this article is going to show you how to reset the oil life on all models of the Honda CRV.
Many CRV owners don’t realize that the oil life indicator is different from the oil pressure indicator. Knowing the difference between these two common dashboard lights can save you from a trip to the garage that might not necessarily be needed.
Let’s take a closer look at the difference between these two features on your Honda CRV and understand what they both mean.
The oil life indicator is a handy maintenance feature that comes with your Honda CRV and most modern vehicles today. Regular oil changes are required to keep your engine cool and ensure you get the longest engine life before needing to send your vehicle to the scrap yard.
Over time, this oil loses its ability to prevent your engine from grinding and damaging itself.
The oil life indicator lets you know when it’s time for your Honda CRV to have an oil change based on its operating conditions and ability to perform to expected standards. When your oil life reaches 15%, you may notice a yellow wrench illuminated on your dashboard reminding you to book a service to get your engine oil replaced.
The oil pressure indicator, however, is a more serious warning that illuminates when there’s an issue with the quantity or pressure levels in your oil. When your oil pressure indicator illuminates it can be an indication of several issues such as:
Sometimes your oil pressure light may flicker, this is an indication that the oil sensor may be faulty or have a low PSI when the vehicle is stationary. If your vehicle is regularly serviced and has the correct oil levels then it’s more than likely a faulty sensor or pump at fault.
Correct oil health and levels are essential in preventing your engine from becoming damaged. But what causes engine oil to degrade so fast? Several factors all play a part in the contribution of engine oil degradation, such as oxidation, contamination, and thermal breakdown.
Oxidation occurs when the oil and oxygen molecules react and create an increase in viscosity which leads to the sludge that is commonly seen. Once the oil begins oxidizing you may notice rust can form much easier as well as your dashboard lights illuminating.
Excessive or long-term exposure to strong heat can also lead to the breakdown of engine oil due to the lower RPM, which also means frequent start/stop driving, short trips, and uphill terrain can also cause your engine oil life to be shorter.
Now we have covered the differences in the Engine Oil Life and Oil Pressure Indicator features on your Honda CRV, let’s take a closer look into resetting your oil life indicator.
Option one
Option Two
The oil life indicator lets you know when it’s time for your Honda CRV to have an oil change based on its operating conditions and ability to perform, whereas the oil pressure indicator illuminates when there’s an issue with the quantity or pressure levels in your oil.
Most dealerships recommend you book your oil change once you reach 15% oil life and do not go below 0-5% as this can cause damage to your engine which would qualify for warranty coverage.
Based on the recommended intervals for Honda CRV conventional oil changes, 15% should last roughly 1125 miles under normal driving conditions.
The onboard computer systems in Honda vehicles monitor the operating systems and conditions your engine is exposed to such as temperature, speed, and length of use to suggest the best times to have maintenance and oil changes performed to keep your vehicle performing well and prevent engine damage.
Honda recommends you get your oil & filter changed between 7,500-10,000 miles for synthetic oil. Conventional oil is suggested at 3000-5000 mile intervals.
The Honda CRV has a large number of models which is expected with the amount of time it has been in production. This is why we have put together as much information as possible into this article to give you everything you need to know in one place. We hope this article has given you everything you need to know about resetting your Honda CRVs oil life indicator.
