Honda Civic 2006-2011 Engine Oil Life Indicator Reset

The 2006-2011 Civic was a major improvement over earlier versions, featuring a roomier and quieter interior and a better ride. Most versions have a refined and economical 1.8-liter four-cylinder, returning 28 mpg overall with the five-speed automatic and 31 mpg with the slick-shifting manual. A hybrid version gets a combined 37 mpg, but it sacrifices some trunk space and hybrid battery failures have been an issue. (We'd pick a Toyota Prius instead.) Steering is well-weighted and quick. Road noise remains noticeable. Inside is a roomy rear seat for a small car, with enough room for adults. The unique two-tier dashboard isn't to everyone's liking. The sporty Si uses a more powerful and rev-happy 2.0-liter four with a crisp six-speed manual, but its steering lacks feedback. As the years ticked by, Honda was slow to add electronic stability control (ESC) to this generation Civic, only including it on high-end EX-L and Si trims at the very end of the model run; most competitors introduced ESC earlier.

Engine Oil Life Display.

To see the current engine oil life, turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position, then press and release the select/reset knob repeatedly until the engine oil life indicator appears.

The remaining engine oil life is shown on the display according to this table:

If the remaining engine oil life is 15 to 6 percent, you will see the engine oil life indicator every time you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position. The maintenance minder indicator will also come on, and the maintenance item code(s) for other scheduled maintenance items needing service will be displayed next to the engine oil life indicator.

The 15 and 10 percent oil life indicators remind you that your vehicle will soon be due for scheduled maintenance.

When the remaining engine oil life is 5 to 1 percent, you will see a ‘‘SERVICE’’ message along with the same maintenance item code(s), every time you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.

Resetting the Engine Oil Life Display

Your dealer will reset the display after completing the required maintenance service. You will see ‘‘OIL LIFE 100%’’ on the information display the next time you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.

If maintenance service is done by someone other than your dealer, reset the maintenance minder as follows:

1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.
2. Press the select/reset knob repeatedly until the engine oil life indicator is displayed.