The Honda Civic is one of the more-recognized vehicles for reliability. It keeps working hard for you as long as you keep up on its maintenance. Sometimes, the vehicle will alert and tell you about the maintenance it needs through codes such as the A12.
What does the A12 maintenance code on the Honda Civic mean?
Most of the time, these maintenance codes display on your dash when the vehicle has determined it needs services. Any code should mean that you need to take action to service the car. The A12 code means the vehicle may need an oil change, engine air filter change, or a tire rotation.
Theres much to know about the maintenance codes with the Honda Civic. Once you learn what they mean and how to fix them, you can easily take better care of your vehicle. Well explain some of whats needed to do this here. Be sure to learn more about the maintenance needs of your Honda Civic based on its year at Vehicle History.
Understanding the Maintenance Minder System
Many modern Honda vehicles, including the Honda Civic, feature the companys Maintenance Minder System. Recognizing the importance of keeping owners on top of maintenance tasks, Honda developed this system to give you a nudge when you need to have repairs or maintenance performed.
Every vehicle is different in terms of the frequency and types of maintenance it needs. Honda develops a specific schedule for the maintenance based on that vehicles specific needs. This is generally based on the model year and trim as well as specific things like the engine or transmission that is in place or the features youve added to it.
The company programs this schedule into the cars computer. The computer keeps track of various data points, such as the number of miles youve driven or even the condition of the oil. When it detects specific parameters have been met, it lights up a warning on the dashboard. That tells you to get the vehicle in for service.
What Do the Codes Mean on the Honda Civic?
The Maintenance Minder System uses codes to communicate this information. These have two parts a letter and a number. Heres a breakdown of what those codes are and what they mean.
Main Maintenance Needs:
- The vehicle needs the engine oil replaced.
- The vehicle needs the engine oil and its filter replaced.
The Maintenance Sub Needs:
- Rotate the tires and also check their pressure and condition
- Replace the dust and pollen filter, replace the air cleaner element, and check the drive belt for proper function
- Replace the vehicles transmission fluid and transfer fluid
- Replace the timing belt if it has one, replace the spark plugs, inspect the valve clearance, and inspect the water pump for condition and function
- Replace the engine coolant
- Replace the rear differential fluid if the vehicle contains it
So, what does A12 mean? This means that the vehicle is stating that the engine oil needs to be changed. In addition to this, it is reporting: [1] the tires need to be rotated, the tire pressure checked, and the condition checked; as well as [2] the dust and pollen filter, air cleaner element, and the drive belt all need to be inspected.
Heres a video that helps break down this information:
Its a good idea to learn more about what all of the features on your dashboard mean.
Other Features and Warning Signs to Notice
In addition to code A12, you may notice other things listed on your dashboard when a maintenance reminder like this occurs. Heres a bit more info.
Oil Life: This is the condition of the oil. When you put new oil into your vehicle through a full oil change, this figure should be set to 100 percent. From that point onward, the percentage will drop.
You may start to see warning signs for oil life depletion around 15 percent. The percentage represented gives you an estimate as to how long you have until your oil life is no longer present.
Wrench: The Honda Civic also displays a yellow wrench on the dashboard. This wrench is an indication that service is needed. It doesnt tell you what needs to be done, but it encourages you to take the vehicle in to the dealership for more insight.
Of course, it also corresponds to the code youve been given. Using that code, you may be able to do some of the work yourself.
How to Reset the Maintenance Reminder System in a Honda Civic
Lets say you took care of all of those noted repair needs in the A12 code. Thats great. You dont have to have the dealership do this. You still need to let the vehicle know that this is done, so it can reset the oil life and start watching the miles again.
Some of the steps to do this depend on the model year and trim that you have. Here are some basic steps in this video on how to reset the maintenance reminder system. This process is accurate for the 2016 through 2018 Honda Civic, but other models are similar.
Follow these steps:
- Press the start/stop button twice. This gets the electrical system working. Theres no need to start the vehicle fully.
- Notice the wrench and maintenance due notifications and the code listed.
- On the left-hand side of the steering wheel, there is a small button that allows you to page through the displays. Do this until you see the oil life display [if thats what youve changed].
- Hold down the enter button for about 10 seconds. This causes the main screen to switch to the maintenance reset screen.
- Scroll through to select the one you wish to reset. Press and hold the enter button. This resets the appropriate maintenance reminders.
Invest in Your Vehicles Maintenance on a Routine Basis
To ensure your vehicle maintains its value, be sure to stay on top of all of your maintenance needs. Check out some recommendations on the Honda Civics Vehicle History.