How to Reset Oil Life on Honda Pilot? 3 Methods Explained!

The oil life indicator on your Honda Pilot shows the current oil health in your vehicle. After changing the oil, you have to manually reset the oil life to start the count again.

But how to reset oil life on Honda Pilot? You can reset the oil life on the Honda Pilot using the center screen or steering wheel buttons on newer models. For older models, you have to use the Trip Reset button on the odometer.

Let me guide you through the detailed steps of all possible methods. Here you go.

Oil Life and the Importance of Resetting It

Mineral or synthetic engine oils are used in the Honda Pilot and other vehicles. Over time, the oil quality deteriorates and impacts the engine performance. When the oil life indicator is low, the maintenance light comes up on the dashboard.

You need to change the oil and filter as part of scheduled maintenance. If you get it done from the dealership, they will reset the oil life after changing it.

Oil Life and the Importance of Resetting It

But if you change the oil from other shops, they might forget to reset the oil life. The same can happen when you change the oil yourself. After changing the oil, you must reset the oil life so that the count starts from 100%.

When you put a new oil in the car and reset it, the oil life indicates 100%. Depending on the driving distance, the system calculates the remaining oil life. The engine oil can last for about 3,000-5,000 miles. As the mileage increases, the oil life indicator decreases. And when it goes below 15%, you will see the oil light or maintenance light.

How to Reset Oil Life on Honda Pilot?

The oil life can be reset in three methods on the Honda Pilot, depending on the manufacturing year of the vehicle. Check the following list.

From the Center Screen: This method is suitable for Honda Pilot 2018 and newer models. They come with a center display that contains all the information about the vehicle systems. You can navigate the menu and reset the oil life from there.

Using Steering Controls: Honda Pilot models between 2008 and 2023 have multiple buttons on the steering wheel. You can use these buttons to reset the oil life. Remember, the button configuration can vary depending on the model year of your vehicle.
Using Trip Reset Button: This method is for Honda Pilot models older than 2008. Those models have a Trip Reset button on the odometer. You can use this button to reset the oil life.

Method 1: Resetting Oil Life on Honda Pilot from the Center Screen

The center console can be a touchscreen or have physical buttons in various models. However, the process will remain almost the same. Let me tell you in detail.

Step 1: Turn the ignition on. It is the “RUN” or II position. All the electronics will turn on at this stage, but the engine will be off. If you have a push-to-start button on your Honda Pilot, you just need to keep the key fob with you. Then, press the Start button twice. Don’t touch the brake pedals.
Step 2: Tap the “Home” icon at the top left corner of the screen. If your vehicle doesn’t have a full touchscreen, you will find a physical button below the Home icon. Press it once. It will open the menu.
Step 3: Tap on “Settings”. On the next screen, you should tap the “Vehicle” option.

Step 4: Use the scroll bar or scroll arrow icons to scroll down. You can also scroll down directly by swiping on the screen. Go all the way down to find the “Maintenance Information” option. Tap on it.
Step 5: The oil life indicator will appear on the next screen. There can be other maintenance items as well. If you want to reset everything, tap the “Reset All” button at the top right corner. For now, we will only focus on the oil life reset. So, tap the “A. Engine Oil” option.
Step 6: The dialogue box will have two buttons. Tap the “Reset” button to reset the oil life. On the next box, you should press “Reset” again to confirm.

Step 7: It will take a few moments to reset the oil life. After that, the oil life indicator will show 100%.

Resetting Oil Life on Honda Pilot from the Center Screen

Method 2: Using Steering Controls

There can be variations in the process depending on your car’s model year. On newer models after 2018, you need to use the steering buttons on the left side. But Honda Pilot 2016-2018 models have a Reset button on the right side. I will show you both variations.

Step 1: Turn the ignition key to the “RUN” position. The display will turn on, but the engine will be off. Alternatively, you can press the Start button twice to turn the electronics on.

Step 2: On newer models, you need to press the “Home” button on the left side of the steering wheel once. It will open the menu on the driver’s display.

Read: Why Is My Oil Light On? 9 Reasons and Solutions

On 2016-2018 models, you will have upward and downward arrow buttons on the right side of the steering wheel. Use those arrows to find the Oil life indicator.

Step 3: For 2018 and later models, use the circular arrow buttons on the left to scroll through the menu and select “Maintenance”. Then, press the “Enter” button to find the oil life indicator.

Step 4: Scroll through the options to select the Oil Life options. Press Enter again. The oil life indicator will be displayed.
Step 5: Press the Enter button and hold it for at least ten seconds. A new menu will appear. Select “Item A Only” from the menu. It indicates the oil life. Then, press Enter again. For earlier models, you need to press the Reset button on the right side and hold it for ten seconds.
Step 6: Now, the oil life will be reset on your Honda Pilot. Go back to the home screen and continue driving.

Method 3: Using Trip Reset Button

Older models of the Honda Pilot before 2008 didn’t have dedicated buttons to navigate the menu. In that case, you need to use the Trip Reset stem button on the dashboard. Here is how to do it.

Step 1: Turn the key to the “RUN” position, but don’t start the engine. Only the display should light up.
Step 2: Press the Trip Reset button to change the information on the dashboard display. Continue pressing it until the oil life indicator shows up.

Step 3: Press the Trip Reset button and hold it for at least ten seconds. Release the button when the oil life indicator starts blinking.
Step 4: While the indicator blinks, press the Trip Reset button again and hold it for five more seconds. After that, the indicator will stop blinking and the oil life will be reset.

FAQs

You might have some more questions regarding the oil life reset on the Honda Pilot at the back of your mind. Then, check the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Q: What if the oil light won’t reset on the Honda Pilot?

Read: How to Reset Oil Change Light Ford Focus? Expert Solution

If you have used the above methods correctly, the oil life should be reset on your vehicle. But if the oil life doesn’t reset, you should contact your dealership or take the vehicle to a repair shop for a system check. It might solve the issue.

Q: Does the oil life always cause the maintenance light?

Not necessarily. The maintenance light can come up if other maintenance items are due. For example, the maintenance light will turn on if a tire rotation is due.

Q: How long can I drive after resetting the oil life?

It depends on the oil type, driving conditions, etc. If you use mineral oils, the oil life will be about 5,000 miles. Synthetic engine oils run for about 10,000 miles.

Final Thoughts

An oil life reset is such a mere task that Honda Pilot owners often forget it. Even though it doesn’t impact the vehicle’s performance, it will trigger the maintenance light incorrectly. So, you should reset the oil life after every oil change.

I explained how to reset oil life on Honda Pilot in three ways. Choose whatever method is suitable for your vehicle and follow the steps correctly. Once you reset the oil life in a few minutes, you can be relaxed for a few thousand miles.