Oil Life Indicator Not at 100% After Oil Change

[BostonDriver]

I just took my CRV for it's second oil change last night and for whatever reason the oil life indicator is still at the same % as it was before I took it in. I called the dealer and they said that the mechanic must have forgotten to reset it when they did the oil change. Does this seem like a reasonable explaination? I figure they couldn't have forgotten to do the oil change and this seems logical enough, but assumed that the system relied on sensors and was not the type of thing that needed to be reset.

Additionally, is it naive to get my oil changed every 5,000 miles? I've been reading posts on here and it sounds like most people do use the oil life as a guage. My oil life was still 60% when I brought it in but I have been raised to bring the car in ever 5,000 miles. I'm a bit on the protective side since I would like to drive this car for a long time.

[Honda Tech]

but assumed that the system relied on sensors and was not the type of thing that needed to be reset.

There are no sensors involved with the oil life indicator. There is no physical monitoring of the oil quality or level. The indicator must be reset following an oil change. The oil life indicator is a mathematical algarythm programmed into the PCM to calculate the rate at which the oil is being degraded based on various engine operating parameters. This is designed to allow the operator to base their oil change intervals on their operating habits rather than a strict mileage based interval.

Additionally, is it naive to get my oil changed every 5,000 miles? I've been reading posts on here and it sounds like most people do use the oil life as a guage. My oil life was still 60% when I brought it in but I have been raised to bring the car in ever 5,000 miles. I'm a bit on the protective side since I would like to drive this car for a long time.

The environmentalists will tell you that you are wasting money and resources and contributing to global pollution and carbon emissions.

If you use a motor oil meeting the API SM standard, you will not be hurting anything to wait until the oil life index is at 15% before getting it changed. If you operate in a very dusty environment, or use the absolutely cheapest gasoline you can find, you should probably change it sooner.

If it makes you happy to change it every 5K, you are certainly not hurting the engine by doing so.

[BostonDriver]

Thanks for the response. That was very helpful.

[Black Pearl]

Honda Tech, excellent as always.

[pepollock]

HondaTech- Good info on oil. It's hard for us old guys to get used to a 10K
oil change. If you're old enough (me!) you cut your teeth on 2K.

Question: How do you re-set the oil life indicator?

Pete, '07 EX

[Honda Tech]

Question: How do you re-set the oil life indicator?

Pete, '07 EX


See posts 12 or 13

http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5279#post5279

Use the info select button with the key on, but the engine not running, when you pull the oil life display up for viewing.


JD

[chivas1]

See posts 12 or 13

http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5279#post5279

Use the info select button with the key on, but the engine not running, when you pull the oil life display up for viewing.


JD

Will resetting the oil life indicator also reset other maintenance items programed in the PCM? such as tire rotation? Or will it just reset Oil Life percentage?

[chivas1]

Will resetting the oil life indicator also reset other maintenance items programed in the PCM? such as tire rotation? Or will it just reset Oil Life percentage?

My bad..... just found another thread that covers what I asked and then some, http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1766