Most Acura vehicles are equipped with an electronic computer system that is linked to the dashboard that tells drivers when maintenance is required. If the driver neglects a service light, such as the “SERVICE DUE NOW” light, he or she runs the risk of damaging the engine or worse, ending up stranded on the side of the road or causing an accident.
For these reasons, performing all scheduled and recommended maintenance on your vehicle is imperative to keep it running well so you can avoid the many untimely, inconvenient, and possibly expensive repairs that come from neglect. Luckily, the days of scratching your head and performing diagnostics to find the service light’s trigger are gone. Acura’s Maintenance Minder system is an algorithm driven, on-board computer that alerts owners about specific maintenance needs so they can address an issue promptly and without hassle. At its most basic level, it keeps track of engine oil life, and drivers can assess oil quality at the touch of a button. Once the system is triggered, the driver knows to schedule an appointment to take the vehicle in for servicing.
Certain driving habits can affect the life of the engine oil, as well as driving conditions such as temperature and driving terrain. Lighter, more moderate driving conditions and temperature will require less frequent oil changes and maintenance, while more severe driving conditions will require more frequent oil changes and maintenance. Read the table below to see how Acura’s Maintenance Minder system determines oil life:
- Note: Engine oil life is dependent not only on the factors listed above, but also on your specific vehicle model, year, and what type of oil is recommended. Check the owner’s manual for more information about what oil is recommended for your vehicle, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our experienced professionals for advice.
How Acura’s Maintenance Minder system works and what to expect
Once the information display number reduces from 100% (fresh oil) to 15% (dirty oil), a wrench-shaped light will appear on your dashboard, along with maintenance codes that indicate that your vehicle is due for servicing, giving you ample time to plan ahead to have your vehicle serviced. When the information display number reaches 0%, the oil life is over, and you begin accumulating negative miles that tell you your vehicle is past due for servicing. Remember: if the vehicle racks up significant negative mileage, the engine is increasingly at risk of damage.
- Tip: To check to see the engine oil progress as it deteriorates over time, simply press the “Select/Reset” knob on the information display. To turn off the engine oil display and return to the odometer, press the “Select/Reset” knob again. Every time you start the engine, the engine oil percentage will be displayed.
The following will automatically display on your dashboard once your engine oil reaches a certain level of usage:
When the service light appears on your dashboard, it will appear with service codes and sub-codes that indicate certain recommended maintenance that can affect the performance of your vehicle, as well as preventative steps necessary to check certain parts to determine their quality during the inspection. When you see the codes displayed on your dash, you will see one code and possibly one or any combination of sub-codes (i.e. A1, or B1235). A list of the codes, sub-codes, and their meaning is below:
While the engine oil percentages are calculated according to an algorithm that takes into account driving styles and other specific conditions, other maintenance minders are based on standard time tables such as in old-school maintenance schedules, located in the owner’s manual. This does not mean Acura drivers should ignore such alerts. Proper maintenance service will greatly extend the life of a vehicle, ensuring it is reliable, safe to drive, covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and also providing a greater resale value. Such maintenance tasks should always be performed by a qualified technician. Once the indicated issues have been addressed, the Acura Maintenance Minder must be reset to continue functioning correctly. If you have any doubts as to what Maintenance Minder codes mean or what services your vehicle may need, do not hesitate to contact our experienced professionals for advice.
If your Acura Maintenance Minder system is indicating that your vehicle is ready for servicing, have it checked out by a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic. Click here, choose your vehicle and service or service package, and book an appointment with us today. One of our certified mechanics can come to your home or office to service your vehicle.
