What Does the Wrench Light Mean On a Honda?

By Tom Newman

If you are the owner of a Honda, you will likely see a wrench icon light up on your dashboard from time to time.

What may appear to be an inconsequential symbol can actually tell you a lot about how your vehicle is doing and what it might require to keep it running smoothly.

In this blog, we are going to explore what does the wrench light mean on a Honda, when it comes on, and the proper steps you should take to keep your Honda running at its best.

What Does the Wrench Light Mean?

The wrench light on a Honda car is a maintenance reminder. The light warns you that your vehicle is coming up on the next maintenance schedule.

Unlike warning lights that indicate that an urgent problem has occurred and that you must address it immediately, the wrench light indicates that it’s time for routine maintenance, like an oil change, tire rotation, brake job, etc.

How To Determine What Maintenance is Needed?

If the wrench comes on, the first thing you do is go look at your vehicle’s owner’s manual and the schedule. This tells us exactly what kind of work is going to be required at which interval.

Can You Continue Driving with the Wrench Light On?

So, while it’s fine to drive around with the light on, schedule service soon, or else, the light will eventually begin to flash, and the ailments could become ailing and the services even more costly

Can You Continue Driving with the Wrench Light On?

I will likely take the car to a trusted mechanic who is certified to perform Honda service (I’m not a fan of dealerships, but they should get in on these buzzwords, too).

How To Reset the Wrench Light?

Once the wrench light reset maintenance is performed, you will need to clear the reminder. There are several different ways to accomplish this, depending on your Honda model.

How To Reset the Wrench Light?
  • On most models, it’s using your vehicle’s trip meter or the buttons on your dashboard. Check your owner’s manual or see your mechanic for specific instructions.

What If the Wrench Light Stays On?

So, if it’s been lit for some time after you have completed the recommended maintenance and have reset the system, it could be an indication of an issue with the maintenance minder system or that there’s another underlying problem.

At that point, you would want to get it checked out by a certified mechanic or take it to a Honda dealership and have it diagnosed. 

Can You Still Drive with the Wrench Light On?

You can continue driving (even for thousands of miles) when the wrench light first appears, but you should schedule service soon.

On some Hondas, the wrench light signals a need for routine maintenance, like an oil change, a tire rotation, or even a brake check.

The vehicle remains safe to operate between these services, but depending on the work required, the problem could continue to degrade or even result in a repair bill if the service is postponed for an extended period.

Consider scheduling an appointment with a local mechanic or the nearest Honda dealership for this necessary maintenance as soon as possible.

Can You Still Drive with the Wrench Light On?

Routine maintenance is a vital part of making sure your Honda runs for many years to come. In some instances, if the light remains illuminated even with the maintenance, this could be a sign that your vehicle still has another issue preventing the light from turning off.

It can be difficult to know if you have resolved the problem when this list interpreter light stays on, and the reason for this could stem from more problems beyond the list.

Ideally, this light will not stay on, but if it does, have your vehicle inspected just to be sure you do not have another issue from the list.

When regular work is done on your vehicle, you can keep from having any disruptions to Honda.

FAQs on What Does the Wrench Light Mean On a Honda

What Does the Wrench Light Mean On a Honda?

The wrench light means the maintenance minder system of the vehicle has detected that it needs routine maintenance or service, such as an oil change, tire rotation, or other routine service.

How Do I Know What Maintenance is Needed?

Look in your owner’s manual for information regarding what needs to be done based on the maintenance minder system’s timers. It should indicate when the vehicle is due for a normal inspection and maintenance procedure along with any other specific services.

Can I Continue Driving If the Wrench Light is On?

Yes. You can keep going this way, but you need to take care of the maintenance job fairly soon, or you could have a much bigger problem to deal with. Make an appointment with a mechanic, or find your nearest Honda dealership to get the job done.

How Do I Reset the Wrench Light After Maintenance?

A short note to the future restorer, after a shoot, it’s easiest to return the wrench to the light but that will trip the light again. On newer vehicles, you might have to go to a menu in your vehicle trip meter (or several menus) or tell the dash computer to reset the service light. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how to reset the light.

What Should I Do If the Wrench Light Stays On After Maintenance?

If the ‘wrench light’ remains lit at the completion of these maintenance tasks, then either the maintenance minder was not reset correctly, or there might be a different issue, necessitating a diagnostic check by a certified mechanic or Honda dealership to ensure no real problems are lurking. 

Conclusion

Your Honda’s wrench light is a wonderful thing. By paying attention to its warnings and performing your recommended maintenance, you can keep your Honda in great condition.

With routine care, you can make sure small, fester, and explode into real disasters. Taking good care of your Honda also keeps it running well for a long time to come, and with care, you can envy other drivers for years to come.

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