Oil service indicator displayed on Dash

[Durangoboy]

I bought a 09 Honda Civic for my GF and I have been going over the car,, brakes, plugs etc etc before she takes it out on the road for her daily driver.

Unfortunately did not get a owners manual,,, I was going to change the oil but I noticed on the dash a message saying I had 80% oil life left.

My question is where does the 80% figure come from ? Miles driven maybe ? I always just keep track of the mileage the old fashion way by recording it in a log book.

Any Honda guys know how this works

 

[raytseng]

you've had an account since 2011 and don't know how the oil life monitor works?

Search and it will be explained. Also, Honda owner's manuals are available online at http://owners.honda.com/. Download and read.

 

[BRZED]

The complexity of OLM systems varies. Some may use the number of cold starts, running time, rpm, fuel consumption, oil temperature and crude measurment of oil contamination into acount, while simpler systems may work only based on distance driven and time passed.

 

[toneydoc]

At 80% life remaining, that oil should still "look" pretty clean. I think I would continue to use the oil in the car while you go over it. Read up on the systems in your car and then change it when you are knowledgeable about that system.

 

[Durangoboy]

Thanks guys for the input,,,first car with a OLM for me,,,in the past I just did the oil changes the old fashion way by miles driven.

Since I posted I did order a owners manual and it will be in my possession in about a week. From what I understand about the OLM I like the way it works for improved engine life and best value out of the oil used.

At 80% shown the oil is indeed really clean as a whistle. I do not know who changed the oil or if they indeed did reset the OLM when the oil was changed. I figure I will get some use out of the oil and change the oil in a couple of K miles and start from scratch.