You fire up your Honda as usual but then suddenly, you get thrown a seemingly random code on the dash that looks more like a paper size or a chess move.
This is the Honda A17 service code, and it’s neither random nor is it any of the two described above. But what is it exactly?
Simply put, it’s asking you to go get your car serviced. But as for what kind of services and how much you’ll be paying, stick around as we “decode” it right in this guide!
What does the A17 service code mean on a Honda?
The Honda A17 service code is a maintenance minder that notifies you to have your vehicle serviced soon.
The “A” in the Honda A17 code means that an oil and filter change is needed, the “1” means that a tire rotation procedure will also be performed, and the “7” refers to a brake fluid replacement.
Honda makes use of a combination of codes for their modern lineup of automobiles to remind you that your car is already due for a specific type of service or maintenance procedure.
Such codes are called “minder codes”, and they can be comprised of a main code, such as “A” or “B”, and sub-codes that include any number from 0 to 7. Each of these letters or digits corresponds to a specific service task.
The “A17” code is a good example of such a combination, having one main code (A) for a general task and two sub-codes (1 and 7) for more specific tasks.
Let’s have a look at what each of them means below.
| Honda A17 Service Code | |
| Code | Service/Task |
| A (Main Code) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change |
| 1 (Sub-Code) | Tire Rotation Tire Pressure Check |
| 7 (Sub-Code) | Brake Fluid Replacement |
The “A” in the A17 code simply means that your Honda is already due for an oil change and possibly even an oil filter change if you’ve already reached 20,000 miles on a new car.
If your minder code has a “1” like the A17 code has, then that means you should have your tires rotated to keep even wear across all of them. In addition, tire pressure is also checked and adjusted to ensure they’re up to the recommended specs.
Getting a “7” in your Honda minder code notification means that your brake fluid needs to be replaced soon. This can be referred to as “bleeding” the brakes and then “flushing” them with new brake fluid.
So as you can see, any of the two main codes can be combined with one or more of the sub-codes to get a specific maintenance minder code on your Honda. The Honda B12 code (honda b12 service) is another example of this.
What does the Honda A17 service include?
The Honda A17 service primarily includes maintenance tasks such as an engine oil change, a tire rotation, and a brake fluid replacement.
The oil filter may also be replaced during the oil change depending on its condition, while a tire pressure check is also included during tire rotation.
Oil Change/Oil Filter Change (A)
The “A” in the Honda A17 code refers to your standard oil change. However, the oil filter may also be changed along with it depending on its condition.
Hondas typically have a recommended oil change interval of about 7,500 miles, but we’re only talking about the average here.
In reality, it can also depend on factors such as the exact Honda model, how old the engine is, and the type of oil used.
If you’re using conventional (non-synthetic) oil, then the recommendation would be between 5,000 and 7,500 miles. As for synthetic oil, the recommended interval would be 7,500 to 10,000 miles on a Honda.
However, let’s not forget that oil change intervals are not just solely based on mileage, but on time as well.
In this case, the general recommendation is to get an oil change every 6 months to a year at most assuming you haven’t crossed at least the 5,000-mile mark yet.
Now you might be wondering which of the two kinds of intervals you should be prioritizing. Well, the rule of thumb would be to simply get an oil change at whichever interval comes first.
This means that if you’ve already driven 10,000 miles on your synthetic motor oil in less than 6 months, then you shouldn’t be waiting for the 6th month anymore.
As for changing the oil filter, it usually depends on how much you drive your car. In some cases, oil filters need to be replaced at every oil change, while in other cases, they can be replaced after every other oil change if you don’t rack up that many miles.
Tire Rotation (1)
Tire rotations are another important part of the Honda A17 service code and it’s what the “1” stands for.
The point of a tire rotation is to swap the positions of all four tires in a particular pattern so that they all wear out evenly.
As a result, the life of the tire treads is extended, allowing them to perform consistently longer until you eventually need to replace them completely.
Now as for what the correct tire rotation pattern is, it actually depends on your Honda’s drive train and whether your tires have directional treads or not.
For FWD (front-wheel-drive) Hondas, which most Hondas are, the most optimal tire rotation patterns for them would be either a “forward cross” pattern or an “X-pattern”.
The forward cross pattern takes the two front wheels and moves them to the rear without changing sides, while the rear wheels are then crossed toward the front and end up on opposite sides.
The X-pattern is also pretty similar to the forward cross, except this time, both front and rear wheels are crossed with each other. You can sort of call it a combo between a forward cross and a rearward cross.
Do take note that the two tire rotation patterns above assume that you have non-directional tires, which are the most common types of tires where the treads can roll in either direction.
Otherwise, if you have directional (unidirectional) tires that have treads designed to optimally perform in a single direction, then a “straight rotation” pattern is used instead.
A straight rotation doesn’t cross any of the wheels to the opposite side but simply swaps the front and rear wheels directly. Doing this keeps the directional tire treads pointing in the same direction as they were before.
As for the tire rotation interval, it should be every 5,000 to 7,500 miles for both FWD and RWD (rear-wheel-drive) Honda models.
Brake Fluid Replacement (7)
One more important service that’s part of the Honda A17 code is brake fluid replacement, which is what the “7” sub-code stands for.
In order to maintain the stopping power and overall performance of your brakes, it’s essential to replace its brake fluid, which can get contaminated over time and corrode your components.
Replacing your brake fluid involves draining the old fluid from the braking system, “bleeding” the brakes to remove trapped air or moisture, and then pouring in the recommended brake fluid for your Honda.
A complete brake fluid replacement (not simply topping off) can also be referred to as a “brake flush”, as you’re completely flushing out the old fluid from the system and replacing it with fresh fluid.
The exact brake fluid replacement interval can vary depending on your Honda model and driving habits, though the average is about 30,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first.
Why is it important to get an A17 service for your Honda?
The A17 service includes several essential maintenance tasks that keep your Honda performing optimally, like an oil change, tire rotation, and brake fluid replacement.
By following the recommended intervals for the A17 service, you’ll avoid creating major issues for your car further down the road.
Your Honda being equipped with a modern feature such as a maintenance minder is for a good reason, so if you get something like an “A17” code on your dash, it would be wise not to delay the maintenance tasks your car needs.
While this isn’t to say that your car will just suddenly break down if you choose to ignore the A17 code notification for a little while, you still risk having your car develop issues the longer that you put it on the back burner.
This is especially true for the A17 service’s case since it involves changing your engine oil, rotating your tires, and replacing your brakes.
Delaying any of these services too much can potentially reduce the performance of any of the parts that need servicing, which in turn, can also cause safety hazards while driving.
What are the recommended intervals for the Honda A17 service?
The recommended service intervals for the Honda A17 can refer to when the code or notification will pop up, which is typically every 20,000 to 35,000 miles on the odometer.
However, this can also depend on your particular Honda model, your driving habits, and how many miles you rack up in a year.
In addition to the general summary above, each of the tasks that are part of the A17 service will also come with their individual service intervals.
This means that even if the exact “A17” code doesn’t flash on your dashboard, you may still get one of the codes or a combination of other codes.
As for the tasks included in the Honda A17 service alone, below are examples of their recommended intervals for a Honda Civic model.
| Honda A17 Service Intervals | ||
| Code | Service/Task | Recommended Mileage/Interval |
| A | Oil Change | Every 5,000 to 7,500 Miles or 6 Months (Conventional Oil) Every 7,500 to 10,000 Miles or 6 to 12 Months (Synthetic Oil) |
| A | Oil Filter Change | Every 20,000 Miles or 6 to 12 Months |
| 1 | Tire Rotation | Every 5,000 to 7,500 Miles or 6 Months (FWD/RWD) Every 3,000 to 5,000 Miles or 6 Months (AWD) |
| 7 | Brake Fluid Replacement | Every 30,000 Miles or 3 Years (if minder code “7” has not yet appeared) |
How much does a Honda A17 service cost?
A typical Honda A17 service can cost between $150 to $300 depending on your particular Honda model and the shop or dealership you go to in your area.
However, you can also consider performing some of the A17 service tasks yourself at home to spend a lot less on maintenance.
The total cost for any sort of car maintenance can depend on many different factors, but just knowing each of the individual tasks part of the Honda A17 service can already give you an idea of how much you’ll have to spend to have it done.
For instance, the oil and filter change that’s included in the A17 service can set you back an average of $70, though this can be as less as $20 to $40 if you’ll be just buying the parts and doing it yourself.
Of course, opting for a fully synthetic motor oil over a conventional one will also rack up the costs a bit more.
The A17 service also includes a tire rotation as well as tire pressure checks. The cost of a tire rotation for a Honda varies a lot more depending on the area and your particular model, ranging anywhere between $21 and $62 on average.
Then we’ve got the brake fluid replacement (brake flush), which is the most expensive task in the A17 service yet. Expect to spend anywhere from $90 to $200 for a Honda brake flush, according to RepairSmith.
Honda A17 Tasks You Can Do Yourself
Certain tasks of the Honda A17 service can be done by yourself assuming that you have the right equipment, such as changing the oil and filter and rotating the tires.
As for a full brake fluid replacement, you’ll need some help flushing and bleeding the brakes properly before pouring in new fluid.
Oil Change
You can easily change the oil of your Honda just like any other gas-powered car, just as long as you have the right equipment with you to make the whole process go smoothly.
Such equipment you’ll be needing includes an oil drain pan, a funnel, a hydraulic jack, and some jack stands to give yourself enough clearance to drain the oil from the oil drain plug underneath.
It’s also good if you’ve got a toolbox handy, as it’ll already contain all of the wrenches, sockets, and rackets you’ll need for the oil change procedure.
And of course, be sure to stick to the recommended oil grade and oil filter for your particular Honda model to get the most optimum performance.
Tire Rotation
Rotating your Honda’s tires can also be performed in the comfort of your own garage or driveway, and the good news is that you’ll only need a hydraulic jack, some jack stands, and the correct-sized torque wrench for your lug nuts.
The majority of Hondas have an FWD (front-wheel-drive) system, which means that you’ll have to either swap the front wheels with the rears and then cross the rear wheels to the front (forward cross) or cross both front and rear wheels (X-pattern).
However, this is assuming that your car has non-directional tires. If you have directional tire treads that are designed to optimally perform in a single direction, then you should simply swap the front and rear tires without crossing or switching sides.
How long can you drive with a service/maintenance light turned on?
You may still be able to drive your Honda for a couple of weeks after initially getting a service light on the dash, but it’s still generally recommended to have it serviced as soon as possible to avoid developing any major issues.
How do you reset the service light/notification on a Honda?
A Honda service light can be reset or cleared by pressing the info (i) button on the steering wheel, pressing the menu button, choosing “vehicle information”, choosing “maintenance info”, and then pressing the middle menu button to reset.
The service light reset procedure explained above may slightly vary depending on your exact Honda model and year, so we recommend thoroughly exploring your menu interface and even consulting your owner’s manual for more precise steps.
What are the recommended service intervals for a Honda?
| Honda Maintenance Schedule (Civic) | |
| Mileage/Interval Mark | Service |
| 10,000 Miles (6 to 12 Months) | Oil Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement Tire Rotation (Every 5,000 to 7,500 Miles) |
| 20,000 Miles (6 to 12 Months) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Suspension Inspection Brake Inspection Fluid Inspection/Replacement Exhaust Inspection Fuel Lines Inspection |
| 30,000 Miles (18 to 24 Months) | Oil Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (High and Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Engine Air Filter Replacement Cabin Air Filter Replacement Transmission Fluid Replacement Spark Plug Inspection Drive Belt Inspection/Adjustment Valve Clearance Inspection Fuel Tank Inspection (36,000 Miles or 3 Years) |
| 40,000 Miles (18 to 24 Months) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Suspension Inspection Brake Inspection Fluid Inspection/Replacement Exhaust Inspection Fuel Lines Inspection |
| 50,000 Miles (30 to 36 Months) | Oil Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement Tire Rotation |
| 60,000 Miles (30 to 36 Months) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (High and Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Suspension Inspection Brake Inspection Fluid Inspection/Replacement Exhaust Inspection Fuel Lines Inspection Engine Air Filter Replacement Cabin Air Filter Replacement Transmission Fluid Replacement Spark Plug Inspection Drive Belt Inspection/Adjustment Valve Clearance Inspection |
| 70,000 Miles (40 to 48 Months) | Oil Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement Tire Rotation |
| 80,000 Miles (40 to 48 Months) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Suspension Inspection Brake Inspection Fluid Inspection/Replacement Exhaust Inspection Fuel Lines Inspection |
| 90,000 Miles (54 to 60 Months) | Oil Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (High and Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Engine Air Filter Replacement Cabin Air Filter Replacement Spark Plug Inspection Drive Belt Inspection/Adjustment Valve Clearance Inspection |
| 100,000 Miles (54 to 60 Months) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement (Low Pressure) Tire Rotation Suspension Inspection Brake Inspection Fluid Inspection/Replacement Transmission Fluid Replacement Exhaust Inspection Fuel Lines Inspection |
| 110,000 Miles (66 to 72 Months) | Oil Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement Tire Rotation Spark Plug Replacement Timing Belt Replacement Auto-Tensioner Inspection Water Pump Inspection Idle Speed Inspection |
| 120,000 Miles (66 to 72 Months) | Oil Change Oil Filter Change Fuel Filter Inspection Fuel Filter Element Replacement Tire Rotation Suspension Inspection Brake Inspection Fluid Inspection/Replacement Engine Coolant Replacement Exhaust Inspection Fuel Lines Inspection Engine Air Filter Replacement Cabin Air Filter Replacement Spark Plug Inspection Drive Belt Inspection/Adjustment Valve Clearance Inspection |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you get an A17 code on your Honda’s gauge or dashboard, it means that your car is in need of a specific set of services soon, such as an oil and filter change, a tire rotation, and a brake fluid replacement.
In the case of the tire rotation, the tire pressure will also be checked and adjusted to the recommended specs if deemed necessary.
Getting a Honda “A Service” means that you’ll only be getting an oil and filter change, whereas getting a “B Service” adds in a change of cabin and engine air filters and general maintenance of the braking system components.
| Honda Service Code | Service/Task |
| A (Main) | Oil and Filter Change |
| B (Main) | Oil and Filter Change Brake Inspection |
| 0 (Sub) | Multi-Point Inspection |
| 1 (Sub) | Tire Rotation |
| 2(Sub) | Engine Air Filter Replacement Cabin Air Filter Replacement |
| 3 (Sub) | Transmission Fluid Replacement |
| 4 (Sub) | Spark Plug ReplacementTiming Belt Replacement Valve Adjustment |
| 5 (Sub) | Coolant Replacement |
| 6 (Sub) | Differential Fluid Replacement |
| 7 (Sub) | Brake Fluid Replacement |
