Emma Davies
Updated on September 27, 2022
You may have realized a notice on your Honda’s dashboard with the B12 service code. If you see this code then don’t worry – we’ll help you understand what it means as well as look at how much it may possibly cost you.
In simple terms, the Honda B12 service notice informs you that 3 main areas of the vehicle need to be serviced. The B shows that the oil and filter need changing, the 1 means that a tire rotation needs to be carried out and the 2 shows that the air and cabin filters need to be changed. The cost will depend on whether you opt to do it yourself at home or pay for a professional to carry it out, ranging from $70 to $300.
What Is the Honda B12 Service Code?
More or less, the B12 service code stands for 3 various services that need fixing. Each part of the code refers to a different aspect of the vehicle that needs a check. The B12 code shows you the specifics of what will need fixing and these specifics are:
- The B refers to a need for checking the oil and oil filter.
- 1 refers to the need for a tire rotation.
- 2 refers to an air filter and cabin filter replacement.
Other things that should also be checked at this point would be the following:
- A visual inspection of the brake pads and suspension.
- An inspection of the drive belts.
- Fluids must also be checked and refilled.
These are more or less the basic checks any Honda mechanic will carry out when performing a service check and is a quick rundown of the process your vehicle will go under. You will most likely be expected to need one of these services if you own a Honda such as a Pilot, CRV, Accord, or Odyssey.
You can always do some of these aspects of the code yourself however we would recommend you take it to your local Honda garage to get it serviced for the best outcome for your vehicle.
You never know where you could go wrong and this could have a negative effect on your vehicle in the long run.
Why Is It Important to Get Your Honda Serviced?
As said previously, a few of the services and inspections can be done yourself if you trust your DIY skills enough however if you’re not fully confident then we recommend you get your vehicle serviced professionally.
Things like oil changes can be perfectly manageable to do yourself and aren’t that difficult to perform.
Oil Changes
Oil changes are simple but are extremely important to carry out to ensure your vehicle’s future. Oil changes are vital to keeping your engine lubricated and good oil is needed to ensure the upkeep of your engine.
Engine oil in the long run, if not changed, can actually stop performing what it is designed to do and potentially wear down the engine.
Tire Rotation
Tire rotation is vital to keep your car in good health. It is mainly performed to replace old tires and any wear and tear that could be present. During the tire rotation, the position of your tires will be alternated at different intervals.
Brakes
Brake pads and suspensions are vitally important to keep well maintained in your vehicle. A brake failure could potentially have devastating effects so it’s vital to keep these in check.
You will often be able to tell as a driver if your brakes are in need of an inspection by a mechanic by the feel and sound. However, a visual inspection is also in need by a mechanic to replace brakes if need be.
Air Filters
Air filter changes are also easy and straightforward and could be done yourself. You’ll only have to get new air filters which vary in cost and tend to be $20-$40 each and they are relatively straightforward to change.
Engine filters are fairly accessible if you go through the engine of your car and your cabin air filter will be found behind your glove compartment. It’s simple and all you need to do is to replace the old air filters and put new ones in.
Car Fluids
Sorting out car fluids can also be an easy process and can be done by the car owner. You don’t need any special skills and it won’t take longer than 5 minutes.
So, if you see the B12 Service code then make sure you’re familiar with what every aspect means as it would make servicing a much quicker and smoother process.
We recommend you go to a Honda mechanic if you’re not entirely confident in your own skills. But many aspects can be carried out by yourself at home.
How to Reset Your Service Light on a Honda
Once you’ve serviced your vehicle or changed anything that needed to be fixed and checked, you may find that your dashboard light is still on. This is completely normal so don’t worry!
Turns out, the light doesn’t always turn off automatically which tends to stress out many car owners but it’s all good!
If your light doesn’t go out automatically and the mechanic didn’t reset the service light during servicing, you can actually do it yourself without too much difficulty. It doesn’t take long and it’s fairly straightforward!
All you need to do is find the reset button and press it and keep pressing until the oil life indicator comes on. When this indicator comes on, let go of the button and then press again.
Keep pressing down and make sure the indicator goes to one hundred percent. The B12 service notice code should go away after this – easy!
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Honda Serviced
As we’ve mentioned before, if you’re confident enough in your own mechanical skills, you can actually save a few hundred dollars. However, if you’re not confident in carrying out the processes outlined earlier then get it serviced by a Honda mechanic.
By doing most of it yourself, you’ll be looking at around $80 to $100, considering you would need to buy new air filters, oil, and so forth.
However, if you take your vehicle to a Honda mechanic, you’ll be paying a bit more as you’re receiving professional service as well as paying for the parts. You will probably be expecting to pay around $200 to $300 which often, is worth the investment.
The breakdown of these costs will probably be; $120 per hour of work and then parts will tend to cost around $80. However, these costs are very much dependent on where you are located and factors of the sort.
FAQs
How Often Should I Service My Honda?
This isn’t really dependent on a certain interval of time but rather mileage.When considering your air filters, you need to check them every ten thousand miles and then replace them every 20-25 thousand miles.
Break pads can be replaced around every 25 to 35 thousand miles, depending on the visual inspection, and we recommend changing your rotors every 50 thousand miles.
Oil changes will obviously have to be a bit more frequent and you need to do this at about 7-10 thousand miles but of course, this is dependent on what oil you are using and therefore will vary a little bit.
Tires on the other hand are completely dependent on your driving style and your vehicle and can vary between 10 thousand miles to 40 thousand miles.
How Long Can I Drive Once the Notice Has Appeared?
Most of the time, these notices appear at truly inconvenient moments and you can’t always get your vehicle to where it needs to be quick.
We recommend you get every car service on time however, you could keep driving. If you delay this service by a few weeks then it’s most definitely not the end of the world, however, it is best not to drive a ludicrous amount of mileage once the service light has come on.
What Do Other Honda Service Codes Mean?
Many service codes can be displayed on the Honda, not only the B12. You may find a range indicator on your dashboard which will show you your oil life but there are many other service codes available. Some examples of these would be A13, A123, B12, and so forth.
The main code is normally the letter in front and then subcodes are the numbers after. Each code and subcode stands for something which you can find in your Hondas manual.
Where Will the B12 Code Appear?
When this service notice appears, trust us, you will know! It appears towards the bottom of your dashboard or can also appear on your MID screen. It is fairly obvious so you won’t miss it.
Does the B12 Code Mean the Same on Each Honda?
The simple answer is yes. If you see the B12 service notice on a Honda, being a CR-V or an Odyssey, they mean the same which makes life easier for everyone. If you notice this code then follow the procedure we’ve outlined earlier in this article!
Conclusion
If you notice the Honda B12 Service Notice – don’t worry! The code is only to notify you that some things need looking at such as the tires, oil and filter, and air and cabin filters. It happens to most, if not all Honda owners, and it’s completely normal.
There are many ways to go around sorting it out from carrying out the work yourself or booking in at your local Honda garage.
For more related Honda topics, here are our other posts:
Why Does My Honda Beep When I Open or Close the Door?
What Does the Wrench Light Mean on a Honda?
What Does DRL Mean on a Honda?
