What Is The Honda B12 Service?
At some point, Honda owners will likely see a message on their instrument clusters informing them that the B12 service is due soon.
More comprehensive than Honda ‘A’ services (these specify an oil change every 5,000 miles), the ‘B’ service goes a step further and recommends an oil filter change at 10,000 miles. However, the B service is not just an oil and filter change. The complete B service includes a comprehensive vehicle inspection covering the exhaust, steering, suspension, brakes, drivetrain, fuel lines, fluid checks, and filter replacement. The average B service typically can cost as much as $330, according to Roadsport Honda. The prices rise even further depending on which number is listed after the B.
In this article, we’ll cover how main and sub services are coded through Honda’s Maintenance Minder system, how to perform these services, and give you some additional maintenance tips, with a focus on the Honda B12 service.
Understanding Honda’s Maintenance Minder Coding System
Honda’s Maintenance Minder system takes service reminders one step further by using codes to include additional maintenance services. This system uses letters (A and B) to designate the main services. The letters are followed by numbers (1 – 6) to designate the required sub-services.
Any main service can be coupled with multiple sub-services, such as B125.
For the Honda B12 service code, the required main service is an oil and filter change with a comprehensive inspection. The 1 – 2 sub-services indicate the tires need to be rotated and the engine air filter and cabin air filter need to be replaced.
Main Services
| Service Type | Service Description |
| A | Engine oil should be replaced without oil filter. |
| B | Engine oil and oil filter should be replaced. Additional services and inspections should be performed. |
Sub Services
If a service is due soon for the Honda B12 code, we can tell what the numbers refer to based on the below.
| Service Number | Service Description |
| 1 | Rotate tires, set tire pressures, and inspect tire condition. |
| 2 | Replace the engine air filter, inspect the accessory drive belt, and replace the pollen/cabin air filter. |
| 3 | Replace transmission fluid and transfer case fluid (if equipped). |
| 4 | Replace spark plugs, inspect/adjust valve clearance (if noisy), replace the timing belt (if equipped), and inspect/replace the water pump. |
| 5 | Replace engine coolant. |
| 6 | Replace rear differential fluid (if equipped). |
Unlike the ‘A’ service, the ‘B’ service requires the replacement of the oil filter.
How To Perform The B12 Maintenance Service
Now that the required services have been identified, we can begin performing them. You’ll need the following supplies for the service:
- Engine oil
- Engine oil filter
- Engine air filter
- Cabin air filter
The following tools are required to perform the services:
- Basic socket set with ratchet consisting of assorted sizes and wrenches
- Tire pressure gauge
- Tire inflator
- Torque wrench
- Flashlight
- Inspection mirror
- Tread depth gauge
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Oil and Filter Change
Some of the steps for completing an oil change are:
- Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
- Remove the oil fill cap.
- Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
- Remove the engine oil drain plug.
- Remove and replace the oil filter.
- Replace the drain plug gasket.
- Reinstall and torque drain plug. (30 ft-lbs.)
- Add engine oil.
- Verify engine oil level with the dipstick.
- Start the engine and verify the red oil pressure light is NOT illuminated.
- Check the engine oil level with the dipstick again.
Tire Rotation
Some of the steps to performing a tire rotation include:
- Set tire pressures to the proper specification found on the tire placard.
- Loosen wheel lug nuts.
- Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
- Remove lug nuts and wheels.
- Rotate tires according to the procedure found in the owner’s manual.
- Install wheels and lug nuts.
- Lower vehicle.
- Torque lug nuts to correct specification. (80 ft-lbs.)
The tire placard is located on the driver’s door jamb.
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Engine Air Filter Replacement
The engine air filter replacement process is fairly straightforward:
- Open the hood to gain access to the engine.
- Remove the air cleaner cover.
- Replace the air filter.
- Reinstall the air cleaner cover.
Pollen/Cabin Air Filter Replacement
In most Hondas, the cabin filter is located behind the glove box. To replace this filter, follow these steps:
- Open the glove box.
- Detach the glove box damper hook.
- Release the glove box ‘stops’ by pressing them inward.
- Remove the air filter lid.
- Replace the air filter.
- Reinstall the lid.
- Attach glove box damper.
Resetting The Maintenance Minder System
To reset the maintenance reminder system, follow these steps:
- Turn the ignition to the ON position but do not start the engine.
- On the left side of the steering wheel is a button that controls the menu screens. Press the button until the engine oil life page is displayed.
- Press and hold the ‘Enter’ button until the maintenance reset page is displayed.
- Navigate towards the services you’d like to reset. Press and hold the ‘Enter’ button to reset each service.
Maintenance Tips
These tips that can help ensure your services are performed correctly:
- Always remember to reset the Maintenance Minder system to ensure accurate maintenance intervals.
- Before beginning the service(s), ensure you have all the correct parts.
- Wear nitrile or latex gloves when changing engine oil.
- Always lubricate the oil filter O-ring to prevent a leaking or torn seal.
- Prefill the oil filter with new engine oil to help prevent wear during startup.
- Torque the drain plug to the proper specification to prevent damaging the drain plug or oil pan.
B12 Service Cost
The Honda B12 service cost can vary depending on whether the service is performed by a dealer, a repair facility, or yourself.
On average, Honda Civic and CR-V owners can expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $250 for a repair technician to perform the service(s). Hondas with six-cylinder engines, such as the Odyssey and Pilot, will pay a little more for the extra oil needed.
Crown Acura – Acura has the same maintenance minder system as Honda – adds a detailing service and car wash to the B12 service package for $230.
If you perform the work yourself, you can expect to pay $25 – $40 for the oil change, $0 for the tire rotation, and $15 to $60 for the engine air filter and cabin air filter replacement, totaling around $100.
