What does the wrench symbol on the Civic dashboard mean?
2 Answers
The wrench symbol displayed on the car dashboard is a maintenance reminder function set by the manufacturer to alert the owner to perform maintenance after driving a certain mileage. When this light stays on for a long time, it's time to go to the 4S shop for maintenance. Different car models from different companies have different maintenance intervals. After the maintenance is completed, there is a reset procedure that needs to be followed to reset the maintenance light. If it is not reset, the indicator light will remain on even after maintenance is performed. Car Maintenance: Car maintenance refers to the preventive work of regularly inspecting, cleaning, supplying, lubricating, adjusting, or replacing certain parts of the car, also known as car servicing. Minor Maintenance Content: Minor maintenance generally refers to the routine maintenance items performed at the manufacturer's specified time or mileage to ensure vehicle performance. It mainly includes changing the engine oil and oil filter.
My Civic has been running for almost a decade, and I've seen that wrench icon on the dashboard many times—simply put, it's the maintenance reminder light. It means the car is due for routine service, like an oil change or filter check, usually calculated based on mileage, lighting up automatically every 5,000 kilometers or so. I usually check the odometer reading to confirm the mileage before heading to the dealership or my regular repair shop for a quick service—nothing to worry too much about. Ignoring it might lead to minor issues like increased engine noise or higher fuel consumption, but timely action keeps things fine. The design is quite thoughtful, helping owners develop regular maintenance habits, saving both money and hassle. If you don’t have a regular service record, check the owner’s manual for the maintenance schedule to avoid overdue servicing.
