If you are driving an Acura and hit a particular service milestone, one or several lights on the dashboard will suddenly turn on. B1 service could be one of these lights that will flash on the screen. Is this a serious issue? What is Acura B1 Service?
If the B1 Service lights up on the dashboard of your Acura, it is not a severe issue that needs an immediate response. The ‘B’ represents a Maintenance Minder code which means your car needs an oil change, oil filter change, and a mechanical inspection. The ‘1’ means you have to get a tire rotation.
You must go to an Acura dealer to fix this B1 Service code. Several maintenance tasks are included in this code. The dealer will perform all the services included in the B1 Service maintenance schedule. This maintenance procedure will have your Acura running in top condition.
Read on to learn more about the Acura B1 Service code and the maintenance services you have to get.
What Is Acura B1 Service?
The B1 service for an Acura is simply a maintenance procedure designed by Acura to ensure that the vehicle is continuously operating in top condition. This is one of the Maintenance Minder codes of Acura vehicles.
The ‘B’ represents oil change, oil filter change, and mechanical inspection of the vehicle, and the ‘1’ means you need to rotate the tires of your Acura.
In the mechanical inspection of the vehicle, the mechanics will inspect several car components. These include brake system inspection and repairs if necessary.
The Acura B1 service is part of the periodical maintenance services provided by Acura for its car buyers. This ensures that your investment in your car is always protected and that you will always be able to use your Acura at its best possible operational efficiency.
This service code and other service codes devised by Acura are maintenance intervals that ensure that you will get the right service at the right time.
Why Does My Acura Say “Check Emission System”?
What Are the Acura Service Codes?
If you take a close look at the dashboard of your Acura when it is on accessory mode, you will see several lights turned on. Your ECU is conducting a self-check at the accessory mode to see if all the car components and systems are working fine.
Once you start the engine, these lights will all fade away, except the lights that have issues that need fixing. But if all is working well, there will be no warning lights that will linger on the dash.
Lights on the Dashboard Helps to Monitor the Acura’s Condition
These lights on your dashboard are indicators designed to help you monitor the condition of your Acura.
Lights Are Displayed in Letters, Numbers, or a Combination of Both
The lights are usually displayed in letters, numbers, or a letter-number combination like the B1 Service code. Typically, the letters A and B are used. These letters indicate the importance or seriousness of the problem.
Principal Codes
The principal codes usually appear as either A or B. These letters indicate whether the issue is an oil change or full oil service maintenance.
Numbered Subcode
The main code will also show up with a numbered subcode, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth. This is to inform you about the specific service your car needs to undergo.
Maintenance Procedures Included in the ‘B’ Code
The ‘B’ indicated in the service code means your Acura car needs specific routine maintenance tasks to keep running smoothly. There are several maintenance procedures included in the ‘B’ code, including:
- Oil change
- Oil filter change
- Brake service, and
- Multi-point inspection to be done by a certified mechanic
The mechanic will give you a complete list of the maintenance services they will perform on your Acura so that any surprises won’t catch you.
Acura Models with Acura Maintenance Minder
All Acura sedans, such as the ILX and the TLX, as well as all Acura SUVs, such as the RDX, and the MDX, are provided with the Acura Maintenance Minder.
This AMM provides you with visual reminders of any regular maintenance needs of your vehicle and any major problem that should be addressed so that your Acura vehicle is always in tip-top condition.
When you drive your Acura to the dealer to get this service, the mechanic will be able to conduct more detailed inspections and recommend the best possible fixes to make your vehicle run as smoothly as before.
What Does It Mean Service Due Soon B1?
To recap this section, here are some key points you need to remember about the Acura B1 Service light:
- Different codes indicate a specific type of service or need that your Acura requires.
- The B1 Service light indicates that it specifically needs an oil change. When this light appears on your dashboard, the motor oil has already reached the end of its service life. You need to change it as soon as possible.
- The B1 Service code is part of the Acura Maintenance Minder system. It is an onboard diagnostics system that detects any issues.
- It monitors several factors, the most important of which is your total mileage and any problem under the hood, to encourage you to bring your vehicle to the dealer for service and maintenance.
- The B1 service light also indicates if your vehicle requires a multi-point inspection. If you see code B on your dash, it does not only mean oil change, which code A stands for. It also means oil filter changes and inspections of other car parts to ensure that they are all operating efficiently.
What Does Acura B1 Service Include?
Now we get down to the specifics. What maintenance tasks are included in a typical Acura B1 Service? They are the following:
- Oil change
- Oil filter change
- Checking of all fluids and topping up if necessary
- Parking brake adjustment if necessary
- Tire pressure checks
- Tire rotation
- Front and rear brake inspection
Technicians May Also Inspect Other Components
The certified Acura car technician may also check/inspect the following components and systems of your Acura to see if they are still functioning correctly:
- Suspension
- Fuel system
- Steering gearbox
- Tie rod ends
- Exhaust
- Driveshaft boots
What Does Acura A1 Service Include?
The Acura Service code can either be A1 or B1. So, what’s their difference? Acura A1 Service includes the following:
- Oil change – regular or synthetic (depending on your choice)
- Tire pressure check
- Tire rotation
- Battery check or replacement.
All the services included in the Acura A1 Service are included in the Acura B1 Service, and more. In other words, the maintenance services performed by the Acura mechanic if you go in for a B1 service are more comprehensive.
But one thing is excluded in an Acura B1 Service: the battery check or replacement.
Naturally, it will cost you more if you go in for an Acura B1 Service instead of an Acura A1 Service. According to the estimate of RepairPal, an Acura vehicle’s average annual maintenance cost is approximately $500.00.
Again, what is Acura B1 service? Acura B1 service means you must replace your engine oil and filter, inspect the front and rear brake, adjust the parking brake, check fluids and refill, and check and rotate tires.
What Is the Acura Maintenance Minder?
Offered in Some Acura Vehicles
All of these periodic maintenance services are made possible by the Acura Maintenance Minder. This feature is offered in some Acura vehicles. If your Acura car has this feature, what is its purpose?
Innovative Alternative to the Typical Maintenance Schedules Given to Motor Vehicles
The Acura Maintenance Minders System is an innovative alternative to the typical maintenance schedules given to motor vehicles. With this system, you no longer have to approximate the time you need to have your vehicle serviced.
Provides Comfort by Giving an Accurate Picture of the Car’s Needs
The primary function of the Acura Maintenance Minder is to provide you with greater comfort on every trip you make. Precisely, this feature measures your driving style, the status of your vehicle, and the road conditions where you are driving the car.
By measuring these parameters, this minder system will give you an accurate picture of what your Acura needs. The indicator on your dash will alert you when it is time for you to bring in your Acura for the required service and maintenance.
This minder is an algorithm-based computer informing you that your Acura needs maintenance for certain parts. They are alerts that warn you to get your Acura serviced by an Acura technician before any problem arises.
Monitor Motor Oil’s Service Life
The primary aim of this minder is to monitor the life of the motor oil inside the engine. While monitoring the engine oil life, it also tracks other critical operating conditions, such as the engine temperature.
Tracks Other Operating Critical Operating Conditions
It also keeps tabs on your vehicle’s speed, ambient temperature, and overall use.
In addition, the Acura B1 Service light turns on when your motor oil reaches a specific percentage. For instance, if the life of the oil gets to 15%, it is already too dirty. This means you have to change it soon.
Displays Alert Using Main Service Code and Sub-code
Typically, the dashboard will display a wrench icon. With Acura vehicles, the light will also be accompanied by a ‘main’ service code and a ‘sub-code.’
The main code in an Acura vehicle can either be A or B. And the sub-code can be a single digit such as 1, 2, and so forth, or a range of numbers such as 12345. Every sub-code represents a different type of maintenance requirement.
Your Acura may require an A or B maintenance. Whatever will be necessary, the Acura car technician will appraise your vehicle’s needs transparently. Then they will give you an accurate and very competitive quote on the cost of the services that they will perform.
How to Reset the Acura B1 Service Light
It is possible to reset the Acura B1 Service light without performing the required maintenance procedures. But that would be unsafe for your car.
However, if an Acura mechanic has already performed the required maintenance service and still this light does not go away, you can do an Acura B1 service reset by following this procedure:
- Turn on the car key, and start the engine. Be sure that the menu on the head unit is activated.
- With the menu on the display screen on your dash, press and choose the Select/Reset button a couple of times until the screen shows the oil life indicator.
- Continue holding the button until the indicator of the oil life resets to 100%. If it shows 100%, the service light should go off.
- You have successfully cleared the Acura B1 service code. It will disappear from the screen, and you can now drive your Acura safely to your destination.
How Much Does Acura B1 Service Cost?
Of course, it will cost you some amount if you go to an Acura service center for an Acura B1 Service. What does the typical Acura B1 service cost?
The cost of an Acura B1 Service, according to an Acura dealer in Cleveland, Ohio, starts at $109.95. Other Acura dealers in some other places estimate it at $144.95. Perhaps you can get a discount using an Acura B1 service coupon.
The actual cost will depend on the required maintenance service of your vehicle and the charge rates of the Acura dealer that is providing the service.
How Long Does It Take to Fix an Acura B1 Service?
Some Acura dealers claim they can perform the B1 Service on an Acura vehicle in 60 minutes or even less.
They claim that their Acura service technicians are so used to their well-choreographed tasks that even if there are many things to accomplish, such as inspections, replacements, and many more, they can do it in a surprisingly short time.
As these Acura dealers claim, the 60-minute Acura B1 service time window already includes the multi-point inspection and complementary vacuum and wash.
Some of these dealers also provide free Wi-Fi, workstations, and snacks while their customers wait for the service to be completed.
Why Is It Important to Fix Acura B1 Service
You shouldn’t ignore the Acura B1 Service light when it suddenly appears on your dash. According to AAA, yearly, it rescues around 30 million motorists because of car problems. Most of these problems can be avoided by simply having a regular oil change.
You must change your car’s motor oil if you see an Acura A service light on your dash. However, if your dash displays Acura B1 Service instead of the A, it’s a different story.
Aside from changing the oil, your Acura needs inspection or replacement of some of its other parts.
The B1 subcode specifically alerts you that you need to rotate your tires. But then, as the Acura car techs do this, they will also perform checks and inspections of the car parts included in the B1 service code.
Tire rotation is also important. You should do it after every 5,000 to 7,500 miles of driving. But here is the thing with the Acura Maintenance Minder.
It adjusts the tire’s rotation based on the remaining life of the oil. For instance, if the oil life indicator says the life of the oil will end at 6,500 miles, it will move up the tire rotation schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
This topic is somewhat technical, so you might have some questions in your mind that you want to be answered. Just keep on reading, and you might find the answer to your question below:
What Is the Meaning of the B1 Service in My Acura?
When the dashboard of your Acura displays B1 Service, it means you need to get your car to a dealer so it can have an oil change, plus some other car component checks and inspections. This is part of the Acura Maintenance Minder that ensures your Acura vehicle runs smoothly.
What Maintenance Services Will They Perform in an Acura B1 Service?
When you ask an Acura dealer for an Acura B1 service, they will perform the following maintenance services:
- Oil change
- Oil filter change
- Parking brake adjustment if necessary
- Front and rear brake inspection
- Tire rotation
- Tire pressure checks
- Checking of all fluids and topping up if necessary
They may also inspect the following components and systems of your Acura to see if they are still functioning correctly.
- Fuel system
- Exhaust
- Suspension
- Steering gearbox
- Driveshaft boots
- Tie rod ends
What Is the Cost of an Acura B1 Service?
It will cost you around $109.95 to get this service. Some Acura dealers charge $149.95 for this service. The actual cost depends on the additional services your car requires and the charge rate of the Acura dealer.
How Long Does an Acura B1 Service Take?
Some Acura dealers claim that it will take only 60 minutes to perform all the maintenance services required in an Acura B1 Service.
In Closing: Meaning of Acura B1 Service
If you suddenly see the B1 Service message on the dashboard of your Acura, don’t worry. It is not a severe issue that needs an immediate response.
The ‘B’ is a Maintenance Minder code that says your car needs an oil change, oil filter change, and a mechanical inspection. The ‘1’ means you need to get a tire rotation.
If you see this code on your dashboard, you must bring your vehicle to an Acura dealer. They will perform several maintenance procedures on your car, including oil change and tire rotation. After these procedures, your Acura will be running again in top condition.