[neo8175]

I accidently drove my 2021 accord 2.0T in maintenance mode for about 15 miles. No heavy acceleration but wondering if I did any damage to the car. Stupid me didn’t see the maintenance mode indicator and service department at the dealership didn’t turn it off. They said bring it back but it’s another 12 miles and I’m afraid I might do damage to the car.

 

[Fired00d]

@neo8175 you didn't mention whether your car is a Hybrid or not. Only thing I could find doing a Google search regarding maintenance mode pertained to hybrids. What I found stated that in this mode it ran the gasoline engine only and not the electric motors. If that is the case I don't see that any harm can be done in that mode. If I were you and it is a concern call the dealer back confirm this is what that mode does and ask them if any harm can result from you driving it back to them.

 

[Fired00d]

After more reading it would seem hybrids are put in this mode to warm the oil prior to changing it. Also found the following procedure to turn it off if you want try to do it yourself...

Turn on the car, (or if already on), then turn it off, within 60 seconds perform the following: Turn Ig-ON but not the engine, do this by pressing the Start button twice without depressing the brake pedal. Depress the gas pedal two times all the way to the floor. Press brake pedal and shift to N.

 

[JeffJo]

Only thing I could find doing a Google search regarding maintenance mode pertained to hybrids. What I found stated that in this mode it ran the gasoline engine only and not the electric motors.

Impossible.

In the hybrid, the electric traction motor is never "off." And except in one specific situation, it is the only thing propelling the car. It gets electric power from a combination of the ICE-driven generator and the battery.

The specific situation is speeds between about 45 and 75 mph, and low acceleration. Then the clutch engages, allowing the ICE to propel the car. The generator still spins, but is electrically disconnected. So it acts as a flywheel. The traction motor is still operating, and moderates the power sent to the wheels by acting either as a generator or a motor.

In maintenance mode, all that happens is that the car won't go into EV mode. The only potential problem is that any excess power needs to go somewhere. If the battery becomes full, the car should lower the power level of the ICE to prevent overcharging.

+++++

I have used Maintenance Mode in my HAH (which, incidentally, is not a PHEV, and never was in Gen X) before. You turn off off by turning the car off.

 

[neo8175]

The car is not the hybrid. Just the Sport 2.0T. I brought it to a diff honda dealership and they had no idea how to turn it off lol except when I drove it home the warning message disappeared. I brought to my dealership where I leased the car this morning to make sure everything is ok. Only reason why I didn't bring it to the dealership where I leased it was bc it's far away and I was afraid to drive it. Not much info out there but I heard it could damage your car.

 

[Fired00d]

Impossible.

In the hybrid, the electric traction motor is never "off." And except in one specific situation, it is the only thing propelling the car. It gets electric power from a combination of the ICE-driven generator and the battery.

The specific situation is speeds between about 45 and 75 mph, and low acceleration. Then the clutch engages, allowing the ICE to propel the car. The generator still spins, but is electrically disconnected. So it acts as a flywheel. The traction motor is still operating, and moderates the power sent to the wheels by acting either as a generator or a motor.

In maintenance mode, all that happens is that the car won't go into EV mode. The only potential problem is that any excess power needs to go somewhere. If the battery becomes full, the car should lower the power level of the ICE to prevent overcharging.

+++++

I have used Maintenance Mode in my HAH (which, incidentally, is not a PHEV, and never was in Gen X) before. You turn off off by turning the car off.

Thanks for clarification... I don't own a hybrid so was sharing what I had found online. Interesting that OP now states his car isn't a hybrid but all the info I found when searching "maintenance mode" for 2018+ Accords referenced the hybrids.

Does anyone have any additional info on this mode/procedure and what is the use for it in non-hybrids?

 

[Fired00d]

The car is not the hybrid. Just the Sport 2.0T. I brought it to a diff honda dealership and they had no idea how to turn it off lol except when I drove it home the warning message disappeared. I brought to my dealership where I leased the car this morning to make sure everything is ok. Only reason why I didn't bring it to the dealership where I leased it was bc it's far away and I was afraid to drive it. Not much info out there but I heard it could damage your car.

Interesting... can you find out from them what is/was the purpose of putting it in maintenance mode since all info I found dealt w/hybrids.

 

[EngTech1]

Interesting... can you find out from them what is/was the purpose of putting it in maintenance mode since all info I found dealt w/hybrids.

I Bet as Soon as they Supply a Photo of What they are Talking about or Asking for
It will become Much more Clear that it was Maintenance Message on Dash . .

 

[Vegashybrid]

Interesting... can you find out from them what is/was the purpose of putting it in maintenance mode since all info I found dealt w/hybrids.

I'm thinking it's for scan tool purposes and what not. I keep getting this braking error message sometimes ever since disconnecting my battery for my stereo install. When I go to clear the codes, the tool says the engine needs to be off with the key on. Well yeah that's sop for almost all scan tools. So I actually started the car and tried again. but even with the car"started' but the engine not running same error. I thought about this thread but haven't tried it yet. Also it's a cheap $20 scan tool so I thought that could be the issue at first.