Honda Jazz Owners' Guide
- Car ownership
- Honda
FixMyCar provides key information about the Honda Jazz.
Book a car repair nowEllie Dyer-Brown
Friday May 09 2025
10 min read
With low running costs and a roomy interior, the Honda Jazz – introduced to the UK in 2002 and now in its fourth generation - is the small car of choice for many cost-conscious drivers.
This owners’ guide compiles key information about your Jazz in one convenient place, covering service intervals, recommended tyre pressures, and answers to frequently asked questions to help you keep your car running smoothly.
Honda Jazz generations
Honda Jazz 2002-2008
The first Honda Jazz was an instant hit with city drivers and small family car buyers. It introduced a clever ‘Magic Seat’ system that allowed for impressively versatile interior configurations. Despite its compact dimensions, the car's upright design made the interior feel spacious.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Key engine options:
1.2-litre 78bhp i-DSI petrol
1.4-litre 83bhp i-DSI petrol
Honda Jazz 2008-2015
The second generation of the Jazz built on the practicality of the first with more cabin space and improved interior quality. Safety features improved significantly, including better crash protection and stability control on higher trims. It was the first Jazz model to feature a hybrid engine.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Key engine options:
1.2-litre 90bhp i-VTEC petrol
1.4-litre 100bhp i-VTEC petrol
1.3-litre 98bhp i-VTEC petrol hybrid
Honda Jazz 2015-2020
The third Jazz generation debuted with a more angular design and key improvements to tech, interior space, and safety. Honda introduced its new ‘Earth Dreams’ engine technology and a touchscreen infotainment system in higher trims. The Achilles heel of this generation was its ride quality, which wasn’t particularly comfortable.
A facelift in 2018 brought a new Sport model with a 1.5-litre engine.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Key engine options:
1.3-litre 102bhp i-VTEC petrol
1.5-litre 130bhp i-VTEC petrol (Sport trim only)
Honda Jazz 2020-
The current Jazz represents a significant shift towards electrification – all models are hybrid only, coming under the e:HEV banner. As a result, the fourth-generation Jazz is one of the most efficient small cars on the market.
Honda also introduced the Jazz Crosstar variant, which has a rugged, crossover-inspired look with jacked-up suspension and a water-repellent interior.
Body styles:
Five-door hatchback
Key engine options:
1.5-litre 109bhp MMD e:HEV petrol hybrid
Service intervals
The following maintenance schedule is taken from a 2021 Honda Jazz handbook. The recommended intervals can vary depending on your car’s age and configuration. Check your owner’s manual for information specific to your model.
| Maintenance type | Interval |
|---|---|
| Replace engine oil | Every 6,000 miles/1 year |
| Replace engine oil filter | Every 12,500 miles/2 years |
| Replace air cleaner element | Every 18,500 miles |
| Replace spark plugs | Every 62,500 miles |
| Replace coolant | Every 125,000 miles/10 years. Thereafter every 62,500 miles/5 years |
| Replace transmission fluid | Every 93,500 miles/6 years |
| Replace dust and pollen filter | Every year |
| Inspect front and rear brakes | Every 6,000 miles/1 year |
| Replace brake fluid | Every 3 years |
| Replace fuel filter | Every 111,500 miles |
| Check expiry date for TRK bottle | Every year |
| Rotate tyres | Every 6,000 miles |
Honda service reminder system
Modern Jazz models come with a service reminder system. It monitors various engine parts and systems to detect when a service is needed and then triggers a dashboard alert to inform the driver. Different service items are represented by a code and an icon.
This system means you don’t have to worry about counting miles or tracking how much time has passed since your last service.
Routine inspections
Honda recommends completing the following routine inspections on your Jazz.
| Inspection | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Brake fluid level | Monthly |
| Tyre pressure | Monthly |
| Exterior lights | Monthly |
| Wiper blades | Monthly |
Want to learn more about vehicle servicing? Check out the following guides:
Tyre pressure
What are the tyre pressures for a Honda Jazz?
The recommended tyre pressure varies depending on the spec and engine of your car. The table below shows tyre sizes and pressures listed for the Jazz on TyrePressures.com.
However, you should always check this information before adjusting your tyres. You can find the correct pressure for your Jazz:
In the vehicle handbook/owner’s manual.
Printed on the sill of the driver’s door.
On the inside of the fuel tank cap.
Read our guide to tyre pressure for more information.
| Jazz model year | Front tyre size | Front tyre pressure | Rear tyre size | Rear tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025, 2024 | 185/60/R16 86 H | 34 PSI/2.3 BAR | 185/60/R16 86 H | 33 PSI/2.3 BAR |
| 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 | 185/55/R16 87 H | 33 PSI/2.3 BAR | 185/55/R16 87 H | 33 PSI/2.3 BAR |
| 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 | 185/60/R15 84 H | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 185/60/R15 84 H | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR |
| 2015 | 185/55/R16 83 V | 32 PSI/2.2 BAR | 185/55/R16 83 V | 30 PSI/2.1 BAR |
How to reset a Honda Jazz tyre pressure warning light
Before you reset a tyre pressure warning light, you should first check and top up the pressure as needed.
2015-2020 models
Switch the ignition on without starting the engine.
Using the control paddles on the right side of the steering wheel, scroll through the dashboard menu options and select ‘deflation warning system’.
Scroll through the options and select ‘initialise’.
You will see a message saying the reset is complete.
2020- e:HEV models
Switch the ignition on.
Press the ‘home’ button on the central infotainment screen.
Tap the right arrow to scroll through the options and press ‘vehicle settings’.
Select ‘deflation warning system’.
Press ‘calibrate’.
The tyre pressure will reset.
Engine oil
It’s crucial to use the correct engine oil for your car – find out why in this guide.
0W-20 oil is commonly used in Honda’s petrol models; 0W-30 is used in diesels.
However, the recommended oil grade can vary between different Jazz configurations and depending on whether the car uses petrol or diesel. Your owner’s manual will provide information about the correct oil for your vehicle.
What is the oil capacity of a Honda Jazz?
Most Jazz models have an oil capacity of around 3.6 litres, though there may be some variation between engines. Before changing your oil, check this information in your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t overfill the system.
Need help checking and topping up your engine oil? Read this guide.
Battery
What battery do I need for my Honda Jazz?
The type and size of the battery will depend on the model’s configurations. You can find this information in your owner’s manual. Most Jazz models use a type 054 or 057 battery.
How to identify the correct battery
Check your current battery. Look for labels indicating the type of battery (e.g. 054), capacity (Ah) and CCA.
Measure dimensions. The new battery must match the size of the existing one.
Note terminal layout. Verify the position of positive and negative terminals.
Check if your car has a start-stop system. Vehicles with this technology require EFB or AGM batteries.
Find out how to maintain your car battery in this guide.
Warning lights
What do the warning lights mean on a Honda Jazz?
Dashboard warning lights are triggered by the car’s electronic control unit (ECU) when a problem is detected. You can learn some information by looking at the shape and colour of the light, but for a detailed diagnosis, you’ll usually need to book a diagnostic test.
Red lights indicate a severe problem. You should stop driving and contact a mechanic.
Yellow lights are less urgent – you can continue driving to your destination, but you should book your car into a garage.
Learn more about car warning lights and what they mean in this guide.
Honda Jazz warning lights you might not know
Honda Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) warning
Some Jazz models come with LKAS, which is designed to help you stay in the correct lane. The symbol usually resembles a car or steering wheel with lanes on both sides. It switches on to signal that the system is active; if the light appears yellow or amber, it has a fault.
Possible faults include:
Dirty or obstructed front camera
Poor road markings
Low visibility
System error
Improper camera calibration
Honda Smart Entry warning light
Some Jazz models have a Smart Entry system that allows the driver to access the car and start the engine without a key as long as they have their key fob nearby.
The Smart Entry warning light looks like a car key with a signal coming from the handle and an exclamation mark. If you see it on your dashboard, it means the system has a fault. You should book a repair as soon as possible to ensure your car remains secure.
Spotted a warning light but don’t know what’s causing it? Don’t guess – book a diagnostic test!
Common problems
Whether you’re already a proud Jazz owner or you’re in the market for one, it’s helpful to know what kind of problems the model experiences.
Our Honda Jazz common problems guide explores this topic in detail, so we’ll just cover two top issues here.
1. Central locking faults
The central locking system is one of the Jazz’s few problem areas. The locks can seize up and become jammed, especially in earlier models. Fortunately, the repair is relatively easy and inexpensive.
2. Automatic gearbox issues
The second generation of the Jazz is susceptible to automatic gearbox trouble. Models fitted with an iShift gearbox need servicing at the correct intervals, more so than their manual counterparts, to avoid problems.
Symptoms of a faulty auto gearbox include:
Juddering
Hesitation or slipping during gear changes
Unusual noises, such as whining or humming
Need help diagnosing car problems? Check out the following guides for advice:
Top Honda Jazz questions & topics
Why is the Honda Jazz insurance group so high?
According to The Telegraph, a spate of Honda Jazz car and catalytic converter thefts over the past few years has made insurance companies view the model as high risk to insure, so premiums have skyrocketed, despite the Jazz being a relatively modest vehicle.
Find out how to prevent car theft.
How to change the time on a Honda Jazz
2008-2015
Press and hold the speaker button on the central dashboard controls until the clock display starts flashing.
You can now use the 4 and 5 buttons to set the time. The 4 button adjusts the hour; the 5 controls the minutes.
Press the speaker button. The time is now set.
Models with a touchscreen display
Press the home button on the central infotainment screen.
Select ‘settings’ followed by ‘system’.
Scroll down the options and select ‘clock adjustment’.
Use the on-screen arrows to adjust the time.
Click ‘OK’ to save your changes.
Where is the Honda Jazz made?
The Honda Jazz is manufactured in several countries, including Japan, China, Thailand and Brazil. European Jazz models are made in Swindon, UK.
How to open the bonnet on a Honda Jazz
Pull the bonnet release lever located in the driver’s footwell under the dashboard. The lever has a white symbol on it depicting an open car bonnet.
Slide your fingers under the bonnet and push the safety latch to the left.
Open and secure the bonnet.
When closing the bonnet, you must drop it from a few inches up to ensure it closes correctly.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.