Car symbols, often called dashboard lights, remind you about the car service schedule. For instance, you turn on the ignition, and a light on your car’s dashboard flashes with the words ‘maintenance required.’ Your car may be running smoothly, so you’ll be perplexed by the maintenance required light turned on. The question is, should you panic?
No, there is no reason for you to panic if maintenance required light turns on. It’s essentially telling you that your car will require regular maintenance shortly. For instance, it could be time for an oil change, a tune-up, or a new timing belt. Most dashboard lights, after all, signify a potentially important issue, such as low engine oil pressure, low battery charge, nonfunctional airbags, and dangerously high engine temperatures.
So, how can you turn off the maintenance required light? What will happen if you neglect it for long? Keep reading to know more!
What does the maintenance required light mean?
The maintenance required light is a warning light that reminds drivers that their car needs a service. It activates in 5,000-mile intervals since carmakers normally recommend basic servicing — oil change, filter replacement, and inspection — every 5,000 miles. The light blinks for a few seconds every time you start your car after 4,500 miles. The light will remain on if left unchecked for another 500 miles, indicating you’ve traveled 5,000 miles.
However, the maintenance required light can turn on at different mileage points depending on your car. For instance, the light will sometimes illuminate every few thousand miles to alert you that it’s time for an oil change. On the other hand, in some cars, the light may appear once every 60,000 miles or every other significant number to alert the necessity for a major tune-up.
What service do you need to do when the maintenance required light illuminates?
In carmakers like Toyota or Lexus, a 5,000-mile service includes an engine oil and filter change, tire rotation, multi-point inspection, and an inspection and adjustment of all fluids. Be mindful that the service requirements vary with different carmakers and models.
Can I drive with the maintenance required light on?
Yes. You can drive your car with the light turned on. But, be aware that you’re driving at your own risk without doing the recommended or scheduled service. For these reasons, keeping your car up-to-date with all planned and suggested maintenance is critical to avoid the many untimely, inconvenient, and costly repairs that occur with neglect.
What will happen if a driver ignores maintenance required light?
Though it is safe to travel with the light turned on, the car may have adverse effects if you ignore the warning for longer. In addition, driving with maintenance required light on can damage your car’s engine or even worsen. It can even lead to an accident, or you may get stranded on the road.
How to reset maintenance required light
You might wish to turn off the maintenance required light at some point. It usually happens when a technician forgets to reset the light during service or if you do maintenance on your car. The technique for resetting the device is rather simple.
- Turn on the ignition switch.
- Make the Odometer/Trip Display to ODO mode.
- Turn off the ignition switch.
- Press and hold the trip meter ‘Reset’ button while turning on the ignition switch.
- Then, the light will illuminate solidly for three seconds. Then it will blink for two seconds and finally illuminate steadily for a second.
- You should release the trip meter ‘Reset’ button.
- Turn off the ignition.
- Turn on the ignition and check that the maintenance required light is off. If the light continues to blink (step 5), turn off the ignition and begin from the first step again.
How to reset the maintenance light on Toyota cars
- Turn on the ignition switch.
- Make the Odometer/Trip Display to Trip A (recent model) or ODO mode (early model).
- Turn off the ignition switch.
- Press and hold the trip meter ‘Reset’ button while turning on the ignition switch.
- The light will flash while five blank lines emerge on the ODO screen, one fading every second. The light will turn off when all the ODO lines disappear.
- You should release the trip meter ‘Reset’ button.
- Turn off the ignition.
- Turn off the ignition and ensure that maintenance required light disappears. If the light continues to blink (step 5), turn off the ignition and start again from the first step.
How much does it cost to fix maintenance required light?
When you buy a new car, the carmaker will normally cover the 5,000-mile service intervals for free up to 25,000 miles. The 5,000-mile service might cost anywhere between $75 and $135, depending on where you live. When you reach higher mileage levels, your car will require major services like timing belt repairs and ignition tune-ups. It will coincide with a standard 5,000-mile service interval.
When should you visit a mechanic?
It isn’t necessary to take your car to a mechanic when the maintenance required light turns on. The light turns on to remind you to do the car service on time. Also, you needn’t worry much about the light if you’re changing the car’s oil and oil filter based on the owner’s manual.
Difference between maintenance required and check engine lights
Always remember that the maintenance required light will turn on when your car requires service. It normally reminds you every 5,000 miles to make an oil change, filter replacement, and inspection. The light never indicates a problem with your car.
The ‘check engine light is a far more significant warning than the ‘maintenance’ light. The check engine illuminates when your engine or car is facing a major problem. If the light appears, take your car to a repair immediately for a diagnosis. The mechanic will plug in a reader to determine why the light is on.
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