Has the "Maintenance" or "Oil Change" indicator light appeared on your automobile? Learn what this means and ways to get it to turn off.
Modern vehicles are equipped with several indicator lights to owners when something needs attention, and the oil change light (also called the maintenance light) is one of them. This light is designed to tell you once the engine oil needs changing, on the basis of the car's odometer reading. The oil change light won't turn fully off on its own, even when the old oil has been drained and fresh oil added. That's where resetting the oil change light comes in.
Not absolutely all vehicles have a fat change light, but when yours does, resetting it is worth doing, and not merely due to the annoyance of seeing the light on constantly. Unless the light is reset, your vehicle could have no means of suggesting the very next time a fat change is needed.
Here I'll be demonstrating the reset on a 2003 Toyota 4Runner, and although the precise steps vary from make to produce, the fundamental procedure is similar. Some makes and models have different procedures, like late-model Dodges, which require three quick presses of the gas pedal to reset. In the event that you try the task shown here and your light doesn't reset, look at your owner's manual, or check online for help regarding your particular vehicle.
Discover the Reset Button and Turn On Vehicle System
Search your vehicle's gauge and dashboard area for an option, switch or stick the says "Reset." Turn the ignition to the ON position which means that your gauges and electronics light, but don't start the engine.
Set Odometer to Display Mileage
Cycle through the various odometer modes until it shows total mileage driven. Turn the ignition OFF. Hold the Reset Button and Turn the Key
Press and support the reset button. Turn the ignition back again to the ON position while holding the reset button. Watch the oil change or maintenance light carefully. It will begin to blink. Allow the light to blink ON and OFF for a few seconds, then release the reset button and turn the ignition OFF.
Start the Vehicle
Start the engine and make the sure the oil change or maintenance light has become OFF. If it's still ON, repeat the reset procedure. If the dashboard light remains ON after two tries, make reference to your owner's manual or the vehicle manufacturer's site to learn more about the method for the vehicle.