Generally speaking, you have about
2 weeks or 500 miles
of driving before a flashing oil light turns into a legitimate problem. But once it hits that point, things can go downhill fast, leading to serious mechanical damage. So, try to get your vehicle into a mechanic sooner rather than later.
How long do you have to get an oil change after light comes on?
On vehicles with an oil change light, an oil change is needed when the light remains on after startup. It's best to schedule the oil change within
one to two weeks
. If you primarily do highway driving, you have a little more breathing room than city driving.
Can I drive my car with service light on?
Is it safe to drive when the service required warning light is on? While your car's drivability shouldn't be affected,
driving for extended periods with the light on will cause excess wear and tear on the engine
. Especially with oil, not changing it at regular intervals will severely shorten your engine's lifespan.
What do I do if my maintenance required light comes on?
- Turn ignition switch to the ON position.
- Set the Odometer/Trip Display to TRIP A mode.
- Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
- Depress and HOLD the Trip Meter RESET button while turning the ignition switch to the ON position.
- The Service Maintenance Reminder Light will.
Why is my maintenance required light on?
The purpose of the maintenance required light is
to encourage drivers to take their vehicle in for regular scheduled maintenance
, such as oil changes, spark plugs, new tires, etc. Normally, automotive specialists will reset the maintenance required light when servicing your vehicle.
How long can you go on 0 oil life?
Having a 0% oil life is nothing to be concerned about. You can still manage to squeeze out a decent mileage from the car. You can drive anywhere between
5,000 to 6,000 miles
with no oil life.
How long can a new car go without an oil change?
Due to this, cars can generally go
5,000 to 7,500 miles
before needing an oil change. Furthermore, if your vehicle uses synthetic oil, you can drive 10,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes.
What happens if you wait too long to get an oil change?
In fact, if you wait too long for an oil change,
your smooth and clean oil will turn into dirty sludge
. When this happens, your engine must work harder to fight through the buildup of muck. It loses its lubrication, and decreases heat absorption. This means that your car will be susceptible to major issues.
Why is my service light still on after a service?
This means that more than one problem could be causing your check engine light to illuminate.
Perhaps the technician replaced your oxygen sensor, but your engine also needs some spark plugs to be replaced
. The best course of action here is to take your car to the technician again to see what else needs to be done.
Why does my maintenance required light flashing when I start my car?
The maintenance required light is
notifying you that maintenance is required according to the driven distance on the vehicle's maintenance schedule
. The light illuminates for about 3 seconds and then flashes for about 15 second every 4,500 miles after the maintenance has been reset.
Why is my maintenance light on after oil change?
The light could be on after an oil change because of
an issue with the oil pump
. If this is the cause, there could be not enough oil circulating through to the various parts. Performing regular oil changes should help prevent this from happening, but parts do wear out.
What does oil maintenance required mean on a Lexus?
When the Lexus Maintenance Required light appears on your dashboard, it means that
your vehicle is due for an oil change, tire rotation, or other routine maintenance task
. This usually occurs every 3,500 to 5,000 miles, depending on your Lexus model.
Will my car pass smog if maintenance required light is on?
You can't pass a vehicle inspection with the maintenance light on
. If an inspector sees this on, they can easily find the issues and fail you—so don't try and hide it. The only way to pass inspection after failure is to get the proper repairs done.
How long is an oil change?
Typically, an oil change takes about
30-45 minutes
.
The process includes draining out the existing oil and changing the oil filter, then placing new oil into the engine.
How often do you need an oil change?
On average, vehicles are estimated to need an oil change
every 3,000 miles or every six months
. This can vary based on your driving habits, your driving frequency, the age of your vehicle, and the quality of the oil you use. If you drive a newer vehicle, you might be able to safely wait a little longer between changes.
How long can you drive on 0 miles?
How Far Can You Go on 0 Miles to Empty? In short, on average you can go 15 miles before finding your first gas station. However, this is not to say that you will never run out of gas, this will vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle and the fuel efficiency system used but the typical range is
5-25 miles
.
How low can your oil percentage go?
It's always the last thousand miles, or running low on oil, that oil sludge develops. Once it is there, it can not be removed without an engine rebuild. Summary: I wouldn't go past 20% oil life remaining. That's probably around
4 to 5K
.
What happens when oil life is negative?
Negative mileage means
your vehicle has passed the maintenance required point
. Immediately have the indicated maintenance done by your dealer. When the remaining engine oil life is 0 percent, the engine oil life indicator will blink.
Is mileage or date more important for oil change?
The quick-lube chains usually recommend it be done
every three months or 3,000 miles
, but many mechanics would tell you that such frequent changes are overkill. Indeed, most car owner's manuals recommend changing out the oil less frequently, usually after 5,000 or 7,500 miles.
Can I just add oil to my car?
To add oil,
turn your vehicle off and wait for the engine to cool. Remove the oil filler cap, and slowly pour in a bit at a time
. Overfilling can cause problems for your engine, so start by adding small amounts at a time and checking the oil level frequently while filling.
Do I need oil change if I dont drive much?
Why oil changes are still needed
if you hardly drive
You should still get an oil change
. It is recommended to get your oil changed at least twice a year, even if you haven't driven those thousands of miles that are normally recommended.
