Why Would The Maintenance Required Light Come On?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

What could maintenance required light mean?

What ‘MAINT REQD’ Means. The ‘MAINT REQD’ light comes on every 5000 miles from the last time it was reset. It in no way indicates any system malfunction; it is simply

a mileage counter intended to remind the user that an oil change is necessary

.

How long can you drive after maintenance light comes on?

If your oil light comes on, you should try to have your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Note, though, that driving around a bit more won’t destroy anything. Generally speaking, you have about

2 weeks or 500 miles

of driving before a flashing oil light turns into a legitimate problem.

What does it mean when your car shows maintenance required?

Why does my maintenance required light flash when I turn my car on?

It’s basically just telling you that

your car will need some kind of scheduled service soon

. It could be an oil change, a tuneup, or maybe you need a new timing belt. When the light begins to flash at startup, you have about 500 miles or so to go before the next scheduled service.

Why is my maintenance required light flashing when I start my car?

A flashing maintenance required light comes on after 4,500 miles. This is

an alert for you to make an appointment for car service because you are getting close to the 5,000-mile service interval

.

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.

Why is my maintenance required light on after oil change Honda?

If your engine maintenance light has come on before it’s recommended scheduled 5,000 mile oil change,

the Maintenance Minder system has predicted early breakdown of the additives in your oil based on use and engine conditions

.

Can I drive my car with the service engine light on?

The rule of thumb is that

if the check engine light is flashing, you can’t keep driving the car

. It’s an emergency. Often it indicates an engine misfire. If you keep driving, you will likely cause irreversible damage, mostly to the (expensive) catalytic converter.

Why is my oil light on when my oil is full?

The dashboard oil light comes on

when your engine suffers a drop in oil pressure

. Without enough oil pressure, the engine can’t lubricate itself. Continuous lubrication is necessary for the engine to run, so if it’s not adequately lubricated it will seize, and it could stop abruptly, which could cause an accident.

What happens when oil light comes on and off?

If the oil light flickers on and off while the vehicle is stopped or at an idle,

there may be a problem with the oil sensor or the pressure is too low

. At the very least, the engine should have 5 PSI when not moving. If the PSI is less than 5, this will trigger the oil light and cause it to flicker off and on.

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.

Does the maintenance required light stay on?

Most often this just means your vehicle might be due for an oil change.

The light will come on and remain on if the distance driven exceeds 5,000 miles after the maintenance data has been reset

.

Is the maintenance required light the same as check engine?

Some drivers might confuse the service required or maintenance required light on the gauge cluster for the check engine light.

These warning lights are unrelated

. The service required light just means the car is due for an oil change or other routine care.

How do I turn off maintenance required?

How do I turn off the maintenance required light on my Lexus?

  1. Turn the ignition on.
  2. Depending on your model, flip the odometer/trip display to “ODO” mode or “TRIP A” mode.
  3. Switch the ignition off.
  4. Hold down the “Trip Meter Reset” button while turning the ignition switch back on.
  5. The maintenance light should blink, go solid, and then turn off.

How often does a Lexus need an oil change?

How often does a Lexus need an Oil Change? An oil change is one of the most common and necessary services for your car.

Synthetic oil usually should be changed every 7,500 – 10,000 miles

. Lexus recommends getting your Lexus oil & filter changed every 3,000-5,000 miles for conventional oil.

How do I know when my Lexus needs an oil change?

  1. DARK AND DIRTY OIL. When your engine oil is clean, it’ll have a light, amber quality to its color. …
  2. LOUD ENGINE NOISES AND KNOCKING. …
  3. OIL CHANGE/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. …
  4. EXHAUST SMOKE. …
  5. OILY SMELL IN CABIN.

Why does my Honda says maintenance required?

The Maintenance Required light on your vehicle

comes on after a specific mileage has been driven once the light has been reset

. When this happens you will need to follow your owners manual and see what service is due for the mileage of the vehicle.

Can you drive a car with 15 oil life?

As an added reminder, your Honda Maintenance Minder System will display a yellow wrench icon once the 15% threshold is reached.

This does not mean the car is unsafe to drive

. It simply means that the oil has degraded to such an extent that a change will be needed soon to keep the engine running properly.

What does maintenance required light mean on a 2003 Honda Accord?

The 2003 Honda Accord is equipped with a “Maintenance Required” indicator located in the top-right corner of the instrument cluster. Its function is

to alert you when it’s time to change the Accord’s engine oil

. Once you have driven the car 10,000 miles (or 7,500 miles for 6 cyl.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.