Can I still drive my car if it says maintenance required soon?
If your car's dashboard displays a "Maintenance Required Soon" warning, you can still safely drive your vehicle, but it's important to address the issue as soon as possible. This message typically indicates that your car is due for routine maintenance, such as an oil change, tire rotation, or other scheduled service.
Understanding the "Maintenance Required Soon" Warning
The "Maintenance Required Soon" warning is a notification from your car's onboard computer system, alerting you that it's time for scheduled maintenance. This message is designed to help you keep your vehicle in good condition and prevent more serious problems from developing.
The specific maintenance required may vary depending on your car's make, model, and mileage, but it often includes tasks like:
- Oil and filter change
- Tire rotation
- Brake inspection and service
- Fluid top-ups (e.g., coolant, transmission fluid)
- Replacement of air filters, spark plugs, or other wear-and-tear components
While you can continue driving your car with the "Maintenance Required Soon" warning displayed, it's best to schedule an appointment with a qualified mechanic as soon as possible to address the issue and ensure your vehicle's continued safe and reliable operation.
Consequences of Ignoring the Warning
Ignoring the "Maintenance Required Soon" warning can lead to more serious problems down the road. If you continue to drive your car without addressing the maintenance needs, you may experience:
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Reduced engine performance and power
- Increased wear and tear on components, leading to more expensive repairs
- Potential safety issues, such as brake or suspension problems
- Possible engine damage or failure if the issue is left unattended for too long
To avoid these potential problems, it's best to schedule a maintenance appointment as soon as possible after the "Maintenance Required Soon" warning appears on your dashboard.
Tips for Addressing the Maintenance Warning
Here are some tips for dealing with the "Maintenance Required Soon" warning:
- Schedule a maintenance appointment: Contact your local dealership or a trusted mechanic to schedule a service appointment as soon as possible.
- Refer to your owner's manual: Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the recommended maintenance schedule and the specific services required at the current mileage.
- Keep up with regular maintenance: Staying on top of your car's routine maintenance can help prevent the "Maintenance Required Soon" warning from appearing too frequently.
- Consider the warning's context: If the warning appears shortly after a recent service, it may be a false alarm. However, it's still a good idea to have your mechanic double-check the issue.
By addressing the "Maintenance Required Soon" warning promptly and following your car's recommended maintenance schedule, you can help ensure your vehicle's longevity, safety, and optimal performance.
How far can I drive with maintenance required?
Car Services in Reading
In general, a flashing oil light will turn into a serious problem after around 2 weeks or 500 miles of driving. However, once it reaches that stage, things can quickly deteriorate, resulting in catastrophic mechanical damage.
Why is my car saying maintenance required soon?
When your car's oil life drops to 15%, you'll see a "maintenance due soon" message on your dashboard. This message will come with either an "A" or "B" to indicate the type of service needed. If you see this message, it's time to bring your Honda in for an oil change.
How urgent is a maintenance required light?
If you ignore it for a few hundred miles though, the maintenance required light will illuminate and stay on. Take your vehicle to your mechanic for its scheduled maintenance, and they'll reset it for you once all the upkeep tasks are done.
How long can a car last with maintenance?
A conventional car can last for 200,000 miles. Some well-maintained car models will reach 300,000 or more miles total. The average passenger car age is currently around 12 years in the United States. Choosing a well-built make and model can help extend your car's longevity.
What to do when car says service soon?
It does not mean that the engine has broken down, or even that it is in danger of imminent meltdown. What it does mean is that you should make an appointment with your mechanic at your earliest opportunity to trace the source of the malfunction and have the vehicle repaired if necessary.
Can I still drive my car even if it says maintenance required?
While you can still drive your car with this light on, you should have it checked.
Can you drive a car in maintenance mode?
Our advice is that you do not drive in the maintenance mode unless it is an emergency.
How long can you ignore the maintenance required light?
It's simply a maintenance reminder that comes on every 5000 miles. Change your oil, examine all the belts and hoses and whatever else is recommended in the owner's manual per present mileage, then reset the light to turn off and stay off for another 5000 miles. Rest easy. Nothing broke, it's just a nag.
How long can I drive without maintenance?
As a general rule, most cars need at least annual servicing, or you'll need to take the car in every 10,000 miles. However, you'll also want to consider a few other points to determine your car's most effective maintenance schedule.
How far can you drive on service engine soon?
The most common question we get is how long can you drive with check engine light on? The answer is it is safe to drive from 50-100 miles. To maintain your car's health, it is always better to get it checked immediately when you see the check engine light.
