What triggers maintenance required light?
The maintenance required light is a routine reminder, not a fault indicator. It typically appears when your car reaches scheduled service thresholds based on time, mileage, or an oil-life sensor, signaling that maintenance should be performed soon.
How the reminder is triggered
Most cars use one or a combination of mechanisms to decide when maintenance is due. The following are the most common triggers you’ll encounter:
- Mileage-based thresholds: The reminder often lights up after you’ve driven a specified number of miles since the last service (for example, 5,000–10,000 miles in many vehicles).
- Time-based thresholds: Some schedules count months or years since the last service, illuminating the light if a set interval has passed regardless of mileage.
- Oil-life or engine oil monitor: Many modern cars track the condition of the engine oil and illuminate the reminder when oil life drops to a predefined level (often around 5–15%).
- Maintenance Minder or service counter: Some brands use a built-in planner that triggers due service for multiple items (oil, filters, tires, brakes) when their recommended intervals are reached.
- Post-service reset requirement: After a service is completed, the reminder must be reset in the vehicle’s system; if it isn’t, the light may stay on.
In short, the trigger is tied to the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule and the car’s monitoring systems. Following the prescribed service intervals helps keep the vehicle reliable and protect warranty coverage.
What to do when the light comes on
When you see the maintenance light, take a calm, systematic approach to determine what’s due and when you should service the vehicle.
- Consult the owner’s manual to confirm the exact maintenance intervals for your model and to understand whether the light is driven by time, mileage, or oil life.
- Check your current mileage and the time since your last service to assess whether you are near or past the recommended interval.
- Review your maintenance history to verify what was last performed and whether the reminder was properly reset after that service.
- Schedule the appropriate service with a qualified shop if maintenance is due (oil change, tire rotation, brake inspection, fluid levels, etc.).
- If you recently had maintenance performed and the light remains on, verify that the reminder was reset correctly; if not, ask the service provider to reset it or reference the proper procedure in the manual.
Keep in mind that the maintenance light is a planning tool, not a diagnostic warning. If you notice unusual performance, strange noises, or other warning lights appear alongside it, treat the situation as higher priority and seek professional inspection.
Resetting the maintenance light
Reset procedures vary by brand and model. The steps below reflect common patterns, but you should always confirm with your owner’s manual or dealer for your exact vehicle.
- General approach: With the ignition in the ON position (engine off), navigate to the maintenance reminder in the instrument cluster or info display, select reset, and confirm. The light should extinguish after the reset is completed.
- Toyota/Lexus-style reset: Use the odometer/trip button to display ODO, turn the ignition to ON, then press and hold the reset button until the MAINT indicator disappears or the display confirms reset.
- Honda-style reset (Maintenance Minder): Access the Maintenance Minder screen and select the reset option after servicing; in some models you hold a button while turning the ignition to ON until the display resets to 100% oil life.
- Other brands: Many require a sequence involving the ignition, a specific button (trip, select, or reset), and confirmation on the display. If in doubt, consult the manual or dealer to avoid misresetting other maintenance data.
If the light won’t reset or keeps coming back after a reset, there may be an outstanding service item or a fault in the reminder system itself. A dealership or qualified mechanic can diagnose the issue and perform a proper reset if needed.
Summary
The maintenance required light serves as a proactive reminder to perform scheduled maintenance. It is typically triggered by mileage, time since last service, or an oil-life monitor, and it is not a malfunction indicator. Always verify the specific intervals for your model in the owner’s manual, track your service history, and arrange maintenance as needed. If you recently serviced the vehicle, ensure the reminder is reset correctly; if in doubt, ask a professional for guidance to avoid missing important service.
