Toyota Maintenance Required Warning

When the Maintenance Required warning appears on your digital dashboard, it is a clear signal that your Toyota is due for scheduled maintenance such as engine oil change, air filter changes, and checking the fluid levels. The reminder helps the driver easily remember to perform preventive maintenance based on mileage or time intervals, whichever comes first. Regular preventive maintenance is important to prolong and maintain the reliability of your Toyota.

What Does Maintenance Required Mean on a Toyota?

The Maintenance Required warning usually shows after starting the vehicle or turning the ignition to the ON position. Compared to the Check Engine light or MIL, the maintenance reminder is just a reminder that the vehicle is due for preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is done to prolong and maintain your vehicle. It is needed to ensure that your car will run as reliable as possible.

Maintenance reminder is triggered in two ways. First is when you reach a predetermined mileage, usually around 5,000 miles. The second is reaching a certain time frame after your last preventive maintenance.

Common Causes

5,000 miles have passed since the last maintenance

Preventive maintenance includes the following procedure to maintain your Toyota Vehicle:

• Engine oil and oil filter Change: Changing the engine oil and oil filter is essential in any vehicle maintenance. Engine oils can degrade over time due to heat cycles, carbon deposits, and many other factors. This can affect its effectiveness in protecting the engine. That is why a regular engine oil change is important to ensure the longevity of your engine. You should check the owner’s manual for the recommended interval between oil changes.
• Brake Inspection/Cleaning: It is essential to do regular brake cleaning and inspection to ensure the safety of your brakes. Brake pads can accumulate dust and debris that can prevent it’s effectiveness. Inspecting and cleaning the brake system every 30,000 miles prevents brake problems and premature wear.
• Tire Rotation: Tire rotation is done by switching the front and rear tires. This ensures that the tires wear out evenly. This not only extends the lifespan of the tires but also improves vehicle stability and handling.
• Fluid Check: Maintaining the correct levels of your car’s fluids is important. This includes engine coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, and power steering fluid. Running low on fluids can cause problems and damage the vehicle’s essential parts.
• Filter Replacement: Filters like engine air filters and cabin air filters prevent dust and debris from entering the engine and the cabin. A clean engine air filter helps fuel combustion efficiently, while a clean cabin air filter provides clean air inside the vehicle.

Regular maintenance prevents any premature wear and potential problems. It maintains your vehicle’s reliability and performance and prevents costly repairs that can save you money in the long run.

The mileage and time interval vary depending on your specific Toyota model. It is important to consult your owner’s manual or check the manufacturer’s recommendation for guidelines.

Helpful article:

• Replace Engine Oil and Filter Toyota Camry 2012-2017 XV50

How to Reset Maintenance Required Warning Light

Resetting the maintenance reminder on your Toyota is an easy task to perform. Every model does have a different procedure to clear the warning. This guide provides instructions for a few models to help you reset the maintenance reminder.

Steps on how to reset Maintenance Reminder

Corolla

1. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “On” position. Do not start the engine.
2. If your Corolla has a push-button ignition, press the start button twice without pressing the brake pedal.
3. Your vehicle’s screen will activate. Look for the “Cog/Gear” icon and navigate to the “Scheduled Maintenance” option.
4. When you select “Scheduled Maintenance,” the screen will prompt you to confirm your choice. Press “OK,” and your Corolla’s maintenance light should promptly turn off.

Highlander

1. Use the up or down buttons on the meter control switch to select “Settings.”
2. Once in “Settings,” navigate to “Vehicle, ” then press and hold the meter control switch.
3. Continue scrolling through the options until you find “Scheduled Maintenance,” then press the meter control switch again.
4. Select “Yes” and press the meter control switch.
5. A message will appear on the multi-information display when the reset procedure has been completed.

Tundra

1. Use the up or down buttons on the meter control switch to select “Settings.”
2. Once in “Settings,” navigate to “Vehicle, ” then press and hold the meter control switch.
3. Continue scrolling through the options until you find “Scheduled Maintenance,” then press the meter control switch again.
4. Select “Yes” and press the meter control switch.
5. A message will appear on the multi-information display when the reset procedure has been completed.

Rav4

1. Insert your key into the ignition and turn it to position one before starting the car.
2. Locate the trip meter reset button on the dashboard and push it. Hold it down for about one to two seconds.
3. Turn the key to position two while holding the trip meter reset button.
4. Keep holding down the trip meter reset button for approximately ten seconds. During this time, you should see the light flash, hear a beep, and then the light should go out.
5. Once the maintenance light is off, release the trip meter reset button.
6. Start your car. If you notice that the service light is still illuminated, you may need to repeat this process one or two more times to turn off the maintenance light on your Toyota RAV4 successfully.

Using the Youcanic Full System Scanner

Resetting the maintenance reminder on your Toyota can be done using the YOUCANIC full system scanner. It is an easy process that can clear your maintenance reminder instantly.

YOUCANIC Full system scanner can not only clear maintenance reminders but also read and interpret diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), access real-time data on your vehicle’s vital parameters, and even clear trouble codes once issues have been resolved. This all-in-one tool empowers you to keep your vehicle running smoothly, stay on top of maintenance tasks, and address any potential issues proactively, all with a single device.