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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.
Can I drive with maintenance required light on?
If it’s a service light then you can drive as long as you like. Of course that light comes on to remind you that a service is due. It’s at your own risk to ignore that light as the vehicle manufacturer recommends a service at certain intervals.
Does maintenance required mean something is wrong?
The maintenance required light isn’t present in every vehicle on the market. While the maintenance required light doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with the car, you should still take it seriously if it pops up. Make sure you call your mechanic or dealership and schedule a service appointment.
How long can you drive with oil maintenance required?
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.
What happens if you go too long without an oil change?
Go long enough without an oil change, and it could eventually cost you your car. Once motor oil becomes sludge, it no longer draws heat from the engine. The engine might overheat and either blow a gasket or seize up. If the heat doesn’t cause a gasket to blow, it will warp the parts in your engine.
Does maintenance required mean oil change?
What Is the Maintenance Required Light? The Toyota maintenance light can appear on your dashboard as “MAINT REQD”. It’s a light that remains active permanently, letting you know that you need to go for an oil change in a certified auto shop.
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.
What’s the difference between check engine light and maintenance required?
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 long can you go without servicing your car?
While many new cars with low mileage can go up to three years without needing a service, but for the majority of cars regular servicing is highly recommended.
How long can you really go without an oil change?
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.
Why is the 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.
What are signs that you need an oil change?
One of these six signs could mean it’s time to get an oil change ASAP. Your engine is making noises it hasn’t before. It smells like something’s burning inside your car’s cabin. The consistency of your oil has changed. Your oil level is low, low, low. One of your dashboard lights is on.
What does a car sound like when it needs oil?
When the oil becomes thin, old, or poorly textured, you might hear the issue every time you drive. When driving with bad oil quality, your engine may make a knocking sound while the vehicle is in motion. Oil issues can also cause other noises, like ticking, which we’ll discuss in the last section.
What color should oil be on dipstick?
As a general rule of thumb, new, clean oil is amber in color. It should also be clear when you pull out the dipstick.
What does it mean maintenance required soon?
The maintenance required light is notifying you that maintenance is required according to the driven distance on the vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Most often this just means your vehicle might be due for an oil change.
How often should you change your oil?
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.
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 does my maintenance required light flashing when I start my car?
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.
What does maintenance required mean on a Toyota?
The icon MAINT REQD meaning is important. When the MAINT REQD light goes on it indicates that the vehicle’s scheduled maintenance is due. This service may be covered under your ToyotaCare plan if your vehicle is less than two years old.
