How to Reset the Maintenance Light on a Car?
4 Answers
To reset the car maintenance light, follow these steps: First, turn off the engine and remove the key. Then, press and hold the right button below the dashboard while inserting the key and turning it to the 'on' position. Once the key is turned to the 'on' position, release the right button. At this point, a small wrench icon will appear. After the wrench icon appears, press the left button below the dashboard once, and the wrench icon will disappear. Additional notes: 1. The purpose of the maintenance light is to remind the owner to schedule maintenance as soon as possible. Therefore, the owner should promptly visit a 4S shop for maintenance. After the maintenance is completed, the 4S shop will use a diagnostic tool to reset the maintenance light. 2. The quickest and most accurate method to reset the maintenance reminder light is by using a diagnostic tool. Since most car owners do not have access to such equipment, it is recommended to reset the light at a 4S shop after maintenance or visit an external 4S shop for the reset.
Last time my car's maintenance light came on, I specifically went to the 4S dealership to learn a trick. Now after every maintenance, I sit in the driver's seat, fasten the seatbelt first, and then press the start button twice without stepping on the brake to power on. Next, I press and hold the small trip button on the right side of the dashboard for about 5 seconds until the screen displays 'Oil Reset' in English, then press the confirm button once, and the light goes off. However, operations vary greatly between different car models. For example, Volkswagen requires using the steering wheel buttons to access the engineering menu. Once during trial and error, I almost messed up the dashboard settings, so I recommend checking the owner's manual first to confirm the steps. If you really can't figure it out, don't force it—after all, the maintenance light reminder is important, and scheduled maintenance should be done promptly.
I'm most familiar with dealing with maintenance reminder lights, having handled over a hundred vehicles. Simply put, it involves resetting the maintenance cycle data in the vehicle's computer system, but the procedure varies by car. Japanese cars generally follow this procedure: With the engine off, hold the ODO button, turn on the ignition without starting the engine, and wait for 'MAINT REQD' to flash before releasing. German cars require pressing the center control knob repeatedly to access a hidden menu. For Hyundai and Kia, you need to simultaneously press the brake and accelerator pedals before pressing the start button. Three key points to note: The reset must only be done after maintenance to avoid misleading the system; some vehicles require a diagnostic tool to clear the light; after resetting, remember to reconfigure the next maintenance mileage. Before attempting, it's advisable to check model-specific forums or consult the dealership.
As a female car owner, I found resetting the maintenance light is actually quite simple. Last week I just handled it on my Toyota: first start the engine, press the 'Return' button on the left side of the steering wheel to switch to the settings page, find 'Oil Maintenance' under 'Vehicle Settings', then click reset to confirm. The whole process takes just 30 seconds, no need to even remove gloves. Most modern models can operate via touchscreen, much more convenient than older cars. However, some base trim vehicles require manual operation - like my bestie's Fit needs to press the instrument cluster button repeatedly when turning the key to ACC. Remember to drive 2-3 km after resetting to check if the light comes back on, avoiding misoperation.
