How to Reset the Vehicle Maintenance Reminder Light?
3 Answers
Methods to reset the vehicle maintenance reminder light: 1. Turn off the engine and remove the key; 2. Press and hold the right button below the dashboard, then insert the key and turn it to the power-on position; 3. After turning the key to the power-on position, release the right button, and a small wrench symbol will appear; 4. Once the small wrench symbol appears, press the left button below the dashboard, and the wrench symbol will disappear. The original purpose of the maintenance light is to remind the owner to perform maintenance as soon as possible, so the owner should promptly visit a 4S shop for servicing. After maintenance, the 4S shop will use a diagnostic tool to reset the maintenance light. The quickest and most accurate method to reset the maintenance reminder light is by using a diagnostic tool, which most car owners do not possess. It is recommended that owners reset the light after maintenance at a 4S shop or visit an external 4S shop for resetting.
I've been driving for years and always reset the maintenance reminder light myself. The method varies by car. For Volkswagen, it's usually turning off the ignition, then starting the car and holding the dashboard button for a few seconds to turn it off. For Toyota, you can find the reset option in the steering wheel menu. Don't rush to turn off the light; make sure to perform the maintenance, change the oil, or replace parts first, otherwise, it's just fooling yourself. Once, a friend reset it without changing the oil, and the engine had issues, costing him an extra thousand bucks. The manual has detailed steps; for my old Ford, it's at the end of the manual. If you're not confident, go to a repair shop—they'll do it for free. Remember, the light is a protective reminder; after resetting, check regularly to avoid potential problems.
I learned from my first Hyundai car that turning off the maintenance light is simple: turn the engine to the second ignition position and operate the reset on the dashboard. For example, Ford cars require pressing both left and right buttons simultaneously, while Chevrolet uses the steering wheel to navigate the menu for reset. Nowadays, even mobile apps can handle it for newer models, but in most cases, checking the manual is quicker. Don’t delay when the light comes on—handle it after maintenance. I often overlook this when modifying cars, resulting in sensor alarms malfunctioning. The key is understanding the maintenance intervals, as engineers designed them to prompt at specific mileage—don’t tamper with it. I recommend finding the official guide PDF and following it for safety and convenience.
