What does 'service' displayed in the car mean?
2 Answers
When 'service' is displayed in the car, it refers to the service light. This light serves as a reminder for the driver to have the vehicle inspected or to replace certain worn-out parts. It is recommended that the owner follow the prescribed maintenance intervals, which typically include 5,000 kilometers, 7,500 kilometers, and 10,000 kilometers. The car dashboard features various indicator or warning lights, such as the coolant level warning light, fuel level indicator, washer fluid level indicator, charging indicator, high/low beam indicator, transmission gear indicator, anti-lock braking system (ABS) indicator, traction control indicator, and airbag (SRS) warning light, among others.
I've been repairing cars for over a decade, and the 'service' prompt popping up on the dashboard is quite common. This indicator isn't an alarm signaling a vehicle malfunction, but rather a reminder that scheduled maintenance is due. Manufacturers set maintenance intervals based on either mileage or time elapsed, triggering this automatic prompt. Some vehicles may display a small wrench icon with the same meaning. If this prompt appears shortly after maintenance was performed, it's likely the technician forgot to reset the service reminder. You can do this yourself by checking the reset method in the owner's manual. However, sometimes this light may indicate a genuine need for inspection, such as low oil pressure. While there's no need to panic when seeing this light, scheduling a prompt inspection is always wise – proper vehicle maintenance ensures worry-free driving.
