Why does the small wrench symbol still appear on the dashboard after Volkswagen maintenance?
2 Answers
If the maintenance reminder (wrench symbol) still appears on the dashboard after Volkswagen maintenance, it's caused by not resetting the system. Manual elimination method: Insert the key without turning it, then press and hold the 0.0/SET button (odometer reset) located at the lower right side of the dashboard with your right hand. Holding this button means recalculating the current mileage. Then turn the key to the ACC position, and finally press the menu button on the dashboard to eliminate the reminder. About the wrench symbol on car dashboard: The wrench symbol reminds the owner to perform maintenance at specified mileage intervals. This is a preset maintenance reminder function and doesn't indicate any damage to the vehicle.
As a Volkswagen owner for over a decade, if the wrench light stays on after maintenance, it's likely the technician forgot to reset the system. Volkswagen vehicles have electronic maintenance records that require clearing after each service using specialized tools or manual operations, such as holding down the dashboard button before turning the key to the start position. Some newer models like the Passat require connecting to the OBD port with a computer to clear it. Once, I overlooked this and drove for a week with the light still on. A check revealed it was a false alarm from the transmission oil sensor, costing a few hundred dollars to fix. I recommend test driving immediately after maintenance to confirm the light is off. If not, return to the shop for assistance—avoid randomly pressing buttons yourself to prevent messing up the car. Always keep track of maintenance dates to avoid unnecessary expenses.
