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Maintenance required light

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Fred Wahl, Oct 11, 2005.

  1. Fred Wahl

    Fred Wahl New Member

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    I am trying to find out how to reset the maintenace required light that illumnates on the dash screen. There must be an easy way to reset this little bugger
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    With the car off press and hold the ODO button. Step on the brake and hit the power button to go into READY (may work with IG ON too?). Keep holding the ODO button and watch the dash where the odometer readout usually is...you'll see dashes then the prior odometer reading will return and you can let go of the button.

    Now the maintainence light will flash on briefly upon start up in 4500 miles then will come on and stay on in 5000 miles.
     
  3. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

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    :huh: Fred

    Have a look at your Owner's Manual. 2004 Manual, page 122 provides instructions on setting the "Maint. Req'd" light. Page 30: How to have the smart entry system open all doors instead of just the driver's. Page 282: Cautions on engine oil overfill. Page 239: How to Jump Start your Prius. Page 254: How to tow your Prius. Page 258: How to manually open the hatch if necessary. Pages 36-37: How to replace the fob battery.

    There's a wealth of useful information in your Owner's Manual.
     
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  4. Motobob

    Motobob Seaside Pearl...

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    Anyone know if this method of resetting/turning off the "maintenace required" light is valid in later models? I have a 2008 and I am curious as I did not find a reference to it in the manual unless I missed it after repeated readings. I am taking my car in for its 5000 service but wanted to see if I can also reset the light as well. Bob
     
  5. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Yes it's valid for your 08 model. It's also in your owner's manual, but a little hard to find.
     
  6. tmanson

    tmanson Geetar-playin' Traveler

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    Worked like a charm! Thank you sir! This forum continually comes in handy! :)

    Tom

     
  7. Motobob

    Motobob Seaside Pearl...

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    Thank you, I will try it Monday before I take it to the dealer for the 5000. I'll be darn even after a 4th reading I can find it in the owners manual on the 2008. What page and I missing it on? I do not have the Prius MX Book, picking that up Monday as well; perhaps it is in the MX book? Bob
     
  8. holein1

    holein1 Junior Member

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    In the 2009 manual, it is on page 365 in the DIY maintenance section after the oil Recommend Viscosity and Oil Consumption paragraphs.
     
  9. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    If you are still reading and need this, page 369:D
     
  10. Motobob

    Motobob Seaside Pearl...

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    Thanks to everyone. The 4th time around I found the reference. Bob
     
  11. EZW1

    EZW1 Active Member

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    Happened to me yesterday. I've been noticing for the last couple weeks that the Maint light will flash at power on then quit when the engine starts. Yesterday it came on solid while driving. Having never seen this before, and forgetting I read about it here a long time ago, I called my service advisor. The lady said, "Oh you need an oil change." I told her that I had it in the weekend before last and when she checked my records, she said, "Okay, the mechanics must've forgot to reset the indicator for you." She told me what to do and, viola! It's off all the time now. Probably doesn't make any difference, but she told me to hold down the ODO button AND the km/mph button with my foot off the brake, then hit the power button twice. Oh, she also said the ODO readout needs to be in ODO, not Trip A or Trip B before starting the procedure.
     
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  12. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I like this way better because it avoids going into READY mode. Thanks!
     
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  13. Shin Chan

    Shin Chan Junior Member

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    Ok so what if the light comes on around 1,200 miles after resetting it at last oil change. Does the light come on from low oil pressure or low oil level or when its real cold out. Because I am certin I reset the light about 1,200 miles ago at last oil change. Or does it only come on at 5,000 miles and I am forgetfull thinking I reset it??
     
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  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The MAINT REQD light will appear solid, 5K miles after the counter was last reset. It will also appear briefly upon startup, starting at 4.5K miles after the counter was last reset.

    That light does not care if ambient temp is cold, or if oil pressure / oil level is low. It will appear only when the counter had ticked off sufficient miles.

    Hence, you need to check dipstick oil level periodically. If oil pressure is low, the check engine light should appear.
     
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  15. taylormarya

    taylormarya New Member

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    ----------------------------------------------------------------

    You are awesome!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
     
  16. 42Magoo

    42Magoo Junior Member

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    These same directions are outlined on page 369 of the 2008 Owner's Manual. It took me many rereads to eventually find it.
     
  17. dilface

    dilface New Member

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    This method worked great on my girlfriends 2009 model...just hold the ODO, put your foot on the brake, and press power - be sure to continue holding ODO. The odometer will have some dashes and then show your current mileage and the Maintenance Required Light is now off!
     
  18. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Can you remember how many miles you did on your last oil change? If the answer is 3300 (or 3800) miles then I think that answers you question.
     
  19. Solar1953

    Solar1953 Junior Member

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    Seems to have worked on my 2007; had the local dealer do some maintenence and they failed to reset the light; I looked thru the manual and found references to resetting the "oil change reminder" light. Followed the instructions and VOILA....got the Maint ReQd light to go off!!
     
  20. Wolfy90503

    Wolfy90503 Junior Member

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    Worked for my 06 model also. Thanks!!!