If you haven't serviced your Toyota RAV4 in a while, you might notice that the maintenance required light is displayed on the dashboard. That's means that the car requires maintenance. However, that doesn't necessarily mean your car is damaged, so you can still drive the car, but the maintenance required light will still be on. Conversely, you might service your car, but the light is still on the dashboard. This article will help you learn how to reset your Toyota Rav4 maintenance required light easily.
What Does Maintenance Required Light Means?
The Toyota Rav4 maintenance required light may display as "MAINT REQD" on your dashboard. It's usually a light that stays on, alerting you that you need to get your car's oil changed at a certified auto shop. Changing the oil in your Toyota Rav4 may enhance fuel economy and make it operate like new. Also, it decreases component wear and tear, which will save you a lot of money in the long run.
The light in Toyota vehicles automatically turns on every 5,000 miles to remind you to replace your car's oil. It's vital to understand that the maintenance required light itself does not indicate that your vehicle is damaged; therefore, you can still drive safely with the light on your dashboard.
How to Reset the Toyota Rav4 Maintenance Required Light
Step 1. Start your car
Switch your key to the on position and look at your dashboard. The odometer should indicate the miles and not the trip meter.
Step 2. Switch off the car and press the Trip Meter Reset Button.
After you've switched off the key, ensure to hit the trip meter reset button to clear the maintenance required light. Hold down this button for a few seconds. This button switches from the odometer calibration to the other two trip meters on some models.
Step 3. Restart the car.
Continue to hold down the reset button while turning the key to the "on" position. Ensure it's in this position, not the "start" position, which starts the engine. Pay attention to the odometer at this point.
Step 4: Maintain your finger on the Reset button.
Check the odometer and ensure the trip meter reset button is still pushed. The odometer will begin to display a sequence of dashes on the screen. Then after a while, you will see a series of zeros. Hold the button down until the normal odometer reading appears on the screen.
Step 5: Release the Reset Button.
When the standard odometer readings appear on the screen, release the reset button and start your car. The maintenance required light should no longer be displayed on your dashboard. However, if the light is still on, repeat the procedure until the maintenance light disappears from your dashboard.
Why Do you Reset the Maintenance Required Light?
The Toyota Rav4 maintenance required light does not disappear; therefore, you should switch it off yourself to reduce distraction in your dashboard. Besides, this light may become unpleasant as you drive about town, and it may even make you believe that anything is wrong with your vehicle. Likewise, if a family member drives your Toyota and is unfamiliar with the significance of this light, they may get concerned and believe that the vehicle might be damaged.
Second, resetting the maintenance required light usually restarts the counter after changing the oil. Therefore, you can drive securely on the road, and after 5,000 miles, this light will automatically notify you that it's time for a fresh oil change, so you won't have to count the miles manually.