[Carol]

The MAINT REQD indicator flashed today when I reached 4501 miles. According to the Owner's Manual, this is expected to occur 4500 miles (7200 km) after engine oil replacement. The only problem is that I had my oil changed at 1500 miles (upon dealer recommendation... said Toyota uses "starter" oil... ok, whatever. It was free anyway). Therefore, the indicator should have flashed at 6000 miles. I proceeded to read in the manual that "the system must be reset after the engine oil replacement" and it follows with specific directions on how to reset it. I guess the service department did not reset the system. The problem I have with this procedure is that the odometer will be reset to 0 (according to the owner's manual). Am I understanding this correctly? How will I know the lifetime mileage of my vehicle? Also, the manual says that at 5000 miles after the engine oil replacement, the indicator will remain lit. I suppose it will not turn out until after a system reset? Therefore, if I have another oil change at 6500 miles as scheduled, and they forget to reset the system, I should expect this indicator to continue to remain lit?

 

[john1701a]

The light will illuminate at 5,000 mile milestones based on the odometer (not intervals), regardless of when you reset it or when you change the oil.

That means the next time flashing will begin a 9,500 miles then turn solid at 10,000 miles.

I have no idea what that "reset to 0" reference really means. It certainly doesn't match the behavior I've observed so far (I'm at 11,600 miles now).

 

[BIF]

I doubt that the "end user" (ie: owner) would be able to reset the lifetime odometer by any method described in the end user (owner) manual.

I say this because it would be a violation of nearly every law in every state in the US! Whenever you sell your car, you have to stipulate that the odometer is either "correct" (not tampered with, altered, reset, rolled back, or disconnected) or "unknown" (you don't know for sure).

Can anybody confirm or refute my theory?

 

[Carol]

The light will illuminate at 5,000 mile milestones based on the odometer (not intervals), regardless of when you reset it or when you change the oil.

Seems like a completely useless feature. If I were to change my oil and reset the system at every 3000 miles (for example), then I would continue to be annoyed at every 5000 miles (odometer reading) by this useless indicator? I suppose the indicator will remain lit until my next oil change?

 

[Carol]

I doubt that the "end user" (ie: owner) would be able to reset the lifetime odometer by any method described in the end user (owner) manual.

BIF, I certainly agree with you on the legality of reseting the odometer. I haven't had to perform the procedure yet, so I don't know what really happens, but the manual certainly makes it sound like the odometer will reset (see step 2 below). I would let you know how everything works out after I get my oil replaced, but it looks like I can expect everything to be fine since you and others have already been through the procedure and have not experienced an odometer reset. Guess the manual is just a bit unclear/misleading. Thanks for the feedback.

FYI... Here is what the manual says:

"The system must be reset after the engine oil replacement. Reset the system by the following procedure:

1. Press the "POWER" switch to the "OFF" mode with the odometer reading shown. (For details, see "Odometer and two trip meters" on page 115).

2. Press the "POWER" switch twice to select the "IG-ON" mode while holding down the trip meter reset button. Hold down the button for at least 5 seconds. The odometer indicates "000000" and the light goes off.

If the system fails to reset, the light will remain flashing. "

 

[john1701a]

> The odometer indicates "000000" and the light goes off.

Ahh! Now I know what they are talking about.

The odometer TEMPORARILY switches to "000000".

Then you see a countdown overlay, where each "0" changes to a "-". One at a time. It's actually rather entertaining. When it finally reaches "------", the reminder light will turn off.

As for the usefulness of this interval, it is totally of you choosing to not follow the recommendation. (Though I don't see a reason why.) Shutting off the light is so simple, it shouldn't be considered an issue.

 

[BIF]

Hi, again folks:

Actually, Carol...I haven't been through the procedure yet. My car will be arriving this week (yay!).

I also noticed a shameful typo in my first response...where I said it would be a violation of "every law in every state" ...yikes, of course that's not true. I meant to say "of at least one law in nearly every state.".....or something like that.

Anyhow, I'm glad you folks figured it out.

 

[mrv]

anyone with a service manual care to check this for me? I seem to recall that there is a dealer-changeable setting that will allow you to change your maintenance service interval from the default of 5000 miles, to either 3000 miles or 7500 miles...

 

[doctroid]

Re:

The light will illuminate at 5,000 mile milestones based on the odometer (not intervals), regardless of when you reset it or when you change the oil.

That means the next time flashing will begin a 9,500 miles then turn solid at 10,000 miles.

It should be emphasized that this is incorrect, at least for our 2004 Prius. The light is illuminated 5000 miles after it is reset, not at every 5000 odometer miles.

 

[David Beale]

So many misconceptions, so little time!

The Prius doesn't come with "starter oil". It comes with oil "good for 5000 mi". -Some- enthusiasts insist on changing it earlier. Whatever. It does no harm, other than to the environment to change it earlier.

The maintenance light -on US models- starts flashing 4500 mi. after it was last reset and goes solid 5000 mi after it was last reset.

IN THE OWNERS MANUAL (RTFM!!) it tells you how to reset the maintenance light/distance timer.

The ONLY mileage you (or anybody else) can reset is the trip odometer 1 and 2! It would indeed be illegal to mess with the main odometer. It's been done, people who have been caught have gone to jail.

YOUR DEALER should be reported to Toyota USA for misrepresenting the first oil change interval! Toyota doesn't take kindly to having crooks for dealers!

 

[firepa63]

Nothing like resurrecting a post that's almost 5 years old...