How Can I Reset The Maintenance Light On My 2016 Toyota 4Runner?

What Is The Maintenance Light Used For?

The light is part of a maintenance tracking system and comes on automatically. However, it does not indicate that your vehicle has any problems or is unsafe to drive. The only thing you should do when the maintenance light comes on is to inspect the car yourself or drive to the nearest Toyota service.

In the worst-case scenario, some vehicle parts may require replacing, but sometimes the solution could be as simple as a motor oil change. In any case, you will want to speak with a qualified technician who can best determine what needs to be done based on your specific situation.

Why Is It Necessary To Reset The Maintenance Light?

The maintenance light is commonly triggered when you approach a specific mile limit as it’s tied to the odometer. Usually, it comes on after you pass the 5,000- or 7,000-mile mark and stays on no matter how you service the car. 

But it could also be the case that you may require no servicing, but the light will still come on regardless. Because the system is not that advanced, all you have to do, maintenance or not, is to reset it manually by following the instructions below.

Resetting Toyota 4Runner’s Maintenance Light

When you change the oil or go to the service for that, you’ll have to reset the light. To do that, follow these simple steps:

• Push the odometer button to Trip A while the key is on. You can find the odometer button in the console on the right side of your dashboard. It’s usually below a small screen that displays other information. You should see an icon for Trip A when you push this button.
• Turn off the ignition after you push the trip meter button to trip A. 
• Hold down the odometer button while turning on the ignition, but don’t start the engine. After turning it on, you should see “Maintenace Reset” on the trip meter screen. Keep holding the odometer button until the reading area says “Reset complete”.
• Release the button when the reset completes. The maintenance light will flash and then go out, indicating that it has been reset. You can now start driving again without worrying about the maintenance light coming back on.

Motor Oil Changing Recommendations

Usually, the maintenance light illuminates right in time for an oil change. Here, you should do it according to the type of oil and how you use your vehicle. For instance, if you use your car for everyday activities, you don’t have to change your oil as often as someone who uses the vehicle to carry heavy loads.

Generally, It’s recommended to change the oil after every 5,000 -7,00 miles driven. However, if you use synthetic oil, your car can go up to 15,000 miles before the oil change, but the maintenance system won’t recognize that, and the light will still come on. 

In any case, vigorous use of the Toyota 4runner would require that you change the oil more often. The general rule of thumb here is the newer your model is, the less often you’d have to change your oil. But regardless of how you use your vehicle, it’s best to check the oil monthly and top it up when the level drops.

Summary

As you can see, there’s nothing complicated about resetting the maintenance light. Just follow the steps provided in the article, and you should have absolutely no issues! 

However, if it didn’t indicate that you need something as simple as an oil change and, instead, warned you about certain vehicle parts becoming worn, then you’ll need to visit a Toyota service. Qualified mechanics will help you sort things out and take care of the maintenance light issue.