The maintenance required light

At your next visit

General guidance for this symptom. A warning light that is flashing or an overheating engine: stop driving and call.

Likely causes

• The oil service interval has been reached

  Most reminder systems center on the oil change. The interval is set by the manufacturer and sometimes adjusted by driving conditions. AAA points to the manual's number rather than a fixed mileage.

  Full-service oil change
• A filter is due

  Many schedules call for the engine air filter and the cabin air filter at set intervals, sooner in dusty conditions. The Car Care Council puts the cabin filter at about 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

  Cabin air filter
• A fluid service is due

  Some codes point to transmission fluid, coolant or differential fluid. The interval is longer, and the manual lists it.

  Transmission fluid service
• An inspection item is due

  Some reminders flag a general inspection of belts, hoses, brakes and lights. Our maintenance check covers the under-hood and visual items.

  Multi-point maintenance check

Manufacturers use different names for the same idea. Some show MAINT REQD after a set mileage since the last reset. Some show a wrench with a percentage. Others use a code made of a letter and numbers, where the letter says what kind of oil service is due and the numbers point to other items like a tire rotation, an air filter or a fluid service. The owner's manual has the decoder for your car.

At a glance

• A reminder, not a malfunction
• Usually means oil, sometimes other scheduled items
• Codes vary by maker; the owner's manual decodes them
• Reset only after the service is done
• A red or flashing light is a different matter

Reading the code

Look up the code in the maintenance section of your owner's manual or the manufacturer's owner site. Some systems use a main letter for the oil service and sub-numbers for extra items. Others simply count down. Write down what it says before anyone resets it.

If the code asks for items we do, like oil, filters, transmission fluid or coolant, we can take care of them in the bay. If it asks for brake service, tire rotation, spark plugs or a valve adjustment, that is work for a repair shop or your dealer.

What happens when you drive in

1. Tell the technician what the dash shows, or show us the code.
2. We check what the manual lists for that code and your mileage.
3. We do the oil change and any items you choose from what we offer, and show you old filters before we replace them.
4. We reset the reminder for the services completed, and tell you about anything still due elsewhere.
5. You leave with a windshield sticker for the next oil change.

Severe service and the reminder

Some reminder systems ask you to choose normal or severe service, and some adjust automatically. Many owner's manuals define severe service as short trips, extreme heat or cold, dusty roads, mountain driving and towing. In Northern Nevada a lot of driving fits at least one of those: Reno averages about 65 days a year at 90 F or more and 122 freezing nights (NOAA 1991-2020 normals). Our severe service guide explains how to tell which schedule fits you.