How to Reset Toyota Prius "Oil Change" or "Maintenance Required" Light
As a Prius owner, I have learned a lot about how to troubleshoot any issues that might arise. Luckily, I'm willing to share my findings!
Resetting the "Maintenance Required" Light on a Toyota Prius
The "Maintenance Required" indicator on the dash of a Toyota Prius isn't an indication of a serious problem. It's simply an indicator used to remind you to have your oil changed. After having your oil changed or changing your oil yourself, you'll want to reset it so that it won't continually illuminate. If you have your oil changed by your Toyota dealership, they should do this for you without any questions, but if you use a third party oil change service like Jiffy Lube or others, then the mechanics there may not be familiar with resetting the indicator on a Prius
Resetting the "Maintenance Required" indicator isn't exactly intuitive but is quite easy to do when taken step by step. Along with the following steps, I've included some helpful pictures of me doing the reset process on my own Prius.
Step 1: Press the Power button twice (2X) with your foot off of the brake.
Step 2: Using the ODO button below the multi-function display, press to cycle through and stop on the ODO reading rather than on Trip A or Trip B.
The location of the ODO/Trip button below the multi-function display.
Author (jesimpki)
Step 3: Press the Power button once to power your Prius down.
Step 4: Press and hold down the ODO button and press the Power button twice (2X) with your foot off the brake. Continue to hold the ODO button down.
Step 5: Wait for the flashing dashes to disappear and your ODO reading to reappear.
Picture of the dash showing the blinking hyphens in place of the typical ODO reading.
Author (jesimpki)
Congratulations! You've successfully reset the maintenance reminder light on your Toyota Prius.
More Prius DIY Articles
- How to Check the 12-Volt Battery in a 2004–2009 Toyota Prius
Do you know how old the 12-volt battery is in your Prius? Think it needs replacing? Read on to find out how easy it is to perform a battery test without even breaking out a wrench! - How to Change the Oil in a Toyota Prius (Model Years 2004-2009)
Doing basic maintenance on your Prius isn't dangerous or difficult at all. Most basic service tasks can be done easily without having to go to the stealership—ahem, I mean, dealership!
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2013 Jeremiah Simpkins