How to Reset the Maintenance Required Light on a Toyota (Newer and Older Models)
To reset the Toyota maintenance required light on newer Toyotas with a multi-information display, turn the car on without starting the engine, use the steering wheel arrows to open the Settings (gear) menu > Vehicle Settings > Scheduled Maintenance, and choose Reset / Yes. On older Toyotas with a trip button, turn the ignition off, set the display to Trip A (or the odometer), hold the trip reset button, turn the ignition to ON while still holding it, and keep holding until the display shows zeros and the light goes out. The light is a reminder, usually every 5,000 miles, so reset it only after the service is done.
The “Maintenance Required” message on a Toyota is not a fault warning. It is a simple mileage reminder that tells you routine service is due, such as an oil change, tire rotation or inspection. After the service, the shop usually resets it. If you do the service yourself, or the shop forgets, you can reset it in about a minute.
Below are both reset methods, which Toyotas use each one, and what to do if the light will not turn off. Steps can vary by model and year, so your owner’s manual is the final word.
Method 1: Newer Toyotas (Settings Menu)
Most Toyotas from roughly the mid-2010s onward, including recent Camry, Corolla, RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma and Tundra models, reset the reminder through the screen between the gauges.
Press the start button twice without touching the brake, or turn the key to ON. The dash should light up but the engine should not start.
Use the arrow buttons on the steering wheel to scroll to the gear icon on the multi-information display.
Go to Vehicle Settings (on some models) and then Scheduled Maintenance, and press OK.
Choose Reset or Yes and press OK. A message confirms the reset and the light goes out.
Method 2: Older Toyotas (Trip Button)
Many older Toyotas, such as Camry and Corolla models from the 2000s and early 2010s, use the trip or odometer button on the instrument cluster.
With the ignition ON, press the trip button until Trip A (or the odometer, depending on model) shows, then turn the ignition OFF.
Press and hold the trip reset button.
Keep holding the button as you turn the key to ON (do not start the engine).
Keep holding until dashes or a progress bar disappear and the display shows zeros, usually 5 to 10 seconds. Release, then turn the ignition off and on to check.
On push-button Toyotas, pressing the brake while pressing Start will start the engine, which can cancel the reset. Keep your foot off the brake. If it does not work the first time, repeat the steps once or twice.
What Does “Maintenance Required” Mean on a Toyota?
| What you see | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Light flashes briefly at start-up | Service is coming up soon | Book your service |
| Light stays on | Scheduled service is due now | Get the service done, then reset |
| “Maintenance Required Soon” message | Service due within a short distance | Plan your service |
| Check engine light | A real fault was detected | Different light. Have the code read. |
The reminder is based on mileage, not on oil condition. Many Toyotas remind you every 5,000 miles, which matches the tire rotation and inspection interval even on models with 10,000-mile synthetic oil changes. Check your Warranty and Maintenance Guide for the exact schedule. Read more in what it means when your Toyota says maintenance required and whether you can drive with the light on.
Light Will Not Reset? Try This
- Make sure the engine is off but the ignition is ON.
- Check you selected Trip A (or the odometer) before turning the ignition off on older models.
- Hold the button longer, up to 10 to 15 seconds.
- On menu models, look under both Settings and Vehicle Settings.
- If the light comes back right away, it may be a different warning. Have a Toyota dealer or shop check it.
Model-specific guides: Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Tacoma.
- Only reset the light after the service is actually done.
- Write the mileage and work done in a notebook or app for your records.
- Doing your own oil change? Follow our DIY oil change guide.
- Rotate tires every 5,000 miles when the light comes on to make them last longer.
The Toyota maintenance required light is a mileage reminder. On newer models, reset it in Settings > Scheduled Maintenance; on older models, hold the trip button while turning the ignition on until the display shows zeros. Get the service done first, then reset.
Toyota Maintenance Required Light FAQs
On newer models, go to Settings > Scheduled Maintenance on the dash screen and select Reset. On older models, hold the trip button while turning the ignition to ON until the display shows zeros.
No. It is a service reminder, not a fault warning. It is safe to drive, but book the service soon.
On many Toyotas it comes on about every 5,000 miles after the last reset. Check your maintenance guide for your model.
No. Someone has to reset it manually. Most shops do it, but if they forget you can do it yourself.
Usually not. The reminder is stored in memory, so use the reset procedure instead.
No. The check engine light means the engine computer found a fault and should be checked with a scan tool.
- It is a mileage reminder, usually every 5,000 miles.
- Newer models: Settings > Scheduled Maintenance > Reset.
- Older models: hold the trip button while turning the ignition on.
- Engine off, ignition on, foot off the brake.
- Reset only after the service is done.