How To Reset Maintenance Light On Toyota 4runner? [Answered!]

How To Reset Maintenance Light On Toyota 4runner? In the 4×4 market, the Toyota 4Runner is a seasoned veteran. This Japanese off-roader, known for its dependability and performance, will carry you to the most remote locations and back with ease.

Plus, because it’s a Toyota, you can be sure that it’s overdesigned in several areas, such as maintenance.

As a result, you can anticipate the maintenance light turning on.

But it’s not all horrible.

Let’s have a look at what it means and how to fix it.

On a 2016 Toyota 4runner, how do you reset the maintenance necessary light?

While turning on the vehicle’s ignition, continue to hold the Odometer button. On push-button models, hold the brake and press the Engine Start button two times. Start the engine but don’t let it run. The toyota maintenance light or the service light will be reset when the odometer displays all zeros.

How Do I Reset the Toyota 4Runner’s Maintenance Light?

Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position, then set the trip display to “ODO” mode, turn the ignition switch to “OFF,” then press and hold the trip meter button while turning the ignition to the “ON” position to reset the maintenance light on a Toyota 4Runner.

The maintenance light should do the following if you followed the steps correctly.

It should light up for three seconds, then blink for two seconds, then light up for one second before turning off.

After that, release the trip “Reset” button, turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position, and turn your vehicle on to see if the light has gone out.

You shouldn’t be anxious about the light turning on. MAINT REQD is an acronym that stands for “maintenance necessary.”

Toyota vehicle are built to exacting quality standards, so it’s not uncommon to see features like this one that alert owners when maintenance is due.

Of course, this does not exclude you from paying attention to other lights on your dashboard.

In addition, if you want your 4Runner to endure a long time, you should pay attention to all of the lights and maintenance intervals (which we’ll discuss later in this article).

These vehicles may endure more than 250,000 miles if properly maintained. 

The recommended service interval for all 4Runners (and other Toyota models) is around 7500 miles.

After 5,000 miles or more since the last reset, the automobile is programmed to turn on the light.

You’ll remember and won’t miss the next service this way.

You might think that 5,000 miles is insufficient for maintenance, and you’d be right, as we’ll see in the next point.

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4Runner Oil Change and Maintenance

Most forums consider 5,000 miles to be a more-than-safe period and may be too short, according to a web search.

The 4Runner is supposed to be serviced every 7,500 miles or so, although even that may seem excessively short.

In recent years, oil technology has advanced significantly for toyota 4runner oil change.

Synthetic engine lubricant that lasts 10,000 miles or more is not uncommon.

Your 4Runner, on the other hand, is completely unaware of this! As a result, even if you use a more modern oil, the light may appear.

If you use modern, synthetic oil that surpasses the 7,500-mile period, you won’t harm your automobile.

But keep in mind that vehicles with a lot of kilometers (over 100,000) should use high-mileage synthetic lubricants, which have a shorter replacement time.

The Toyota 4Runner is a vehicle that is quite dependable.

If you don’t want to reset the maintenance light yourself, you can have it done at any Toyota service shop.

It’s a quick job that shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

Always remember to pay attention to any lights on your dashboard, especially if you’re using newer oils.

What Happens If You Ignore a 4Runner’s Maintenance Light?

As previously stated, if the light comes on, don’t rush to the repair facility.

This light just serves as a reminder to service your car.

However, not everyone drives the same way, and as we’ve seen, improved synthetic oils can let you go longer between oil changes.

Oil changes aren’t the sole part of maintenance, though.

So, let’s take a closer look at how you should and shouldn’t deal with the maintenance light on your 4Runner.

When you bring your car in for maintenance, experienced mechanics will look over all of the moving parts, such as the suspension, steering, transmission, brakes, and engine.

Engine oil is just one of numerous fluids that assist in the operation of a vehicle.

When the maintenance light illuminates, it serves as a reminder that all of these routine inspections must be completed by someone (ideally with qualifications).

The time it takes to travel the 7,500 miles is determined by how much you drive.

A driver in the United States drives 15,000 miles per year on average, which implies you should perform maintenance twice a year.

If you don’t drive as often as you used to, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t service your vehicle on a regular basis.

Components like suspension and steering can be damaged even when the vehicle is stationary. As a result, dealerships and repair shops don’t just use miles; they also use time.

They can choose for six or eight months instead of 7,500 miles, depending on the condition of the components and your amount of use.

These lights serve as reminders of recommended maintenance intervals, although they aren’t required. If you go over by one mile, your 4Runner will not blow up.

However, it’s always advisable to follow the vehicle’s and expert’s instructions.

What Are the Signs That My Maintenance Light Is Broken?

The fact that your 4Runner’s maintenance light isn’t on doesn’t imply it’s broken.

It indicates that you’ve been servicing your vehicle before the 5,000-mile interval.

Most dealerships are aware of these lights and are aware that they can be confusing.

With each maintenance, a competent, experienced expert will reset the light.

If the reverse occurs, and you are unable to turn off the light no matter how many times you do the approach outlined in this article, there is another method that you may consider more extreme.

If you remove the battery from your 4Runner, the vehicle’s internal computer will reset some values such as trip odometers, radio stations, other infotainment values, and the maintenance light counter.

Don’t worry; it won’t reset any other elements of your car, but keep in mind that detaching your car’s battery will necessitate the use of tools.

In some cases, unplugging the battery is the best option.

If you are not planning to use your 4Runner for an extended period of time, such as more than a few weeks, you should detach the battery to keep it in good working order and avoid damage.

It’s also recommended that you take your vehicle to a dealership or mechanic for maintenance if you haven’t used it in a long time (more than six months).

Fortunately, Toyota 4Runners are extremely dependable, and their mechanical systems aren’t as intricate as those of other brands.

Because it is a popular vehicle in the United States, there are many technicians who can work on it.

Other Toyota Vehicle

• Toyota Tundra
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota Tacoma
• Toyota Land Cruiser
• Toyota Sienna

(FAQ) Reset Maintenance Light On Toyota 4runner