Performance modification with the "Maint Reqd" light is on.

I have 38K+ miles. I have seen the maintenance light between 25-26K
miles when I was on a trip. I don't remember any performance
decrease. As I understand it, the maintenance light is triggered solely
by mileage.

The only required maintenance for warranty preservation purposes is
oil/filter change every 5k miles, with tire rotation recommended.
(With full synthetic, YMMV, ) However, if you're not careful,
virtually every dealer will sell you their "recommended service
package" which gratuitously adds a whole bunch of usually
unnecessary stuff that can raise the price from ~$60 to $3-400
-- lots of dealer profit.

So the question is, What was done at your service visit?

It is possible that this time they finally got the oil level right after
overfilling in the past.

If you live/drive in a particularly dusty area, it might could be that
improved ICE performance/mileage is due replacement of a very dirty
engine air filter or cleaning of the throttle body and MAF sensor.
(In this case, these services would not be considered unnecessary,
but a sign of a good service/tech crew at the dealer.)

Possible but unlikely would be a new 12V battery. (Service depts
very rarely understand how much a weak 12V battery affects MPGs.)

 

The "Maint Reqd" light is just a reminder. It isn't an error code, and it does not affect performance. It just sits there and irritates the driver.

Tom

 

I guess Toyota thought we Canadians didn't need the irritation, so we don't get the reminder.

 

They probably thought it was pointless, unless it somehow involved back bacon or beer.

Tom

 

Yeah, my MAINT REQUD light actually came on and flashed a few times today at the park. I'll have to look up on how to reset it.