Maintenance light on intermittently. Recently ran out of gas. [detailed question]

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by kenlav, Jul 9, 2024.

  1. kenlav

    kenlav Junior Member

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    Hello.

    I have a 2006 Prius with 120k miles. Everything was running well, until about 2 or 3 weeks ago. I really dont know much about cars, and just follow usual maintenance. I will go though a detailed sequence of events that i think may/might be relevant. Any and All help is appreciated.


    My gas level meter was malfunctioning and was reading incorrectly (never happened before). I ran out of gas completely, and my car completely stopped, and check engine light came on. I called roadside assistance, who scanned the car, told me codes (P0171, P3193, P0A0F.). Then he added some gas to my car and it started running again, seemingly without issues. The check engine light disappeared after about 30 or so miles I think. I brought the car to the mechanic the next day, they said they replaced something and it was fixed.


    After driving about 300 or so miles, the "maintenance required light" has started flashing maybe 10 or so times every time i start my car. I bought a code scanner off amazon just to check and the same codes are still there, (P0171, P3193, P0A0F). Check engine light still off.


    I checked the maintenance settings inside the Multi display console. everything was reset but the light still comes on. I checked my oil levels, and it was possibly a bit low, still within the normal dots, but i went ahead and added 1 qt of oil. It brought it up near the top of the 2 dots. After adding the oil, Ive driven the car another 100 miles. I check the levels regularly every day/50 miles. Its staying the same.

    This entire duration, i didn't notice anything out of the ordinary when driving. Sounds the same, accelerates the same, feels the same. What damage did I cause by running out of gas? Any recommendations on how to fix it?


    Please and thank you for any advice, i will update post if i think of anything else to add.
     
    #1 kenlav, Jul 9, 2024
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I think that's a strictly-by-miles reminder that it's about time to do an oil change. There's a certain combo of button presses to reset it for the next 5,000 miles after you change the oil.

    I bought a code scanner off amazon just to check and the same codes are still there, (P0171, P3193, P0A0F). Check engine light still off.[/QUOTE]

    The P0171 and P3193 would light the check-engine light if they were current codes, so my thinking is you're seeing the 'permanent' codes left over from when you ran out of gas. They're the classic codes for running out of gas. They won't really be permanent; the car will dismiss them eventually.


    I'm pretty sure the 5,000-mile reminder for the maintenance required light is separate from the reminders you can set up on the MFD, and just has its own special button combo to reset it after you've changed the oil. That's how it is in my gen 3 anyway.
     
    #2 ChapmanF, Jul 9, 2024
  3. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Yup, on a gen 2, the maintenance required light will flash several times upon startup once the car reaches 4500 miles since the last time it was reset. The light will stay solid once reaching 5000 miles.

    To reset it after an oil change, make sure the car odometer is on "odometer", (not trip 1 or trip 2) and turn the car off. Press and hold the ODO button on the MFD. With foot on the brake, press the power button. The ODO will show all dashes, which will disappear one at a time. Once they're all gone, the ODO will flash once or twice (?) and then returned to showing miles. Release the ODO button. The maint req lamp should be off and is ready to start counting miles again.
     
    #3 TMR-JWAP, Jul 9, 2024
  4. kenlav

    kenlav Junior Member

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    TY BOTH! so i didnt completely ruin my car because the gas ran out? its really just a coincidence? I was worried because this car only has 120k miles.. hoping it will last a little while
     
    #4 kenlav, Jul 9, 2024
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Heck, when you're 113 years old, how long do you need it to last? Maybe to pass onto your great grand children? ;)
     

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    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jul 10, 2024
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