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Pit stop every 5,000 miles???

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by chinito77, Jun 26, 2007.

  1. chinito77

    chinito77 Member

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    Currently, my '06 Prius is at 16,320 miles. I never had a problem other than a flat tire and take it in for routine maint as request by the dealer. I've brought it in 3 times already. Then I began to notice something. It seemed like every 5,000 miles, my "Maint Req" lamp would turn on. Also, like magic, a letter/ad from the dealer advising to do a checkup slightly before or slightly after the "Maint Req" lamp appears.

    First, is the Prius factory settings programmed to show "Maint Reqd" every 5,000 miles?
    Second, if not, did the car dealer program it?
    Third, if none of the above apply, then I'm in deep do-do since I can't think what's causing the lamp to turn on. What should I do?
    :unsure:
     
  2. cireecnop1

    cireecnop1 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinito77 @ Jun 26 2007, 05:32 AM) [snapback]468174[/snapback]</div>
    The "Maint Reqd" lamp is just a 'friendly' reminder to get the oil changed. Its something that the car does on its own every 5,000 miles. I'm not sure if you can program it for higher intervals. All the dealer does is disable it when you take it in for service. its not the same as the "SERIVE ENGINE SOON" lamp, which actually indicates a problem with the car.
     
  3. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    The service light should start blinking at 4,000 miles as a reminder, and then should be on all the time starting at 5,000 miles.
     
  4. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    I'm really glad the Canadian market Prius doesn't have that idiotic reminder. Neither does my new FJ.
     
  5. daronspicher

    daronspicher Active Member

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    I think the dealer letters go on typical miles per year. About 4 months into my 2006 prius, I had about 13,000 miles on my prius when I got a letter from the dealer.... I'm about to 5000 miles, might need an oil change and here are some coupons. I got something else closer to a year... stating I was approaching 15,000 miles... when I was right on 40,000...

    Yes, the main light comes on at 5000 mile intervals for me.
     
  6. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinito77 @ Jun 26 2007, 06:32 AM) [snapback]468174[/snapback]</div>
    I suggest you look at your factory owners manual for the required maintenance required by Toyota. There is a service every 5K miles. The manual will tell you everything that the factor requires and when it should be done. As others have said, the light comes on to tell you to go in to have the service done.

    I suggest you look the the manual because a lot of dealers recommend and do a lot of maintenance that is not required by the factory and charge you hundreds of dollars for it. A good example is the "Tune-Up" that a lot of dealers want to do every 30K miles for $300 to $500 where they basically look at a bunch of stuff, check the levels and change the spark plugs and spark plug wires. Except that Toyota doesn't require the spark plugs to be replaced until 120K miles. Just go by the manual and you will be fine.
     
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 26 2007, 07:21 AM) [snapback]468182[/snapback]</div>
    Unless it's changed in the '06 & '07MY it actually starts blinking at 4500 miles and comes on sustained at 5k.
     
  8. chinito77

    chinito77 Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I was not aware of this. So only a Toyota certified mechanic can remove this lamp huh?

    Time for that oil change... <_<
     
  9. Swanny1172

    Swanny1172 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinito77 @ Jun 26 2007, 02:50 PM) [snapback]468441[/snapback]</div>
    No, you can reset the light yourself following the instructions in the owner's manual.
     
  10. finman

    finman Senior Member

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    Well, you can turn it off yourself:

    Make sure the odometer displays "ODO" (total miles) not trip (car has to be on)
    Turn car off
    Press and hold the ODO trip reset button in (keep pressing it)
    press start button until car turns ON
    Hold the ODO button in until all the flashing lines on the odometer go away and the mileage returns and the maint reset light stops flashing

    As far as removing it....I'm outa my Prius league there...

    Cheers
     
  11. RobertG

    RobertG New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jun 26 2007, 09:16 AM) [snapback]468317[/snapback]</div>
    Yes, that's what I see happen with my 2006.
     
  12. jcadmus

    jcadmus New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finman @ Jun 26 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]468448[/snapback]</div>
    I love you.

    When the thing flipped on yesterday I was thinking "#$@%^, now I have to go to the dealer and have that #$%^&* light turned off."

    Just walked out to my car a minute ago, followed your instructions and voila -- no more "maintenance required" light.
     
  13. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    You should still do the oil change if it's due.
     
  14. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinito77 @ Jun 26 2007, 01:50 PM) [snapback]468441[/snapback]</div>
    Technically, if you don't mind digging around in your dashboard, you can remove the lamp yourself.
    If you don't want to get that dramatic, a little electrical tape over the display should do the trick. It's the modern man's VCR clock!
     
  15. narf

    narf Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 6 2007, 09:35 AM) [snapback]507943[/snapback]</div>
    Um....not unless you're good at soldering on surface mount components. Most (if not all) of the lamps in the dash are surface mount LEDs. They should last longer than the car, but a big pain the modify or change.
     
  16. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Sep 6 2007, 09:37 AM) [snapback]507911[/snapback]</div>
    The regular oil change interval for North American market Prius - every Toyota AFAIK - is 8,000 km / 5,000 miles or 6 months.

    Just curious, what is the oil change interval in your market? What viscosity oil do you use there?
     
  17. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinito77 @ Jun 26 2007, 06:32 AM) [snapback]468174[/snapback]</div>
    You should consult the Scheduled Maintenance Guide, a document which came with your car and separate from the Owner's Manual, and do what it says when it says.
     
  18. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Sep 7 2007, 10:24 AM) [snapback]508228[/snapback]</div>
    Oil change interval and regular servicing is at 10,000km but if the vehicle is under harsh conditions, dirt roads and such, it needs to be serviced at 5000km intervals. This is a simple oil change, tyres and air filter check.
     
  19. subarutoo

    subarutoo New Member

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    There should be a BIG light that says "Read the Manual!".
     
  20. jayman

    jayman Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Sep 6 2007, 08:24 PM) [snapback]508256[/snapback]</div>
    Curious. The interval isn't that much longer than for North America.