How To Reset The Maintenance Light On A Toyota Tacoma

If you have a Toyota Tacoma, chances are that you've seen the "MAINT REQD" warning light in the instrument cluster or a message saying "Maintenance Required Soon" in the driver information display. You may be wondering what it means, and if you're looking for a guide on how to reset the maintenance light on your Toyota Tacoma, read on.

The Toyota Tacoma maintenance light is simply Toyota's way to remind you that the time for an oil change is drawing near. In older Tacomas, this is done by means of an amber "MAINT REQD" warning light in the instrument cluster; 2018+ Tacomas are somewhat more polite, with their "Maintenance Required Soon" message in the driver's information display. Either way, these warnings will let you know when an oil change is due.

2012-2017 Tacomas will illuminate the warning light for three seconds upon initial start-up before flashing for another 15 seconds if the vehicle has covered more than 4,500 miles since the last reset, but will remain illuminated once 5,000 miles has passed to emphasize that an oil change is now overdue.

Earlier examples used two similar procedures to reset the maintenance light on a Toyota Tacoma, and an even-easier procedure was applied for later models. All three procedures can be performed at home, and none of them need any special equipment.

The 1st- and early 2nd gen Toyota Tacoma maintenance light reset procedure is a very straightforward operation.

• Insert ignition key, but keep it in the "Off" position.
• Press the trip meter's reset button and hold it in.
• Turn the ignition switch to the "On" or "Run" position while holding down the trip reset button, but don't start the vehicle.
• Hold the trip reset button down for about five seconds, until the odometer displays only zeros.
• Switch off the ignition and release the trip reset button.

The Tacoma was facelifted for 2012, and 2013, 2014, and 2015 models carried over until the third generation was unveiled for the 2016 model year; resetting the maintenance light on these Toyota Tacomas is simple and was kept as the early 3rd-gen Toyota Tacoma maintenance light reset procedure, too:

• Insert ignition key and turn it to the "On" position, but don't start the vehicle. On vehicles with push-button start, switch on the ignition but don't touch the brake pedal, to keep the engine from starting.
• Press the trip meter reset button until it displays "Trip A".
• Turn off the ignition, either with the key or by pressing the start button again.
• Press and hold down the trip reset button, while turning on the ignition switch back on again. Remember not to touch the brake pedal, to keep the engine from starting.
• Keep the trip reset button pressed until the odometer displays only zeros, then turn off the ignition and release the trip reset button.

To clear the maintenance light on a Toyota Tacoma from 2018 model years and after, follow this procedure:

• Press the "Power" button, which controls the ignition system, but don't depress the brake pedal, to activate the electronic system without starting the engine.
• On the right-hand steering wheel control cluster, press the left or right arrows until the Settings menu (denoted by a gear-shaped icon) is highlighted on the driver's information display in the instrument cluster.
• Now press the down arrow in the same control cluster to highlight "Settings" in this menu, then press the center button to select "Settings"
• Scroll down until "Maintenance Reset" is highlighted, and press the center button to select.
• Select "Yes" at the next prompt.
• Turn off the ignition.
• This procedure applies to the facelifted Toyota Tacomas, which arrived in 2020, as well.

The Toyota Tacoma's maintenance reminder warning light is just that - a reminder to perform an oil service. There will be no effect on the Toyota Tacoma's functionality if the light is flashing or illuminated, so you can continue driving - you must conduct the necessary maintenance, however, if you want your Tacoma to function optimally. Toyota certainly hopes that this shining light will shame you into getting an oil service performed as soon as possible - sufficient oil levels and fresh oil when needed are necessary for the longevity of your Tacoma.