The Scion tC is a reliable vehicle, and like all cars, it requires regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. One common indicator on your Scion tC dashboard is the “Maintenance Required” light. This light is a reminder that your vehicle is due for servicing, typically an oil change. While it’s crucial to perform the necessary maintenance, sometimes you might need to reset this light after service, or if it was triggered prematurely. This guide provides two methods to reset the maintenance light on your Toyota Scion Tc using the trip meter button, ensuring your dashboard accurately reflects your car’s maintenance status.
Method 1: Quick Reset of the Maintenance Light
This method is a straightforward way to turn off the maintenance light, especially if you’ve already performed the service and simply need to reset the indicator. It’s a quick fix to clear the light without setting a specific maintenance interval.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Turn the Ignition to ‘On’: Insert your key into the ignition and turn it to the ‘on’ position. Do not start the engine.
- Reset Trip Meters: Locate the trip meter button on your dashboard. Press it to toggle between Trip A and Trip B, then hold the button for about five seconds for each trip meter until both Trip A and Trip B displays are reset to zero.
- Initiate Reset Sequence: After resetting both trip meters, select either Trip A or Trip B. Press and hold the trip meter button.
- Start the Engine and Hold: While still holding the trip meter button, start your Scion tC engine.
- Release Button When Light Disappears: Continue holding the trip meter button. Keep holding it until the “Maintenance Required” light on your dashboard turns off. Once the light is off, you can release the trip meter button.
This quick method effectively turns off the light. However, if you want to utilize the maintenance reminder system based on mileage intervals, you should use the interval reset method described below.
Method 2: Resetting and Specifying the Maintenance Interval
The Scion tC’s Engine Control Unit (ECU) tracks your vehicle’s mileage to remind you about scheduled maintenance. Toyota recommends oil changes every 5,000 miles. The system is designed to alert you proactively: the “Maintenance Required” light will flash for 12 seconds when you turn the key to ‘on’ after 4,500 miles since the last reset. If you exceed 5,000 miles, the light will stay on continuously until reset. This method allows you to reset the light and also customize the interval if you prefer shorter maintenance periods.
Step-by-Step Interval Reset:
- Turn Ignition to ‘On’ and Display Odometer: Turn the key to the ‘on’ position (engine off). Press the trip meter button repeatedly until the odometer (ODO) is displayed on the LCD screen.
- Turn Ignition Off, Press and Hold Trip Button: Turn the ignition key to the ‘off’ position. Now, press and hold the trip meter button.
- Turn Ignition to ‘On’ While Holding Button: Keep holding the trip meter button and turn the ignition key back to the ‘on’ position (engine off).
- Observe the Countdown Dashes: Continue holding the trip meter button. On the LCD display, you will see five dashes (—–) appear, and they will start to disappear one by one quite quickly. Each dash represents 1,000 miles of the standard 5,000-mile interval.
- Release Button at Zero Dashes or Desired Interval:
- For 5,000 Mile Interval: Hold the button until all five dashes disappear and six zeros (000000) are displayed. Release the trip meter button at this point. The display will then revert to ‘ODO’ and show your current mileage. Your maintenance light is now reset to the default 5,000-mile interval.
- For Shorter Intervals (Example: 3,000 Miles): If you prefer to change your oil more frequently, for example every 3,000 miles, release the trip meter button when only two dashes (–) remain on the display. This sets the reminder to appear after 3,000 miles instead of 5,000 miles.
Understanding the Mileage Counter:
The dash countdown is a visual representation of the 5,000-mile maintenance interval. Each dash removed signifies 1,000 miles reduced from the interval. By releasing the button at different stages of the countdown, you can adjust when the maintenance light will reappear, tailoring it to your preferred maintenance schedule.
By following these steps, you can effectively reset your Toyota Scion tC maintenance required light and even customize the reminder interval to suit your car maintenance preferences. Remember, resetting the light is only one part of vehicle care; regular maintenance is essential for keeping your Scion tC running smoothly for years to come.
