A light that says SERVICE REQUIRED, MAINT REQD, or shows a wrench symbol has appeared on your dashboard. You are not sure whether this is serious or just a reminder. This guide explains exactly what this light means, how it is different from a fault warning, how to reset it yourself after a service, and what actually happens to your car if you keep ignoring it.
What Does the Service Required Light Look Like
The service required light appears in different forms depending on the car brand. On Toyota and Lexus vehicles, it commonly shows as MAINT REQD in small orange text on the instrument cluster. On Honda and Acura vehicles,s it may appear as a wrench symbol, sometimes called the maintenance minder, accompanied by a letter and number code indicating which specific service is due. On Nissan, Infiniti, and many other brands, ds it may read SERVICE DUE or SERVICE REQUIRED.
The light is usually orange or amber. It is not red, and it does not flash. It sits quietly on the dashboard as a reminder rather than an urgent alert.
What This Light Is Actually Telling You
The service required is a scheduled maintenance reminder. It is not triggered by a sensor detecting a fault. It is triggered by a timer or a mileage counter built into the car’s computer that counts down from the last time the service interval was reset.
When the counter reaches zero, the light comes on to tell you a routine service is due. The most common service it indicates is an oil change, but depending on the car and how the interval is programmed, it can also indicate that other routine items such as tyre rotation, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement, or brake inspection are due.
This light has no fault code associated with it. A diagnostic scanner will not reveal an underlying problem. The light is purely informational.
How Is This Different From the Check Engine Light
This is the most important distinction and the one that causes the most confusion.
The check engine light comes on when a sensor in the engine or emissions system detects a fault that falls outside acceptable parameters. It stores a fault code that a diagnostic scanner can read. It means something is wrong with the car right now.
The service required light comes on because a mileage or time counter has reached its programmed threshold. It does not mean anything is wrong with the car right now. It means a maintenance appointment is due.
If the check engine light is on, something needs to be diagnosed and repaired. If only the service required light is on and the car is driving normally, you need to book a service appointment, not an emergency repair.
The two lights look different, are in different locations on the instrument cluster, and have different symbols. If you are unsure which light is on, check the car manual to confirm the exact symbol for each on your specific model.
Common Reasons the Service Required Light Comes On
Oil Change Interval Reached: The most common trigger. Most cars are programmed to illuminate this light after a set number of miles or a set period of time since the last oil change reset, whichever comes first. Common intervals are every 5,000 miles, 7,500 miles, or 10,000 miles, depending on the car and the type of oil used.
Tyre Rotation Due: Some cars include tyre rotation in the maintenance minder system and trigger the service required light when this interval is reached, often every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Multi-Item Service Due On Honda vehicles with the maintenance minder system, the wrench light appears alongside letter codes that tell you exactly which items are due. For example, A1 means an oil change and tyre rotation. B means an oil change plus brake inspection and other checks. Knowing the code tells you exactly what the dealer or mechanic needs to do.
Interval Counter Not Reset After Last Service. This is one of the most frequent causes of confusion. If the service was done but the mechanic forgot to reset the interval counter, the light will stay on or come on again very quickly after the service. The counter needs to be reset manually as part of every service. If your car came back from a service with this light still on, ask the garage to reset it.
How Serious Is This Light
The service required, light,t is not a mechanical emergency. The car is safe to drive. However, the items it reminds you about, particularly oil changes, are genuinely important for long-term engine health.
Engine oil degrades over time and with use. Old oil loses its lubricating and cooling properties and allows more wear on internal engine components. Consistently ignoring oil change reminders over many thousands of miles leads to increased engine wear, sludge buildup, and eventually more serious and expensive problems.
The light is not urgent in the sense that you need to stop the car immediately. But it should not be ignored for many weeks or months either. Book the service within a reasonable time after the light appears.
What To Do When the Service Required Light Comes On
Step 1: Note how many miles ago your last service was and what was done at that service.
Step 2: Check your car manual to find out what the service interval is for your specific model and what maintenance items are due at this mileage.
Step 3: Book a service appointment with a garage or dealership. For most drivers, this is simply an oil and filter change with a general check.
Step 4: On Honda vehicles, note the letter and number code shown alongside the wrench symbol to tell the garage exactly which items are due.
Step 5: After the service is completed, ensure the mechanic resets the service interval counter. The light will not go off on its own without a manual reset.
Step 6: If you want to reset it yourself after a DIY oil change, follow the reset procedure in the section below.
How To Reset the Service Required Light Yourself
The reset procedure varies by manufacturer. Here are the most common methods.
Toyota and Lexus MAINT REQD Reset: Turn the ignition to the on position without starting the engine. Use the trip meter reset button to select Trip A on the odometer display. Turn the ignition off. Hold the trip meter reset button down. While holding it, turn the ignition back to the on position. Keep holding the button until the MAINT REQD light flashes and then goes off. Release the button. The counter is now reset.
Honda Maintenance Minder Wrench Reset: Turn the ignition to the on position without starting the engine. Press and hold the trip meter reset button until the maintenance item information is displayed. Press and hold the button again for about 10 seconds until the display resets and the wrench light goes off.
General Method for Many Other Brands: Turn the ignition to the on position. Navigate to the service interval or maintenance menu in the instrument cluster using the menu buttons. Select reset. Confirm the reset when prompted.
If none of these applies to your car, the exact procedure will be in the vehicle manual under service interval reset or oil life reset.
Can You Drive With the Service Required Light On
Yes. The car is mechanically safe to drive. The light is a reminder, not a fault indicator. However, if the oil change is significantly overdue, the condition of the engine oil should be checked. Pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, dip it again, and check the oil level and colour. If the oil is very dark or gritty, getting the oil changed sooner rather than later is advisable.
Service Required Light Came Back On Shortly After a Service
If the light returned within a few days or a few hundred miles after a service, the service interval counter was not reset during the service. Contact the garage and ask them to reset it. This takes only a few minutes and should be done at no charge, as it is a standard part of any service.
Quick Summary
What | Detail |
Light Color | Orange or Amber |
Symbol | MAINT REQD text, wrench symbol, or SERVICE REQUIRED text |
Severity | Low, maintenance reminder only |
Meaning | The scheduled service interval has been reached |
Not the Same As | Check engine light, which indicates an actual fault |
Action Required | Book a service and have the interval counter reset |
Related Warning Lights
These warning lights are related to engine maintenance and the service interval system:
- Service Engine Soon Light – Engine management fault or GM-specific dual-purpose light
- Oil Pressure Warning Light – Urgent oil system fault, completely different from a service reminder
- Engine Temperature Warning Light – Engine overheating requiring immediate action
- Emission Control System Light – Emissions fault that may appear alongside service needs
This page is part of our complete guide to car dashboard symbols and meanings. To see every warning light explained in one place, visit our Car Dashboard Symbols.