Toyota Prius:  Maint Reqd Light Meaning

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The Toyota Prius’s maint reqd light indicates a service interval has been met.  These intervals happen at mileage or time intervals (typically every 5000 miles/6 months).  The maintenance required light is standard in all newer Toyota vehicles, and helps insure long life and dependability by making sure factory maintenance intervals are met.

Maintenance Required Light Toyota Prius

 

Toyota Prius:  Maintenance Required Light Meaning

The maint reqd light means that Toyota recommends servicing your Prius soon.  Depending on what the vehicle mileage is when the light came on, it could mean that any of the following maintenance is needed:

  • Engine oil change
  • Fluid check
  • Tire Rotation
  • Multi-point inspection
  • Wiper inspection/and or replacement
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Inspect steering system

Here is a full detailed list of the recommended mileage and service straight from Toyota.  This is a generic list.  It’s always a good idea to get one printed from the dealer for your exact model year Prius if you are planning on taking the maintenance on yourself.

 

Toyota Prius Maint Reqd Light

Nearly every make and model year of Toyota vehicle has the same process to reset the maintenance required light.

  1. Turn the key to the on position with the odometer showing.
  2. Press and hold the odometer button.
  3. Turn the key to the off position while still holding the odometer button.
  4. Without releasing the odometer button, turn the key to the run position.
  5. Wait a few seconds for the light to turn off.

If this process did not work for you, a select amount of Toyota vehicles need the odometer to be on trip A instead of the main odometer.

Here’s a terrific video from ChrisFix on resetting the light.  Watching is sometimes easier than reading.


 

 

Prius Maint Reqd Light Common Questions

Here are some of the most common questions regarding the Prius’s maintenance required light:

Toyota Prius Maint Reqd Light Diagnosis

Is Maintenance Required the Same as Check Engine?

No, the maintenance required light is different than the check engine light.  The check engine light is there to let you know that there is a known problem.  If you hook a code scanner to the OBD2 port, you will get a trouble code that lets you know which sensor has sent triggered the check engine light.

With the maint reqd light, there is no trouble code.  It is letting you know that Toyota is recommending that the vehicle come in for maintenance and inspection to keep from having problems.

 

Can I Drive with the Maintenance Required Light On?

You most certainly can drive your Prius with the maint reqd light on.  Typically, it comes on in at 4500 miles for a 5000 mile service.  It will eventually flash at you when you are getting closer to the 5000 miles side so that you’ll go in and have it serviced.  You still need to have the maintenance done in a timely fashion though.

 

Summary/Conclusion:  Toyota Prius Maint Reqd Light

  • The maintenance required light is different than the check engine light.  It is letting you know Toyota is suggesting it come in at that time.
  • You can reset this light yourself.

The maint reqd light is nothing to worry about.  Just have your Toyota Prius brought in and maintained.  Or ask your dealer for a print out of the exact schedule for your model year if you are the DIY type.  If there is anything that you would like to add, please feel free to leave a comment.  Good luck!