My car just hit its first 10,000 miles a couple of days ago and now the Maintenence Required Light is on while I drive. I changed my oil around 6,000 miles, and then I changed it again at 10,000. I read the book on how to reset the light, but it still won't go off, I have tried about thirty different ways with that stupid knob. I know it definately has to be reset because before I hit the 10,000 miles it was flashing when I had first turned on the car. Any help?

 

Uhm, if it didn't work after you tried holding on to the reset button, then I've no idea. Take it to the dealer..

However, doesn't the light indicate more than just that you need an oil change?

First, check your gas cap and make sure it's tightened with 3 clicks, then take a look at your fluids under the hood.

 

Its definately not the gas cap, but maybe its the fluids. I will go give them a check, I do use my windshield washer fluid alot, but I would have thought that the fluids have there own indicators, most other cars that I have been in do. And it was just strange that the light came on at 10,000 miles, and I know thats when it is scheduled to come on, thats why I sort of ruled everything else out.

 

winshield washer fluid doesn't cause an error, I ended up using all of mine up and nothing happened.

 

Reset Button? What reset button?

 

One first question: Are you seeing the check engine light or the one that says "maintainance required?" They are two separate lights for 2 separate purposes? If it's your CEL, tgihten your gas cap back down. If it doesn't go away within 3 days, go to your dealer to get a diagnostic done.

If it is your maintainance required light (you should have done your oil change at every 5k interval, and if you're at 10k you need to rotate your tires), turn your car off first. Then hold down the reset button on your gauge cluster. While holding this down (keep holding it), turn your key into the "accessory" position (that's 2 clicks). Continue to hold the reset button while keeping the key turned in the accessory position for about 20 seconds. You should see that light turn off after this. Turn off the car and then restart it. Voila!

 

It is the Maitainance light and I have tried every possible combination of holding the knob and nothing at all seems to work.

 

Then I guess your car does need maintainance.

 

I'm guessing user error. Read my instructions and try it again. Do EXACTLY what I said to do. I worked for honda/Acura for 4 years. I own a TSX. I work on tons of cars for friends. I have reset more than a few lights in my time. Turn your car off, put the key in the ignition, hold down the reset button on your gauge cluster, while holding it down turn your key into the accessory position. hold it for about 25 seconds until you see the maintainance required light turn off. It's really that easy. I am curious as to what you are doing wrong.

 

I am doing exactly as you say in your post. Everytime I do it, my mileage resets, and then where the temperature is, it starts to count, it goes 1,2,3,-3,-2,-1 and on and on, but no light going off

 

Go to the dealer. You have another problem on your hands. Not a big one, but one that can't just be switched off.

 

BTW, that is how you recalibrate your temp readout if it is off by a few degress.

 

Do you have aftermarket daytime running lights or another large electrical load that comes on any time the key is "on". This can inhibit the maint. req light from resetting. You'll have to disconnect these aftermarket loads to get the light to reset. Also, to clarify the above, you must turn the key to postion 2, which is where it would be when the car is running--not 1, which is commonly refered to as "accessory" (where just the radio comes on.)

 

I did have a sound system put in my car. So I disconnected the power cable to the battery and tried to do the reset and it still did not work. This is another reason that I am trying to stay away from the dealer if I can so that they don't go and void my warranty.

 

As mentioned above, this is the procedure to clear the "Maint. req'd." light. If your "check engine" light is on, it must be cleared with an OBD2 scan tool.

1. Make sure all "big" electrical loads are off or disconnected (lights, radio, etc.), and key is OFF.

2. Push and hold "select/reset" button at lower left of inst. cluster.

3. While holding, turn ignition key to II position, where all the indicator lights come on (srs, oil pressure, check eng, etc, etc.)

4. Hold button down with key on and watch the maint. req. light. It should go out after approx. 15 sec. (seems like forever, just keep holding).

5. If the light goes out, release the select/reset button, turn off ign. Start the car. "Maint. req'd" light should come on for less than 5 sec and go out every time you start the car, as a bulb check.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest reading the owners manual, as this is all covered in there.

 

I did this today and it worked fine for me

 

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!.......... I finally got it. I re-disconnected the amp power to the battery, I unplugged my two t.v.'s in the back, and I disconnected the DVD player in the front, and it finally did it. Thanx!!! everybody for your help, I really really appreciate it, b/c that f**king light was driving me crazy while I was driving, it is so god damn annoying to drive with it on.

 

You'd better have this procedure written down because that light will come on every 10K.

 

I've had my car since 20k and it's the first time it came on (@39k)...

 

Thanks for the detailed instructions poltergeist. I've been telling my girlfriend to take it in to have it looked at, and she keeps telling me it just needs to be reset. Whaddya know, score one for her.

 

Odd....I bought my car at 8000 miles. Now it has 12000 miles. The light has yet to come on....hmm?