Is this just a dumb light for oil changes or does it indicate another issue or service required? car is not due for service according to the maintenance schedule in the manual (all services done at the dealer) yet the light has come on a few days ago.

Did the dealer forget to reset something at the last oil change?

will an OBD-2 scan reaveal the source of the light?

car is a 2003 TL-P ~25k miles

 

never mind, re-searched and found what I needed.

-scott

 

I dont think my dealer has ever reset that damn light... I just ignore it and reset it when it comes on. it comes on every 7500 miles, and no one really changes their oil every 7,500 miles like the book says to.

Just reset it and move on

 

I change oil every 7500 miles and reset light myself. Refuse to make the oil industry any richer than they already are. Owners manual says 7500 miles. Dealer would like you in to change it every 3000 miles. (it will never happen)

 

Easy now...

 

I guess thsi all depends on how someone defines "Severe driving" on weather to change it at 7,500 or half that. I do a lot of short (under 4 miles) trips which I would classify as severe.

 

our dealer recommends follwoing the severe duty schedule. we usually change the oil every 4000-4500 or so. to maintain warranty coverage you must follow at least the minimum service schedule.

if anyone is interested in determining when they exactly need to change, you can get your used oil analyzed here:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com

get the full test and the TBN.

Haven't done this yet on the TL but the Passat will be getting an analysis soon.

 

any advice on how to reset a maint. req. light, thank you.

 

the instructions on how to clear the maintanence required light
should be in your manual. It's in the '01 manual. You need to hold down the reset and select buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds I believe with the car ON but not running. If you can't find the instructions post again and I'll double check my owners manual.

 

Oh and by the way...

If you hold down those two buttons with the car running instead of just on (i.e. everything lit up but no ignition) what it does is it changes the outside temperature reading on the speedo up or down 3 degrees. How many here knew that? Hands?

 

I waited till 7000 or so mfor the first oil change because the dealer stressed that point.

Then I did another at 3000---are you all saying it is totally not needed nor helpful to keep doing it at every 3000? I drive a mix of city and highway.

Thanks for advice.

 

I work for Acura and if I told you how to reset the light you wouldnt come to ME to spend your money....ummmm I mean "Maintence that is required" Hold down the trip and reset button and turn the key to ignition on(Not running) till it flashes and then shuts off.

 

I know this is an old post but i must bring it back to life.
I changed my oil this past weekend and the guys that worked there called Acura asked how to reset it, and werent able to reset my "maintanence required" light so i searched and found this post.
Tried all the above mentioned ways of resetting the light and still.. Nothing.

Any suggestions of what might be wrong?

 

gen2- stick left hand thru top of steering wheel- push and hold both trip buttons IN
Turn key to ON, but not all the way to start
the light flashes about 8 times/10 seconds then goes out
turn key off, release buttons, remove hand-
done
only purpose is oil change reminder-- starts flashing at 6000 miles since reset

 

My light flashes off after about 2 seconds of holding both trip and reset down. And then it comes right back on again.
If i hold it for 10 seconds then the temperature ratio starts to change.

 

Your doing it wrong. You have to Press and HOLD the buttons withthe key in the OFF position THEN turn the key to the run position. Keep holding it (aprox 10 sec) until the light goes off. If you do it the other way (the way your doing it, turning the key then pressing the buttons) you adjust the outside temp gauge.

 

hmm noted. will try again. Thank you. (i hope this rids me of that annoying light)

 

It will if done right. There is nothing else that triggers it nor does it mean any thing. Though you will have to reset it every 7500 miles (the time acura preset for oilchanges)

 

I dont think I could have been any more specific or clear in my dorkrections