check engine light

ok so i know how to get rid of the light because i did it already when my 5k miles came on, now im at 16600 and its coming on, this is the first time ive seen it blinking while the engine starts up but it could have happened earlier, is this just a reminder for replacing your oil and it comes back every 5k miles or could this be something else??

 

Theres a huge difference between the Maintenance light and the Check engine light

 

im srry maintenance required light

 

Not to hijack the thread, just want to expand on it.

Does anyone know if the Maint Reqd light serves any other function than the change oil reminder? I asked one dealer tech a while back and he said no, but I take that as hear say since the dealers typically don't know much.
Background:
My girlfriend was driving my truck the other day (I know I know, but she's a farm girl and can probably handle a 13 Spd Fuller better than I so I trust her). And the Maint Reqd light came on and she actually stopped to call me before she drove any further. I told her that the oil just needed to be changed soon.
Question:
If this is the only reason, why didn't they just label the light "Change Oil"?
And because or because it would make sense, is not a valid answer!!!

 

It blinks 500 miles prior to being constant on, unless a smarter person than I replies.

 

It is only reminder for changing the OIL. The reason that they labeled it Maintenance and not change oil, is that too many women driving Tacoma's were calling the service department asking what the 7I0 light was

In all seriousness, it's probably a marketing ploy. If you say maintenance, the victim will take the truck to Toyota for "maintenance" at which time the sleazy tech will try to sell you the blinker fluid flush, muffler bearing replacement and tire rotation.

It's just a friendly reminder, since we are all soo forgetful these days.

 

Does this light reset when the oil is changed/filter or is it flashed somehow by the dealer to turn it off? Reason is I had my first oil change at walmart and the maintanence light remained on. I disconnected the battery which reset the light.

 

Yeah...can this thing be reset easily?

 

Yes it can. While the instructions are in your owners manual, I will expound.

Turn you truck off with your key, then, push in and hold your trip meter reset button, turn your key on but don't start the truck. The mileage display will start to flash dashes. It will count down the dashes as it flashes. When it comes up with this 0000000 you can release the reset button and the light will go out.

Marc M

 

Well done, I know is difficult for some members to actually open up the glove box, unzip the nice little Tacoma case and open up the manual.

There is a reason that RTFM has become so commonplace, because NOBODY does it!!

 

Thanks man...hey I just got my truck and haven't had time to read the manual in detail yet.

 

Yours has a zipper?!?!?!?

 

Sure, nice leatherette zippered pouch with the Toyota emblem embossed on the front...

Marc M

 

Mines got a flap.

Flap...Flap...Flap...


And I'll add to the Main't Reqd light on what is not in the owners manual.
if you hold the trip reset button, each 0 is 1000 miles. So for only 1,000 before light activation = 0||||| / 00|||=2,000 / Etc...

 

i just got stuck in a ditch, and had my differental lockers on the whole time. about 10 tens later the check engine light came on..
any ideas??

 

Yours has a case?

 

I realized after like.. 30 years of car manual having, that ya don't use those things often enough to take up 90% of your front seat storage.. Started storing them in the back, with spare tire.. etc, depending on car.


So anyone know if the maintenance light is a simple timer/odometer or does it actually do some calculation other than
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