Maintenance Required Light On Camry After Oil Change? Reset Guide

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You did the right thing: you changed the oil in your Toyota Camry (or had it changed by a trusted mechanic). Fresh oil, new filter – check! You’re feeling good about keeping your reliable Camry in top shape. But then you start the car, and that annoying “Maintenance Required” light is still staring at you from the dashboard. Or maybe it flashes for a few seconds after starting. What gives? Did you do something wrong? Is there still a problem?

Don’t worry! In almost every case, if you’ve completed the oil change, that light doesn’t mean there’s something still wrong with your engine or oil. It simply means the maintenance reminder system hasn’t been told that the service has been performed. It’s like a sticky note you put on your calendar that stays there until you manually remove it after finishing the task.

This “Maintenance Required” light is just a timed or mileage-based reminder set by Toyota to help you keep track of regular service intervals, primarily oil changes. It doesn’t actually detect the condition of your oil or engine. To turn it off, you need to manually reset it.

Let’s walk through why this light stays on and, more importantly, how to easily reset it yourself for various generations of the Toyota Camry.

What the “Maintenance Required” Light Means (And What It Doesn’t)

The “Maintenance Required” (sometimes abbreviated as “MAINT REQD” or just a light that looks like a wrench or says “MAINT”) on your Toyota Camry’s dashboard is part of a simple service interval reminder system.

It’s a Reminder, Not a Problem Indicator

Its sole purpose is to illuminate after a preset mileage interval (usually around 5,000 miles or 8,000 km) since the last reset, prompting you to get your regular maintenance done, which most commonly includes an oil change.

NOT the Check Engine Light!

It’s crucial to understand this light is different from the Check Engine Light (which looks like an engine icon). The Check Engine Light comes on when the vehicle’s main computer detects a fault in an emission-related system or other major component. The Maintenance Required light is purely informational. For instance, our guide on What Does Maintenance Required Mean on a Toyota Camry goes into more detail about its purpose.

Why the Light Stays On After Your Toyota Camry Oil Change

The reason the light is still on after you’ve changed the oil is simple: the car’s computer system that monitors the maintenance interval doesn’t automatically detect that the service has been completed.

It Needs a Manual Reset

Whether you did the oil change yourself or had a shop do it, the person performing the service needs to manually perform a reset procedure to tell the car, “Okay, the maintenance is done, start counting the next interval.” If they forget this step (which happens!), the light will remain on.

“Changed the oil in my 2010 Camry myself, felt proud, then started it up and the ‘Maintenance Req’d’ light was still mocking me! Forgot I had to manually reset it.” – David S., DIYer

How to Reset the Maintenance Required Light on Your Toyota Camry (Step-by-Step)

The exact procedure to reset the “Maintenance Required” light varies slightly depending on the year and generation of your Toyota Camry. Toyota has used a few different methods over the years. The absolute best source for your specific car is always your Owner’s Manual! However, here are the most common procedures you can try:

Method 1: Using the Trip Meter Button (Common on Many Older & Mid Generations)

This method typically involves cycling the ignition and using the trip meter reset button on your dashboard.

Turn the ignition key to the “OFF” position. If your Camry has a push-button start, press the START/STOP button once or twice until the vehicle’s power is OFF.
Press and hold down the Trip Meter reset button (often labeled ODO/TRIP) located near your odometer display. You’ll likely be looking for the Trip A or Trip B reading.
While still holding the Trip Meter button, turn the ignition key to the “ON” position. For push-button start, press the START/STOP button twice without pressing the brake pedal (this puts it in the “ON” mode without starting the engine).
Continue holding the Trip Meter button. The “Maintenance Required” light or message should start flashing or blinking.
Keep holding the button until the light or message disappears or is replaced by zeros (00000). This usually takes about 5-15 seconds.
Release the Trip Meter button.
Turn the ignition back to the “OFF” position or press the START/STOP button once.
Start the engine normally to confirm the light is off.

Method 2: Using Steering Wheel Controls & Multi-Information Display (Common on Newer Generations, Approx. 2015+)

Newer Camrys often use the steering wheel buttons and the display screen in the instrument cluster to navigate menus and perform resets.

Ensure the vehicle’s power is OFF.
Turn the ignition to the “ON” position (press START/STOP twice without brake).
Use the buttons on your steering wheel (often arrow buttons and an “OK” or “Enter” button) to navigate the menus on the multi-information display screen in your instrument cluster (between the speedometer and tachometer).
Navigate to the “Settings” menu (it might look like a gear or have “Settings” written out).
Scroll through the settings menu to find “Vehicle Settings.” Select it.
Find “Maintenance System” or “Scheduled Maintenance”. Select it.
You should see options like “Oil Maintenance” or “Initialize.” Select the relevant maintenance item you just performed (like Oil).
Select “Yes” or “Initialize” to reset the interval.
Confirm the reset if prompted.
The display should indicate that the reset is complete.
Turn the ignition off and then start the engine normally to confirm the light is gone.

“My 2018 Camry uses the steering wheel buttons to reset the maintenance light. Took me a minute to find the menu, but followed a YouTube video and got it done. Much different than my old car with the trip button!” – Sarah L., Newer Camry Owner

Find Your Specific Year’s Procedure!

These methods cover common procedures, but minor variations exist even within generations. If these don’t work, check your specific year’s Toyota Camry Owner’s Manual under sections like “Maintenance,” “Indicators,” or “Display Settings.” You can often find digital copies of manuals online on the Toyota website or through a quick search for “Toyota Camry [Your Year] owner’s manual pdf.” Searching YouTube for a video specific to your exact year is also a great visual resource.

Dealing with warning lights or understanding car maintenance is part of vehicle ownership. Here are a few related guides you might find helpful:

Speaking of warning lights, sometimes they can be tricky to clear, like dealing with a stuck tire pressure light in a Toyota Corolla.
While this guide focuses on Camry, the principle of resetting an oil change light after service is common across many makes. See how it’s done on a different model with our guide How to Reset the Oil Change Light on a 2016 Ford Escape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is it okay to drive my Toyota Camry with the “Maintenance Required” light on?

A: Yes, it is generally safe to drive with only the “Maintenance Required” light on. It is just a reminder that the scheduled maintenance interval has been reached, not an indicator of an immediate problem with the car’s function. However, you should perform the recommended maintenance promptly.

Q: Does the “Maintenance Required” light mean something is still wrong after the oil change?

A: If you are certain the oil change and other recommended maintenance were properly performed, the light simply means the reminder system was not reset. It does not mean there is a fault or that the oil change was unsuccessful.

Q: How often does the “Maintenance Required” light come on in a Camry?

A: The light is typically set to come on every 5,000 miles (or approximately 8,000 kilometers) or every 6 months, whichever comes first. This aligns with Toyota’s recommended interval for oil changes and other basic inspections under normal driving conditions.

Q: Can a mechanic forget to reset this light?

A: Yes, it’s a very common oversight, even by experienced mechanics, especially when busy. Don’t hesitate to ask them to reset it before you leave the shop, or you can easily do it yourself using the steps above.

Q: Is the “Maintenance Required” light the same as the Check Engine Light?

A: No, they are different lights. The “Maintenance Required” light is a simple mileage/time-based reminder. The Check Engine Light indicates the onboard computer has detected a fault code in a vehicle system (engine, transmission, emissions, etc.) and usually requires scanning the vehicle for codes.

Conclusion

That persistent “Maintenance Required” light after your Toyota Camry oil change is almost certainly just waiting for you to tell the car that the service is done. It’s a simple reminder system that needs a manual reset procedure. By following the steps outlined above, tailored to whether your Camry uses a trip meter button or steering wheel controls, you can easily turn off the light yourself. Always consult your owner’s manual for the most accurate procedure for your specific model year. Getting rid of that light is a satisfying way to confirm you’re all set until the next maintenance interval!