Seeing a new message light up on your dashboard is never relaxing—especially if you’re not sure whether it’s a warning or just a reminder. The “Maintenance Required Soon” message is one of the most common alerts on modern vehicles, and in most cases it isn’t a panic situation. It’s your car’s way of politely tapping you on the shoulder to say, “Hey, it’s time for service.” This long-form guide explains precisely what that message means, how it differs from fault warnings, what to do in the next 24–72 hours, how to reset the reminder after service, and how to prevent surprises in the future. You’ll also find brand-specific nuances, EV and hybrid notes, cost and time expectations, and a practical action plan you can follow today.
What “Maintenance Required Soon” Actually Means
The “Maintenance Required Soon” message is a scheduled service reminder. It is triggered by time, mileage, and sometimes operating conditions, to nudge you toward routine upkeep such as oil and filter changes, tire rotations, multipoint inspections, and fluid checks. It does not necessarily indicate a part failure or safety-critical problem.
Many manufacturers (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, Ford, GM, and others) program this reminder to appear at common service intervals, often around 5,000–7,500 miles (8,000–12,000 km) or at 6–12 month time windows, depending on your maintenance schedule and whether the car uses an oil-life monitor. Some vehicles shorten or extend the interval based on driving patterns—cold starts, short trips, frequent idling, heavy loads, or hot/cold extremes can all influence the timer.
The goal is preventative care: getting basic service done before wear or contamination causes bigger issues like accelerated engine wear, poor braking performance, or tire problems.
How It Differs From a “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” Light
Maintenance Required Soon
This is a housekeeping alert tied to scheduled upkeep. You can usually keep driving safely for a short period, but you should plan service soon. The vehicle typically feels normal.
Check Engine / Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
This indicates the engine or emissions system detected a fault. Sometimes it’s minor (like a loose gas cap); sometimes it’s urgent (misfire, overheating, catalytic converter damage risk). If the MIL is flashing, reduce load and seek diagnostics immediately. A steady MIL warrants timely diagnosis, not a delay-until-next-month approach.
Other Critical Warnings
Oil-pressure warnings, coolant overheat alerts, brake system warnings, or battery/charging system warnings are urgent. Stop, assess safely, and get professional help. These are not service reminders; they’re signs something may be wrong right now.
Is It Urgent? How Soon Is “Soon”?
In most cases you can continue driving normally, but you should schedule service at your earliest convenience—within a week or two is sensible. If the message appears together with unusual symptoms (rough idle, odd noises, warning smells, braking concerns, or fluid leaks), treat it as an immediate prompt to inspect and service the vehicle.
A good rule of thumb: if you know you’re already due (or overdue) for an oil change or you’re approaching a long, hot, or mountainous trip, prioritize a visit in the next 48–72 hours.
Common Services That Trigger the Reminder
- Oil and oil filter change
- Tire rotation and pressure check/TPMS reset
- Multipoint inspection (belts, hoses, wipers, lights, steering, suspension)
- Fluid level checks (coolant, brake, power steering, windshield, transmission where applicable)
- Cabin air filter and engine air filter inspection/replacement
- Brake-pad wear check; sometimes a quick brake service if due
- Battery health check and charging/starting system test
If your vehicle uses an oil-life monitor (OLM), the reminder can be tied to the computed remaining oil life percentage instead of a fixed mileage counter. Hard use drains oil life faster; highway cruising may extend it.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore It
Skipping scheduled maintenance doesn’t usually cause instant failure—but it quietly compounds risk:
- Oil that’s stayed in too long thickens and carries particles that accelerate engine wear.
- Unrotated tires develop uneven wear, reducing grip, increasing stopping distances, and often forcing early replacement.
- Coolant, brake, and transmission fluids can degrade; neglect raises temperatures and can increase corrosion or reduce braking performance.
- Air filters clog, reducing engine efficiency and straining HVAC systems.
In short: this message is cheaper to respect now than to regret later.
Immediate Next Steps (Today or Tomorrow)
- Open your owner’s manual or in-car maintenance menu and confirm the due items for your interval.
- Check your last service date/mileage. If you’re close or past due, book an appointment.
- Do a five-minute driveway check: tire pressures, windshield washer fluid, wiper condition, visible leaks.
- If a long drive is scheduled in the next week, move your service date earlier.
- Note any odd symptoms (noises, pulling, vibrations) to share with the service advisor.
What to Expect at Service: Time, Cost, and What’s Included
Time
A basic oil change, rotation, and inspection usually takes 45–90 minutes. Add time for fluid exchanges or filters. Dealer visits may run longer due to intake/throughput; independent shops can be faster but vary.
Cost
Costs vary by region and vehicle. As a broad 2025 snapshot:
- Gasoline compact/sedan basic service: moderate, depending on oil type and filter quality.
- Crossovers/SUVs: a bit higher due to oil capacity, filter size, and tire size.
- Luxury and performance models: higher due to specialty oils/filters and larger tires.
- EVs: typically lower (no engine oil), but budget for cabin filters, brake fluid (time-based), and tire rotations.
Ask for a written estimate, and keep your invoice. If you’re leased, the maintenance record is your proof at turn-in that you followed the schedule.
Brand Nuances You’ll Commonly See
Toyota
The “Maintenance Required” indicator typically comes on around each 5,000-mile interval. It’s a reminder for oil change, rotation, and inspection. On many Toyotas, it’s reset via the odometer/trip button and ignition sequence (details vary by model year and cluster).
Honda
The Maintenance Minder calculates service based on driving conditions and shows codes (e.g., A1, B2). A = oil, 1 = rotate tires, etc. It’s reset through the steering wheel/infotainment menus after service.
Hyundai/Kia
Service reminders can be time/mileage-based, set and reset through the cluster menus. Many models show specific due items.
GM/Ford
Oil Life Monitor percentages prompt service. Many vehicles also include time/mileage inspectors and show “due soon” messages. Reset through the steering wheel menu after oil change.
Subaru
Maintenance reminders often tied to mileage/time and can be customized in settings. Reset through center display or cluster menu.
Luxury Brands
Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Acura, and others use service counters and may list specific services (inspection, oil, brake fluid, etc.). Many luxury dealers bundle complimentary maintenance for early years—verify for your VIN.
Remember: even within a brand, exact reset steps and intervals vary by model year and display type. If in doubt, ask the service department to demonstrate the reset sequence when you pick up the car.
How to Reset the Reminder After Service (General Patterns)
Menu-Based Reset (Common on Many 2015–2025 Vehicles)
- Turn the ignition to On without starting (or accessory mode on push-button cars).
- Use steering wheel buttons to open Settings or Vehicle Information.
- Navigate to Maintenance, Oil Life, or Service Reminder.
- Select Reset/Confirm.
- Verify the next interval shows correctly.
Trip/Odometer Button Reset (Typical on Many Toyotas and Older Models)
- Turn ignition Off.
- Press and hold the trip/odometer button.
- Turn ignition to On while holding until the dashes count down or the indicator resets.
- Release and verify the light/message is gone.
Honda Maintenance Minder
- Ignition On, engine Off.
- Use steering wheel or infotainment menu: Vehicle Settings → Maintenance Info → Select item → Reset.
- Confirm that oil life reads 100% and sub-codes cleared.
If you just had service and the message reappears on the drive home, it’s usually because the reset wasn’t performed correctly. Call the shop; they’ll typically reset it in minutes at no charge.
What If the Message Reappears Quickly?
- Confirm the reset procedure was done for your exact model.
- Verify that all due items were actually completed (oil changed, filter replaced, rotation done).
- Check date/time settings—some reminders are time-based and can resurface if the clock is incorrect.
- If paired with a check engine light or new symptoms, request a diagnostics scan.
Oil-Life Monitors vs. Fixed Intervals: Why Your Reminder Timing Changes
Not every car uses a simple mileage timer. Oil-life monitors estimate oil degradation using algorithms that consider drive time, temperature, starts/stops, idle time, and load. If you commute short distances with many cold starts, your oil life can drop faster than a highway driver putting on the same miles. Conversely, long steady trips may extend the interval. That’s normal—and why your reminder may pop up earlier or later than a fixed 5,000-mile expectation.
EVs and Hybrids: The Same Message, Different Priorities
Electric vehicles and hybrids still use service reminders—but the tasks differ.
- EVs: cabin air filter replacement, brake fluid (time-based), tire rotations, and occasional coolant service for battery/drive-unit loops depending on brand and mileage. Software updates are usually covered and often over-the-air.
- Hybrids: similar to gasoline vehicles for oil and filter changes (for the engine), plus cooling system and inverter checks at time/mileage intervals. Regenerative braking reduces pad wear, but brake fluid still ages with time.
The reminder protects performance and longevity, even when you aren’t changing engine oil.
DIY Pre-Service Checklist You Can Do in 10 Minutes
- Tire pressures (including spare, if equipped)
- Tread wear pattern (even wear indicates alignment is likely okay; cupping or feathering suggests an alignment check)
- Wiper condition and washer fluid level
- Visible leaks under the car after parking overnight
- Light check: headlights, turn signals, brake lights
- Listen test: new squeals, rattles, knocks under acceleration or braking
Bring notes to your service visit. A specific symptom list helps techs pinpoint issues faster, saving you labor time.
Dealership vs. Independent Shop vs. Mobile Mechanic
Dealership
Pros: Factory-trained technicians, access to technical service bulletins, integrated record-keeping that can help with warranty and resale.
Cons: Potentially higher prices; busy service lanes may mean longer waits.
Independent Shop
Pros: Often lower prices, flexible scheduling, personalized service.
Cons: Be sure they use OEM-spec parts/fluids and document everything; choose a shop with a modern scan tool and good reviews.
Mobile Mechanic
Pros: Convenience; basic services at home or work.
Cons: Not ideal for complex diagnostics or lifts-required repairs; confirm they can update maintenance reminders and provide detailed invoices.
No matter where you go, keep your receipts. Maintenance records protect your warranty and help avoid lease-end or resale deductions.
Budgeting and Planning: Never Be Surprised Again
- Put the routine visit on your calendar a few weeks before you expect the reminder.
- Save a small monthly amount for maintenance and tires. Even basic care adds up less painfully if you plan for it.
- If you manage a side hustle or small business and want to keep your brand presence running while you’re at the service lane, you might enjoy a strategic primer like Instagram for a Small Business to turn waiting-room time into productive marketing minutes.
Seasonal and Driving-Condition Adjustments
- Winter regions: schedule a pre-winter check (battery test, wipers, washer fluid rated for freezing temps) and a mid-winter tire/undercarriage inspection.
- Hot climates: cooling system checks matter; confirm coolant condition and radiator/AC condenser cleanliness.
- Mountain/hauling: brakes and transmission fluid face higher loads; mention these uses to your service advisor so inspections are thorough.
- City stop-and-go: oil-life monitors will shorten intervals; expect more frequent reminders.
Myth vs. Fact: Clearing Up Common Confusion
- Myth: The message means something is broken.
Fact: It’s a scheduled maintenance reminder, not a fault code. - Myth: If the car feels fine, the reminder can be ignored indefinitely.
Fact: The car may feel fine until it doesn’t. Preventive service avoids compounding wear. - Myth: Resetting the message without service is harmless.
Fact: You’ll lose track of intervals and increase the risk of expensive repairs. - Myth: Only the dealership can reset the reminder.
Fact: Most vehicles allow in-menu resets; just be sure you actually completed the service. - Myth: EVs don’t need maintenance.
Fact: Fewer services, yes; maintenance-free, no. Filters, fluids, tires, and inspections still matter.
Troubleshooting Scenarios and Smart Responses
The light came on right after my oil change
The shop likely forgot to reset the reminder. Call them; they’ll reset it quickly at no charge.
The message says “Maintenance Required Soon,” and I’m about to take a road trip
Move your service forward. Fresh oil, proper tire pressures, and a quick inspection reduce roadside surprises.
I’m a few hundred miles short of the official interval, but the message appeared
Oil-life or time-based logic may have triggered it. It’s safe—and smart—to service early rather than late.
The message is on and I hear a squeal when braking
That squeal is separate from the reminder and suggests brake inspection now. Mention it at check-in.
I reset it myself, and now I’m unsure what’s due
Check the manual’s maintenance chart and your last invoice. If in doubt, perform a conservative service (oil/filter, rotation, inspection) and re-sync your interval tracking from today.
Building a Maintenance Habit That Sticks
- Tie service reminders to life events you won’t forget (taxes, seasonal wardrobe changes, school semesters).
- Use your phone’s calendar or the automaker’s app to add two reminders: a “heads-up” two weeks early and a “must-schedule” one week early.
- Keep a simple log (digital or paper) with date, mileage, and work performed.
- Do a two-minute check while fueling: walk-around, tire glance, lights, and any odd smells.
Consistency is more important than perfection. Missed by a week? Don’t stress—just get back on track.
Lease and Warranty Considerations
- Leases generally require that you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Incomplete records can mean fees at turn-in.
- Warranties cover defects, not neglect. If a lubricated component fails after extended oil changes were ignored, coverage can be denied.
- Keep physical or digital copies of every service. If you move or sell, those records add trust and value.
Quick Reference: Your 60-Second Action Plan
- Confirm what’s due in the manual or maintenance menu.
- Check last service date/mileage; if you’re at or near due, schedule now.
- Do a quick driveway inspection (tires, wipers, lights, leaks).
- Ask for a written estimate and keep your receipt.
- Ensure the service advisor resets the reminder and shows you how.
- Add the next interval to your calendar right away.
Final Takeaway
The “Maintenance Required Soon” message is your car’s way of practicing good long-term health. It’s not a siren; it’s a sensible reminder to complete routine tasks that keep your engine protected, your tires wearing evenly, and your brakes confident. Treat it as a friendly calendar alert: confirm what’s due, book the appointment, reset the indicator, and make a quick log entry. Do that, and you’ll avoid the expensive surprises that come from neglect—while enjoying a car that feels newer, longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my car say “Maintenance Required Soon”?
It’s a scheduled reminder for routine service, most often an oil change, tire rotation, and inspection. It’s about prevention, not an immediate failure.
Can I keep driving?
Yes, for a short time. Plan service soon—ideally within a week or two—so you stay ahead of wear and tear.
Is it the same as a check engine light?
No. The maintenance reminder is a service nudge. A check engine light indicates the vehicle detected a fault and needs diagnostics.
How do I reset it?
Most cars reset through the instrument-cluster or infotainment menus. Some require an ignition-and-trip-button sequence. Your owner’s manual lists the steps; your service advisor can show you as well.
Why did it appear early?
Oil-life monitors consider your driving style and conditions. Short trips, extreme temps, towing, or lots of idling can shorten the interval.
