[carrotcake]

So I've had my car since September, and when it hit about 3500 miles, we changed the oil ourselves. Now I'm at 5000 miles and the maintenance required sign lights up crazy mad everytime I start the engine. I had my uncle, who fixes cars/motorcycles for a hobby, check it out. Neither my uncle or father can find anything wrong with it because the oil is still good and there's nothing else wrong with it. But the saleman did say that we needed to go to a dealership to change the oil because there were electrons in the oil, and without that my car would die? Do I need to get it checked out at a dealership? Because my uncle said that its fine and I should be okay with driving it. I'm just afraid that my car will break down one day :X. It is practically brand new.

[v8subie]

2 suggestions

1.) buy an obd reader from autozone, etc...
2.) go to toyota

b/c i never heard of an engine that depends on the electrons in oil...

[ZiGeNX77]

Definitely stop by the dealer to ask them about your problem. Better yet, just call them and ask if there are problems with doing your own oil change.

Did you read the owner's manual? See if it incidates anything off the ordinary about your oil first.

[kelvin6]

The maintanance required light is a dummy advertisement light. Its basically lighting up to remind you to make a trip to the dealership to change your oil. Now for some bizzare reason, I actually have a Yaris Service manual (so if you like, I can send u a copy of it, just PM me). I'm sure there is a way to turn that light off yourself.

Secondly I think the dealer is trying to trick you, as i've never heard of a TRUE oil wear sensor on the Yaris.

As long as you keep up with regular oil changes using 5W-30 (as spec'd for your car), and other maintanance (such as transmission fluid (if automatic), coolant, and brake fluids, air filter, cabin air filter, etc), you'll be alright for years to come. Luckily these cars are easy to maintain...

Also before I forget, be aware that transmission fluid for the Yaris is Toyota Type-IV or possibly Mobil 1 3309, do not use DEXIII / VI in it (which most regular repair shops use)!

Honestly I find myself often bored and wanting to do something on my car... i'll fix something, even if it doesn't even need fixing yet... lol.

[taoh]

But the saleman did say that we needed to go to a dealership to change the oil because there were electrons in the oil, and without that my car would die?

Did that salesperson really said that you needed electrons in the oil?

I would've busted out laughing at him in front of all the customers if he said that.

Anyway, the maintenance indicator light is set to go on everytime your car reaches a set number of miles and if you bring it to a dealer authorized service station, they will perform required services and reset the maintenance indicator.

Since you had your oil changed on your own, you have to find a way to reset that maintenance indicator yourself or find someone who can do it for you.

[ddonq]

The maintanance required light is a dummy advertisement light. Its basically lighting up to remind you to make a trip to the dealership to change your oil.

you should be able to stop the blinking light, read in the manual, it should say it somewhere.
the same happened to my honda civic