Introduction
Everyone wants a perfect vehicle that is reliable and does not break down constantly. But, of course, there can be conditions when you are trying to meet a deadline, and your vehicle will give you an unpleasant surprise in terms of breaking down. But this can be prevented by regular service of your vehicle.
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The conventional cars came with a maintenance logbook(2), where you can record the time and schedule of the car services. This allows you to monitor the repairs made to the vehicle. However, there can be instances when you need to remember that the car has covered specific mileage or needs a service. The automotive manufacturers have introduced a car service maintenance light to cater to this problem. This light blinks in case the car is due for a scheduled service or different fluids in the car have reached a low level. We have enlisted a few reasons that can cause the service maintenance light to blink on your car’s dashboard.
Importance of Car Service
Car maintenance is vital as it keeps the car in good condition and alleviates unwanted problems.
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Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Interim service is carried out after covering 5000-10000 miles depending upon the type of vehicle. This includes regular oil changes, filter replacement, and inspection of major engine components. This service is done to refresh the engine oil and filter for effective performance. The second service is full Service or significant Service. This service is carried out after covering around 12000 miles. And it includes the replacement of worn-out parts, shock absorbers, radiator parts, coolant hoses, and other suspension parts.
Both interim and major services prevent any accident due to part malfunction.
Reasons Why Service Maintenance Light Turns On?
Oil needs Replacement
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The maintenance service light usually turns on when the car covers a distance of 5000 miles. This indicates that the oil in the engine needs to be replaced.
It is necessary to replace the oil when the car has covered a distance of 5000 miles(3) because more than 2500 moving parts in the vehicles move in different directions, i.e. up, down, and in rotatory motion. Therefore, the parts get torn and out of service every time; consequently, it is necessary to service the car after covering the distance of 5000 miles. So, the light starts warning the driver that the vehicle requires the service and the oil needs to be replaced.
You can note that if the service maintenance light blinks after 4500-5000 miles, it is a sign of oil replacement need. In this case, you are recommended to refer to the car’s instruction manual(1). This will give you an idea about the type of oil according to the weather conditions. You can also take the vehicle to a service center that will replace the oil and other accessories depending upon the car’s age and mileage covered between the last services. Changing the oil and air filters after covering 5000 mileage is also recommended.
Loosened Fuel Cap and Defected Pressure Sensors
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Another reason(3) for the illuminated service maintenance light on the dashboard is that the fuel cap is not closed correctly. The missing or loose cap causes fuel leakage in the car.
The primary purpose of the fuel cap is to create pressure inside the fuel tank. Thus, a tight fuel cap helps in generating the required amount of pressure to move the car. The loosened fuel cap will evaporate the fuel in the atmosphere even if the vehicle is at a steady position. The service maintenance light is turned on to indicate all these issues so the driver can take immediate action before the car stops working.
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Besides, the service maintenance light can also turn on when the sensors in the fuel tank are not working accurately.
Pressure sensors inside or on the top of the tank help determine the amount of pressure. It is part of the “evaporative emission system” and finds any fuel leakage. Unfortunately, sometimes the sensors fail to operate perfectly. As a result, wrong information is sent to the sensors, and the warning service maintenance light is turned on, indicating that the fuel tank pressure sensors are defective.
If the service maintenance light blinks after the regular/interim service, then there is a chance that the fuel cap is loosened or the fuel tank sensors are malfunctioning. So, you are recommended to tighten the fuel cap and travel a few kilometers to check whether the light stops blinking. If the light is still blinking, there is an issue with the sensors that can be analyzed using the sensor code reader. This issue can thus be resolved by either cleaning the sensor or replacing the sensor. It is to be noted that the fuel tank sensor cannot be accessed directly. Therefore, you should take your car to a service center to resolve this issue.
Less Amount of coolant and Brake Fluid
It is dangerous to travel long distances if the warning light(4) is on as this can impact the engine badly and cause a severe accident. Brake fluid is an essential component in vehicles. Brake fluid is present in the hydraulic brake system and controls the brake system of the cars. If the brake fluid drops below the level, then this would create difficulty for the driver to apply the brakes easily. The hydraulic brake system(3) operates on the brake fluid, which helps generate the pressure required to stop the vehicle. Brake pressure pushes the fluid that helps in pushing the pads. These pads compress the rotors, and as a result, the wheel spins. This pressure assists in stopping the car. If the brake fluid is absent, the vehicle will face difficulty controlling as the pressure won’t be generated.
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Therefore, the car’s service maintenance light turns on when the brake fluid is below level. Besides, the minimum amount of car coolant also triggers the service maintenance light as a warning indicator.
This indicates that brakes are facing issues, and as a result, they can cause serious damage. Car coolants play an essential role as it helps prevent the engine from heating excessively. In addition, the coolant also lubricates the different moving components of the car. This helps in protecting the parts such as the piston and cylinder from damage. Therefore, to protect the parts from damage, the service light illuminates.
So, check the brake fluids and coolant level when the service light is blinking on the car’s dashboard. If the coolant or fluid level is low, you should consult the car’s instruction manual(1) to refill the suitable fluid in the car’s reservoir.
Cost to Resolve the Issue
The following table illustrates the cost required to resolve the service maintenance light issue:
| Common Issue | Cost Required to Resolve the Issue |
|---|
| Interim Service/Oil Replacement | $75-125 for interim service (includes oil change and filter replacement) |
| Loosened Fuel Cap or Faulty Fuel Tank Sensors | $10-20 to replace the fuel cap $20-50 to replace the fuel tank sensors |
| Less amount of Brake Fluid or Coolant | $80-130 to refill brake fluids $100-200 to refill anti-freezing coolant |
| Major service | $100-500 for major car service |
| Labor Cost | $10-150 depending upon the issue |
Personal Experience
Take the car to the service center as soon as the service maintenance light blinks. This warning light indicates either a part issue of basic level or other fluid replacements. I have kept five cars during the last five years, and none of the vehicles malfunctioned as I took them for service maintenance. However, you should always pay attention to this light even when you have serviced your car, as it can indicate some serious error that can cause a significant malfunction if ignored for a long.
Service Maintenance Time of Popular Vehicle Models in the US
The following table illustrates the service maintenance time of some popular vehicle models in the US:
| Vehicle Model | Vehicle Type | Interim Service Time | Major Service Time |
|---|
| Ford F-Series | Truck | 5000-7500 miles | 20000 miles |
| Ram Pickup | Truck | 8000 miles | 20000 miles |
| Toyota Rav4 | SUV | 5000 miles | 12000 miles |
| Honda CR-V Crossover | SUV | 7500 miles | 22500 miles |
| Toyota Camry | Sedan | 5000 miles | 10000 miles |
| Nissan Rogue Crossover | SUV | 3000-5000 miles | 20000 miles |
| Toyota Highlander | SUV | 5000 miles | 20000 miles |
| Honda Civic | Sedan | 5000-7500 miles | 12000 miles |
| GMC Sierra | Truck | 7500 miles | 15000 miles |
| Jeep Wrangler | SUV | 7500 miles | 20000 miles |
| Chevrolet Impala | Sedan | 5000 miles | 10000 miles |
| Chevrolet Silverado | Truck | 7500 miles | 15000-20000 miles |
| Chevrolet Equinox Crossover | SUV | 5000 miles | 12000-15000 miles |
| Average | – | 6000 miles | 16300 miles |
It is to be noted that trucks and SUVs can perform longer without service maintenance. This vehicle class’s interim service maintenance mileage varies from 5000 miles to 7500 miles. In comparison, this mileage is low for the sedans that need to be serviced between 3000 miles to 5000 miles. Similarly, the major service time also varies depending upon the vehicle class, as the SUVs and trucks need a major service after 15000-20000 miles. But the sedans need a major service after 10000-12000 miles. On average, the top 10 American vehicles need an interim service after every 6000 miles and a major service after every 16300 miles.
Conclusion/Key Takeaway Points
So, the service maintenance light mainly indicates the need for a major or interim car service depending upon the mileage covered by the car. However, in some cases, this warning light may blink to indicate a malfunctioning part. In either case, the warning light should be addressed as it can cause a long-term problem shutting down the car at an important event. First, you can buy an inexpensive sensor code reader to identify any sensor failure causing this light to blink. Secondly, you should check different caps that if they are tightened correctly. Finally, if the light blinks, take the car to a professional mechanic to resolve this issue.
FAQs
We will only recommend driving the car for a shorter period if the service maintenance light is blinking. It is because this light indicates the replacement of essential car fluids or parts. In addition, the car can shut down if you keep on driving your vehicle for long distances after blinking the service maintenance light.
We recommend taking your car for an interim service after driving 5000 miles or every six months. This is because the vehicle will require some fluid and part replacement for effective functioning. However, you can also consult the car’s instruction manual to check the optimum mileage/time for an interim service.
The major service includes some major worn-out parts replacement. So, taking your car for a major service is recommended after driving around 12000 miles or 12 months. It is because after driving such a long distance, the vehicle might require major part replacement to function properly. We recommend you check the wheel bearings, coolants, suspension system, and other major components in this service check.
