saelee39

i have a 98 honda accord ex coupe and lately this orange light "maintence required" stays on everytime im in the car. i checked topped all fluids and it still stays on.... is it time for an oil change? any suggestions?

STIG

you can reset the light. Check the manual. the light automatically comes on every interval of certain miles. I forgot how to reset it.

MGS4

1) Turn the key to the II position
2) Turn the key to the off position, and push and hold in the odometer reset button
3) Turn the key back to the II position, while still holding the button.
4) After about 10-15 seconds, the light should go off.

saelee39

so its something i shouldnt worry about?>

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

All it means is it has been about 5K-7K miles since the las time that warning was reset (Proably at the last oil change or service). It is the same as the "Maintenance" warning light in the Lexus or most other cars. It is telling you it might be about time to change the oil or get a service schedule done.

mmarshall

Proper maintenance is a lot more than just oil changes. How many miles does your Accord have on it? Cars with rubber timing belts should have them replaced every 60,000-90,000 miles or so and 5-7 years even if you don't have the mileage...time can wear them out too, not just miles. In addition, automatic transmissions and radiator cooling systems should get new fluid every 30,000 miles or so.....15,000 miles with hard use. Power steering and brake fluid will sometimes go bad and have to be replaced too. That orange light could be signalling that any one of these things has to be performed.

Timing belts are especially important. If one breaks on a non-interference engine ( one where the pistons and valves don't hit each other when the belt breaks ) the worst that can happen is that the engine just quits and leaves you stranded but with otherwise no other damage.( unless you break down in the wrong neighborhood ).....but keep in mind that even so you lose your power steering and power brakes while the car is still moving, and will be much harder to steer and stop.
Many older Hondas, however ( I'm not sure about yours ) DO have interference engines, so if a belt breaks, it's either some very expensive engine repairs or a new or rebuilt engine.

I'm not trying to alarm you, but just to show that other things need to be done besides oil changes.