I would be surprised if our cars actually had the ability to automatically detect an oil change has been performed. I guess it could be achieved if the system could continually measure oil level even with the battery disconnected. If the level drops to near empty and then goes back up to filled, that would be a detectable trigger were the car equipped with such a sensor system.

 

Agreed! However, I've had my SC for five years, I've done five oil changes, and I've never seen the maintenance light nor reset it. I need to look into this further. Perhaps the maintenance light is turned off somehow, or inoperative. However, since I track my maintenance in a log book, I don't feel the need to have a reminder light, so, this is moot in my case.

On my wife's 2011 ES, I do oil changes every 5K when the maintenance light comes on. I reset it each time. Still keep a log book on it.

 

There must be a system built-in to track your oil changes. I always wonder about this and never had a chance to find out. I know the fact that, if I changed my oil at 3k miles (I did this for my Corolla, every month) the maintenance warning light never on. May be the sensor in the oil pan? I will speak to my mechanic tomorrow, he might knows the answer. BGW, what do you think?

 

After six years of ownership, my maintenance light finally came on! Funny thing is...I had just done an oil change two months prior. Anyone ever come to a conclusion as to how this light is controlled (other than how to reset it)?

BTW...the resetting procedure is very similar to the one for my wife's 2011 ES350.

 

i think it’s just a timer or distance measurement …also, have you looked at the maintenance items on the nav screen?