2002 Accord - Ques. about "Maintenance Req'd" light - NOT reset question

Hi,

The "Maintenance Req'd" light just came on yesterday on my daughter's
2002 Accord LX when she was driving home from college. Doing a Google
search, I was able to find how to reset the light using the trip meter
button , but now, we're wondering if it'll be ok to let her drive the
car back to school?

The light's off now after the reset procedure, and seems to stay off
(we'll do some more checking this weekend).

We're about 500 miles over the 3000 miles since the last oil change
(i.e., last oil change was about 3500 miles ago), but she was out of the
country for the last 5 months, so it was driven a less (over time) than
normal.

Total mileage is about 12000 miles now.

Does this light only come on based on mileage and/or time since last
service?

How do we tell if it's a real problem that needs to be looked at
immediately vs. just some kind of "service reminder"?

She needs to drive back to school in a day or so, so if anyone knows,
I'd really appreciate a response!!!

Thanks in advance!!

Jim

 

Yes, it's just a reminder device.

Real problems illuminate the 'Check Engine' light, and even when that
does come on, it's often only something minor.

Don't sweat it. And IMO every 3000 miles is way too often for an oil
change.

 

John,

Thanks, that is a great relief! I guess I'm just a bit of a
"worry-wart" when it comes to her driving back-and-forth to school ...

Jim

 

That new of a car, and you don't have an owner's manual?

The light is just a reminder that lights up based on the numbers on the
odometer. Once reset, it will wait until the next programmed group of
numbers on the odometer start to roll around.

 

Elmo,

Actually I do have the manual, but didn't realize there was info on this
because I didn't read far enough through the posts I found . The
additional info that you all provided was helpful anyway, even with
having read the manual, so thanks!!

 

Elmo,

Don't mind tickle_my_anal_clitoris_elmo, he has a vibrating beeper in his ass
with dead batteries, which is why he's always grouchy.

Instead of responding with a correct answer, which only takes two sentences,
he usually types a two page rant about how he's gonna kill people and sabatage
their cars, just because they didn't memorize their 500 page owner's manual.





"If life were like a box of chocolates, everyone would be black and expire in 2
years."