NC Auto Inspections and Maintenance Lights (moving, oil, cars)

[goldenmustard]

Can anyone tell me if my car will pass inspection with the "Maintenance Required" light on? Assuming that everything else is fine and this light just needs to be turned off, will they have a problem with it? I've had regular maintenance done, so I'm not sure why it's on, but I don't want to pay someone just to turn it off and get a sticker.

[saturnfan]

Absolutely will fail if this is the emissions light (service engine soon).

Now, if it's the light telling you to get an oil change, why not do it and reset the light or have your mechanic do it (normal procedure).

See your owner's manual to decide what the light is saying.

[goldenmustard]

No, this is not an emissions light. We don't need an oil change, which is what this normally means, because it's already been done. It's basically a case of the mechanic needing to reset the light. If we had been taking our cars to the dealership, they would probably do this, but we were taking it to another mechanic of our choosing, and he may not have always reset it. In the past, if the light would come on and there was no maintenance needed at that time, the mechanic would merely turn it off.

I suppose I could take it to a mechanic here and let them charge me for something it doesn't need and they can turn the light off for me. However, I was hoping to not have to do that. Even if we changed the oil ourselves, we would still have the light to contend with.

[mm34b]

You should be able to reset the "Maintenance Reminder" light yourself. Check your Owners Manual for the procedure. It usually consists of holding down a button such as the tripmeter while doing something else. Varies with the year/make/model vehicle. Might take a minute's worth of time.

The maintenance reminder light is not the same as the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) which is the warning light used by the OBD II system to notify the vehicle operator of an emissions related fault. The MIL is also known as the “service engine soon” or “check engine” lamp. If the MIL light is illuminated, that would be grounds for not passing the vehicle until the cause was corrected. Could be something as simple as an improperly installed gas cap.

[goldenmustard]

Unfortunately, we are not allowed to reset the Maintenance reminder light ourselves, because it requires us to have one of those computer things they use. It's their way of getting the owner to bring in their vehicle, and that's fine. However, we like to get the work done regularly, and don't need a light to tell us when that is.

Thanks for your input. I'll see what they say when I take the car in for inspection.

[mm34b]

Originally Posted by goldenmustard

Unfortunately, we are not allowed to reset the Maintenance reminder light ourselves, because it requires us to have one of those computer things they use. It's their way of getting the owner to bring in their vehicle, and that's fine. However, we like to get the work done regularly, and don't need a light to tell us when that is.

Thanks for your input. I'll see what they say when I take the car in for inspection.

Interesting, I've never seen a car that wouldn't allow the owner to reset. What's the make and model?

Let me know if you want this thread moved to the Automotive Forum. The folks over there know all sorts of tips and tricks.

[goldenmustard]

It's a '98 Honda Accord.

Moving it is fine. I'm sorry if I posted it on the wrong forum.

[saturnfan]

Try calling a Honda dealer or even calling the mechanic who last changed the oil. It's usually simple.

[saturnfan]

Try here if dealer won't help.

The Maintenance Required / Service Required light

[goldenmustard]

Thanks a lot, saturnfan. I appreciate it.