- Your Basic Reset Process
- Why Does the Oil Change Light Come On?
- Other Ways to Reset the Light
- Important Maintenance Advice
Servicing your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 with regular oil changes is key to keeping it running well. After an oil change service, your car's computer will still show a service reminder light on the dashboard. This oil change light lets you know it is time for maintenance. But if you have already changed the oil, you can reset this light yourself. Following these simple steps will help you turn off that service reminder quickly and easily.
Your Basic Reset Process
Turning off the oil service reminder in your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 is a task you can do at home. Follow these clear steps to make that light disappear.
Get Your Vehicle Ready
Before you begin the reset process, make sure your car is in the right setup. This helps ensure the reset works properly and keeps you safe.
Park on Flat Ground and Turn Off the Engine: Always find a level spot to park your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018. This is important for safety. Make sure the engine is completely off before you start. The car should be still and stable.
Keep All Doors Closed: For the reset to work, your car's computer system needs to be in a specific state. Having all doors and the trunk closed makes sure the system is ready for the reset commands. If a door is open, the process might not complete as it should.
Engage Parking Brake: Always put on your parking brake firmly. This stops the car from moving accidentally. Safety first!
Resetting with Dashboard Buttons
Once your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 is ready, you can start the actual reset using the controls on your dashboard. This is where you will interact directly with the vehicle's computer system.
Find and Hold the ODO/Trip Button: Look at your car's instrument cluster, which is the area behind your steering wheel where you see your speed and other information. On the right side, you will find a small button often labeled “ODO” or “TRIP”. This button also helps you switch between your total mileage (odometer) and trip distances. Press this button and hold it down. Keep holding it. Do not let go yet.
Turn Ignition to 'ON' (Do Not Start Engine): While still holding the ODO/TRIP button, take your car key and turn the ignition to the “ON” position. If your Tiguan has a push-button start, press the start button once without touching the brake pedal. This will turn on your car's electrical system, including the dashboard lights, but it will not start the engine itself. The engine should remain off.
Release ODO Button When 'Service Reset?' Appears: Keep your eyes on the dashboard display. After a few seconds of holding the ODO/TRIP button with the ignition “ON”, you should see a message pop up. This message will usually ask, “Service reset?” or something similar. As soon as you see this message, release the ODO/TRIP button right away.
Press the 0.0/SET Button to Confirm: Now, look at the bottom right side of your instrument cluster. You will find another button, often labeled “0.0/SET”. This button is used to confirm choices or reset trip meters. Briefly press this “0.0/SET” button. This action tells your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 that you want to confirm the service reset.
Check That the Warning Light Disappears: After pressing the “0.0/SET” button, the oil change warning light should now disappear from your dashboard. This means the service reminder has been successfully reset. If it did not disappear, you might need to try the steps again, making sure you follow each step carefully and precisely.
Why Does the Oil Change Light Come On?
Your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 is smart! The maintenance reminder light, including the oil change light, doesn't just come on randomly. It's part of a smart system designed to help you keep your engine healthy. This system tracks several important factors to know when your car needs an oil service.
The maintenance reminder system keeps an eye on:
Estimated Mileage Since Last Service: Your car tracks how many miles you have driven since the last maintenance was performed. Usually, your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 will remind you around an interval like 10,000 miles or so, but this can vary.
Engine Run Time: It also counts how long your engine has been running. Driving in heavy traffic or making many short trips can accumulate engine run time quickly, even if you are not covering many miles. This kind of driving can be harder on your engine oil.
General Wear Indicators: The car’s computer may also consider other factors related to how your car is used, like engine loads or temperatures, which can affect oil quality.
Always reset this light only after you have actually completed the oil service. The light is there to remind you to protect your engine. If you just reset the light without changing the engine oil, you are ignoring a very important warning. Ignoring this vital service reminder may lead to a few serious problems:
Untracked Oil Degradation: Engine oil gets dirty and breaks down over time and use. If you do not change it, it loses its ability to lubricate and protect your engine parts. Without a proper oil change service, your car will not be tracking the true life of your oil, and you could be driving with degraded oil.
Potential Engine Wear Over Time: Old, dirty, or low engine oil cannot protect your engine's moving parts properly. This can lead to increased friction, heat, and wear on vital engine components. Over time, this wear can cause serious and costly engine damage. Regular oil changes are much cheaper than engine repairs!
Other Ways to Reset the Light
Sometimes, the usual dashboard button method might not work the first time. Don't worry! There are a couple of other things you can try if your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018's oil change light remains on.
If Dashboard Buttons Don't Work
Troubleshooting can be a bit of trial and error. If the standard steps did not work, try these suggestions:
Try Repeating Steps with Different Timing: Sometimes, the exact timing of pressing and releasing buttons is key. Try the steps again, but hold the first button a little longer or release it a bit sooner after the message appears. Experiment a few times. Patience is important with vehicle electronics.
Press Buttons More Firmly: Ensure you are pressing the ODO/TRIP and 0.0/SET buttons firmly and completely. A light press might not register with the car’s system.
Disconnect Battery for 5 Minutes: This is a more extreme step and should be a last resort. Disconnecting your car's battery for about 5 minutes can reset many of the car’s electronic systems, including the service reminder. However, be aware that disconnecting the battery can also reset other things like:
Your radio presets
Your clock
Some car memory settings
You might need to re-enter a radio code if your car requires one. Always be careful when working with car batteries.
If Light Remains After Mechanic Visit
It is common for the oil change light to stay on even after a professional mechanic has performed an oil change service. This means they might have forgotten to reset the light. Here's what to do:
Ask the Shop if They Reset Properly: The first thing you should do is contact the service center or mechanic who performed the oil change. Politely ask them if they reset the service reminder light. Most reputable shops will be happy to assist you or tell you how they normally do it.
Verify Correct Oil Type Was Used: It's important that your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 uses the right kind of engine oil. Using the wrong type can sometimes cause issues or simply not provide the best protection. Check your owner's manual for the correct oil specifications and verify with the shop what oil they put in.
Check Oil Level Sensor Functionality: In rare cases, the problem might not be with the reset, but with a faulty oil level sensor itself. If the light comes back on soon after resetting, or if you feel something is off, a diagnostic check by a professional might be needed to see if the sensor is working correctly.
Important Maintenance Advice
Keeping up with routine maintenance for your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 goes beyond just resetting lights. Here are some general tips to help maintain your vehicle's health:
Reset Light Within 100 Miles After Oil Change: It is best to reset the oil change light as soon as possible after your oil change service. Aim to do it within 100 miles (about 160 kilometers) of driving. This keeps your car's maintenance tracking system accurate.
Keep Service Records Separate from Dashboard Reminders: While the dashboard light is a helpful reminder, it's crucial to keep physical or digital records of all your car's maintenance. This includes dates, mileage, and what services were done. These records are vital for:
Warranty claims
Resale value of your vehicle
Knowing your car's service history They are far more important than just the light on your dashboard.
Check Oil Levels Monthly Regardless of Warnings: You should make it a habit to check your engine oil level at least once a month, even if the oil change light is not on. Low oil levels can seriously damage your engine, so catching it early is important. Refer to your owner's manual for how to properly check the oil level in your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018.
FAQ
Here are answers to some questions people often ask about the oil change light on vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan 2018.
Q:Why won't my warning light turn off?
A:This is a common issue. Most of the time, it means one of the steps in the reset process was not performed exactly right. Perhaps you held the button too long, or not long enough. The car's computer needs a very precise input. Try doing a “cold reset” first:turn your ignition completely off and remove the key (or ensure the car is fully powered down if push-button start) for about 5 minutes. Then, try the reset steps again, being extra careful with the timing and button presses. Make sure all doors are firmly closed too.
Q:Does resetting affect my warranty?
A:No, resetting the oil change light yourself does not affect your car's warranty. This is considered a normal user-performed maintenance task, similar to checking tire pressure. However, it is very important to always perform the actual oil change service when needed. What does affect your warranty is not performing the required maintenance. Always keep receipts and records of all your services, whether you do them yourself or a mechanic does them. These records are your proof that you are taking good care of your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018.
Q:How often should maintenance happen?
A:For most Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 models, general maintenance, including oil changes, is recommended every 10,000 miles (or about 16,000 kilometers) or once every 12 months, whichever comes first. However, it's always best to check your specific owner's manual for the exact maintenance schedule for your vehicle model and year. The warning light often turns on a bit early as a gentle reminder, giving you time to schedule your oil change before it becomes overdue.
Q:Can I drive with the light on?
A:You can drive your Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 temporarily with the oil change light on if you know for sure that the oil change service was just completed and the light is simply an un-reset reminder. In this situation, the priority is to reset the light as soon as you can. However, if you are not sure why the light is on, or if you have not had an oil change recently, you must check your oil level immediately. Driving with critically low or very old oil can cause severe engine damage. If your oil level is low, add oil right away and schedule a service as soon as possible. Never ignore the light if you do not know the reason behind it. It is always better to be safe than sorry with your engine.
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