The Kia Telluride has no single button or pedal sequence that resets its service reminder. In general, you reset it from the User Settings menu in the instrument cluster, using the steering wheel controls, after the service has actually been done. The Telluride went on sale in the US for the 2020 model year, so there are no earlier years to worry about.
The exact menu labels and layout depend on your cluster type and model year, and I can’t confirm every wording from memory. This guide covers the general method, what to expect, and what to check in your owner’s manual, which has the authoritative steps for your vehicle.
First, Identify Which Message You’re Seeing
Three different things get lumped together as “the maintenance light,” and only one of them is resettable by you.
- Service or maintenance reminder: A message in the cluster telling you a set mileage or time has passed. This is the one you reset after the work is done.
- Red oil-pressure warning: A red oil can symbol means the engine may not be getting proper lubrication. Don’t reset anything. Pull over safely, shut the engine off, and check the oil level. If the light stays on, have the vehicle towed rather than driven.
- Check-engine or other fault lights: Typically an amber engine symbol or another warning icon. These indicate a stored fault and won’t be cleared by a reminder reset.
Resetting a reminder only tells the cluster the interval has restarted. It doesn’t change oil, replace a filter, or fix anything. Reset only the service items you actually completed, and keep your receipts so your records match what the cluster says.
Interval Reminder vs. Oil Life Monitor
Some vehicles, like the one in our Jeep Grand Cherokee oil life monitor guide, use an oil-life system that estimates remaining oil life from how the engine has been driven. That’s a different idea from what I’m confident describing for the Telluride.
On Kia vehicles with the cluster service menu, the reminder is generally an owner-configured interval. You choose a mileage and/or time, and the cluster counts down to it. Because it’s your setting, it only knows what you told it. It doesn’t measure oil condition.
Check the maintenance section of your owner’s manual to see which schedule applies to your engine and driving conditions. Severe-use schedules (short trips, towing, heavy stop-and-go, dusty roads) are usually shorter, and a Telluride often ends up in those conditions. Set your interval to match the schedule you follow.
How to Reset the Telluride Service Reminder
Menu names differ between cluster types, so treat the steps below as the general method. Your manual’s User Settings section lists the exact labels for your model year and cluster.
Cluster With a User Settings Menu (Applies to the Telluride Generally)
- Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and shift to Park. Complete the service first.
- Turn the ignition on. Your manual states whether the engine should be running or just in the ON position. Some settings are only available while stopped.
- Use the steering wheel cluster controls (the Mode button and the scroll or arrow controls, depending on your setup) to open the User Settings menu in the cluster display.
- Scroll to the service item. It’s typically labeled something close to Service Interval, but confirm the exact name in your manual.
- Select the option to reset the interval, or set a new mileage and/or time value, then confirm with the OK or select control.
Expected confirmation: The countdown returns to the full interval you chose, and the service message stops appearing at startup. The wording of any confirmation message varies, so look for the countdown or reminder to change rather than a specific phrase.
What Changes by Model Year or Cluster
Telluride trims have come with different instrument cluster displays, and the menu layout can differ between them. I won’t assign specific year ranges to those differences because I can’t verify them from memory. If your screen doesn’t match the steps above, look up the User Settings pages in the manual for your exact model year, or use the owner’s manual section on Kia’s official support site for your vehicle.
If the Reset Doesn’t Work
Work through these before assuming something is broken.
- The service item isn’t in the menu. It may be hidden, differently named, or under another settings category. Check the manual’s cluster section. Don’t guess at hidden button combinations from forum posts.
- The interval feature is turned off. If the reminder has been disabled, you may need to turn it on and set a mileage or time interval before it shows a countdown.
- Options appear greyed out or unresponsive. Make sure you’re in Park with the parking brake set, and that the ignition state matches what the manual calls for.
- The message returns right away. You may have reset a different item than the one showing, or the new interval may be shorter than the miles you’ve already driven. Re-open the menu and check the value.
- Still stuck. A Kia dealer can reset it, and it’s a quick job. Ask them to confirm which interval they’re setting.
A persistent red oil-pressure light or a check-engine light is a separate issue from the reminder. Don’t treat either one as a reminder that needs resetting.
Optional: DIY Oil-Change Supplies
You don’t need to buy anything to reset the reminder. The menu method above is free. If you do your own oil changes, though, a few supplies make the job cleaner, and our must-have tools for DIY car owners list covers the basics.
Filter wrenches depend on the style of filter your engine uses, so confirm your engine’s oil filter type and size in the manual or with a parts lookup before ordering. Many people start with an oil filter wrench set because it covers several sizes and styles.
Oil Filter Wrench Set
A multi-size set is handy for DIY changes, but confirm your Telluride engine’s filter style and size before buying.
Also confirm the oil grade, capacity, and filter part for your specific engine and model year in your manual. Don’t rely on generic listings. If you’re weighing how much a vehicle costs to keep up, our guide to cars that cost the most to maintain is a useful read for context.
FAQ
Does resetting the reminder count as doing the maintenance?
No. The reset only restarts the countdown in the cluster. The oil change, filter, or other service has to actually be performed, and you should keep records in case you ever need to show maintenance history.
Do I need a scanner to reset the Telluride service reminder?
Generally no. The owner-operated method is the cluster User Settings menu, using the steering wheel controls. Check your manual for the exact menu for your model year. A scan tool is a tool for reading fault codes, not something you need for this reminder.
Can I use this method on other brands?
Not reliably. Every manufacturer handles reminders differently. For example, the process for a Subaru Outback service due indicator uses a different procedure, so follow the instructions for your own vehicle rather than carrying steps over from another make.
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