If your Mitsubishi Outlander is suddenly flashing with a service engine soon light, it’s important to know how to reset it.
SES (service engine soon) light comes on when the engine computer detects an issue that needs to be addressed. However, sometimes, it can be triggered by something as simple as a loose gas cap.
The good news is that in most cases, you can reset the Mitsubishi service engine soon or check engine light yourself for free.
In this article, I’ll discuss a few easy ways to reset ervice engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander.
Table of Contents
- How To Reset Service Engine Soon Light On Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How do you reset the service engine light on a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
- Will the service engine soon Mitsubishi light reset itself?
- How do you reset the service engine soon light on a Mitsubishi Outlander 2019?
- Can I drive with service engine soon light on?
- What does service engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander usually mean?
- How long can I drive Mitsubishi Outlander with service engine soon light on?
- Is service engine soon same as check engine light?
- Can service engine soon mean oil change?
- How much does it cost to fix service engine soon light?
- Can AutoZone check service engine soon?
- Can bad spark plugs cause service engine soon light?
- Conclusion
How To Reset Service Engine Soon Light On Mitsubishi Outlander?
The quickest and easiest way to fix the service engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander is by using the INFO button.
- Turn off your car and wait for the information screen to disappear. Make sure the ignition is OFF
- Press the INFO button (situated next to driverside AC vents) and keep on pressing it until the information screen changes to the service reminder display
- Press and hold the INFO button for two seconds and release it when the “service symbol” starts flashing
- Press the INFO button again and you’ll see CLEAR text on the information screen
- Start your car and you’ll see the service engine soon light has been reset
Here’s a quick video if you need visual instructions –
Fix the Gas Cap
If the service engine soon light is still on your Mitsubishi Outlander after you’ve reset it, one of the most common reasons is a loose gas cap.
A loose or cracked gas cap can cause fumes to release, causing your Mitsubishi Outlander engine light to turn on. Here’s how you can fix it:
- Make sure you are safely parked
- Locate the gas cap and check if it wasn’t screwed in tight or seems to have a bad seal
- Remove the gas cap and put it right back on (tighten it properly)
- Drive for 10 or 20 miles and the service engine soon light should go away
Use OBD-II scanner
All gas-powered and hybrid vehicles after 1996 and diesel vehicles after 2008 use the OBD-II system.
If your gas cap is fine and you’ve tried all of the above methods, you can try using an OBD-II scanner to reset the service engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander.
An OBD-II scanner can help you troubleshoot the problem by reading the diagnostic codes stored in the vehicle’s computer.
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Once you have the scanner, follow these steps:
- Turn on your Mitsubishi Outlander ignition but do not start the engine (position the key to ON)
- Locate the vehicle’s diagnostic port (under the dashboard on the driver’s side) and plug the OBD2 scanner into the OBDII port
- Scroll down to the “Erase Codes” option on your OBD2 scanner device and press OK
- Turn off the ignition and wait for 5-10 seconds
- Start your car and check if the service engine soon has been reset
The advantage of using an OBD-II scanner is that it can also help you diagnose other potential problems with your vehicle.
You can also check the details about various error codes and reset them without needing to visit a mechanic.
Disconnect the negative battery cable
If you’ve tried all of the above and the Mitsubishi Outlander service engine soon light is still on, you can try disconnecting the negative battery cable for about 10 minutes. This will reset the system and hopefully turn off the light.
- Park your car in a safe location and turn off the ignition
- Open the hood of your car and find the negative 12 V cable with a black cap and a negative (-) symbol
- Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative cable and pull the connector from the battery. Keep it aside for a few minutes
- Reconnect the 12v negative cable (black cap) to the battery terminal (-) and tighten it with your wrench
- Turn on the engine (ignition switch to ON) and wait for 30 seconds, then start your car
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reset the service engine light on a 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander?
Turn off your 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander and wait for the information screen to disappear. Make sure the ignition is OFF. Press the INFO button and keep on pressing it until the information screen changes to the service reminder display. Press and hold the INFO button for two seconds and release it when the service symbol starts flashing. Press the INFO button again and you’ll see CLEAR text on the information screen. Start your car and you’ll see the service engine soon light has been reset.
Will the service engine soon Mitsubishi light reset itself?
Yes, in most cases the service engine soon light will reset itself after a certain number of miles driven or after a certain amount of time has passed. However, if the problem that caused the light to turn on in the first place is not fixed, it will likely come back on.
How do you reset the service engine soon light on a Mitsubishi Outlander 2019?
To reset the service engine soon light on a 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander, first make sure the car is in Park and the ignition is turned OFF. Press and hold the INFO button on the dash for about 5 seconds until you see SERVICE appear on the screen. Press and hold the INFO button again for two seconds and release it when the service symbol starts flashing. Press the INFO button one more time and you’ll see CLEAR text on the screen. Start your car and the service engine soon light should be reset.
Can I drive with service engine soon light on?
Yes, you can drive with the service engine soon light on, but it’s not recommended. The light is there to indicate that there is a problem with your vehicle that needs to be addressed.
What does service engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander usually mean?
The service engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander light typically comes on when the computer detects a problem with the engine, transmission, or emission control system. It can be something as simple as a loose gas cap or something more serious like a faulty oxygen sensor.
How long can I drive Mitsubishi Outlander with service engine soon light on?
You can technically drive indefinitely with the service engine soon light on, if everything else is working fine. However, the sooner you can get the problem fixed, the better. Driving with the light on could cause further damage to your vehicle and make the problem more expensive to fix.
Is service engine soon same as check engine light?
Yes, the service engine soon light is the same as the check engine light. They both indicate that there is a problem with your vehicle that needs to be addressed.
Can service engine soon mean oil change?
Not necessarily but in some cases, yes, a service engine soon may mean an oil change. In most cases, a service engine soon light means that your regularly scheduled maintenance is coming up soon.
How much does it cost to fix service engine soon light?
In some cases, it may be something as simple as a loose gas cap that can be fixed for free. In other cases, it may be something more serious like a faulty oxygen sensor that will need to be replaced, which can cost around $200.
Can AutoZone check service engine soon?
Yes, AutoZone can check the service engine soon light for a minimal fee. They will hook up a scanner to your vehicle and pull the code to see what is causing the light to come on.
Can bad spark plugs cause service engine soon light?
Yes, in some cases bad spark plugs can cause the service engine soon light to come on. This is because bad spark plugs can cause misfires, which can damage your catalytic converter.
Conclusion
If you see the service engine soon light on your Mitsubishi Outlander, don’t panic.
If your Mitsubishi Outlander is still under warranty, the best way to reset the service engine soon light is to take it to your local dealer and have them do it for you.
However, if your warranty has expired, you can try the how to reset service engine soon light on Mitsubishi Outlander steps outlined above to reset the light yourself.
If you’re still having trouble resetting the light or if the light keeps coming back on, it’s probably time to take your Outlander to a mechanic and have them diagnose the problem.
Robert Bacon is a car nerd and automotive lover who has dedicated his life to understanding the inner workings of vehicles. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and has spent years working as a mechanic and engineer for some of the world’s top car companies. In his spare time, he enjoys writing about cars on this blog and tinkering with his 2016 Toyota Mirai in his garage.
Third time’s the charm! My ’21 Outlander SE reset the SES light using the “Info” button described above. First I removed the gas cap and made sure it was good, then tightened until it clicked. Then I checked ALL the fluids and they were good. I tried the “Info” as described above but it didn’t work. I did it again 3 times in a row and low and behold it worked! Now to see if the light comes back after drinking a while… 🤞 Thanks!!