How to Reset an Oil Change Light After Maintenance

You just changed your vehicle’s motor oil and oil filter, and taken the used oil to a local recycling drop-off location for proper disposal. Mission accomplished! But when you slip behind the wheel of your vehicle and activate the ignition, you notice the oil change maintenance light is still illuminated. What gives? Didn’t you just change the oil? Sometimes, the oil life  light needs to be manually reset. In the past performing an oil change light reset on some models (like older BMWs) required access to special diagnostic tool, but luckily most manufactures have switched to user-friendly processes for the reset. Instructions for doing so vary by model, but here’s a look at how to reset an oil change light for several popular models. The steps for how to turn off oil change lights varies but usually only takes a few minutes to perform.

Chevrolet and GMC Models Without a VIC

The following instructions cover the model year 2005, as well as older GMC products and Chevrolet vehicles without a vehicle information center (VIC). To reset the oil change light, follow these two steps:

1. Slip behind the wheel and close all the doors.
2. Insert the key in the ignition and turn the key to the accessory position. At this point, the instrument panel will illuminate.
3. Next, depress the accelerator pedal to the floor within the first five seconds of turning the key. Keep your eye on the oil light, as it should flash before turning off. You can then release the pedal, turn off the ignition and remove the key.

If the light fails to turn off, repeat the reset oil life light process.

Chevrolet and GMC Models With a VIC Oil

If you own a GMC or Chevrolet vehicle from 2006 or later, then it has a VIC, and the instructions for how to reset the oil life are a little different:

1. Turn the ignition key to the accessory position.
2. With the oil message displayed, locate the enter button on the driver information center. Press and hold the button for one second. The panel will acknowledge your reset, allowing you to move the key to the off position.
3. Start the vehicle. The oil change light will stay off until it is time to change your oil again.

Ford Focus/Ford Fiesta

This oil life reminder reset works for 2011-2018 Ford Focus and 2011-2019 Ford Fiesta models. It may also work with other years. The vehicle should be off completely before starting the procedure.

1. 1. Insert the ignition key and turn it to the accessory position. For push button ignition vehicles press the “Start/Stop” button once quickly. Do not start the engine.
   2. Place one foot on the brake pedal and one foot on the accelerator pedal.
   3. Press down the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal at the same time as far as they will  go
   4. Hold the pedals down for 20 seconds
   5. A message will appear on the gauge cluster announcing the reset is complete
   6. Release the brake pedal and accelerator pedal
   7. Turn off the ignition key to reset oil light status.

Restart the car to verify the oil light reset.

Honda Civic/Honda Accord/Honda Odyssey

The steps for how to reset oil life for some Honda products, including the Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Honda Odyssey , are as follows:

1. Insert the key into the ignition, turning it without starting the engine.
2. Locate the “select” stem near the speedometer and press it until you see the word “oil” or a wrench icon appear. Press and hold the stem for 10 seconds, or until the icon begins flashing.
3. Release the stem and hold “select” again for five more seconds. The oil change light should disappear until the next time a change is due. If it doesn’t, then repeat these steps.

Jeep Wrangler

For certain Jeep products, including the Wrangler, how to reset an oil change light is as follows:

1. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “on” position without starting the engine.
2. Depress the gas pedal slowly three successive times within 10 seconds.
3. At this point, the system should have reset. You can verify by turning the ignition off and then on again. If the light is still on, repeat the process. Otherwise, turn the ignition off and remove the key.

Ram Truck

For most 2010-13 trucks without the keyless “Enter-N-Go™” option, resetting the “Oil Change Required” message is as follows:

1. Insert the key into the ignition and turn it to the “on” position without starting the engine.
2. Press the the gas pedal slowly to the floor three successive times within 10 seconds.
3. Turning the ignition off. If the light is still on the next time you start the truck, repeat the process.

If you’re not certain how to reset oil light warnings for your particular vehicle, turn to your owner’s manual where the oil life reset instructions are typically found in the section discussing motor oil. The steps required may vary — not just by manufacturer, but often by model and model year. These oil life reminders may seem annoying, but they perform an important function bringing vehicle maintenance to your attention. Timely oil changes are key to long engine life and many more years of happy motoring.

Check out all the maintenance parts available on NAPAOnline or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to turn off change oil light indicators, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA Auto Parts store.

Photo courtesy of Flickr.