How to reset the oil light
To reset the oil light, change the oil first, then use the method in your owner’s manual. Most cars use one of three methods: a menu and button on the instrument cluster, pressing the gas pedal 3 times with the ignition on and the engine off, or the center touch screen. The steps differ by make, model, and year, so check your owner’s manual.
On this page (8 sections)
Which light is it?
Three different lights get called “the oil light.” Only one of them is meant to be reset.
| Light or message | What it means | Reset it? |
|---|---|---|
| Oil change reminder (“Change Engine Oil Soon,” “Maintenance Due Soon,” “Oil Change Required,” oil life %) | The oil is due, by miles, time, or the car’s oil life estimate | Yes, after the oil change |
| Oil pressure warning light | Oil may not be flowing through the engine properly | No. Stop when it is safe, check the oil level, and get help |
| Wrench symbol | Depends on the make. On Ford vehicles it is the Powertrain Fault light; on others it may be a maintenance reminder | Look it up in your manual first |
From the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox owner’s manual and Ford’s dashboard lights page, checked November 12, 2026.
Ford says not to drive while the Powertrain Fault light is on and to contact a dealer as soon as possible. Don’t clear a warning you haven’t looked up.
Before you reset
- Reset only after the oil and filter are changed. The reminder counts from the moment you reset it. Resetting early means it will be wrong. GM says that if the oil life system is reset by mistake, the oil must be changed 3,000 miles after the last change.
- A shop will usually reset it. GM, for example, says its dealers reset the system when they change the oil. Check the display before you drive off: it should show 100% or no reminder.
- Write down the date and odometer. Your log is the backup if the reminder is ever reset by mistake. The next oil change calculator can print a sticker with the next due date and mileage.
Method 1: instrument cluster menu and button
This is the most common method on newer cars. The general pattern:
- Turn the ignition on. Some cars need the engine off; your manual says which.
- Show the oil life screen. Use the arrow or menu buttons on the steering wheel or cluster to find “Oil Life” or “Remaining Oil Life.”
- Press and hold the select or reset button while the oil life screen is shown, until it reads 100%.
- Turn the car off and on and check that the reminder is gone.
Real examples: in the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox, you show REMAINING OIL LIFE and hold the V button for several seconds. In the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, you go to Vehicle Info, then Oil Life, and hold OK until the gauge resets to 100%. In the 2022 Honda Pilot, you show the engine oil life, hold ENTER for about 10 seconds, pick the item or “All Due Items,” and press ENTER.
Method 2: the gas pedal 3 times
Some GM and Jeep vehicles also accept a reset with the gas pedal. It works only on cars whose manual lists it.
- 2021 Jeep Cherokee: without pressing the brake, put the ignition in ON/RUN without starting the engine. Fully press the gas pedal, slowly, 3 times within 10 seconds. Then turn the ignition to OFF/LOCK.
- 2019 Chevrolet Equinox: put the ignition in Service Mode, show REMAINING OIL LIFE, and fully press and release the gas pedal 3 times within 5 seconds. The display changes to 100% when it works.
If the reminder comes back when you start the car, the reset didn’t work. Both manuals say to repeat the steps.
Method 3: the touch screen
Some cars let you reset the reminder from the center screen, usually under Settings or Vehicle, then Maintenance. Honda, for example, says models with Display Audio can reset the Maintenance Minder from the audio/information screen. Look in your manual’s index under “oil life” or “maintenance reset.”
How to reset the oil light by make
Short notes for the most common makes. Always use the steps for your model year.
- Toyota. Toyota calls it the maintenance reminder. The steps differ by model and year. See how to reset the Toyota maintenance light.
- Honda. The Maintenance Minder shows oil life and service codes. You can reset one item or all due items. See how to reset Honda oil life.
- Ford. Ford’s Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor shows “Change Engine Oil Soon” at about 5% oil life and “Oil Change Required” at 0%. The reset depends on your dashboard layout; Ford’s support site has videos for cars with Setup, Info, and Reset buttons and for cars with a message center. More: Ford maintenance schedule.
- Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. GM’s Engine Oil Life System resets from the driver information center, and some models, such as the 2019 Equinox, also accept the gas pedal method above. More: Chevrolet maintenance schedule.
- Jeep. The 2021 Cherokee resets from the cluster’s Vehicle Info menu or with the gas pedal method above. Ram, Dodge, and Chrysler models have their own steps in the owner’s manual. More: Jeep and Chrysler maintenance schedules.
- Other makes. Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz each have their own steps, and each make page explains its reminder. Acura uses the same Maintenance Minder as Honda, and Lexus a maintenance reminder like Toyota’s. Your owner’s manual has the steps in the maintenance or instrument cluster chapter.
FAQ
Can I reset the oil light without changing the oil?
You can, but you shouldn’t. The reminder would start a new count on old oil and tell you the next change is due much later than it really is. Reset it only after the oil and filter are changed.
Why did my oil light come back on after I reset it?
The reset may not have worked. Turn the car off and on, and repeat the steps from your manual. If the oil pressure warning light is on instead, that is not a reminder: stop and check the oil level.
What does “service due soon” mean?
It is a reminder that scheduled maintenance is coming up, usually an oil change. On Honda models, “Maintenance Due Soon” appears at 15% oil life. Plan the service; you don’t need to stop driving.
What does the wrench light on the dash mean?
It depends on the make. On Ford vehicles, the wrench is the Powertrain Fault light: Ford says not to drive with it on and to contact a dealer. On other makes it can be a maintenance reminder. Check the warning light section of your owner’s manual.
Does the oil life monitor measure the oil?
No. It is an estimate based on how the engine is used, such as engine speed, temperature, and time. That is why it must be reset at each oil change.
Sources
- Chevrolet, 2019 Equinox owner’s manual (resetting the engine oil life system; oil pressure light) (checked November 12, 2026): chevrolet.com
- Jeep, 2021 Cherokee owner’s manual, Oil life reset (copy on ManualsLib) (checked November 12, 2026): manualslib.com
- Honda, 2022 Pilot Maintenance Minder system (displaying and resetting) (checked November 12, 2026): owners.honda.com
- Ford, What is the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system? (checked November 12, 2026): ford.com
- Ford, What do the lights on my dashboard mean? (Powertrain Fault light) (checked November 12, 2026): ford.com
- Toyota, 2025 Corolla Warranty & Maintenance Guide (maintenance reminder) (checked November 12, 2026): toyota.com