How to Reset the Oil Change Light in a Motorcar

Has the "Maintenance" or "Oil Change" indicator low-cal appeared on your vehicle? Learn what it means and how to go it to turn off.

Introduction

Modern vehicles are equipped with several indicator lights to owners when something needs attention, and the oil modify light (also called the maintenance lite) is one of them. This light is designed to let you know when the engine oil needs changing, based on the car'due south odometer reading. The oil alter lite won't turn off on its own, even when the quondam oil has been drained and fresh oil added. That'southward where resetting the oil change light comes in.

Not all vehicles have an oil change calorie-free, simply if yours does, resetting it is worth doing, and non only considering of the annoyance of seeing the calorie-free on constantly. Unless the light is reset, your vehicle will have no manner of telling you lot the adjacent time an oil alter is needed.

Here I'll be demonstrating the reset on a 2003 Toyota 4Runner, and although the verbal steps vary from make to brand, the basic process is similar. Some makes and models have different procedures, like late-model Dodges, which require three quick presses of the gas pedal to reset. If y'all try the procedure shown here and your light doesn't reset, expect at your owner'southward transmission, or check online for aid regarding your detail vehicle.

Project stride-by-step (iv)

Step 1

Find the Reset Button and Plough On Vehicle System

  • Search your vehicle'southward guess and dashboard area for a button, switch or stick the says "Reset."
  • Turn the ignition to the ON position and so your gauges and electronics light up, but don't commencement the engine.

Turn On Vehicle System

Footstep 2

Set Odometer to Display Mileage

  • Bicycle through the different odometer modes until it shows total mileage driven.
  • Turn the ignition OFF.

Set Odometer to Display Mileage

Step three

Hold the Reset Button and Plough the Key

  • Press and agree the reset button.
  • Turn the ignition back to the ON position while holding the reset push button.
  • Watch the oil modify or maintenance light carefully. It should start to blink.
  • Allow the light to blink ON and OFF for a few seconds, then release the reset push and turn the ignition OFF.

Hold the Reset Button

Pace four

Start the Vehicle

  • Starting time the engine and brand the sure the oil alter or maintenance lite is now OFF.
  • If information technology's still ON, repeat the reset procedure.
  • If the dashboard low-cal remains ON subsequently two tries, refer to your possessor's manual or the automobile manufacturer'southward site for more data about the process for your vehicle.

Start the Vehicle

Originally Published: July 30, 2020