How exactly to Reset the Oil Change Light in a Car

Has the "Maintenance" or "Oil Change" indicator light appeared on your vehicle? Learn what this means and getting it to show off.

Modern vehicles are built with several indicator lights to owners when something needs attention, and the oil change light (also called the maintenance light) is one of them. This light is designed to inform you once the engine oil needs changing, on the basis of the car's odometer reading. The oil change light won't turn fully off by itself, even once the old oil has been drained and fresh oil added. That's where resetting the oil change light comes in.

Not absolutely all vehicles have a gas change light, but when yours does, resetting it's worth doing, and not just because of the annoyance of seeing the light on constantly. Unless the light is reset, your car or truck may have no means of telling you next time a fat change is needed.

Here I'll be demonstrating the reset on a 2003 Toyota 4Runner, and although the actual steps vary from make to produce, the basic procedure is similar. Some makes and models have different procedures, like late-model Dodges, which require three quick presses of the gas pedal to reset. In the event that you try the process shown here and your light doesn't reset, look at your owner's manual, or check online for help relating to your particular vehicle.

Discover the Reset Button and Turn On Vehicle System

Search your vehicle's gauge and dashboard area for a switch, switch or stick the says "Reset."
Turn the ignition to the ON position which means that your gauges and electronics light up, but don't start the engine.

Set Odometer to Display Mileage

Cycle through different odometer modes until it shows total mileage driven.
Turn the ignition OFF.
Support the Reset Button and Turn the Key

Press and hold the reset button.
Turn the ignition back again to the ON position while holding the reset button.
Watch the oil change or maintenance light carefully. It will start to blink.
Permit the light to blink ON and OFF for a few seconds, then release the reset button and turn the ignition OFF.

Start the Vehicle

Start the engine and make the sure the oil change or maintenance light has become OFF.
If it's still ON, repeat the reset procedure.
If the dashboard light remains ON after two tries, make reference to your owner's manual or the automobile manufacturer's site to learn more about the procedure for your vehicle.

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