How To Reset the Oil Change Light in Your Car
Updated: May 23, 2023
Is your vehicle displaying the oil change light? Keep reading to learn why this happens and how to reset it.
Time 30 minutes
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$20-50
Introduction
Modern vehicles are full of warning lights and indicators, and the average driver doesn't necessarily know what they all mean. Luckily, not all warning lights are cause for concern. One you definitely shouldn't ignore, though, is the oil change light. Also called the "maintenance required" light, it lets the driver know when their vehicle is due for an oil and filter change.
"Oil change light" is a misnomer, since this doesn't usually look like other warning signals. More often, you'll see words on the console screen like "change engine oil soon" or "maintenance required." Oil change lights vary in appearance from one car to the next, and some vehicles don't have one at all.
The procedures for resetting these lights also vary, which is why my mechanic friend Al has an entire binder of reset procedures for different makes and models. In this story, I'll demonstrate how to reset the oil change light on a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. Chances are yours may require something slightly different; consult your owner's manual or Google the details. But first, read this guide for the basics.
Tools Required
- Vehicle owner's manual
Project step-by-step (4)
Change the oil and filter
- Schedule an oil and filter change once the oil change light comes on.
- If you prefer to change the oil yourself, drain all the old oil, remove the old filter, then put in a fresh filter and new oil. Never reset the light without first changing the oil and filter.
Consult your owner’s manual
- Check your vehicle owner’s manual to learn how to reset your oil change light.
- Bookmark the reset procedure page in your owner’s manual, keeping it handy for the next step.
- Check Google if you don’t have your owner’s manual handy. You can often find digital copies of vehicle manuals online, and possibly YouTube videos that show the procedure for your exact vehicle.
Prepare to reset oil change light
- If your vehicle is set up like the Mitsubishi Outlander I’m working on, use the control arrow buttons on the steering wheel to navigate to the settings menu on the digital display screen.
- Press the navigation dial to enter the settings menu.
- Use the navigation dial to scroll through the settings until you see the word “maintenance.” Press the dial to enter the maintenance menu.
- Scroll down to “oil and filter,” then press the navigation dial.
Reset oil change light
- Use the navigation dial to scroll down to “reset” on the console screen.
- Scroll to “yes” and press the navigation dial when the screen prompts for confirmation. Your oil change light has now been reset.
