Oil Change Light: What It Means and How to Reset It
The oil change light is a maintenance reminder, not an emergency warning. It usually appears as a wrench symbol, an “Oil Change Required” or “Maint Reqd” message, or a low oil-life percentage, and it means your car’s schedule or oil-life monitor says an oil change is due. It is different from the red oil-can light, which warns of low oil pressure and means you should stop the engine as soon as it is safe. After the oil is changed, the reminder has to be reset through the dashboard or infotainment menu.
Oil Change Light vs Oil Pressure Light
| Light or message | Color | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrench symbol, “Maint Reqd,” “Oil Change Required” | Yellow, orange or white | Scheduled oil change or service is due | Book an oil change soon |
| Oil life percentage low (for example 15% or 5%) | Varies | Oil-life monitor estimates oil is near the end of its life | Change the oil soon |
| Red oil can, sometimes with a drip | Red | Low oil pressure | Stop safely, turn off the engine, check the oil level |
| Yellow oil can with “MIN” or a wavy line (some models) | Yellow | Low oil level detected by a sensor | Add the correct oil soon |
Our guide to dashboard symbols and meanings shows these and other warning lights side by side, and the red oil pressure warning is covered in more depth in our guide to oil, ABS and battery warning lights.
Red oil light while driving: pull over as soon as it is safe and turn off the engine. Check the dipstick after a few minutes. If the level is low, add oil; if the light stays on after topping up, do not drive. Running an engine without oil pressure can destroy it within minutes.
Why the Oil Change Light Comes On
- Mileage-based reminders: some cars simply count down a set distance, such as 5,000 or 10,000 miles.
- Oil-life monitors: many cars estimate oil life from engine revolutions, temperature, trip length and time, and warn at a low percentage.
- Time limits: most systems also remind you after 6 or 12 months even if you have not driven far.
- It was not reset: if the last shop forgot to reset it, the light may come on soon after a fresh oil change.
What to Do When the Oil Change Light Comes On
- Check the oil level: with the engine off and the car on level ground, check the dipstick; our guide to checking your car’s oil shows how.
- Top up if low: use the viscosity in your owner’s manual.
- Book an oil change: within the next few hundred miles or couple of weeks is usually fine for a maintenance reminder.
- Reset the reminder afterward: or ask the shop to do it.
How Long Can You Drive With the Oil Change Light On?
Most reminders give you a buffer, so driving a few hundred miles or a couple of weeks is generally fine. Some systems count down into negative miles to show how overdue you are. Do not ignore it for thousands of miles: old oil protects less, which increases wear and can lead to sludge. If you are not sure of your interval, our guide to car maintenance by mileage explains typical oil change timing.
What Different Brands Call the Oil Change Reminder
| Brand | System Name or Message | How It Decides |
|---|---|---|
| Honda / Acura | Maintenance Minder (oil life %, codes A and B) | Driving conditions and engine operation |
| Toyota / Lexus | “Maintenance Required” light or maintenance reminder | Mostly mileage-based countdown |
| GM (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac) | Oil Life Monitoring System (oil life %) | Engine revolutions, temperature and operating conditions |
| Ford / Lincoln | Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor | Driving conditions, up to a maximum mileage and time |
| BMW / MINI | Condition Based Service (CBS) | Driving data and oil condition estimates |
| Mercedes-Benz | ASSYST service indicator | Driving conditions and time |
| Hyundai / Kia | Service reminder (mileage or time) | Usually a set interval you can adjust |
Whatever the name, it is a maintenance reminder, not a measurement of oil level or pressure. Your owner’s manual explains the reset steps for your model.
How to Reset the Oil Change Light
Reset methods vary by make, model and year. These are the most common:
Using the Instrument Cluster or Infotainment Menu
- Turn the ignition on without starting the engine, or start the car if the manual says so.
- Open the vehicle settings, maintenance or oil life menu using steering wheel buttons or the touchscreen.
- Select oil life or maintenance reset and confirm.
Using the Trip or Odometer Button
- With the ignition off, press and hold the trip reset button.
- Turn the ignition to On (engine off) while still holding the button.
- Keep holding until the display flashes, counts down or shows the oil life reset to 100 percent.
Using the Accelerator Pedal (Some GM Models)
On some older GM vehicles, you turn the ignition on without starting the engine and slowly press the accelerator to the floor three times within five seconds. The oil life indicator then resets, confirmed when it flashes and turns off at the next start.
If none of these work, check your owner’s manual for the exact procedure; a shop can also reset it with a scan tool.
Resetting With an OBD-II Scanner
If the dashboard method does not work, or your car requires a tool, many mid-range OBD-II scanners include an “oil reset” or “service reset” function:
- Plug the scanner into the OBD-II port under the dashboard, usually near the steering column.
- Turn the ignition on (engine off, unless the tool says otherwise).
- Select your vehicle make, model and year.
- Choose the service or oil reset function and follow the prompts.
- Turn the ignition off, then restart to confirm the reminder is cleared.
Basic code readers often cannot reset maintenance reminders, so check the tool’s features before buying.
The Light Came on Right After an Oil Change
- The reminder was not reset; reset it using the steps above
- The oil level is low or the oil pressure light was confused with the reminder
- A sensor fault or low oil level warning on cars with electronic level sensors
If you see new drips under the car after a service, the drain plug or filter may not be sealed properly; our guide to car oil leaks helps you spot the source.
Related guides: check engine light, how to check car fluids and do electric cars need oil changes.
Oil Change Light FAQ
It is a maintenance reminder that your car’s schedule or oil-life monitor says an oil change is due. It does not by itself mean the oil is low.
Not usually. Most reminders track mileage, time or engine conditions. Check the dipstick to know the actual level.
Plan an oil change when the monitor shows about 15 percent or when a service message appears.
