This article shows you how to reset an oil change light for the following vehicles:
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- GMC and Chevrolet vehicles with and without a VIC
- Jeep Wrangler
- Honda Accord
- Ram Truck
If your vehicle is equipped with an oil change warning light, this light must be reset every time you perform an oil change. Otherwise, your car won't know when your next oil change due date is, and therefore, you cannot rely on this warning light anymore to remind you about your next oil change.
This article provides you with a step-by-step procedure on how to reset an oil change light on your vehicle by yourself without needing a mechanic!
What is the oil change light?
Before we dive into the details about “how to reset an oil change light?” It is critical to understand the purpose of this light and how important it is to reset this light.
If you're driving a modern car, your vehicle might be equipped with a certain light specified to tell you when the next time for an oil change is. The purpose of this light is to bring to your attention that your current oil is getting cold, and it might be breaking down now, so if you don't get an oil change soon, you might deal with complications.
It is important to note that this light might not be available in every vehicle, and you should not rely on a warning light to pop up on your dashboard so you know when your next oil change is.
While this oil change light is a very good component, it might be a little annoying to some drivers because it doesn't turn off by itself, even if you drain the old oil and use a fresh one. Therefore, it is a must that you reset the oil change light whenever you change the oil, so your vehicle knows when it's the next oil change.
The oil change light is based on the current reading of your vehicle’s odometer. In other words, the light understands when it's the first time you added the oil, and it starts adding up the odometer reading to determine how much mileage your vehicle passed and when it's the next oil change. Based on this theory, your vehicle won't know your next oil change unless you reset the oil change light.
Therefore, it is extremely critical to ask your mechanic or do it yourself to reset the oil change light whenever you perform an oil change. Typically, your mechanics should be aware of this and immediately reset the light, but it's good for you to be aware of this issue if your mechanic forgets about it.
Why is my oil light still on after the oil change?
If you haven't manually reset the oil warning lights, it won't go away by itself. Therefore, don't be surprised to see the oil light still on after performing an oil change, and you should remind your mechanic to reset it if the mechanic forgot.
How to reset an oil change light?
When it comes to oil change warning lights, it's important to note that some vehicles might differ significantly from others in how you reset this light. However, most vehicles fall into the following categories, and by following these procedures, you should be able to reset your cars oil change light:
- Resetting an oil change light in Chevrolet and GMC vehicles that don't have a VIC
It's important to note that resetting the oil change light in vehicles with an Information Center requires a different process than vehicles that don't have it. Therefore, if you're trying to reset the oil change light for a Chevrolet or a GMC car older than 2005, you need to follow these simple two steps:
- Insert the key in the ignition switch
- Ensure that the ignition key is set to the accessory position
- Within 5 seconds from inserting the key, depress the accelerator pedal
- Monitor the change engine oil warning lights and see when it turns off
- Once the warning light turns off, you can release your foot off the accelerator pedal
- If the process didn't work, repeat it one more time
- Resetting an oil change light in Chevrolet and GMC vehicles that do have a VIC
On the other hand, if you're driving a GMC or a Chevrolet vehicle that does have a Vic, then you should follow this slightly different procedure:
- Insert the key in the ignition switch
- Ensure that the ignition key is set to the accessory position
- Press the enter button on the Vehicle Information Center and hold it for one second
- Allow the screen to display that the warning light has been reset
- Turn off the ignition
- Start your vehicle again and confirm that the oil change light is no longer displaying
- Resetting an oil change light in Jeep Wrangler vehicles
If you're driving a Jeep Wrangler vehicle, on the other hand, the process can be a little bit different. Here's all you need to do:
- Insert the key in the ignition switch
- Ensure that the key is set to the on position
- Place your foot on the gas pedal and allow it to depress three times slowly within just 10 seconds
- Your Jeep Wrangler should have reset the oil change warning light
- If the warning lights do not go away when you turn on the vehicle, repeat the process one more time
- Resetting an oil change light in Honda Accord
Honda Accord also requires a different procedure than the previously mentioned vehicles to reset the oil change warning light. Here is all you need to do:
- Insert the key in the ignition switch
- Ensure that the key is set to the on position without cranking the engine
- On the dashboard near the vehicle’s speedometer, you should find a select stem
- Press on this stem and hold until you see an icon that looks like a wrench or the word oil displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard screen
- Keep holding the stem for at least 10 seconds and release it when you see the oil icon or word starts flashing
- Press on the select again and hold it for another 5 seconds
- By now, the oil word or icon should go away. If the process didn't work, repeat it one more time
- Resetting an oil change lights in a ram truck
If you're driving a Ram truck models 2010 to 2013, resetting the oil change light should follow the following procedure:
- Insert the key in the ignition switch
- Ensured that the key is set to the on position while making sure that the engine is not starting a
- Place your foot on the gas pedal and depress it slowly at least three times within just 10 seconds
- Turn off the ignition
- Check and see if the warning light is gone. If not, repeat the process one more time
Is the oil change light the same as the low oil pressure light?
No, the oil change light is a completely different warning light than the low oil pressure light. As we indicated earlier, up oil change light illuminates only when your vehicle is due for an oil change or before the oil change due date.
On the other hand, the low oil pressure light is another important warning light that indicates that there is insufficient oil pressure in your oil system. In other words, there might be a sign of leak or contaminant, or debris inside the oil system that impacts how the oil performs. When that happens, you must take care of the issue immediately.
It's important to note that while both warning lights are important and you must take care of them immediately, the low oil pressure warning light is extremely critical. It might indicate a very soon complete engine failure. This is because the engine is not simply receiving the right lubrication level. You must pull over and stop your vehicle immediately before you deal with catastrophic outcomes that could cost you thousands of dollars down the road.
This doesn't mean that you should ignore the oil change light because it is something you need to maintain and take care of immediately, but it's not as instantaneously critical as the low oil pressure light.
How much does it cost to reset an oil change light?
Resetting the oil change light should not be something to do separately. In other words, when you perform the oil change, your mechanic is responsible for resetting the oil change light without charging you extra fees.
Thus, there is no such designated fee for resetting the oil change light, and it's your mechanics responsibility to account for it when you go for an oil change. Keep in mind that it's critical to monitor this warning light on the dashboard and never leave the mechanic shop and tell your mechanic to reset it.
How often should I change my vehicle's oil?
Although the oil change warning light is an extremely useful warning light on your vehicle, you should not only rely on this warning light to perform the oil change. In other words, imagine what if there is anything wrong going with these warning lights? What will you do? Will you wait for it to eliminate until you change your vehicle's oil?
It is your full responsibility to keep an eye on the due date for your next oil change. Whether the warning light is turned on or not, you should understand and learn about the frequency of changing your vehicle's oil.
Depending on your vehicle's type and the type of oil you're working with, oil changes frequency might range from as low as 5000 miles and as high as 10,000 to 15,000 miles.
As we indicated earlier, not every car is equipped with an oil change warning light; therefore, you shouldn't wait for a warning light to pop up on your vehicle dashboard until you go to the mechanic shop and perform the oil change.
If you are too concerned about oil change frequencies, you might want to consider switching to a synthetic oil that does not require frequent oil changes, and you might be fine for a whole year without needing an oil change. However, keep in mind that synthetic oil is not compatible with every vehicle. If you're driving an older car, you must consult your vehicle's owner’s manual and your mechanic before switching to synthetic oil.
Conclusion
The oil change light is a great addition to more modern vehicles because it grabs the driver’s attention to the next oil change and helps you never skip an oil change. However, it can be a headache for some drivers to reset the oil change light. Otherwise, it might not be doing its job, and it won't know when it's your next oil change deal.
This article provided you with some simple procedures to help reset your oil change light whenever you perform an oil change. The procedure is straightforward, and your mechanic should do it whenever he performs an oil change bought in cases you perform your oil change or in cases of your mechanic forgets about resetting the warning light; there you have it, and you should be able to do it yourself.
Keep in mind that no matter how much time and effort to keep and how much you keep up with your vehicle, if your car has major mechanical problems, resetting the oil change light might not be what you should be looking for. In other words, it's one point to evaluate whether your vehicle is worth the repairs or not. Some experts indicated that if repair costs pile up and approached 75% from the value of your vehicle, it's not worth their peers, and you should sell it instead.
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