How do you reset the oil sensor on a Ford?

In Ford vehicles, resetting the oil life monitor after an oil change is typically done through the instrument cluster or the touchscreen. This process resets the display that tells you when the next oil change is due and does not physically reset any oil pressure sensor hardware.

What the reset accomplishes and what it does not

The reset targets the vehicle’s oil life calculation, not the actual oil pressure sensor. If you’re seeing an oil pressure warning, that indicates a separate issue that requires a different diagnostic approach. Resetting the oil life is about re‑establishing the maintenance reminder after you’ve changed the oil and filter.

Common method across most late-model Ford vehicles

Most Ford models produced in the past decade let you reset the oil life indicator from the instrument cluster or the vehicle’s touchscreen. The exact path can vary by model and trim level, but the general idea is the same: access the Oil Life setting and confirm a reset to 100%.

1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine OFF (or, for push-button start cars, press the start button once without pressing the brake).


2. Navigate to the Oil Life option in the vehicle’s information display or Settings/Vehicle menu using the steering wheel keypad or touchscreen.


3. Select Reset (or Reset Oil Life) and confirm. The display should show 100% Oil Life after the reset.


4. Drive normally; the system will begin counting down again according to the vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

After performing the reset, you should see the Oil Life indicator return to 100% and begin a new maintenance countdown. If the indicator doesn’t reset or returns to a lower percentage after driving, consult the owner's manual or contact a Ford dealer, as there may be model-specific steps or a sensor issue.

Model-specific variations

The exact steps can differ between models and model years. Below are representative procedures for some common Ford configurations. If your model isn’t listed, consult the manual or the on-screen prompts in your car’s information display.

Ford F-150 (2015–2024)

Most F-150s let you reset Oil Life through the vehicle’s information display or the touchscreen in the center console. If your truck has a physical trip button, you may need to use the steering wheel controls to access Settings or Vehicle menu.

1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off.


2. Use the left-hand steering wheel controls to access Settings or Vehicle.


3. Select Oil Life and choose Reset; confirm if prompted.


4. Return to the main display and verify the Oil Life shows 100%.

Concluding note: After reset, you’ll again see a countdown based on Ford’s maintenance schedule, typically measured in miles and/or time driven.

Ford Escape (2013–2023, SYNC 3/Drive)

Escapes with SYNC 3 or the newer Drive interface commonly place Oil Life under the Settings or Vehicle menu on the touchscreen.

1. Turn the ignition to ON with the engine off (or press Start once without pressing the brake).


2. From the touchscreen, go to Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life (or Maintenance) > Reset.


3. Confirm the reset; the display should show 100% Oil Life.


4. Drive normally to allow the system to begin a new maintenance cycle.

Tip: If you don’t see Oil Life in the main menu, check under Maintenance or Service intervals. If the reset can’t be completed, a dealer can perform the reset with a diagnostic tool.

What to do if the oil light or sensor won’t reset

Sometimes the system won’t accept a manual reset due to a sensor fault, a software issue, or because the oil change hasn’t been completed to the system’s satisfaction (for example, the filter or oil specification isn’t recognized). If you encounter trouble, try redoing the steps after a short wait, check the oil level, ensure the correct oil specification was used, and verify the oil filter is properly installed. If problems persist, seek assistance from a Ford dealer or a qualified mechanic.

Additional reminders

Resetting the oil life is part of routine maintenance following an oil change. Always use the correct oil type and change interval recommended in your owner's manual. The reset process does not fix a faulty oil sensor or an actual oil pressure issue—those conditions require proper diagnosis and repair.

Summary

Resetting the Ford oil life monitor is a straightforward in-dash procedure that refreshes the maintenance reminder after an oil change. The exact steps depend on model and year but typically involve turning the ignition on, navigating to Oil Life in Settings or the information display, and selecting Reset to 100%. If you run into trouble, consult the owner’s manual or contact a Ford service center for model-specific guidance. Maintaining accurate oil and filter changes helps protect engine health and keep the maintenance schedule on track.

How to reset oil light on a 2015 Ford F150?

To reset the oil life on a 2015 Ford F-150, turn the key to the "on" position (without starting the engine), then use the steering wheel controls to navigate to the "Settings" or "Truck Info" menu. From there, go to "Vehicle" or "Engine Information," select "Oil Life Reset" or "Oil Life," and then press and hold the "OK" button until the oil life resets to 100%. 
You can watch this video to see a quick demonstration of the oil life reset process: 48sTyler RodriquezYouTube · Sep 15, 2024
Step-by-step instructions:

1. Turn the key: Put the key in the ignition and turn it to the "on" position. Do not start the engine. 
2. Navigate the menu: Use the arrow and "OK" buttons on the steering wheel to navigate the menu on the instrument cluster. 
3. Find "Settings" or "Truck Info": Navigate to the "Settings" or "Truck Info" tab. 
4. Go to "Vehicle" or "Engine Information": Go down to select "Vehicle" or "Engine Information". 
5. Select "Oil Life Reset": Find and select the "Oil Life Reset" or "Oil Life" option. 
6. Reset the oil life: Press and hold the "OK" button until the oil life percentage resets to 100% and the "Change Engine Oil Soon" message disappears. 

How to reset the oil light on a 2019 Ford F250?

To reset the oil life on a 2019 F-250, turn the ignition to the "on" position without starting the engine. Navigate to Settings, then Advanced Settings, Vehicle, and select Oil Life Reset. Hold the OK button to reset the oil life to 100%.
 
Step-by-step guide
This video shows how to reset the oil life on a 2019 Ford F-250: 56sAutoThech GarageYouTube · Mar 14, 2024

1. Turn the ignition on: Insert the key and turn it to the "on" position or press the start button without your foot on the brake. 
2. Press OK to clear messages: If a warning message appears, press OK on the steering wheel to clear it. 
3. Navigate to Settings: Use the arrow keys on the steering wheel to find the Settings menu and press OK. 
4. Go to Advanced Settings: Scroll down to and select Advanced Settings. 
5. Select Vehicle: Choose Vehicle from the list. 
6. Choose Oil Life Reset: Navigate to Oil Life Reset and press OK. 
7. Hold OK to reset: Press and hold the OK button until the oil life indicator shows 100%. 

How to reset Ford oil change warning?

To reset the "oil change required" light on a Ford, either turn the ignition to the "on" position and press and hold the brake and accelerator pedals for about 20-25 seconds until the message says "reset complete," or use the steering wheel controls to navigate to the "Settings" menu, find "Vehicle" and then "Oil Life," and hold the "OK" button to reset it. 
Method 1: Using the brake and accelerator pedals 
This video demonstrates how to reset the oil change light using the brake and accelerator pedals: 1mProTreeVideosYouTube · Jan 5, 2021

1. Turn the ignition to the "on" position without starting the engine. 
2. Press both the brake and accelerator pedals to the floor at the same time. 
3. Hold the pedals down for about 20-25 seconds. The display should show a message confirming the reset is in progress. 
4. Wait until the message changes to confirm the reset is complete. 
5. Release the pedals and turn the ignition off. 

Method 2: Using the dashboard controls 
This video shows how to reset the oil change light using the steering wheel controls: 53sMaverick Overland AdventuresYouTube · Jan 29, 2025

1. Turn the ignition to the "on" position. Do not start the engine. 
2. Press the "Menu" or "OK" button on your steering wheel to access the main menu. 
3. Navigate to "Settings". 
4. Scroll to "Vehicle" and select it. 
5. Scroll to "Oil Life" and select it. 
6. The system will display the current oil life. Press and hold the "OK" button until the bar fills and the display confirms the reset was successful. 
7. Turn the ignition off. 

Note: Perform this procedure only after you have changed the engine oil and filter. If you are unsure, consult your owner's manual or a professional.

How do I reset my oil sensor?

To reset a car's oil sensor light, turn the ignition to the "on" position (without starting the engine) and then press the gas pedal to the floor three times within 10 seconds. After completing this, turn the ignition off and then start the engine to verify the light has reset. Some newer cars may require you to navigate to an oil life menu on the dashboard and hold a specific button to reset it. 
General gas pedal method (most common)

1. Turn the key to the "on" position: without starting the engine.
2. Slowly press the accelerator pedal to the floor three times: within 10 seconds.
3. Turn the ignition to the "off" position .
4. Start the car: to check if the light is off. 

Dashboard button method (for newer vehicles)

1. Turn the ignition to the "on" position. 
2. Use the steering wheel or dashboard buttons to navigate to the "Settings" or "Vehicle" menu. 
3. Find and select the "Oil Life" or "Maintenance" section. 
4. Follow the on-screen prompts, which typically involve pressing and holding a specific button (like "OK" or "Reset") until the oil life percentage resets. 

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