Ford Explorer Reset Oil Light: Best Easy-to-follow Methods

If you want to know Ford Explorer reset oil light procedure, there are only a few simple steps you will need to follow. Turn on the ignition, select the “Oil Life” option from the “Settings” menu, and then press and hold the “OK” button until the reset is successful.

Check out our step-by-step guide below, where our team has discussed the steps in detail based on the different Ford Explorer model years.

How to Reset Your Ford Explorer’s Oil Light?

To reset your Ford Explorer’s oil light, turn on the ignition first. Press the menu button on the steering wheel and use the directional arrow pads to navigate to “Settings” and then choose “OK.” Now you must locate “Oil Life” and press and hold “OK” to reset.

Your Ford Explorer uses an oil life tracking system to remind you when your next oil change is due. That ensures you stay on top of your Explorer’s maintenance routine. The oil light will turn on normally after covering a distance of about 3,000 to 7,000 miles.

Whenever you change the engine’s oil, you must reset oil indicator light so the system can continue giving accurate readings. A mechanic will usually perform the reset process for you after an oil-changing session. But, if you did the oil change yourself, you’ll need to learn how to reset the oil change light on the Ford Explorer.

The steps vary from one model year to another. In this guide, we’ve covered models from 1999 to the latest. We will start with the Ford Explorer 2020 and later. These latest releases have had several changes, and some features have been relocated. The steps for the oil light reset, though, are significantly more straightforward.

1. Turn on the Ignition and Navigate to the Settings

First, take note that there’s no need for a new filter each time you change oil. An oil filter doesn’t expire but usually gets dirty and clogged over time, and that’s where the problem comes in. Many vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing the filter after each second oil change.

To start resetting the oil light, you must turn the ignition to ON to initiate the reset process. However, don’t start the engine. Press the “menu” button on your steering wheel with the accessories on. Next, use the up and down arrow pads to scroll into “Settings” and choose the “OK” button.

2. Locate “Oil Life” and Hit “OK”

While on the “Settings” screen, locate the “Oil Life” option using the directional pad on the steering wheel. Press and hold “OK” and wait to see the oil life reprogram to 100 percent. Once that happens, you can switch the ignition off, and the maintenance light will disappear the next time you turn on the car.

How to Reset the Explorer’s Oil Light on Models 2011-2019?

To reset the Explorer’s oil light on models 2011-2019, turn on the ignition without starting the engine. Navigate to “Settings” and scroll to “Convenience or Vehicle.” From there, locate the “Oil Life Reset” option and hold the “OK” button until the process completes.

The oil life monitor in these models often turns on the “Change Engine Oil” message once the oil life reads 10 percent or less. If you do nothing, the system will display a Ford Explorer Oil Change Required message soon when the oil life drops to 0 percent. Here are the detailed steps to reset the light after a change of oil:

1. Turn the Ignition on and Go to the Settings Tab

Turn the ignition on with the engine off (like in the case above). If you’re using a Start/Stop button, press it once without pressing the brake pedal. With the accessories on, navigate to the “Settings” menu through the main menu button. Scroll and choose the “Convenience” or Vehicle” option.

2. Initiate the Reset Procedure

While on the settings menu, choose the “Oil Life Reset” option. Next, press and hold the “OK” button until you see the reset process complete the message.

Turn the vehicle off. Now start the engine, and you should notice that the resetting of the light was a success.

How to Reset Ford Explorer’s Oil Light on Models 2002 to 2010?

To reset Ford Explorer’s oil light on models 2002 to 2010, turn on the ignition. Use your “Select/Reset” stem and toggle to the options until you find the “Hold Reset If New Oil” option. Now press and hold the stem until you see “Oil Life Set to 100 percent.”

 

1. Turn on the Ignition and Hit the “Select/Reset” Button

With the ignition on and engine off, press your “Select/Reset” stem button on your instrument panel once. That will allow you to toggle the options until you see the “Hold Reset for Setup Menu” option on display. Now hold the “Select/Reset” button for about 3 seconds.

2. Reset the Oil Life

Press the “Select/Reset” stem again and toggle the options until you find the “Hold Reset if New Oil” message appears. Now press and hold the “Select/Reset” step until you see the “Oil Life Set to 100 percent” message on the panel. Turn the ignition off, and the Ford Explorer oil light will disappear the next time you turn on the car.

How to Reset Ford Explorer’s Oil Light on Models 1999 to 2001?

To reset Ford Explorer’s oil light on models 1999 to 2001, turn the ignition to the ON position and locate the “Oil Change Reset” button. You’ll find this button on the overhead instrument panel. Hold this button until the “Oil Life Reset to 100 percent” message appears.

1. Turn on the Ignition

When you turn on the accessory mode, locate the “Oil Change Reset” button on the overhead instrument panel.

That is the button you’ll use to reset the light. Proceed to the next step once you find it.

2. Reset the Oil Life Light

Press the “Oil Change Reset” and hold for about 5-10 seconds. While holding the button, you should see the “Oil Life Reset to 100 percent” message displayed on the panel. That indicates the reset was successful. Now turn off the ignition and start the vehicle. The change oil light should be turned off now.

Conclusion

We have shown you how to reset the oil light on the Ford Explorer in our step-by-step guide above.

Here’s a complete summary in bullet points for your review:

• The “oil life indicator” reset process varies from one model year to another.
• You’ll use the “Change Oil Life” button if you own a model made from 2001 and earlier.
• For models made from 2002 to 2010, you’ll use the “Select/Reset” stem on the instrument panel.
• If you have a 2011 and later model, complete the reset from the “Settings” menu.

You may have discovered that the procedure is simple for anyone, regardless of the model year of your vehicle. Now climb to the driver’s seat and reset your oil life light in a minute!