Oil Change Required, Ford Focus Edition: A Complete Guide

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Oil change required: Ford Focus customary guide is especially handy for new Ford owners. All you need to do is turn on the ignition and press and hold the accelerator and brake pedals at once until you see the “Oil Reset Complete” message on your dashboard.

Reset the Oil Change Indicator

We have a detailed explanation of this process in a step-by-step guide below. In case you have one of the latest models, you’ll also find the steps involved when working on newer models here.

How to Reset the Oil Change Indicator Light on Ford Focus?

To reset the oil change indicator light on Ford Focus, turn on the ignition but don’t start the engine. Press the brake and gas pedals down immediately and hold until the oil reset process completes. Choose the “Reset Oil Life” option from the “Settings” screen on the 4th gen model.

Like most modern cars, Ford Focus vehicles also have an oil life monitoring system. This system tracks your driving habits since the last time you changed the oil and light reset. So, the oil change light on your Focus will turn on when it’s time to change the engine oil.

That usually happens after about 3,000 to 10,000 miles. If you take your car to a reputable auto shop for a change of oil, the mechanic will reset the oil indicator as part of the service. However, learning how to reset the oil light is essential if you’ve done it yourself.

The steps involved in the reset procedure vary slightly from one Focus model year to another. But as mentioned, the steps are easy to follow regardless of your model year. Follow these steps to complete the reset on a Focus model from 2011 to 2018 (third generation).

1. Change Oil After the Light Turns On

How soon you should change oil after the light turns on depends on your driving habits. In general, you have up to 500 miles of driving with the light on. After that, you shouldn’t ignore the light to avoid putting your engine at risk of severe damage.

Change Oil After the Light Turns On

Does too much oil harm the engine?

Yes, too much oil harms the engine because it can cause excessive pressure on the crankshaft. When that happens, the oil will probably end up in the combustion chamber through the crankshaft exhaust pipe. Once it gets there, it will block the suction hose with soot resulting in engine overload issues.

2. Turn on the Ignition

Take note that you can’t wait for the oil change indicator to reset itself. The system lets you know when to change your oil based on the distance you’ve traveled. However, the light requires you to reset it after each oil change manually.

Place the key into the ignition and turn it ON with the vehicle off. If your car has a Stop/Start button, push it once. The Focus will only start if your foot is off the brake pedal.

3. Press the Gas and Brake Pedals Down Simultaneously

With the ignition on and the engine off, depress the gas and the brake pedal slowly, all the way down, at the same time. Keep your feet on the pedals. After about 20-30 seconds, while pressing the pedals, you should see the “Oil Reset in Progress” message on your display (instrument cluster).

 

Continue holding the pedals until the process completes. You should see another message on the instrument cluster that says “Oil Reset Complete.”

4. Release the Pedals and Turn off the Ignition

Once the light reset is complete, release the pedals. When you do that, the Ford Focus service oil message should disappear.

Release the Pedals and Turn off the Ignition

Now turn the ignition off, and the next time you start the car, the light will be off, meaning the system has reset.

How to Reset Ford Focus Oil Life on Models 2019 and Later?

To reset Ford Focus oil life on models 2019 and later, turn on the ignition and go to “Settings” on display. Use the buttons on your steering wheel to highlight the “Information” option from the menu. After that, choose “Oil Life” and the “Reset Oil Life” option.

1. Turn on the Ignition and Go to “Settings”

Get your Focus key into the ignition and turn to the ON position. Alternatively, use the Start/Stop button. Either way, ensure you put your feet off the brake pedal (clutch) so the engine doesn’t start.

Using the up and down buttons on your steering wheel, choose the “Settings” menu on display. Hit the “OK” button to choose the “Settings” option.

2. Initiate the Oil Life Reset Process

Use the side buttons on your steering wheel again and press the three lines above the “Menu” button. That will pop up a submenu on display.

Initiate the Oil Life Reset Process

Using the up and down buttons, highlight the “Information” option and choose “Oil Life.” Now scroll down and choose the “Reset Oil Life” option.

3. Complete the Procedure

Press and hold the “OK” button on the steering wheel until you see the “Reset Successful” message on the screen. The Ford oil change required message should now disappear. Turn off the ignition, and the reset oil light will be off the next time you turn on your 4th Gen Focus.

FAQs

– Can You Drive Your Ford Focus With the Oil Life Light On?

Yes, you can drive your Ford Focus with the oil life light on. It may not pose an immediate danger, but it’s a problem you must resolve as soon as possible because that can put your engine at risk of severe, costly damage.

– Why Does the Ford Focus Oil Light Come On After Recently Changing Oil?

The reason the Ford Focus oil light comes on after recently changing oil is primarily a leak. You need to inspect your engine or pay attention to the telltale signs of the problem. These include a smell of burning oil, dark bubbles underneath the car, and engine overheating.

Conclusion

We have offered a solution to the question of how to reset the oil change indicator on your Ford Focus above. But before we leave,

here’s a recap:

  • You must reset the oil service light each time you change the oil.
  • The steps to reset the service light vary, depending on the Ford Focus model you own.
  • If you have a 3rd generation model, you must use the brake and gas pedals to reset the oil life light.
  • For the 4th generation models, you can efficiently complete the change of oil reset through the digital display.

You now know everything you need to complete the procedure, and the good thing is that you don’t need any tools. So sit in the driver’s seat and do it today!

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