Change Oil light came on

**supersport00** · 11-07-2008, 04:04 PM

I changed the oil on my car back in August. I used mobil siynthetic 5w-30. The car has not been driven very much since then. Probably around 600 miles. I took it out last week and the "change oil" light came on. Anybody have an idea why it came on?

**Too Fast** · 11-07-2008, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by supersport00

I changed the oil on my car back in August. I used mobil siynthetic 5w-30. The car has not been driven very much since then. Probably around 600 miles. I took it out last week and the "change oil" light came on. Anybody have an idea why it came on?

Yes. You did not reset the Oil Life Monitor. You must do this after changing the oil, the system does not do an actual analysis on the oil, it only recommends a change based on engine operating temp, RPM, mileage, and a few other cryptic things.

You reset this monitor by slowly stomping on the gas pedal 3 times within 5 seconds with the ignition on, engine off. If I were you, I would change it again the lessor of 12 months (since last August) or 3,000 miles, and then you will be fine. Also, so you don't have to see the light until then, reset the monitor and then reset again after the 3,000 miles are up or after you change the oil. My reminder goes off between 2500-5500 miles, BTW.

**slpdablueZ28** · 11-07-2008, 04:38 PM

turn the car to on without starting it over, push and hold trip reset for like 12-15 seconds it should like blick or something. then start up. should be off

**SVG210** · 11-07-2008, 05:53 PM

Either way you choose to reset is fine. do not get confused.

**supersport00** · 11-07-2008, 07:24 PM

that helps a lot i did not know that. thank you guys for the help

**Too Fast** · 11-08-2008, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by slpdablueZ28

turn the car to on without starting it over, push and hold trip reset for like 12-15 seconds it should like blick or something. then start up. should be off

Actually to do it this way I believe you have to push and hold the trip meter before you turn the key on, then hold it for 10 seconds or so and it resets the trip meter and the "change oil" will start flashing, telling you it is reset. Or if you are not sure, start the car and see if the light change oil light stays on for 2 minutes still. If so, repeat or try the gas pedal way.

**mbrownin** · 11-08-2008, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Actually to do it this way I believe you have to push and hold the trip meter before you turn the key on, then hold it for 10 seconds or so and it resets the trip meter and the "change oil" will start flashing, telling you it is reset. Or if you are not sure, start the car and see if the light change oil light stays on for 2 minutes still. If so, repeat or try the gas pedal way.

No, you don't.

**Benner** · 11-08-2008, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Too Fast

Actually to do it this way I believe you have to push and hold the trip meter before you turn the key on, then hold it for 10 seconds or so and it resets the trip meter and the "change oil" will start flashing, telling you it is reset. Or if you are not sure, start the car and see if the light change oil light stays on for 2 minutes still. If so, repeat or try the gas pedal way.

I know some Toyota's are like this but haven't experienced any GM's that are at work

**Too Fast** · 11-08-2008, 11:22 AM

I forgot to say after you push the trip reset, you then turn the key on.

**Benner** · 11-08-2008, 11:54 AM

pretty sure you don't have to push the trip reset.

**Too Fast** · 11-08-2008, 03:31 PM

Alright, I got my owners manual. Here is what it says:

"After changing the engine oil, the system must be reset.

1. Turn the ignition key to RUN and with the engine turned off.

2. Push the TRIP/OIL RESET button located on the instrument panel fro 12 seconds.
The OIL CHANGE light will start to flash to confirm that the system is reset. The
reset is complete when the OIL CHANGE light goes out."

So that is how the owners manual says how to do it. I have found if you don't want to have your trip meter reset, you can do the gas pedal thing I wrote about above.