Jeep Wrangler JK: How to Reset Oil Change Light

This article applies to the Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-Present).

With its high ground clearance and relatively easy access to its oil filters, the Jeep Wrangler JK is an ideal vehicle for the DIYer to use in order to change out the oil system. However, doing so also leaves it up to you to reset the oil change warning light.

When oil is left in the engine beyond its useful life, a substance called “sludge” forms. Sludge is a type of oil degradation that is usually caused by the long-term interaction between the oil and internal contaminants. For this reason, adhering to the appropriate oil-change schedule is critically important to prolonged engine life.

Chrysler began installing oil change indicator systems starting with 2008 models to notify the motorist with an indicator message when to change the vehicle’s motor oil.

With Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) equipped Jeeps, “Change Oil” will flash in the instrument cluster odometer and a single chime will sound, indicating that an oil change is necessary. With other models, the reminder to change your oil appears in different formats, as we’ll see.

Note that the oil change indicator message is not based on the time since your last oil change, nor your mileage. Today’s oil life monitoring systems are “duty cycle” based—that is the Jeep’s on-board computer system tracks the type and amount of driving you typically do based on engine temperatures, average RPMs, run times, and other inputs. The oil life monitoring system runs this data through a software algorithm to determine when it’s time to change your oil.

But if it’s been six months since your last oil change, it’s always a good idea to change your oil even if your oil change message hasn’t illuminated. And not surprisingly, oil and oil filter changes should be done more often if you drive your Jeep off-road for extended periods of time.

As a general rule, Chrysler recommends changing your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles (5,000 km), and indicates that under no circumstances should oil change intervals exceed 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or six months. With synthetic oil blends, it’s recommended to change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and never exceeding 8,000 miles (12,000 km).

Starting with the 2008 model year JK, the “check engine” engine silhouette would come on to remind the driver it was time to change his or her oil and filter.

Later models added a text message on the IP. Here, the 2014 Wrangler shows a two-part message that flashes back and forth until the oil change system is reset.

The procedure to reset the oil change light is simple, but also very non-intuitive.

Step 1 – Turn key to on/run position

Turn the key to the on/run position, but don't start the engine. With the key in the on/run position and the engine not running, you will hear chimes ringing for a few seconds. Wait for the chimes to stop and the lights that come on for a diagnostic test go off.

Step 2 – Fully depress accelerator pedal

Press the accelerator pedal fully down three times within ten seconds.

Step 3 – Turn key to off/lock position

Then, turn the key back to the off/lock position.

Step 4 – Start Jeep's engine

Wait a few moments, then turn the Jeep’s engine on. With the engine running, if the oil change light comes on again, the oil change indicator system did not reset. You’ll have to repeat the procedure.

That’s it, you’e done. You won’t have to deal with the oil change light again until you perform your next oil change.

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