--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu" description: "Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed. ## Reset procedure, 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu (High confidence) 1. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off (press START with the brake released; on the 8-in cluster the car can be in accessory 'ON' mode) 2. Use the left steering-wheel arrow pad to select the Info page of the Driver Information Center 3. Scroll to the OIL LIFE page (shows 'Remaining Oil Life xx%') 4. Press and hold the thumbwheel/checkmark (select) button until the value resets to 100% 5. Turn the ignition off, the 'Change Engine Oil Soon' message is cleared Note: On some years the reset also lives under Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life on the center touchscreen. Reset only after an actual oil change. ## Which Chevrolet Malibu model years does this cover? These oil life reset specifications apply to every Chevrolet Malibu built from 2016 through 2025, the 9th generation (E2XX), mid-size sedan (production ended november 2024; 2025 is the final model year). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2016 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016) - [2017 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2017) - [2018 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2018) - [2019 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2019) - [2020 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2020) - [2021 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2021) - [2022 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2022) - [2023 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2023) - [2024 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2024) - [2025 Malibu](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2025) ## What changed during the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2016 | Generation launch, nearly 300 lbs lighter, stop-start standard on 1.5T. Note: a 2016 'Malibu Limited' is the previous-generation car sold to fleets, use 2013-2015 data for those. | | 2017 | 2.0T Ecotec's transmission upgrades from an 8-speed to a 9-speed automatic, and the 2.0T becomes Premier-exclusive (dropped from LT) | | 2018 | Final carryover year before the 2019 mid-cycle refresh; LS/LT/Premier lineup and 1.5T 6-speed / 2.0T 9-speed powertrains unchanged from 2017 | | 2019 | Facelift: new fascias, RS trim added, 1.5T switched from 6-speed to CVT, 2.0T to 9-speed, fuel tank grew to 15.8 gal, low-beam bulb changed to H11. Final year of the Hybrid. | | 2020 | Base L trim gains standard 16-in aluminum wheels (from LS); all trims standardize on the 8-in Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, replacing the previous 7-in unit | | 2020-2022 | L dropped (2020 was its last year); lineup LS/RS/LT/Premier. 2022 was the final year for the Premier trim and 2.0T engine. | | 2021 | Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added | | 2022 | Mechanical parking brake replaced by an electronic parking brake across all trims | | 2023 | Premier trim replaced by 2LT; LT no longer comes standard with leather seats | | 2023-2025 | 1.5T only (LS/RS/1LT/2LT). Production ended at Fairfax Assembly in November 2024; 2025 is the final model year. | | 2024 | Final full model year of Malibu production; Chevrolet ended assembly at the Fairfax plant (Kansas City) in November 2024 with no direct successor | ## 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu? 5 steps, using only the controls in the car, the full sequence is above. ### Do you need a scan tool to reset the oil light on a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu? No. The procedure above uses the vehicle's own controls. A scan tool is only necessary if the reset does not take, which usually points at a different fault. ### Why won't the oil light reset on a 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu? Almost always a timing problem in the sequence, a step held too briefly, or the ignition in the wrong position. Repeat it exactly, with the engine off and the key in accessory rather than run, unless the steps say otherwise. On some years the reset also lives under Settings > Vehicle > Oil Life on the center touchscreen. Reset only after an actual oil change. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2016-2019 Malibu 1.5L LFV / 2.0L LTG / 1.8L LKN capacities](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2016/chevrolet/malibu/) - [ChevyMalibuForum, 2016-2017 5W-30 to 2018+ 0W-20 oil spec change](https://www.chevymalibuforum.com/threads/2016-2017-oil-spec-change.126013/) - [parts.chevrolet.com, GM 23430313 engine air filter fitment](https://parts.chevrolet.com/product/acdelco-gm-original-equipment-air-filter-23430313) - [PartsGeek, ACDelco PF2257G oil filter, 2016-2019 Malibu 1.8L Hybrid](https://www.partsgeek.com/22s3tpg-chevrolet-malibu-oil-filter-set.html) - [AutoZone, Malibu battery guide (Group 48/H6, 2016-2024)](https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/chevrolet/malibu) - [TireSize.com, Malibu OE tire sizes by year and trim](https://tiresize.com/tires/Chevrolet/Malibu/) - [NHTSA, recall report 18V-358 (high-pressure fuel pump)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCLRPT-18V358-3649.PDF) - [BizzyCar, April 2026 rearview camera recall 26V-212, 2023-2025 Malibu](https://www.bizzycar.com/blog/april-2026-gm-recall-for-rearview-camera-defect-on-chevrolet-malibu-affecting-271770-vehicles) - [Go-Parts, P0234 wastegate solenoid on 2016-2022 Malibu 1.5L](https://www.go-parts.com/garage/obd-p0234-chevrolet-malibu-2016-2022-lfv-1-5l) - [Margarian Law, 2019-2022 Malibu CVT shudder/stall defect tracker](https://www.margarianlaw.com/chevrolet/malibu/) - [GM Authority, 2023 Malibu drops Premier trim and 2.0L LTG](https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/08/2023-chevy-malibu-drops-premier-trim-2-0l-engine/) - [Automotive News, Malibu production ends November 2024 at Fairfax](https://www.autonews.com/manufacturing/2024-chevy-malibu-production-ending-year-kansas/) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2016 and 2019 Malibu EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2016_Chevrolet_Malibu.shtml) - [Car and Driver, 2016 Malibu Hybrid powertrain details (1.8L, 1.5 kWh pack)](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15103297/2016-chevrolet-malibu-hybrid-first-drive-review/) - [PartsGeek, 2016-2025 Malibu 300mm front / 288mm rear rotors](https://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/brake_rotors/chevrolet/malibu.html) ## Other Chevrolet Malibu generations - [2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2013-2015/oil-reset) - [2012 Chevrolet Malibu oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2012/oil-reset) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/oil-reset). ## More for the 2016-2025 Chevrolet Malibu - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/chevrolet/malibu/2016-2025/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.