--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a 2013-2019 Ford Escape" description: "Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2013-2019 Ford Escape in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a 2013-2019 Ford Escape Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2013-2019 Ford Escape in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed. ## Reset procedure, 2013-2019 Ford Escape (High confidence) 1. Turn the ignition on (press START without the brake, or key to ON) 2. Use the left steering-wheel arrow pad to open the left instrument-cluster menu and scroll to 'Settings' 3. Select 'Vehicle', then scroll to 'Oil Life Reset' and press OK 4. Press and hold OK until the display shows the oil life reset to 100% 5. Turn the ignition off Note: Alternate method on many 2013-2019 cars: ignition ON (engine off), fully press both the accelerator and brake pedals for ~20-25 seconds until the cluster confirms the reset. Reset only after an actual oil change, the IOLM calculates remaining life from driving conditions. ## Which Ford Escape model years does this cover? These oil life reset specifications apply to every Ford Escape built from 2013 through 2019, the 3rd generation (C520), compact crossover suv (global ford c platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2013 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013) - [2014 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2014) - [2015 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2015) - [2016 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2016) - [2017 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2017) - [2018 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2018) - [2019 Escape](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2019) ## What changed during the 2013-2019 Ford Escape | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2013 | All-new global generation; 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost replace the V6 and hybrid. Multiple launch-year recalls. Check VIN for completed campaigns. | | 2016 | SYNC 3 replaces MyFord Touch (big usability improvement) | | 2017 | Facelift: new front end and console, electronic parking brake added; 1.5L EcoBoost replaces the 1.6L, twin-scroll 2.0L (245 hp) replaces the original 2.0L, SYNC Connect added. Oil/filter/wiper/tire specs carry over. | | 2019 | Final year; mechanically identical to 2017-2018 | ## 2013-2019 Ford Escape oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a 2013-2019 Ford Escape? 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 2013-2019 Ford Escape? 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 2013-2019 Ford Escape? 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. Alternate method on many 2013-2019 cars: ignition ON (engine off), fully press both the accelerator and brake pedals for ~20-25 seconds until the cluster confirms the reset. Reset only after an actual oil change, the IOLM calculates remaining life from driving conditions. ## Sources - [Ford owner's manual, Escape capacities (2.0L EcoBoost: 5.7 qt)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=4668&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&moidRef=G1635371&Uid=G1821434&ProcUid=G1821437&userMarket=usa&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web) - [Ford owner's manual, Escape capacities (2.5L: 5.7 qt / 5.4 L)](https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=6414&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G1987489&ProcUid=G1987491&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web%2F1000) - [AMSOIL / Ford Escape forum, 1.6L (4.3 qt) and 1.5L (4.3 qt) capacities](https://www.fordescape.org/threads/2017-2019-1-5l-oil-capacity.113853/) - [AutoZone, 2013 Escape battery Group 96R, 500+ CCA](https://www.autozone.com/batteries-starting-and-charging/battery/ford/escape/2013) - [NHTSA, recall 17V-209 (1.6L coolant level sensor, Ford 17S09)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCMN-17V209-1124.pdf) - [Green Car Reports, 1.6L EcoBoost Escape recall roundup (12V-551, 13V-478)](https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1080836_ford-escape-ecoboost-recall-roundup-for-1-6-liter-engine) - [NHTSA / Lieff Cabraser, EcoBoost coolant intrusion + CSP 19B37/21N12](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10213728-0001.pdf) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2016 Ford Escape EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2016_Ford_Escape.shtml) - [2017 Ford Escape spark plug chart (SP-539/SP-537/SP-530)](https://2017fordescape.com/pages/spark-plugs.php) - [AutoZone, 2014 Escape wipers 28/28/11](https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/wiper-blade-windshield/ford/escape/2014) ## Other Ford Escape generations - [2020-2025 Ford Escape oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2020-2025/oil-reset) - [2012 Ford Escape oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2012/oil-reset) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/oil-reset). ## More for the 2013-2019 Ford Escape - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/escape/2013-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.