--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer" description: "Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed. ## Reset procedure, 2012-2019 Ford Explorer (High confidence) 1. Turn the ignition ON without starting the engine (push-button cars: hold START for a few seconds without touching the brake, or press once with foot off the brake) 2. Using the left steering-wheel 5-way pad, scroll the left cluster screen to Settings, then select Vehicle 3. Select "Oil Life Reset" and press and hold OK 4. Hold until the display shows the oil life reset to 100% 5. Turn the ignition off, the reset is stored Note: Cars without the menu (base clusters) use the pedal method: ignition ON engine off, press and hold both the accelerator and brake pedals fully for about 25 seconds until the cluster shows "oil life reset" complete. The Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor counts down from 100% based on operating conditions, capped at 10,000 mi / 1 year. ## Which Ford Explorer model years does this cover? These oil life reset specifications apply to every Ford Explorer built from 2012 through 2019, the U502 (5th generation), mid-size 3-row crossover suv (unibody, fwd/awd). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2012 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012) - [2013 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2013) - [2014 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2014) - [2015 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2015) - [2016 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2016) - [2017 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2017) - [2018 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2018) - [2019 Explorer](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2019) ## What changed during the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.0L EcoBoost joins as an FWD-only economy option (no tow package) | | 2013 | Explorer Sport added: 365-hp 3.5L EcoBoost, AWD, 352mm brakes, 20-in wheels | | 2014 | Essentially unchanged: a few new exterior colors added; Limited trim gains standard heated second-row seats | | 2015 | Essentially unchanged: Limited trim adds an available adaptive cruise control option, with second-row heated seats offered as an option lineup-wide | | 2016 | Major facelift: new front/rear styling, 280-hp 2.3L EcoBoost replaces the 2.0L, Platinum trim (3.5L EcoBoost) added, SYNC 3 arrives mid-cycle; low-beam bulb changes to H11 | | 2018-2019 | Minor updates; carryover mechanicals in the final years before the RWD-platform redesign | ## 2012-2019 Ford Explorer oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? 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 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? 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 2012-2019 Ford Explorer? 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. Cars without the menu (base clusters) use the pedal method: ignition ON engine off, press and hold both the accelerator and brake pedals fully for about 25 seconds until the cluster shows "oil life reset" complete. The Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor counts down from 100% based on operating conditions, capped at 10,000 mi / 1 year. ## Sources - [Ford. What is the recommended engine oil for my vehicle? (oil/filter lookup)](https://www.ford.com/support/how-tos/oil-change/oil-change-information/what-is-the-recommended-engine-oil-for-my-vehicle/) - [NHTSA EA17-002 ODI resume, Explorer exhaust odor engineering analysis](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2017/INOA-EA17002-5925.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 21V-537 (Ford 21S32), rear suspension toe link](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2021/RCLRPT-21V537-1447.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 24V-031 (Ford 24S02), A-pillar trim detachment](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V031-8781.PDF) - [Ford Authority / CarComplaints, 3.5L water pump class action dismissed after settlement](https://fordauthority.com/2024/01/ford-water-pump-lawsuit-settlement-ends-class-action/) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft BXT-65-850 Group 65 battery fitment](https://www.ford.com/product/vehicle-battery-p4000109971) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft SP-546 spark plug (gap 0.045)](https://www.ford.com/product/spark-plug-p4000139430) - [Ford.com parts, Motorcraft FP-70 cabin air filter (CV6Z-19N619-A)](https://www.ford.com/product/cabin-air-filter-p4000138624) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 and 2017 Ford Explorer EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2017_Ford_Explorer.shtml) - [WiperBladesUSA, 2016 Explorer wiper sizes 26/22/11](https://www.wiperbladesusa.com/wiper-size/ford/explorer/2016) ## Other Ford Explorer generations - [2020-2025 Ford Explorer oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2020-2025/oil-reset) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/oil-reset). ## More for the 2012-2019 Ford Explorer - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/ford/explorer/2012-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.