Just changed your oil but that pesky warning light won’t turn off? Don’t worry—resetting the oil light on your Chevy Equinox is simpler than you think. This guide walks you through every method for every model year, so you can clear that reminder in under a minute.
Why You Need to Reset Your Oil Light
Your Equinox’s oil life monitoring system doesn’t actually measure your oil. Instead, it tracks driving conditions, engine temperature, and your driving style to estimate when you’ll need fresh oil. After each oil change, you’ll need to manually reset this system to 100% so it can accurately track your next service interval.
If you skip this step, you’ll get constant reminders for an oil change you’ve already done. Worse, you won’t know when you actually need your next one.
Quick Reset: The Gas Pedal Method (Works on Most Models)
This universal method works on nearly every Equinox from 2005 to 2017—and sometimes even newer models as a backup option.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- Turn your ignition to “ON” without starting the engine
- Press the accelerator pedal all the way down three times within 5 seconds
- Watch for the oil light to flash (that’s your confirmation)
- Turn the ignition off, then start your engine to verify
The whole process takes about 10 seconds. If the light doesn’t flash after your third pedal press, you pressed too slowly—just turn off the ignition and try again with quicker presses.
This simple reset procedure has saved countless Equinox owners from unnecessary trips to the dealership.
2005-2017 Models: Dashboard Button Method
If your Equinox has a Driver Information Center (the screen between your speedometer and tachometer), you can reset through the menu system instead.
Start by turning your ignition to “ON” with the engine off. Press the MENU button on your dashboard—it’s usually on the instrument cluster or center console. Use the up and down arrow buttons to scroll through options until you see “Remaining Oil Life.”
Press SET/CLR to select it. The screen will ask if you want to reset—use the arrows to highlight “YES,” then press SET/CLR again. Your oil life should jump to 100%.
This dashboard reset method gives you visual confirmation at every step, which some drivers prefer over the gas pedal method.
2018-2025 Models: Three Different Systems
Chevy redesigned the Equinox in 2018, introducing three different display levels depending on your trim package. You’ll need to identify which system you have before resetting.
Base Level Display Reset
Your base display is the simpler, smaller screen without fancy graphics. Start your vehicle (yes, actually start it this time—not just ignition to ON).
Look at the right side of your steering wheel for the navigation buttons. Press the left or right arrow until you reach the “Vehicle” tab in your display menu. Scroll down using the up/down buttons until you find the oil life screen.
Press the checkmark button. The system will ask you to confirm—highlight “YES” and press the checkmark again. Your oil life resets to 100%.
Mid-Level Display Reset
The mid-level display sits between base and premium—it’s bigger than base but doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the top-tier system.
Turn on your vehicle and press the left arrow button to open the main menu. Navigate to “Info” and press the checkmark button. Use the up/down buttons to find your current oil life percentage.
Here’s the trick: push and hold the checkmark button for several seconds. Keep holding until the percentage jumps to 100%. This hold-to-reset feature confuses some owners who expect a confirmation screen.
High-Level Display Reset
The premium display offers the most intuitive interface with larger graphics and clearer menus. Start your vehicle and use the left/right arrows to navigate to the “Info” tab at the top of your screen.
Press up/down to scroll through info screens until you see “Remaining Oil Life.” Press the checkmark button to access reset options. Highlight “YES” when prompted and press the checkmark to confirm.
This detailed walkthrough shows each display type side-by-side if you’re still unsure which system you have.
What Happens After You Reset
Once you’ve completed the reset, your oil life should display 100%. Some Equinox models will briefly flash the oil wrench symbol for 1-2 seconds when you shut off the vehicle—that’s normal and actually confirms your monitoring system is working properly.
Drive your vehicle for a few miles and check the display again. The percentage might drop slightly depending on your driving conditions. If it stays at 100% after short trips, you’ve successfully reset the system.
If the oil light comes back on immediately or won’t reset at all, you might have a deeper issue worth investigating.
Does Your Mechanic Reset It Automatically?
Most professional oil change services will reset your oil life monitor as part of the service. Quick-lube chains, dealerships, and independent mechanics all know this step matters.
But some forget. It happens more often at busy shops during peak hours. According to discussions on Chevy Equinox forums, roughly one in five oil changes leaves the shop without a proper reset.
That’s why knowing how to do it yourself matters. Even if your mechanic usually remembers, you’ll want this skill for DIY oil changes or when you’re stuck with a shop that forgets.
Understanding Your Oil Life Percentage
| Oil Life Remaining | What It Means | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 100-50% | Fresh oil performing well | No action needed |
| 49-15% | Oil still protecting but aging | Plan your next oil change |
| 14-5% | Oil losing effectiveness | Change oil within next few weeks |
| 4-0% | Oil needs immediate replacement | Change oil as soon as possible |
| 0% (flashing) | Overdue for service | Change oil immediately to prevent engine damage |
The percentage isn’t a literal measure of oil quality—it’s a calculation based on accumulated stress factors. Your oil at 50% isn’t “half dirty.” It just means the system estimates you’re halfway to needing a change based on how you’ve been driving.
Reset Methods by Model Year
| Model Years | Primary Method | Alternative Method | Display Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-2009 | Gas pedal (3 pumps) | Dashboard buttons | Basic DIC |
| 2010-2017 | Dashboard buttons | Gas pedal (3 pumps) | Enhanced DIC |
| 2018-2020 | Steering wheel controls | Gas pedal (backup) | Base/Mid/High level |
| 2021-2025 | Steering wheel controls | Gas pedal (backup) | Base/Mid/High level |
What If the Light Won’t Turn Off?
You’ve tried every method twice. The light stays on. Now what?
First, disconnect your battery for 10 minutes. This hard reset clears the computer and sometimes unsticks stubborn reminder lights. Reconnect the battery, and try your reset procedure one more time.
Still lit? You might have a faulty oil pressure sensor or a computer glitch requiring a dealer scan tool. Some Equinox owners on community forums report that persistent oil lights after proper resets indicate failing sensors rather than actual oil problems.
Before you head to the dealer, verify you actually completed the reset sequence correctly. Film yourself doing it if needed—sometimes seeing your own process reveals a missed step.
The Bottom Line
Learning how to Chevy Equinox reset oil light takes five minutes but saves you from annoying reminders and inaccurate service tracking. Whether you’ve got a 2006 model with the gas pedal method or a 2024 with steering wheel controls, the process is quick once you know your specific procedure.
Most Equinox owners find that after doing it twice, the reset becomes automatic—you’ll knock it out in 30 seconds without thinking. Keep this guide bookmarked for your first few times, then you’ll never need it again.
Now go clear that light and enjoy driving without that nagging reminder staring at you from the dashboard.
