How to reset oil life on ford focus

The oil change light comes on in a Ford Focus when it is time for an oil change. The general rule for oil changes is that cars should have a complete oil change somewhere within the region of every 5,000 – 10,000 miles. When a mechanic changes the engine oil in your Ford Focus, they reset the oil change light for you.

However, if you are changing the oil yourself you will need to know how to reset the oil change indicator.

Ford Focus cars are equipped with an Oil Life monitoring system. The Oil Life monitor tracks the number of miles a car has traveled since the last time there was an oil change and the light was reset.

This smart monitoring system means Focus drivers will always know when their car is due to an oil change. The process of resetting the oil change light varies between different Ford Focus models.

In this article, we share easy-to-follow step-by-step guides on resetting the oil change light in 3rd and 4th generation Ford Focus cars, covering models made in the years 2011 – 2021.

How To Reset Oil Change Light In 3rd Generation Ford Focus – 2011 – 2018 

The 3rd generation of Ford Focus cars began in 2011 and the last cars in this generation were the 2018 models. Here is our easy-to-follow step-by-step guide for resetting the oil change light in a Ford Focus from 2011 to 2018. 

Step 1

Put the key into the ignition and turn to the ON position – this is just one turn of the key. If your Ford Focus has a start button, push the Engine Stop/Start button just one time, don’t start the engine.  The car engine will stay off in keyless Ford Focus as long as you do not put your foot brake pedal.

Step 2

With the ignition on but the engine off, now you need to push your feet down onto the brake and accelerator pedal simultaneously for approximately 20 seconds. While your feet are on the pedals you should notice a message on the display that says Oil Reset In Progress.

Step 3

After around 25 seconds the message should change to Oil Reset Complete.

Step 4

Finally, to finish resetting the Oil change light all you need to do is remove your feet from the pedals. Once you remove your feet the reset complete message should disappear. Turn off the ignition by either turning the key back or pressing the Stop button in your car.

Next time you start your car engine the oil, change light will be off and the system will be reset.

How To Reset Oil Change Light In 4th Generation Ford Focus – 2019 – 2021

Following the 3rd generation of the Ford Focus cars, Ford stopped producing them for the US market.  However, a 4th generation Ford Focus was developed for the Asian and European marketplace and the oil change light reset process differs from the method used for older Ford Focus models.

If you have a Ford Focus 2019, 2020, or 2021 model, you can reset the oil change light using the digital display. You will not need to press the pedals as described in the guide above, instead, you will need to follow the steps detailed below:

Step 1

Turn the Ford Focus ignition to the ON position or press the Start button once if you do not use a key to start your car. When starting your Ford Focus with a Start button, make sure you do not press down on the clutch.

Step 2

Using the button on the side of the steering wheel, press the up and down buttons to select the ‘Settings’ menu on the digital display. Press the OK button to select ‘Settings’.

Step 3

Next, using the side buttons again, press the three lines above the Menu button, this will bring a submenu up on the digital display.  Use the up and down buttons to highlight the ‘Information’ option, you will then need to select ‘Oil Life’.

Step 4

Next, scroll down and select ‘Reset Oil Life’. Hold down the OK button on the steering wheel until the message Reset Successful appears on the screen.

Step 5

You have now successfully reset the Oil Life/Oil Change light on your 4th generation Ford Focus.

FAQs

How To Reset Oil Change Light On Ford Focus 2012?

To reset the oil change light on a Ford Focus 2012, all you need to do is follow our step-by-step guide for the 3rd generation Ford Focus. To reset the oil change light turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.

Next, press down on the accelerator and brake for 20 – 25 seconds, and a message stating oil reset in progress should appear. After around 25seconds this message should change to Reset Complete and you have finished resetting the oil change light in a 2012 Ford Focus.

Why Is My Ford Focus Engine Light On?

If the check engine light is on in your Ford Focus you should not ignore this essential maintenance warning. The check engine light can come on if there are problems in your engine that need immediate attention.

Reasons why the Ford Focus check engine light comes on include problems with the car battery, loose gas cap, transmission and emission issues, old spark plugs, and many more. The best way to work out why the check engine light is on in a Ford Focus is to use a car code scanner to bring up the error code.

How Long Can I Go Without An Oil Change Ford Focus?

A Ford Focus needs to have an oil change every 7,500 miles. However, if you are unsure exactly how often your specific model Ford Focus needs the oil changed, consult your car owner’s manual as you should be able to find accurate information there.

In most cases, cars should have their oil changed every 5000 – 10000 miles.

Can you drive with the oil light on?

It is strongly advised that you do not drive with the oil light on. The oil pressure light will illuminate when the oil pressure has dropped in your engine and this is a problem that needs urgent attention.

Do not risk driving with your oil light on as for every mile you travel you will be putting your car engine at further risk of serious damage.

Can I use 5W30 in my Ford Focus?

You should not put 5W30 in a Ford Focus engine. This is because 5W30 does not meet the engine specification for Ford Focus cars. Instead, it is recommended you use Motorcraft SAE 5w-20 engine oil as this complies with the Ford standard,

Conclusion 

Resetting the Oil Change light after an oil change is essential. The Oil Life monitoring system tracks your car’s miles and it needs to be reset after every oil change so you are always aware of how many miles you can travel before your next oil change is due.

Resetting the oil change light is an easy process and we have made it even easier by providing you with detailed step-by-step guides.