Oil Change Reminder vs Oil Pressure Light: What Each Oil Light Means
True for most modern cars: they have a separate oil change reminder (maintenance light) in addition to the oil pressure warning light. The two mean very different things. The oil change or maintenance reminder (“Maint Reqd”, “Oil Change Due”, a wrench icon or an oil life percentage) is a scheduled-service reminder: book an oil change soon. The red oil can (oil pressure) warning means the engine is not getting enough oil pressure right now: pull over safely and turn the engine off as soon as possible, then check the oil level. Some cars also have a yellow low oil level warning.
Driver’s education tests and quizzes often ask whether most vehicles have a separate oil change reminder or maintenance light. The real-world answer matters more than the quiz: confusing a harmless service reminder with the oil pressure warning, or the other way around, can mean either a needless panic or a destroyed engine.
This guide explains each oil-related light, what to do when it comes on and how to reset the oil change reminder after service.
Oil Change Reminder vs Oil Pressure Light
| Light | Looks like | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil change / maintenance reminder | “Maint Reqd”, “Oil Change Due”, wrench, oil life % | Scheduled oil change or service is due | Book service soon. Not an emergency |
| Oil pressure warning | Red oil can, sometimes with a drip | Oil pressure is too low right now | Pull over safely, switch off the engine, check oil |
| Low oil level warning | Yellow oil can or text message | Oil level is below the safe mark | Check the dipstick and top up soon |
| Check engine light | Engine outline | Engine or emissions fault | Have codes read. Flashing = reduce speed and get help |
Symbols and colors vary between brands, so check the indicator section of your owner’s manual.
What the Oil Change Reminder Means
Oil change reminders started with simple mileage counters. In the late 1980s GM introduced one of the first, and today most cars use either a fixed mileage interval or an oil life monitor that estimates oil wear from engine revolutions, temperature, trip length and driving style. When oil life drops to around 15% or the interval is reached, the message appears. It is a reminder, not a fault: the engine is fine, but the oil needs changing soon.
Some brands combine oil changes with other services. Toyota’s “Maint Reqd” light, for example, is a mileage-based service reminder. See our guide to resetting the Toyota maintenance light after an oil change.
What to Do If the Red Oil Pressure Light Comes On
Signal, move out of traffic and stop as soon as it is safe. Do not keep driving to your destination.
Low oil pressure can damage bearings within minutes. Switch the engine off once you are stopped safely.
Wait a few minutes for oil to drain back, then pull the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert it and read the level.
If the level is low, add the oil grade listed in your owner’s manual until it reaches the full mark. Look for leaks under the car.
If the light goes off right away after topping up, drive gently to a shop to find out why the oil was low.
If the oil level is fine but the light stays on, or you hear knocking, do not drive. Have the car towed for diagnosis.
Learn the dipstick check in our guide on how to check your oil level.
How to Reset the Oil Change Reminder
Most shops reset the reminder when they change the oil. If you change it yourself, the common methods are:
- Settings menu: use the steering wheel buttons or touchscreen to find Maintenance or Oil Life, then select reset.
- Trip button method: on many older cars, hold the trip/odometer button while turning the ignition on until the light blinks and resets.
- Pedal method: some Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles reset by pressing the accelerator fully a set number of times with the ignition on.
Brand guides: Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra and Subaru.
- Only reset the reminder after the oil is actually changed.
- Check the dipstick monthly. Oil life monitors do not measure oil level.
- A red light is always more urgent than yellow or green.
- If the oil pressure light flickers at idle, have it checked soon.
Most modern cars have both an oil change reminder and an oil pressure warning. The reminder means service is due soon and is reset after the oil change. The red oil can means low oil pressure right now: stop safely, turn off the engine and check the oil. Never drive on with the red oil pressure light on.
Oil Lights FAQs
Yes, most modern vehicles have an oil change or maintenance reminder in addition to the oil pressure warning light.
No. The oil change light is a service reminder. The oil pressure light warns of low oil pressure and needs immediate attention.
Yes, for a short time. Book an oil change soon and check the oil level in the meantime.
No. Pull over and turn the engine off as soon as it is safe. Driving with low oil pressure can ruin the engine.
Usually the maintenance reminder was not reset. If it is the red oil pressure light, check for low oil level or a loose filter right away.
On many cars a yellow oil can or message means the oil level is low. Check the dipstick and top up.
- Most cars have both lights.
- Reminder = service due, not urgent.
- Red oil can = stop and switch off.
- Yellow oil = low level on many cars.
- Reset the reminder after each change.
