2015-2020 Ford F150 Oil Life/Oil Change Light Reset Guide & Tips

Last Updated on July 22, 2022 by Nick

Hello everyone! Today, I will show you how to reset your oil life or oil change required light in a Ford F150. So stay tuned if you’re interested in that. There are variables involved in determining when to have your vehicle’s oil changed. In today’s cars, modern engine oils do not deteriorate as rapidly as significant improvements.

Beginning with the 2011 model year, most Ford vehicles are equipped with an intelligent oil-life monitor that uses the actual engine and vehicle operating conditions more precisely calculate. So let’s see what you have to do to reset it.

Ford F150 XL Oil Life Reset Procedure

In this section, I will share the oil life reset procedure for the 2016 Ford f-150, which differs slightly from the 2015 models. We will use the center cluster with the controls on the left side of the steering wheel to do this operation.

So we’ll start here with the 2016 Ford f-150 in the XL trim level as it’s very similar to the 2015 models. This trim level without equipped with a 4.2-inch LCD screen. So here’s the way to reset it:

• Turn on your car
• Use the left arrow button to take you all the way back to the main menu

• Then we’ll use the down arrow to go down to SETTINGS
• Press the right arrow button to enter that field
• Scroll to the VEHICLE and press the right arrow again
• Get into the OIL LIFE RESET
• Then we’re going to push and hold the OK button to reset

Ford F150 XLT Oil Change Light Reset Guide

The F150 XLT and the F150 XL have a 4.2-inch LCD center screen. This will be the procedure that will use these same controls. So the way you reset is:

• Turn the ignition on
• And as before will use the left control button to go all the way back to the main menu
• Go to DISPLAY MODE and press the right arrow button to enter
• Then we’ll scroll down until we get to the ENGINE INFORMATION
• Once you get that screen, this is where we will press and hold the OK button to reset the oil life

Resetting Oil Light in Ford F150 Lariat

Now for Lariat trim level and above, you’ll have a different center cluster and a different way to access the oil life reset. Again we’ll use the same type of controls. So let’s get to it.

• After turning on the car, go to the TRUCK INFO tab menu
• Then you need to scroll down to the ENGINE INFORMATION
• Press the OK to enter and then hold down the OK button to perform the oil life reset

How To Reset Oil Life in Ford F150 Raptor

For your info, this operation work for the thirteenth generation of the Ford F150 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 model years).

Ford F150 Recommended Maintenance Schedule

There are 56 different types of services that your Ford F150 should undergo throughout its 150,000-mile maintenance schedule. The services include checking engine oil, spark plugs, transmission fluid, and many more. For information on each of the services, see your owner’s manual. The following are some important reminders to follow:

56 different types of services 

Your Ford F-150 should have a detailed maintenance schedule to ensure its safety and performance. At 150,000 miles, you should change axle fluids, replace accessory belts, change engine orange coolant, and change the transmission oil and filter. These are all crucial parts of your truck. You should inspect your vehicle every year to prevent premature wear and tear. Ford recommends these services for your car to keep it in excellent condition.

Changing the oil, filter, and oil can cost as much as $65 per service. Other services can include checking the A/C condenser, examining the brake fluid, replacing spark plugs, and inspecting the A/C system. You may also want to change the oil filter to 20,000 miles. You should also check the engine and cabin air filters every 5,000 miles.

Checking engine oil

The frequency of changing the engine oil on a Ford F150 will vary from person to person and the driving they do. To change the oil yourself, you’ll need a socket set, an oil filter wrench, and a bucket to catch the dirty oil. If you cannot do this yourself, you can take your F150 to a Ford dealer for an oil change.

A regular oil change is crucial for your truck’s engine. Bad oil reduces the engine’s lubrication and can lead to overheating, internal friction, and seizing. Checking the oil level on your F-150’s maintenance schedule can help prevent these problems. For more information, review your F-150 owner’s manual. You’ll be well on your way to a healthy truck by following these tips.

Checking spark plugs

If you want to keep your engine in excellent working order, you should put checking spark plugs on your Ford F150 maintenance schedule. Spark plugs are responsible for converting gasoline into power. Without them, your car would not be able to start or accelerate as it should. This could cost you a lot of money in repair bills. You can avoid such problems by regularly replacing spark plugs and changing the filters.

A malfunctioning spark plug can cause a blown motor or damage to cylinders. These two issues are the most expensive automotive repairs. Other items on your maintenance schedule include checking tires and spark plugs. Ideally, you should check tires when you fill up gas and change them when the tread depth falls below a certain level. In addition, it is essential to change spark plugs at regular intervals, ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

Checking transmission fluid

Checking your Ford F150 maintenance schedule’s transmission fluid is essential to maintaining your truck. Transmission fluid keeps important components lubricated and cool. Low transmission fluid levels can lead to catastrophic failure. Though changing transmission fluid is more complex than changing engine oil, it can still be completed by an amateur weekend warrior. Check the owner’s manual to determine your model’s proper transmission fluid type.

Transmission fluid is essential to check and is the most commonly overlooked component of your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. It lubricates and cools the transmission gears. You must also check engine coolant, antifreeze, and power steering fluid. All these fluids should be checked regularly and eventually need to be replaced. You can quickly and safely check the fluid levels in your transmission using dipsticks, usually brightly colored.

FAQ – Ford F150 Maintenance

So there you go, super simple, super easy to do it. Literally, it takes two or three minutes, so if you’re doing your oil change yourself, make sure you hit that reset button on your oil life to get your entire 100% oil life. And most importantly, you don’t get that little irritating change oil engine soon light every time you turn on your truck. I hope this content is helpful, and thanks for reading!