How to Reset the Oil Life on GM Vehicles (Every Model, Step by Step)

After every oil change, you need to reset your GM vehicle's Oil Life Monitor (OLM) — otherwise the system keeps counting down from wherever it was before the change and will give you inaccurate service reminders. This is a 30-second job, but the steps vary by model year and trim level.

Here are the reset procedures for every major GM and Chevrolet vehicle, organized by generation and infotainment system.

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Why the GM Oil Life Monitor Matters

GM's Oil Life Monitor is not a simple mileage counter. It's an algorithm that calculates actual oil degradation based on engine revolutions, temperatures, driving conditions, and load. It tells you when oil is actually degraded — not just when you've hit an arbitrary mileage interval.

When you change the oil, the OLM needs to be told so it can start its calculation fresh from 100%. If you skip the reset, it will continue from its previous reading and may tell you to change your oil far sooner than necessary — or never alert you at all if it wasn't triggered before the change.

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Reset Procedures by Vehicle Generation

🔷 2022–2026 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon (Large Touchscreen — 11" or 13.4")

1. With the vehicle ON (engine running or in ACC mode), tap Settings on the home screen
2. Tap Vehicle
3. Scroll down and tap Oil Life Reset
4. Tap Reset and confirm — Oil Life will return to 100%

Alternative method: Go to the Vehicle Information menu in the instrument cluster display using the steering wheel controls → scroll to Oil Life → hold OK button for 3 seconds to reset.

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🔷 2019–2021 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon (8" Infotainment)

1. Turn ignition to ON (engine off) or start the engine
2. Press the HOME button on the infotainment screen
3. Go to Settings → Vehicle Settings
4. Select Remaining Oil Life
5. Press and hold Set/Reset or tap Reset until Oil Life resets to 100%

Steering wheel method: Use the left arrow button on the steering wheel to navigate to the DIC (Driver Information Center) → scroll to Oil Life % → hold the checkmark/OK button until it resets

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🔷 2014–2018 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon (MyLink 8" or 4.2" Cluster)

With 4.2" color cluster (most models):

1. Turn ignition to ON without starting the engine (push brake and Start without foot on brake on push-start models, or turn key to second position)
2. Use the left arrow or thumbwheel on the steering wheel to navigate the DIC to Oil Life %
3. Hold the Set/Reset button (or thumbwheel press) for 3–5 seconds
4. When the DIC displays "Oil Life Reset" or returns to 100%, release

Without DIC buttons (base models):

1. Turn ignition to ON (engine off)
2. Press the trip odometer reset button on the instrument cluster three times rapidly
3. Oil Life % should flash and reset — press the button once more to confirm

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🔷 2007–2013 Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon (GMT900 — DIC Buttons)

1. Turn ignition to ON (run position) without starting the engine
2. Press the up/down arrows on the DIC button cluster (left of steering wheel) to scroll to OIL LIFE REMAINING
3. Press and hold the SET/RESET button for 3 seconds until the DIC displays "OIL LIFE RESET"
4. Turn ignition off

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🔷 2016–2026 Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain

1. Turn ignition to ON without starting
2. Fully press the gas pedal to the floor and release — repeat 3 times within 5 seconds
3. The DIC or instrument cluster will display "Oil Life Reset Complete" or show 100%

Alternative: On models with a touchscreen, go to Settings → Vehicle Info → Oil Life → Reset

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🔷 2010–2017 Chevy Equinox (1st/2nd Gen)

1. Turn the key to ON (engine off)
2. Press the trip/fuel button on the instrument panel until "Oil Life" appears in the DIC
3. Press and hold Set/Reset for 3 seconds
4. The oil life percentage resets to 100%

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🔷 2016–2026 Chevy Malibu, Impala, Camaro

1. Turn ignition to ON (don't start)
2. Use the arrow buttons on the steering wheel to navigate the DIC to Remaining Oil Life %
3. Hold the OK or Set/Reset button for 3–5 seconds until the display resets

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🔷 2016–2026 Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon

1. Turn ignition to ON
2. Navigate the DIC with steering wheel buttons to Oil Life %
3. Hold OK/checkmark for 3 seconds to reset

Alternative: On models with the 8" Infotainment: Settings → Vehicle Settings → Oil Life → Reset

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🔷 2019–2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 (Push-Button Start)

1. Press the START button without your foot on the brake — this puts the vehicle in ACC/ON mode
2. Use the left steering wheel cluster button to navigate the DIC to Oil Life %
3. Press and hold the checkmark/OK button for 3 seconds until it resets to 100%

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🔷 Cadillac Models (Escalade, CT5, CT4, XT5, XT6) — 2021–2026

1. From the main screen tap Settings
2. Tap Vehicle
3. Tap Oil Life Reset
4. Confirm reset — Oil Life returns to 100%

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🔷 GMC Models (Sierra, Yukon, Acadia) — 2022–2026

Same procedure as equivalent Chevrolet models above — the process is identical across GM brands for the same generation of infotainment system.

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What If the Oil Life Won't Reset?

If you follow the steps and the oil life doesn't reset, try these fixes:

• Make sure the engine is OFF — most reset procedures require the ignition to be in ON/ACC mode without the engine running
• Hold the button longer — some vehicles require holding for up to 10 seconds before the reset registers
• Try the alternative procedure — most GM vehicles have two ways to reset (infotainment screen AND steering wheel/DIC method)
• Check the battery — a weak battery with low voltage can prevent the reset from saving properly
• Disconnect and reconnect battery (last resort) — this will force a full reset of all driver preferences, including oil life, but should only be done if nothing else works

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How Often Does GM Actually Recommend Changing Oil?

GM's official guidance: change oil when the OLM reaches 20% or lower, or at least once per year regardless of mileage. For most drivers this works out to every 5,000–7,500 miles on full synthetic oil.

See our full breakdown: Why Regular Oil Changes Matter More Than You Think and Best Oil for the Silverado 5.3L.

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Related GM Maintenance Guides

• Complete GM Vehicle Maintenance Schedule Guide
• The Complete GM & Chevrolet Owner's Guide

— GM Service Guy

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