2017 Ford Escape: Resetting the Oil Life Monitor

Marie A
Feb 16, 2021

White 2017 Ford Escape From Front-Driver Side

If you’re thinking about owning a 2017 Ford Escape, it’s important to understand how all its systems work, especially when it comes to maintenance.

The intelligent oil-life monitor, for example, can help extend the life of your car, but only if you know how to reset it.

How can you reset the oil life on a 2017 Ford Escape?  

To reset the oil life monitor, turn on accessory power by pressing the push-to-start with your foot off the brake pedal. Then, press both the gas and brake pedals to the floor until the system finishes the reset.   

If you’d like to breeze through this process with ease, let this article guide the way. In this piece, we will explore all the steps you need to follow to reset the oil life monitor on your car.

The Ford Escape’s Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor

Regular oil changes are key in keeping your 2017 Ford Escape in optimal condition. Like many modern cars, the Escape features a monitoring system that helps you stay on schedule.

Dubbed the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor, this system tracks the miles between your oil changes. As it does that, the screen lets you know what percentage of oil life you have left. Once you reach 15% oil life remaining, it will provide a reminder that tells you to schedule your oil change.

To keep your engine in pristine condition, you should have the oil changed well before it hits 0%. After having that service done, you can reset the oil life monitor to restart the countdown and get a reminder right on time.

Steps to Resetting the Oil Life on the 2017 Ford Escape

As described in the video above, resetting the oil life monitor on the 2017 Ford Escape is quite easy. To complete the process, you just have to follow these steps while sitting in the driver’s seat with your foot off the brake.

  • Press the push-to-start button once to turn on all the accessories, including the gauges
  • Put your feet on the gas and brake pedals and push them all the way to the floor
  • Keep holding both pedals down until the ‘Service: Oil reset in prog.’ message disappears
  • Once the ‘reset complete’ message comes up, you can lift your feet off the brake and gas pedals. If following these steps doesn’t result in a reset, check that your driver’s door and hood are completely closed, then try again.
  • If the system resets, press the push-to-start button once more to turn off the accessories. You can start the car with your foot on the brake to check that the oil life monitor message is gone from the display.

Time to Buy a Ford Escape? Run a Vehicle History Check

If you’re aiming to buy a 2017 Ford Escape, get ready to inspect all the cars that catch your eye. Beyond that, it’s important to go on plenty of test drives and run a Vehicle History check. That way, you can rule out cars with obvious problems and any history of accidents, title issues, and much more. Your efforts will help you find a car you’ll love and skip a serious case of buyer’s remorse.

Owner Reviews

accountCircle Harold E. Kuchenbeiser on September 10, 2022
Resetting the oil monitor system
I bought my new For Escape from Surprise Ford in Arizona. I have had different problems with the service on my vehicle. Not as much with the service writer as the sloppy work the mechanics did or should I say didn't do. My last oil change was back in March 11, 2022, my next oil change on the sticker they put on my windshield said 31,000 or Sept 11, 2022, 2 weeks ago the oil change indicator came on which I have never seen before, so I call my service writer and asked him about the indicator should have been reset at my last oil change, but he said they don't reset anything it is just a warning that comes up to let you know. I fit isn't reset how would it know it is time is my question. I went on your web site to find out that it should be reset after every oil change. Thank you for the info so I can reset it myself. No thanks to the dealership for their lack of knowledge on this issue. We only put a few thousand miles every 6 months anyway. We bought the Escape on Jan 27th, 2017. It is Sept 10th, 2022 and I only have 28,000 miles on it now. Will I ever use Surprise Ford service again? NEVER, to many blunders from their service dept. Sincerely Harold Kuchenbeiser, by the way I do believe in Ford products. When I was I high school my senior year bought a 1964 1/2 mustang from Schwister Ford in Menomonee Falls Wisconsin. Loved it. Keep up the great work on your vehicles and maybe check out their service dept at Surprise Ford.
accountCircle Kevin D Butterworth on February 8, 2022
Kevinbutterworth52@yahoo.com
Thanks really helped reset oil change light on my escape. Ford owner of manual didn't show that amazing hmm
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