The Mechanic Online Reference

Apr 15, 2018

Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi Resetting the Oil Life Monitoring System

Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi Resetting the Oil Life Monitoring System 


C-MAX full hybrid vehicles are equipped with an information display which indicates the proper oil change service interval; the interval is up to one year or 10000 miles (16000 kilometers). When ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED appears in the information display, it’s time for an oil change; the oil change must be done within two weeks or 500 miles (800 kilometers) of the ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing. The oil life monitoring system must be reset after each oil change. 

C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles are equipped with the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® (IOLM) system which shows a message in the information display at the proper oil change service interval; this interval may be up to two years or 20000 miles (32000 kilometers). When ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED appears in the information display, it’s time for an oil change; the oil change must be done within two weeks or 500 miles (800 kilometers) of the ENGINE OIL CHANGE DUE or OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message appearing. The Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor® must be reset after each oil change.

If your information display is prematurely reset or becomes inoperative, you should perform the oil change interval at six months or 5000 miles (8000 kilometers) from your last oil change. Never exceed two years or 20000 miles (32000 kilometers) between oil change intervals. Your vehicle is very sophisticated and built with multiple complex performance systems. Every manufacturer develops these systems using different specifications and performance features. That is why it is important to rely upon your dealership to properly diagnose and repair your vehicle.


Resetting the Oil Life Monitoring System 

Reset the oil life monitoring only after an oil change. 

1. Turn the ignition key to the on position. Do not start the engine. For vehicles with push-button start, press and hold the start button for two seconds without pressing the brake pedal. Do not attempt to start the engine. 

2. Press both the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time. 

3. Keep both pedals fully pressed. 

4. After three seconds, the Service: Oil reset in prog. message will be displayed. 

5. After 25 seconds, the Service: Oil reset complete message will be displayed. 

6. Release both the accelerator and brake pedals. 

7. The Service: Oil reset complete message will no longer be displayed. 

8. Rotate the key to the off position. For vehicles with push-button start, press the start button to turn the vehicle off completely. 


Oil Maintenance Mode (If Equipped) 


The oil maintenance mode is equipped on Energi models only. The oil maintenance mode keeps the engine oil quality in good condition when you drive the vehicle with limited engine use. If the vehicle is in oil maintenance mode when you start the vehicle, a message will appear in the instrument cluster. While the vehicle is in oil maintenance mode, the vehicle will run the engine as necessary. If you select the EV Now mode while the vehicle is in the oil maintenance mode, EV Now mode will be suspended for as long as you are in oil maintenance mode. The oil maintenance mode will resume the next time you start the vehicle. Changing the engine oil and resetting the oil life monitoring system will suspend the oil maintenance mode.