Reset the Oil Change Indicator

Last updated: May 17, 2026

The first-generation Chrysler 300 and 300C (LX platform, 2004–2011 — sold globally as the Chrysler 300, and as the Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger on the same chassis) tracks engine oil life using a duty-cycle algorithm and flashes an “OIL CHANGE REQUIRED” warning on the EVIC display when service is due. After completing an oil and filter change, the reset is owner-method: a brief accelerator-pedal sequence with the ignition on. No scan tool, no STARSCAN, no dealer visit needed.

Before you start

The Chrysler 300’s oil-life monitor on this generation is a calculation, not a real-time oil-quality measurement. It estimates remaining oil life from engine hours, RPM, oil temperature and cold-start counts, and decreases the percentage shown on the EVIC accordingly. A reset zeroes the percentage and restarts the countdown — it doesn’t physically test the oil.

• Reset after the service, never before. If you reset before the oil is changed, the algorithm will not flag again for another full interval (typically 6,000–10,000 km depending on duty cycle).
• Park on level ground. Not for the reset itself, but to ensure the engine oil level reads correctly when you check it after the change.
• Do the procedure with the engine cold or warm — either works. The reset is independent of engine state, but the ignition must be ON and the engine OFF.
• This procedure applies to all V6 and HEMI V8 LX-platform cars from 2004 to 2010, including 300 Touring, 300C, SRT8, Magnum SE/SXT/RT/SRT8 and Charger SE/SXT/RT/SRT8. The 2011 model-year onwards moved to the LD/LC platform with a slightly different procedure — verify the model year on your V5 / VIN if uncertain.

Tools required

None.

Reset procedure

1. Get in the driver’s seat and close the door. The reset is best done from the driver’s position because the accelerator pedal needs to travel its full range.
2. Switch the ignition ON without starting the engine. Turn the key to position II (engine warning lamps on, but starter not engaged). All dashboard lights illuminate and then settle.
3. Within 10 seconds of switching on, fully press the accelerator pedal to the floor and release it. Repeat this three times within the 10-second window. The pedal must travel its full range — half-press cycles will not register.
4. Switch the ignition OFF.
5. Wait a few seconds, then switch ignition back ON. Check the EVIC: the “OIL CHANGE REQUIRED” message should be gone, and the “OIL LIFE %” reading (if your trim displays it) should be at 100%.
6. If the message persists, repeat the procedure — many owners report that the first attempt fails because the 10-second window started before the cluster fully woke. Wait at least 5 seconds after switching ignition on before starting the three pedal presses.

How to verify it has worked

• The EVIC “OIL CHANGE REQUIRED” warning is no longer displayed at start-up.
• Scrolling through the EVIC menus (using the steering-wheel buttons or the dashboard rocker) to “Oil Life %” shows 100% or, if your trim doesn’t expose that menu, no warning message under the “Vehicle Info” submenu.
• The next engine start does not produce the audible chime that accompanies the oil-change warning.

Troubleshooting

The reset doesn’t take after multiple attempts. The most common cause: the accelerator pedal isn’t reaching its full range. The drive-by-wire pedal needs to register fully open at the throttle position sensor. If your car has been retrofitted with floor mats that bunch up under the pedal, remove them and retry. Second most common cause: a faulty or out-of-calibration throttle position sensor — the pedal looks normal but the ECU sees a partial press; this can be confirmed with a generic OBD-II tool that displays live data for “throttle position”.

The “CHANGE OIL” message clears but the “OIL LIFE 0%” still shows. These are two separate displays on the LX cars. The CHANGE OIL warning is what the reset addresses; the OIL LIFE percentage updates within a few miles of driving once the warning is cleared. Drive 5 miles and check again.

“Service due” warning persists. The Chrysler 300 has separate counters for oil change, brake service, transmission fluid, and time-based service intervals. The pedal reset clears only the oil-change counter. Brake fluid and ATF interval resets require a scan tool with Chrysler-specific access.

Reset works but the message comes back after 100 miles. The algorithm has detected severe duty cycle (lots of cold starts, lots of short trips, high RPM operation). On the V6 3.5 EGH and HEMI 5.7, severe service intervals can be as low as 4,000 km. Either drive longer journeys for a while or accept the more frequent service interval.

The 3-press-in-10-seconds window seems impossible to hit. Practice the pedal motion before turning ignition on — full down, full up, three times — should take about 4 seconds of brisk movement. The 10-second window is generous as long as the pedal cycles are full and crisp.

Frequently asked questions

Does the same procedure work on the Dodge Charger and Magnum?
Yes. The Charger LX (2006–2010) and Magnum LX (2005–2008) share the EVIC and ECU architecture with the Chrysler 300. The procedure is identical.

What’s the OEM service interval on the V6 vs the HEMI?
3.5 V6 (EGH): 6,000 km or 6 months under severe duty, 10,000 km or 12 months under normal duty. 5.7 HEMI V8 (EZH): 6,000 km severe, 10,000 km normal. Severe duty includes short trips under 10 km, towing, dusty conditions and extreme heat or cold. The oil-life monitor will adjust the actual reminder mileage based on observed duty.

Will resetting the oil-change counter affect anything else?
No. The reset is isolated to the oil-life algorithm. Engine timing, transmission shift points, idle adaptation — all unaffected.

Should I reset after every oil change, including non-OEM oil?
Yes — the algorithm doesn’t know what oil was put in, it just counts down from 100%. Always reset after any oil change to keep the warning timing meaningful. Use an oil that meets MS-6395 (the Chrysler spec for this generation) for HEMI engines or API SM/SN for V6.

Can I do this on a Magnum SRT8 with the dipstick removed?
The dipstick presence has nothing to do with the reset; the procedure works regardless. If you’re checking oil level on a HEMI, you do need the dipstick — the SRT8 doesn’t have a deletable dipstick like newer cars.

For oil-pressure or oil-related DTCs that surface after the change, see autodtcs.com.