Maybe you just changed the oil yourself to save a few bucks, climbed back in your Altima, and bam—that annoying little wrench or “Maintenance Oil” light is still staring at you. You start the car, it won’t go away, and now you’re worried you did something wrong. Relax, friend. That light is super easy to turn off yourself, no trip to the dealer needed.
Key Takeaways
Turn the key to ON (or push start button twice without touching brake), scroll to the wrench/maintenance menu with the steering wheel buttons, hold the OK button until it flashes, press OK again to reset, wait for “Reset” or “100%” to appear, then start the car—the light disappears in under one minute.
Why the Oil Light Stays On After an Oil Change
Your Nissan Altima isn’t trying to be difficult. The car has a built-in reminder system that counts miles and time since the last reset. Even if you changed the oil perfectly, the computer still thinks it’s overdue until you tell it “Hey, we’re good now.” Most 2013–2025 Altima models (and many other Nissans) use the exact same menu system, so this trick works on almost every one.
People waste money at quick-lube places just for the reset because the techs know this tiny secret. Some shops even charge an extra $15–25 just to push two buttons. Once you learn it, you’ll never pay again—and you’ll feel like a genius every time the light comes on.
The system is actually smart: it reminds you every 5,000–7,500 miles depending on how you drive. Hard city driving? It reminds sooner. Mostly highway? It gives you more miles. Resetting it keeps everything accurate and protects your engine.
- Light means the reminder is on, not that your oil is bad right now
- Same steps work on 4th-gen (2007–2012) with slight button differences
- No scan tool ever needed for a simple oil reset
Tools You Need (Most People Already Have Them)
You literally need nothing special. No OBD2 scanner, no laptop, no secret code. Just your key (or push-button start) and the buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. That’s it.
If your Altima is older (2007–2012) and has the little toggle stick on the dash instead of steering wheel buttons, the steps are almost identical—just use that stick instead. Every modern Altima from 2013 onward has the square “OK” button between the arrows on the steering wheel.
Keep your owner’s manual in the glovebox because page 2-20 or 2-21 shows the exact menu pictures if you ever get lost. But honestly, once you do it one time, you’ll remember forever.
- Steering wheel arrows + OK button = your only tools
- Key or push-button start (no brake)
- Takes less than 60 seconds once you know where to look
Exact Button-by-Button Walkthrough (2019–2025 Altima)
Sit in the driver seat, close the door, and leave your foot off the brake. Push the start button twice (or turn the key to ON position—don’t start the engine yet). Look at the little screen between the speedometer and tachometer.
Use the left/right arrows on the steering wheel to scroll until you see a wrench icon or the word “Maintenance.” When it’s highlighted, press the up/down arrows until “Engine Oil” or “Oil and Filter” shows on the screen. Now press and hold the OK button (the square one) for about 3–5 seconds until the numbers start flashing.
As soon as it flashes, let go and press OK one more time to choose “Reset.” You’ll see the mileage jump back to 7,500 or whatever your setting is, and it might say “Reset Complete.” Start the car—the light is gone. That’s literally it.
If you mess up, just turn the car off and start over. No damage possible.
- Push start twice (no brake) → ON position
- Scroll to wrench → Engine Oil → hold OK → flashes → press OK again
- Start car = light disappears every time
How to Do It on Older 2013–2018 Altima Models
The menu looks a tiny bit different, but the idea is the same. Turn key to ON (or push start twice). Use the same steering wheel arrows to find “Settings” then “Maintenance” then “Service.” You’ll see “Reset” right there—hold the OK button (or the little circle button) and you’re done.
Some 2016–2018 cars let you change the reminder from 7,500 miles down to 3,000 if you like super-frequent changes. Just scroll to “Interval” instead of “Reset” and pick your number.
These older cars sometimes need you to hold the button a full 10 seconds—be patient, keep holding until it beeps or flashes.
- Same buttons, just “Settings” instead of direct wrench icon
- Hold longer (up to 10 sec) on some 2016 models
- You can change reminder miles if you want
What to Do If the Light Still Won’t Reset
First, double-check you’re in the right menu—people sometimes reset “Tire Maintenance” by mistake. Second, make sure you’re holding the OK button until it actually flashes. If you only tap it, nothing happens.
Try turning the car completely off, remove the key for 30 seconds, then try again. Still stuck? Your battery might be weak—low voltage confuses the system. Hook up jumper cables or charge the battery for 10 minutes and retry.
Worst case (super rare), a dealer can force-reset it in 30 seconds for free under goodwill, especially if you just bought the car.
- Hold OK until flashing—don’t just tap
- Try key out for 30 seconds if stubborn
- Weak battery is the #1 hidden reason it fails
Bonus Ways to Avoid the Light Forever
Change your oil a couple hundred miles early and reset it right then—the light never bugs you on the exact due date. Use full synthetic oil and you can safely push to 7,500–10,000 miles on most newer Altimas (check your manual).
Write the reset date and mileage on a tiny sticker on the windshield corner—makes next time brain-dead easy.
- Reset 200 miles early = zero stress
- Sticker trick saves hunting for receipts
- Full synthetic = longer, happier engine life
Final Thoughts
You now own the secret every quick-lube place hopes you never learn. Next time that oil light pops on, smile, grab your key, and knock it out in under a minute. You’ll save money, feel proud, and keep your Altima running perfectly. Go try it right now—you’ve got this!
| Action | Exact Buttons / Steps | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Get into menu | Start button x2 (no brake) or key to ON | Foot completely off brake pedal |
| Find maintenance menu | Left/right arrows → wrench icon | Takes 3–5 seconds max |
| Select oil service | Up/down arrows → Engine Oil or Oil & Filter | Don’t pick Tire or Air Filter by mistake |
| Start the reset | Hold OK button 3–10 seconds until flashing | Keep holding—don’t let go too soon |
| Confirm reset | Press OK once when flashing | You’ll see miles jump back to 7,500 |
| Finish | Start the engine | Light gone instantly |
| Change interval (optional) | Scroll to Interval → pick new number → OK | Great for synthetic oil users |
| If it fails | Key off 30 sec → battery check → try again | 99% success rate after this |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to reset the oil light myself?
Absolutely yes. You’re not touching anything mechanical—just telling the car’s computer that fresh oil is in. Nissan designed this menu exactly for owners to use. Thousands of people do it every day with zero problems.
Can the light come on even with good oil?
All the time! The light is only a reminder based on miles and time, not an actual oil-quality sensor. That’s why it stays on after you change the oil until you reset it.
Do I need a scan tool to reset Nissan oil light?
Never for a normal oil service reminder. Scan tools are only needed for real check-engine codes, not the little wrench or oil can icon.
Is it the same on a 2024 Altima as a 2015?
Almost identical. Newer cars jump straight to the wrench icon faster, older ones hide it under “Settings,” but the hold-OK-to-reset part is exactly the same.
Can I reset it with the engine running?
No—menu disappears when the engine starts. Always do it with key ON, engine OFF. Takes the same 45 seconds either way.
Do I have to reset it right after the oil change?
Nope, but do it within the next 100 miles or the light keeps blinking and gets annoying. Resetting early is actually smarter.
Is the procedure different for CVT fluid or other services?
Yes—those are separate menu items. Oil and filter has its own line. Never reset the wrong one or you’ll forget the real service.
Can I turn the reminder off forever?
You can set the interval to the maximum (usually 30,000 miles) and it basically never bugs you again if you track it yourself. Most people just leave it at 7,500.
