Last week I hopped into my buddy’s 2022 Silverado after an oil change and the “Change Engine Oil Soon” message was still glowing on the dash like it was mad at us. Five seconds later it was gone and he looked at me like I performed magic. Truth is, resetting the oil life monitor on a Silverado is stupid-easy once you know the trick, and doing it yourself saves you the awkward “dealer forgot to reset it” trip. Here’s exactly how to do it on pretty much any 2014–2025 Silverado.
The whole process boils down to six quick moves: turn the key to RUN (or push start twice without touching the brake on newer models), scroll to the oil life screen using the arrows on the steering wheel, hold the checkmark button until it hits 100%, confirm yes when it asks, watch the percentage climb back to 100, then turn the truck off and you’re done.
Finding the Driver Information Center Menu
First thing you need to do is wake the truck up without starting the engine. If you have a key, turn it to the RUN position — that’s one click before actually cranking it. On push-button models, just press the start button twice without stepping on the brake. You’ll hear some fans spin and all the lights on the dash come alive.
Next, look at the little screen between the speedometer and tachometer — that’s your DIC (Driver Information Center). On the left side of the steering wheel you’ll see a set of arrows pointing up, down, left, and right. Use the left and right arrows to flip through the different menus until you land on the one that says “Remaining Oil Life” with a percentage.
Most people panic here because they think they need the owner’s manual. You don’t. Just keep tapping those arrows slowly and you’ll see Info, Audio, Phone, Navigation, and then the oil life screen pops up. Takes maybe three seconds once you’ve done it once.
- Turn key to RUN or press start button twice (no brake)
- Wake up the dash lights
- Find the arrows on the left steering wheel spoke
- Scroll right until “Remaining Oil Life” shows
Getting to the Exact Oil Life Screen
Okay, you’re on the main menu and you see a bunch of options flying by. Keep pressing the right arrow until the screen literally says “Oil Life” and shows something like “15%” or “8%” remaining. That percentage is just GM’s guess based on how you drive — cold starts, towing, idling — nothing to do with how clean the oil actually is.
Sometimes on newer trucks you’ll see a little oil can icon too. That’s the one you want. If you accidentally scroll past it, just keep going — the menu loops around. My 2019 does this and it used to drive me nuts until I realized it circles back in like four taps.
Once the oil life screen is staring at you, you’re literally one button away from being done. The hard part is over and most people overthink this step.
- Look for the screen that says “Oil Life” and a percentage
- Watch for the little oil can icon on some models
- Don’t worry if you overshoot — menu loops
- Stop when the exact percentage is displayed
Holding the Checkmark Button
Right below the arrows on the steering wheel there’s a button with a checkmark (✓) on it — that’s your magic button. With the oil life screen showing, press and hold that checkmark for about five seconds. You’ll see the percentage start flashing or the screen will say “Reset Oil Life” or something similar.
Keep holding until it either goes blank for a second or asks you if you’re sure. On my 2021 it flashes the percentage three times and then jumps straight to 100%. On older 2014–2018 trucks it usually asks “Are you sure?” first. Either way, just keep that thumb planted.
Let go too early and nothing happens — you have to hold the full five seconds. I’ve had customers swear it was broken until I showed them they were tapping instead of holding.
- Press and hold the ✓ button for a full five seconds
- Watch the percentage flash or see a confirmation message
- Don’t let go early — hold until it changes
- Works the same on gas and Duramax models
Confirming the Reset When Prompted
On most 2019 and newer Silverados, after you hold the checkmark it’ll ask “Reset Oil Life System?” with Yes and No options. Just tap the checkmark button once more to pick Yes. The screen will blink, say 100%, and you’re golden.
Older trucks (2014–2018) sometimes skip the confirmation and just jump straight to 100%. Either way is normal. If you accidentally hit No, no big deal — just scroll back to the oil life screen and try again. Takes ten extra seconds.
I always tell people to wait an extra two seconds after it hits 100% just to make sure it saves. Never had it revert, but it makes everyone feel better.
- Tap ✓ again if it asks “Are you sure?”
- Watch it jump to 100%
- Wait a couple extra seconds for good measure
- Older trucks skip this confirmation step
Watching the Percentage Climb Back to 100%
Here’s the satisfying part — the numbers will climb from whatever it was (12%, 0%, whatever) all the way to 100% in about two seconds. It’s like the truck is saying thank you for the fresh oil. Once it hits 100% and stops moving, you’re officially reset.
Some trucks show a quick “Oil Life Reset” message, others just sit at 100%. Both are correct. My 2023 even makes a tiny chime when it’s done — little details Chevy adds that make you smile.
At this point you can let go of everything and just enjoy the clean dash with no nagging messages.
- Enjoy the numbers climbing to 100%
- Listen for the chime on newer models
- Wait until the screen stops moving
- Smile because the annoying light is finally gone
Turning the Key Off and Celebrating
Last move — turn the key back to OFF or press the start button once to shut everything down. Wait five seconds, then start the truck normally. Fire it up and look at the DIC again — oil life should still read 100% and the “Change Engine Oil Soon” message is history.
If it somehow didn’t save (super rare), just repeat the process. I’ve only seen that happen when someone bumps the key off too fast before it finishes writing to memory.
That’s literally it. Thirty seconds from start to finish and you never have to pay the quick-lube guy twenty extra bucks to “reset the computer.”
- Turn ignition completely off
- Wait five seconds
- Start the truck normally
- Confirm 100% and no warning messages
Final Thoughts
Hope that takes the mystery out of it forever. Next time the oil life hits 0% or the message pops up after a fresh change, you’ll laugh at how fast you can make it disappear. Fresh oil plus a reset monitor equals pure peace of mind — and you just saved yourself a trip back to the shop.
| Action | Button / Key Position | What You’ll See |
|---|---|---|
| Wake truck without starting | Key to RUN or start button 2x (no brake) | Dash lights up |
| Scroll to oil life screen | Left/right arrows on steering wheel | “Remaining Oil Life XX%” |
| Start the reset | Hold ✓ button 5 seconds | Percentage flashes or confirmation |
| Confirm if asked | Tap ✓ again | Jumps to 100% |
| Wait for completion | Keep hands off | Numbers climb to 100% |
| Shut down | Key to OFF or press start button | Everything powers down |
| Verify | Restart truck | 100% and no warning |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it the same process on a diesel Duramax Silverado?
Yes, exactly the same from 2014 all the way to the 2025 models. The L5P Duramax uses the identical DIC menu as the gas engines. I do it on my 2024 6.6L all the time — turn to RUN, arrows to oil life, hold checkmark, confirm, done. Takes the same thirty seconds.
Can I reset oil life without turning the key to RUN?
Nope, the truck has to be in RUN mode (accessories on, engine off) for the computer to let you change anything. If you try it with the truck fully off, the screen stays blank and nothing happens. Just remember: two taps of the start button without brake, or key one click forward.
Do I need to drive the truck after resetting?
Not at all. The reset is instant and saved the second it hits 100%. I’ve reset mine in the driveway, shut it off, and gone inside — next morning it still shows 100%. Driving isn’t required like some older GMs used to need.
Is it safe to reset it myself after every oil change?
100% safe and actually recommended. The dealer or quick-lube forgets half the time anyway. Resetting it yourself makes sure the monitor starts fresh with your new oil and gives you an accurate countdown for the next change.
Can the oil life go over 100% somehow?
Never seen it happen on a Silverado. The system caps at 100% the moment you reset. Even if you use full synthetic and baby the truck, it’ll never show 101% or anything — it just starts counting down slowly from 100 again.
Do I have to reset it right after an oil change?
Technically no, but you really should. Driving with 0% oil life still means the oil is fine if you just changed it, but the reminder light stays on and annoys you. Resetting immediately gives you that clean-dash feeling and accurate tracking.
Is the process different on a 2024 or 2025 Silverado with the new screens?
Same exact buttons and menu layout. Chevy kept the steering wheel controls identical even with the bigger 13.4-inch touchscreen. Arrows and checkmark still live on the left spoke — takes the same six moves as my 2019.
Can I hurt anything by resetting it too many times?
Impossible. The computer doesn’t care if you reset it ten times in a row — it just sets the counter back to 100% every time. I’ve done it accidentally while showing friends and nothing bad ever happens.