How to Reset the Suzuki Outboard Oil Change Reminder (Tiller, Remote and Gauge Models)

The Suzuki oil change reminder is cancelled with three quick presses of the engine stop button with the engine running (tiller models), or three pulls of the emergency stop switch knob with the key or system ON and the lanyard lock plate pulled out (remote and key-start models). The time window is 3 or 4 seconds on the DF9.9B through DF30A and 10 seconds on the DF40A and up. The reminder does not know whether you changed the oil; it is an hour counter that flashes the OIL lamp (or shows "Change Oil" on a gauge) after the first 20 hours, again 80 hours later, and then every 100 hours. It repeats until you cancel it.

Every owner's manual says the same two things about it. Cancelling is possible whether or not the oil has been replaced, but once the system has operated Suzuki strongly recommends changing the oil before cancelling. And if you changed the oil early, before the reminder came on, you still need to perform the cancellation so the counter restarts.

Which motors have it and what it looks like

The reminder is built into the EFI motors from the DF9.9B up. The carbureted DF2.5, DF4A/DF6A and DF8A/DF9.9A owner's manuals describe no reminder. The service manuals add that the system keeps working up to 2100 hours of operation.

• DF9.9B / DF15A / DF20A: the caution lamp flashes while the engine is running (tiller) or with the key ON (remote); the service manual adds that remote models also get a series of double beeps with the engine running.
• DF25A / DF30A: the red OIL lamp flashes while the engine is running; on remote models the buzzer sounds too and stops after approximately thirty seconds.
• DF40A and up with a monitor-tachometer (DF40A-DF60A, DF75/DF90A, DF100A-DF140A, DF150A-DF200A, DF225/DF250): the OIL lamp flashes, and if the engine is not running the buzzer adds a series of double beeps.
• Multi-function gauge models (DF115B/DF140B, DF150AP-DF200AP, DF250AP/DF300AP, DF300B/DF350A): "Change Oil" is displayed and the buzzer sounds.

A flashing OIL lamp with no other symptom is the reminder. A steady OIL lamp with beeps and a speed cut is the oil pressure caution, which is a different system; see the warning light and buzzer guide.

The schedule

The flowchart at the back of each owner's manual shows the same sequence: first indication after the initial 20 hours, the second after a further 80 hours (100 hours total), then every 100 hours, repeating. That matches the engine oil row of the maintenance chart, which calls for a change at the initial 20 hours or 1 month and then every 100 hours or every 12 months. Note the "or 12 months": the reminder counts hours only, so a low-hours motor still needs its annual change even if the lamp never flashes. The full chart is in the maintenance schedule explained. The DF100A/DF115A/DF140A, DF150A/DF175A/DF200A and DF300B/DF350A manuals print the same flowchart (initial 20 hours, then 80 hours, then every 100 hours) and the same cancel procedure.

"The light is flashing but I just changed the oil"

That is normal. The counter runs on hours, not on what you did to the motor, so cancelling is a separate step from draining and filling. Change the oil, then cancel. If you changed the oil a few hours before the reminder was due and skipped the cancellation, the lamp will come on at the programmed hour anyway; cancel it then, and the count restarts from that point.

How to cancel, by family

All the procedures share one trick: the presses or pulls must be quick. On tiller models the engine has to be running, and the manuals warn that holding the stop button for more than 0.5 seconds stops the engine, which is a failed attempt. On key-start models the key is ON but the engine is not running, so the knob pulls do not kill anything. A short beep (remote/key models) or the lamp going out confirms success.

DF9.9B / DF15A / DF20A

Tiller models

1. Start the motor. Make sure it is in Neutral with the throttle grip fully closed.
2. Push the engine stop button three times within 4 seconds (August 2019 manual) or within three seconds (March 2014 manual and service manual), without stalling the engine. The caution lamp is no longer lit when the cancellation is successful.
3. Stop the engine.

Remote control models

1. Shift into NEUTRAL.
2. Turn the ignition key to ON.
3. Pull out the emergency stop switch plate.
4. Pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times within 4 seconds (2019 manual) or within 3 seconds (2014 manual and service manual). The caution lamp goes out when the cancellation is successful.
5. Turn the key OFF and set the plate back in its original position.

DF25A / DF30A

Tiller models: start the motor in Neutral with the throttle grip fully closed, push the engine stop button three times within three seconds without stalling, and confirm the red OIL lamp is out. Then stop the engine.

Remote control models: shift into NEUTRAL, turn the key ON, pull out the emergency stop switch plate, and pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times within 4 seconds. The red OIL lamp goes out and a short beep sounds when the cancellation succeeds. Turn the key OFF and refit the plate. The service manual for this family gives three times in three seconds for the remote model; the 2018 owner's manual says 4 seconds.

DF40A / DF50A / DF60A and DF75 / DF90A

1. Turn the ignition key to ON (on a keyless DF75/DF90A, power up with the engine switch instead).
2. Pull out the emergency stop switch plate.
3. Pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times in 10 seconds. A short beep sounds if the cancellation is successful.
4. Turn the key OFF and set the plate back.

The DF40A-DF60A owner's manual we have gives only this key-switch procedure; if you have a tiller-handle version of these motors, check your own manual.

DF100A / DF115A / DF140A and DF150A / DF175A / DF200A

1. Turn the Keyless Start System ON, or turn the ignition key ON.
2. Pull out the emergency stop switch lock plate.
3. Pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times in 10 seconds. A short beep confirms.
4. Turn the Keyless Start System OFF or the key OFF, and refit the lock plate.

Twin installations: if the cancellation is performed on the Twin Switch Panel, the operating time of both motors is reset simultaneously.

DF115B / DF140B

1. Keyless models: press and hold the engine switch for more than two seconds to turn on the power. Non-keyless: key ON.
2. Pull out the emergency stop switch lock plate.
3. Pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times in 10 seconds. A short beep confirms.
4. Turn the power off and refit the plate.

DF150AP / DF175AP / DF200AP

1. Turn the Keyless Start System ON or the main switch ON.
2. Pull out the emergency stop switch lock plate.
3. Push the start and stop switch three times in 10 seconds. A short beep confirms.
4. Turn the system or main switch OFF and refit the plate.

DF225 / DF250

1. Turn the ignition key to ON.
2. Pull out the emergency stop switch plate.
3. Pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times in 10 seconds. A short beep confirms.
4. Turn the key OFF and refit the plate.

DF250AP / DF300AP and DF300B / DF350A

Single engine: turn the key ON (keyless: press and hold the engine switch for more than two seconds), pull out the emergency stop switch lock plate, and pull up the emergency stop switch knob three times within 10 seconds. A short beep confirms. Power off and refit the plate.

Multiple engines: same steps, but step three is to push the start and stop switch three times in 10 seconds.

Quick reference

What happens if you ignore it

Nothing mechanical. The manuals describe no speed limit or shutdown for the reminder; they say only that the indication will repeat until you cancel the system activation, and the service manuals note it stays active up to 2100 hours. The risk is the oil itself. The count is your only on-engine record of hours, and the owner's manuals add the same warning: change the engine oil more frequently if the engine is used for extended trolling. Total hours can be read at key-on on monitor-tachometer models (the tachometer shows them for three seconds after the lamp check), and a dealer can read them with the Suzuki Diagnostic System.

The oil change itself

Capacities and grades for every family are in the Suzuki oil capacity chart. For the portables there is a step-by-step DF9.9B/DF15A/DF20A oil change guide, and each family service guide (for example the DF25A/DF30A and DF40A/DF50A/DF60A guides) covers the filter and drain plug for that motor.

Parts for this job

Start with the Suzuki oil change kit for your model; kits for every family are in the oil change kit collection, with ECSTAR 10W-40 by the gallon for the larger motors. Orders over $149 ship free to the lower 48.

Sources: Suzuki owner's manuals for DF2.5, DF4A/6A, DF8A/9.9A, DF9.9B/15A/20A (2014 and 2019), DF25A/30A, DF40A/50A/60A, DF75/DF90A, DF100A/115A/140A, DF115B/140B, DF150A/175A/200A, DF150AP/175AP/200AP, DF225/DF250, DF250AP/300AP, DF300B/350A; Suzuki service manuals 99500-89L00-01E (DF9.9B/15A/20A), 99500-94L10-01E (DF25A/30A), 99500-88L01-01E (DF60A), 99500-87L10-01E (DF70A/80A/90A/100B), 99500-92J00-01E (DF100A/115A/140A). Figures are Suzuki's published values; confirm against the manual for your model year and serial number.