2025 Hybrid. How do you decide when to change the oil?

[HeyBales]

I put less than 3000 miles on my Mav each year. My Mav reminds me when the year is up so time to change my oil regardless of mileage. I have changed the oil on my 2023 Hybrid twice. I do it myself so I know for a fact what kind of oil (I choose full synthetic, Mobile one or Kirkland) is in my truck and that it was done right.

And make sure the shield screws aren't put in willy-nilly stripping out.

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[yldman56]

What interval is reasonable and makes you feel comfortable?

The owner's manual says to change when the light comes on, or the lesser of 10k(?) miles or 1 year.
My dealer "recommends" 3k miles, and they also charge 2x the price of any other shop.

I change my own at 8-9k. It makes me and my truck feel special. I'm better than the poor fools that change at 10k, but I'm not getting scammed like the rich fools who change at 3-5k.
I am right and everyone else is wrong and also stupid. /s

Oh my, let go get my pearls so I can clutch them.

 

[Ford STI]

2025 Hybrid. How do you decide when to change the oil?
Do you trust the "onboard oil quality monitor" to decide when to change the oil?
Do you go by the mileage?
Do you listen to the dealer?
On my previous vehicle, I used to change my full synthetic oil every 10 to 12 000 miles. My dealer put a sticker after the last oil change, to change the oil again in 4000 miles. Why to pay more for full synthetic oil if I still have to change it that often?
I looked for other discussions on this forum about this subject but, surprisingly, I found none.
Thank you.

The oil life monitor takes into account drive cycle duration, engine temp and load, and idle time.
It give a dependable oil change interval based on your driving habits.
I spent a good part of my life as a service training instructor for Ford. The monitor is dependable.

 

[Chops]

The oil life monitor takes into account drive cycle duration, engine temp and load, and idle time.
It give a dependable oil change interval based on your driving habits.
I spent a good part of my life as a service training instructor for Ford. The monitor is dependable.

If your oil life is healthy but you approach 12 months - will it recommend a change. Thank you for your insight.

 

[Darryl]

For the Hybrids the on board oil life monitor is even MORE valuable. The hybrids I'm sure you'll agree have a more complex, less "predictable", less "regular" drive cycle.

Therefore it knows better than the driver behind the wheel.

If you want to be overly conservative, that's fine. Pick a number, 20% for example, and change oil each time the oil life monitor hits 20%.

It will vary season to season AS IT SHOULD.

There is zero logic in changing oil based on miles. Zero. Zip. None.
That's what cave people did before they had anything better.

Don't you want to change oil based on the condition of the oil? I do. So that's what I do. Miles driven, not really very important. I hope to prove this in a few days when I post $50 oil lab test results.

(it also make no financial sense to pay for used oil analysis every time, so assuming this one is good, this will be my last and I'll keep going with the oil life monitor.)

To be honest, I've been driving since I was a teen in the late 1980's and I've NEVER changed oil more often than 3,000 miles. Since i I've been driving, virtually all my trips have been at least 10 miles. So I totally ignore the time. Never had a sludge buildup or premature engine wear. And in late model cars it's usually 5,000 +miles. If my driving was short trips I might have changed it more often. This is my first vehicle with a smart oil life monitor. But based on the experience of all our dealership customers, it's trustworthy. And since the hybrid is a naturally aspirated engine that holds nearly 6 quarts of oil I have no reservations.

 

[Frenchy]

The oil life monitor takes into account drive cycle duration, engine temp and load, and idle time.
It give a dependable oil change interval based on your driving habits.
I spent a good part of my life as a service training instructor for Ford. The monitor is dependable.

Thank you Ford STI

 

[kevink]

FWIW I'll probably do my first oil change early. I'm at about 2300 miles now so probably before 5000 miles. Then, probably once a year. This isn't my only vehicle, so I expect to average under 6000 miles/year.

Time it around doing a tire rotation.

 

[BlueOval1954]

LOL....you misspelled Oli.......

Yeah, isn't it called Earl ?

 

[MikeS1942]

I put less than 3000 miles on my Mav each year. My Mav reminds me when the year is up so time to change my oil regardless of mileage. I have changed the oil on my 2023 Hybrid twice. I do it myself so I know for a fact what kind of oil (I choose full synthetic, Mobile one or Kirkland) is in my truck and that it was done right.

Why bother owning a vehicle. You could rent a car and save a ton of money.

 

[Chops]

Why bother owning a vehicle. You could rent a car and save a ton of money.

I drive maybe 3000 per year. Many of us low mileage drivers have low or zero monthly car payments & low insurance rates.

Rent a Maverick instead of owning one. Surely you can’t be serious.

Couldn’t do all my mods on a rental.

 

[KenE]

Some good and some funny advice here.

I changed mine after a nice road trip at 2500 miles. You’ll note the factory oil filter is smaller than the recommended one in the manual.

I replaced the oil with Mobil 1. I’m planning on following the recommendations from the onboard oil monitor from here on out.

I did my 1st oil/filter change on my 25MY Hybrid Aug 22, 1162 miles on ODO. I have always done my first change early on, then pretty much follow the oil life monitor in recent years. My Mav will never encounter winter weather temp swings. I do my own changes, and let my very warm oil drain for several hours on my ramps before replacing the filter & adding Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I'm 78, retired, no hurry. Been changing my own oil since 1962. I actually enjoy the task.

 

[Escapologist]

Why bother owning a vehicle. You could rent a car and save a ton of money.

Have you tried renting a car in the last 2 or 3 years? it's insane. First off they're gonna have nothing available apart from huge SUVs that book at near $100 a day, and secondly they probably want you to pick it up from a different city.

So try uber you say, yeah, somehow the "disruptor" of taxis is like twice the price of them now. So that's about break even.

Taking a regular cab might just be cheaper, depending on length and frequency of trips.

I was stuck for a ride last year and in desperation figured it out for a small uhaul, and guess what, they're up to $3 a mile now or some shit, plus the 15mpg you gotta pay for in gas.

Anyway it's some way under 3000 miles the breakeven... owning a $1000 beater is looking good for using it once a month.

 

[Kenv24]

I did my 1st oil/filter change on my 25MY Hybrid Aug 22, 1162 miles on ODO. I have always done my first change early on, then pretty much follow the oil life monitor in recent years. My Mav will never encounter winter weather temp swings. I do my own changes, and let my very warm oil drain for several hours on my ramps before replacing the filter & adding Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I'm 78, retired, no hurry. Been changing my own oil since 1962. I actually enjoy the task.

I was enjoying your post until you said several HOURS… I know you’re not in a hurry to do “anything”…..but I bet you could change that to MINUTES and the automotive world would still be OK. . Just kidding, of course.

 

[Chops]

I was enjoying your post until you said several HOURS… I know you’re not in a hurry to do “anything”…..but I bet you could change that to MINUTES and the automotive world would still be OK. . Just kidding, of course.

Even after several hours I bet it was still dripping. Modern oils are formulated to coat parts well. Gravity is no match for a modern stop/stop engine

 

[Timothyd]

Have you tried renting a car in the last 2 or 3 years? it's insane. First off they're gonna have nothing available apart from huge SUVs that book at near $100 a day, and secondly they probably want you to pick it up from a different city.

So try uber you say, yeah, somehow the "disruptor" of taxis is like twice the price of them now. So that's about break even.

Taking a regular cab might just be cheaper, depending on length and frequency of trips.

I was stuck for a ride last year and in desperation figured it out for a small uhaul, and guess what, they're up to $3 a mile now or some shit, plus the 15mpg you gotta pay for in gas.

Anyway it's some way under 3000 miles the breakeven... owning a $1000 beater is looking good for using it once a month.

I bet the 'Top Gear' guys could figure it out. Maybe a folding motorcycle or something.

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