Oil change recommendation both Ford and consumer

[sajohnson]

Indeed. So the line of thought that Ford is just doing the bare minimum maintenance interval to make it through warranty doesn't hold up to scrutiny. ANY scrutiny. Here's my thoughts...

If they actually had a philosophy like that, it would be harmful to the brand reputation when people experience critical vehicle failures just out of warranty. Word of that DOES go around, and fast. Ford has been around a long time and they are aware of how easy it is to lose consumer confidence and how hard it is to regain it.

How many buyers check the maintenance schedule before purchasing a vehicle? I'd wager it's VERY few. So a frequent maintenance schedule is incredibly unlikely to affect sales measurably and it would benefit Ford partners and even Ford if people are using Ford branded supplies. Frequent oil changes cost Ford itself NOTHING. Their dealerships would actually WANT more frequent changes as to get the maintenance money for them, so if anything we'd be seeing collusion between Ford and the Dealers to make the maintenance interval as small as they could get away with... not the exact opposite.

Follow the oil life monitor recommendation.

Very well said.

For those who question the OLM recommendations, have your oil tested by Blackstone or another trusted lab to confirm.

Sponsored

 

[Chops]

Very well said.

For those who question the OLM recommendations, have your oil tested by Blackstone or another trusted lab to confirm.

Blackstone (almost) always recommends that folks stretch their oil change intervals - many times even beyond the manufacturer warranty limits. Seems odd…

Anyway, I suspect an oil dilution problem in my Maverick and I’m going to send in an oil sample for analysis. Hope it is accurate!

 

[sajohnson]

Oil life monitoring is one of those topics where many people are gonna believe what they’re gonna believe no matter what they’re told or shown. Case in point?

I’m reminded of many years ago on a Corvette forum where this same topic was being discussed. ACTUAL ENGINEERS FROM THE CORVETTE ENGINE DESIGN TEAM WEIGHED IN and told everyone that with VERY few exceptions, the oil life monitor worked fantastic, was very accurate, and absolutely was NOT designed just to “get through the warranty period”.
Wanna know how many minds that changed?

Looked to be right around zero.

Some topics really make people act silly.

Indeed.

When it comes to engine oil types and change intervals (and filters) there is an incredible number of subjective proclamations and anecdotal stories:

One category are those who have a deeply held belief that they "know" -- without any evidence -- that the proper change interval is X miles. Of course there is no way for anyone to divine the correct interval. The only way to do that is with lab test results, and even then there is no precise number of miles.

Oil degrades gradually, over time. Even if we had real-time, on board oil analysis (like continual lab testing) what would be the proper time to change the oil? In a perfect world the oil would always be like new, uncontaminated. So maybe it should be changed every 1,000, or even every 500 miles -- as soon as the on-board testing shows a noticeable decline in quality?

It comes down to being practical. If engines were seizing up and throwing rods left and right when factory and/or OLM and/or lab recommendations are followed, then obviously more frequent intervals/better oil/better filters would be required.

But they aren't. Engines routinely keep running flawlessly until the vehicle is scrap metal. In the rare case where an engine fails, it is almost never due to an oil issue (assuming the correct oil and mfr recommended change intervals).

 

[sajohnson]

Blackstone (almost) always recommends that folks stretch their oil change intervals - many times even beyond the manufacturer warranty limits. Seems odd…

Anyway, I suspect an oil dilution problem in my Maverick and I’m going to send in an oil sample for analysis. Hope it is accurate!

See Ryom's post. He hit the nail on the head. Mfrs would make the change intervals even shorter if they thought it would not affect sales.

Also, since they have no way of knowing how any given vehicle is driven (absent an OLM) it's prudent to err on the conservative side. A lab OTOH, knows exactly what condition the oil is in and therefore can recommend a more accurate interval.

A lab like Blackstone has absolutely no incentive to recommend intervals that may be harmfully long. They have a reputation of giving solid advice for decades.

They will let you know if you have an oil dilution problem.

 

[Chops]

See Ryom's post. He hit the nail on the head. Mfrs would make the change intervals even shorter if they thought it would not affect sales.

I did read Ryom’s post/opinion. Making intervals shorter would add to the longevity of a vehicle - affecting future sales negatively.

You commented that there are other reputable oil analysis companies besides Blackstone. Who else would you recommend?

 

[Chops]

Indeed. So the line of thought that Ford is just doing the bare minimum maintenance interval to make it through warranty doesn't hold up to scrutiny. ANY scrutiny. Here's my thoughts...

Appreciate your thoughts. Curious though…assuming Ford wants you to buy a new Ford every 5 years or 60 months (whichever comes first) - what would be a good maintenance interval recommendation?

Should they recommend more maintenance than Toyota or Chevy?

Yes, the Ford trucks would last longer with more maintenance. But Ford wants you in a new truck on the other hand.

 

[surfstar]

FYI - it is called the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor for a reason. It applies to intelligent owners.

 

[Chops]

FYI - it is called the Intelligent Oil Life Monitor for a reason. It applies to intelligent owners.

lol - the only intelligence the owner needs is to read a percentage

Most products that include “intelligence” in the name assume the user is dumb.

The “intelligence” in the OLM is a series of sensors & algorithms that the owner does not even understand - or need to. Just assume the sensors are accurate & calibrated and the algorithm is appropriate for your truck.

 

[Ryom]

But Ford wants you in a new truck on the other hand.

Do people repeat buy from brands that fail or are known to fail?... and some will fail BEFORE the warranty expires if things are actually being pushed that close...

Or do fewer people buy from a brand that has catastrophic failures and are known to fail in general?

I'd wager that Ford gets more repeat buyers with a reputation that says their vehicles will last than they would otherwise.

 

[Timothyd]

Could not agree more. And just get you through warranty with a barely passing C- grade. Minimizing the all important “cost of ownership” without adding warranty costs.

If you’re leasing or planning on trading in after warranty (next owner be damned) - go ahead & play the mfg recommendation game.

If you want your Maverick to be a term A+ truck buddy - halve the mfg recommended intervals at least. And A+ oil not “meets requirements” C- oil.

Hopefully this Maverick hybrid lasts a long time as I love it. And, hopefully, the dealers (Ford) gets their shit together with training techs to fix all the electronics.

 

[Billinwnc]

Just change it at 5k miles or less; oil is cheap, engines are expensive. It is false economy to try and stretch it out farther. Keep receipts for oil & filter if you DIY.

 

[Carlitos_92]

Just change it at 5k miles or less; oil is cheap, engines are expensive. It is false economy to try and stretch it out farther. Keep receipts for oil & filter if you DIY.

Well, at least your last sentence has some logic behind it. One out of three ain't bad!

 

[Geo8866]

I can’t stand oil change threads. They are all pretty much exactly the same. Yet I read every one of them like I’m going to learn something new. What’s wrong with me?

 

[Chops]

Just change it at 5k miles or less; oil is cheap, engines are expensive. It is false economy to try and stretch it out farther. Keep receipts for oil & filter if you DIY.

Your 5K (or less) is better than Ford’s recommendation - but still not often enough for me. I’ll do two oil changes during 5K (or less) because I severely drive my EB only 2.5K/yr. And if one drives a Hybrid 20K/yr - they could probably get away with 2 oil changes versus the 4 you recommend.

I’m going to watch my OLM and change oil at 50%. I’m already down to 60% after driving only 600 miles since 100%

 

[icegradner]

Do people repeat buy from brands that fail or are known to fail?... and some will fail BEFORE the warranty expires if things are actually being pushed that close...

To be fair we've had a few people here go through multiple lemon Mavericks, and they still come back for more. Some people are just gluttons for punishment.

Sponsored