Service engine oil light is a joke

[2lbgill]

Any data is worthless until you get rid of the variables and the variable here is the crankcase, get the oil sample from the engine before it hits a contaminated crankcase then you have data,

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[TwoTone]

It is all about miles travelled and not time when it comes to changing oil. Too bad the oil monitors dont just use miles. The algorithm is based on HOW the vehicle is driven. I get it. But I still change according to miles. Just reset the reminder and be happy. Easy to do in settings menu.

There's more to oil changes than miles traveled.

 

[Redline]

The engine will likely be the only thing left on the truck that still works after 10 or 15 winters here in NY. My last truck still ran great, but the rust ate it alive. It's the body and electronics that concern me the most, as far as longevity. Change the oil when it says with a quality oil and filter and it should run a long time.

 

[1929]

I dont need the truck to tell me when to change my oil,the sticker in the window works fine.so is there anyway to make this quit coming on !

Ignore button just above your post made it disappear for me.

 

[The Real Maverick]

It will be bad to run without any oil.

But probably, and I mean this seriously, probably, and statistically speaking, odds are very good you could go more than 100,000 miles on the oil and never notice any issue. Oils are that good. And the hybrid engine is that gentle.

I will not hesitate to go 15,000 mile on full synthetic or go 20,000 miles on extended life full synthetic. I have the used oil reports to back up my choices.

YMMV and sounds like turbo engines need more frequent oil changes. I don't have a turbo boost. I have a battery boost.

 

[B2000]

I would love to see evidence of the fancy algorithm and multiple sensors that Ford is using to tell me when to change my oil. Please supply. My truck has less than 2000 miles since the last change with full synthetic but FordPass is telling me I have 22% oil life remaining and I need to change it in September- which happens to be one year from the last change. The algorithm must be calculating how much dough the dealer needs to support his lifestyle.

I just descaled my Keurig. If you run through the steps with or without descaling liquid it will turn the light off. Same thing with my refrigerator filter. It simply tells you in 6 months to replace the filter whether you have run a lot of water through it or not. If I went away for 6 months the light would still come on.

 

[Mr.EdzBluMav]

This thread is a joke.

It's not all about miles.
It's about 50 factors and you know three of them.


The computerized oil change reminder is the best tool anyone has short of lab tests and numerous lab tests agree the computer knows how "hard" you were on your oil.

"Don't confuse me with the facts, I'm smarter than those darn computers."

 

[Timothyd]

not to mention
Frequent short trips increase the amount of condensation that's not cooked off. The water in the crankcase is not harmful, but it can combine with sulfur, a byproduct of combustion, to form sulfurous acid, a weak acid that breaks down the lubricating qualities of the oil

Good case for a nice road trip. Sometimes I need an excuse.

 

[Timothyd]

I would love to see evidence of the fancy algorithm and multiple sensors that Ford is using to tell me when to change my oil. Please supply. My truck has less than 2000 miles since the last change with full synthetic but FordPass is telling me I have 22% oil life remaining and I need to change it in September- which happens to be one year from the last change. The algorithm must be calculating how much dough the dealer needs to support his lifestyle.

I just descaled my Keurig. If you run through the steps with or without descaling liquid it will turn the light off. Same thing with my refrigerator filter. It simply tells you in 6 months to replace the filter whether you have run a lot of water through it or not. If I went away for 6 months the light would still come on.

We are not in control. The machines have taken over. Don't worry the government will save us. (?)

 

[Ponyprez]

This thread is a joke.

It's not all about miles.
It's about 50 factors and you know three of them.


The computerized oil change reminder is the best tool anyone has short of lab tests and numerous lab tests agree the computer knows how "hard" you were on your oil.

I agree, although it's strange waiting for your truck to tell you when it's ready for an oil change, it is the most modern and environmentally approved method. I was at 1 year and about 9500 miles with 12% oil life remaining when the dealership changed my oil for free. (First Time, once only) When I had brought it in for service (Recall) at about 6K I asked about an oil change and they told me not to do it until between 10 and 5% oil life but I had it done early as I was going on a trip.

 

[paneubert]

I would love to see evidence of the fancy algorithm and multiple sensors that Ford is using to tell me when to change my oil. Please supply.

Sure. Here it is. It look about 10 seconds on Google.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...t-is-the-intelligent-oil-life-monitor-system/

https://www.lombardfordwarrantys.com/delving-deeper/oil-life-monitor.cfm

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...-reminder-feature-frequently-asked-questions/

Here is a PDF (well, a link to one), that went directly to Ford Service Departments.....

https://www.lombardfordwarrantys.com/resources/pdf/Intelligent-Oil-Life-Reference-Guide.pdf

In part, it says...

"Beginning with the 2011 model year, most Ford and Lincoln vehicles are equipped with an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ (IOLM) that determines when the engine oil should be changed based on vehicle operation.

How the IOLM works

The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This algorithm takes into account the following factors by analyzing various engine sensor inputs.

• Driving Habits
• Idle time
• Temperature

The IOLM adjusts the oil change interval according to how the customer operates their vehicle. It uses the engine operating conditions to precisely calculate service intervals. The customer’s actual engine oil change interval will depend on the following operating conditions:

• Normal commuting with highway driving – up to 10,000 miles
• Trailer tow/high load driving – 5,000 to 7,500 miles
• Short trip usage, extreme temperatures – 3,000 to 5,000 miles"

 

[B2000]

Sure. Here it is. It look about 10 seconds on Google.

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...t-is-the-intelligent-oil-life-monitor-system/

https://www.lombardfordwarrantys.com/delving-deeper/oil-life-monitor.cfm

https://www.ford.com/support/how-to...-reminder-feature-frequently-asked-questions/

Here is a PDF (well, a link to one), that went directly to Ford Service Departments.....

https://www.lombardfordwarrantys.com/resources/pdf/Intelligent-Oil-Life-Reference-Guide.pdf

In part, it says...

"Beginning with the 2011 model year, most Ford and Lincoln vehicles are equipped with an Intelligent Oil Life Monitor™ (IOLM) that determines when the engine oil should be changed based on vehicle operation.

How the IOLM works

The IOLM does not use oil quality sensors – it is entirely software-based and uses actual engine operating conditions to calculate the oil change interval by using an algorithm. This algorithm takes into account the following factors by analyzing various engine sensor inputs.

• Driving Habits
• Idle time
• Temperature

The IOLM adjusts the oil change interval according to how the customer operates their vehicle. It uses the engine operating conditions to precisely calculate service intervals. The customer’s actual engine oil change interval will depend on the following operating conditions:

• Normal commuting with highway driving – up to 10,000 miles
• Trailer tow/high load driving – 5,000 to 7,500 miles
• Short trip usage, extreme temperatures – 3,000 to 5,000 miles"

" • Short trip usage, extreme temperatures – 3,000 to 5,000 miles"

My truck does see short trips but also highway mileage and virtually nothing during extreme temperatures plus it is stored in a garage that is typically between 40 and 90 degrees. No towing so far and no heavy loads. The truck does not know if my trips are commuting or driving to the bowling alley nor would that matter of course. Maybe I work at the bowling alley. Does it matter if I drive the same route all the time- how could it?

Given the extremely light duty my truck sees it is "calculating" that I need an oil change in 2000 miles.

There is nothing precise about how the software is calculating oil change intervals. It is being driven by Ford wanting at least one oil changer per year for income not for engine protection. If the software told you to change the oil once a month would you believe it?

 

[paneubert]

It is being driven by Ford wanting at least one oil changer per year

Ohh for sure. I have noticed mine definitely is using "time since last change" as one of the factors. No argument there. But that is not all it is using, and it is not based solely on either time or mileage.

 

[LC48]

@Gpp reset oil life monitor per owners manual..

You have a simple choice to make with respect to how you maintain your truck, do whichever of the following makes the most sense to you.

1. Take advice from accredited experts on oil change intervals.
2. Change more frequently than factory recommends
3. Use the oil life monitor
4. Take advice from random keyboard warrior on trucklet forum

 

[B2000]

@Gpp reset oil life monitor per owners manual..

You have a simple choice to make with respect to how you maintain your truck, do whichever of the following makes the most sense to you.

1. Take advice from accredited experts on oil change intervals.
2. Change more frequently than factory recommends
3. Use the oil life monitor
4. Take advice from random keyboard warrior on trucklet forum

I would definitely prefer to go with option 1 but I have no doubt if I don't change it once a year Ford would deny any engine related warranty claim.

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