Maintenance schedules

[Defconxzero]

I’ve seen posts and videos of people talking about PTU and RDU oil coming from the factory low and/or needing replacement sooner than the factory maintenance schedule recommended. I’ve seen videos of people talking about their transmission needing replacement prematurely because the fluid needed replacement before factory recommendation.. I’ve seen a video of a cord mechanic saying the schedule is extremely sub par to what should be required.

I do like to follow maintenance schedules but if the factory one is inadequate… anyone have any recommendations or schedules that they follow? Any other recommendations for maintenance above and beyond what ford suggests? I’m surprised there isn’t a beefed up maintenance schedule PINNED on the top of this forum website….

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[Harry's Humble Hitch]

Here is my current maintenance plan. I primarily based it on the Ford 2023 severe service schedule, FordTechMakuloco (Ford master technician) on YouTube, and The Motor Oil Geek (Professional Lubrication Specialist) on YouTube.

 

[801Maverick801]

Should we treat the water pump as a routine replacement item? My old Ford Focus was like 100k mile replacement, recommended by a Ford tech.

 

[Harry's Humble Hitch]

Should we treat the water pump as a routine replacement item? My old Ford Focus was like 100k mile replacement, recommended by a Ford tech.

You're not funny, helpful, or smart. My references are solid, Subaru boy.

 

[801Maverick801]

You're not funny, helpful, or smart. My references are solid, Subaru boy.

Um what?

 

[Montana]

Gonna piss some people off with this one...

Air filters: Depends on your location but for me it's around every 10k. They used to be cheaper, but now it's getting to the point where I'll likely blow them out every oil change and push for 15-20k. Compressed air in the opposite of the flow direction to remove any larger particles but generally, you want to avoid this as it doesn't help the filtration of smaller particles.

Oil: Since you have an Ecoboost, I'd say general rule of thumb is the 3-6k range for the sake of the turbo. 7k max. inb4 the extended interval owners come in saying "this ain't no 60's vehicle and you can stretch to 20k". Your best bet is to get your oil tested through Blackstone and make your own judgement calls. Keep in mind Blackstones comments are based off averages. If they say they see a 1% fuel dilution on an average of 7k samples for your engine, but you sent in at 3k and are seeing that same 1%+, it might warrant earlier changes. My general rule of thumb is first 3 changes every 3-4k max (trying to keep the driving habits and mileage the same for testing purposes) and then you have YOUR averages - not theirs. Then you make your judgement call on extending or not. Don't just guesstimate it.

Cabin filter: 10k - those things get NASTY real quick Inspect at 10k and I bet you'll want to change it. Again, filters are getting expensive and DO NOT buy the cheap ones online because most of them are too thick and will ruin your HVAC system, compressed air in the opposite flow direction to get any large debris out and make your own judgement call on if it needs changed or not.

Brake fluid: 30-40k. 50k max.

ATF: 30-40k. 50k max. same time I do brake fluids. Given the Maverick has an internal filter, I'll likely flush every 30k.

RDU/PTU: Initial drain at first normal oil interval around 3-5k (your mileage may vary). Every 20k after. The PTU is in a terrible location for heat and there is not a lot of fluid in there.

Coolant: 40-50k. 60k max.

Valves: 50k max. I'll be walnut blasting my valves since it's an EB every 50k.

Spark plugs: 50-60k. Same time I do the coolant flush.

Check pulleys and belts every 50k. I've personally already got the belts needed for a change so I'll likely just change at 50k. General rule for belts is 50-100k. Thermostat... eh... if it's still working I'm not changing it. Coolant changes should help the life of your thermostat. General rule for those is around 100k as well. Power steering was something I would do along the same time as brake and tranny fluid as well, but one less fluid we have to worry about

I'm sure I'm missing something... Either way, this is just MY schedule. I'd rather side on the "replacing fluids is cheaper than replacing parts" side of things than to have a failure due to not changing them enough. Fluids are generally cheap, and IMHO - if you can't afford fluid changes for your vehicle often enough to keep them fresh and from breaking down, then you can't afford your vehicle.

Lastly, change the air in your tires and your blinker fluid regularly.

 

[Harry's Humble Hitch]

Um what?

You make technical comments about CV axles, transmissions, sensors, CCMs, ACMs, BCMs, DTCs, (I had to look those up) as a subject matter expert, but are "asking" about water pumps?

 

[TedTX]

Wow, I just wait till the Truck tells me it's do. Will figure out how to change the cabin filter, eventually. They charge way too much for a simple task, filters are cheap on line.

 

[gp1200x]

Gonna piss some people off with this one...


Brake fluid: 30-40k. 50k max.

ATF: 30-40k. 50k max. same time I do brake fluids. Given the Maverick has an internal filter, I'll likely flush every 30k.

I read up on that Motorcraft DOT4 LV and it is better than standard Dot4 and Super DOT4 and probably required to prevent braking issues. Some Audi and BMW owners that used DOT4 instead of DOT4LV experienced some ABS and brake issues. I used the ATF make in the past but stopped once they could not longer use the blue fluid color which made it a nice way to see when then fluid was completely flushed switching between gold and blue.

Now I only use Bosch ESI6 in all my cars ....

since it exceeds all DOT4 LV specs and has a much longer lifetime between changes as long as your system is really sealed.

 

[S Dundee]

Gonna piss some people off with this one...

Air filters: Depends on your location but for me it's around every 10k. They used to be cheaper, but now it's getting to the point where I'll likely blow them out every oil change and push for 15-20k. Compressed air in the opposite of the flow direction to remove any larger particles but generally, you want to avoid this as it doesn't help the filtration of smaller particles.

Oil: Since you have an Ecoboost, I'd say general rule of thumb is the 3-6k range for the sake of the turbo. 7k max. inb4 the extended interval owners come in saying "this ain't no 60's vehicle and you can stretch to 20k". Your best bet is to get your oil tested through Blackstone and make your own judgement calls. Keep in mind Blackstones comments are based off averages. If they say they see a 1% fuel dilution on an average of 7k samples for your engine, but you sent in at 3k and are seeing that same 1%+, it might warrant earlier changes. My general rule of thumb is first 3 changes every 3-4k max (trying to keep the driving habits and mileage the same for testing purposes) and then you have YOUR averages - not theirs. Then you make your judgement call on extending or not. Don't just guesstimate it.

Cabin filter: 10k - those things get NASTY real quick Inspect at 10k and I bet you'll want to change it. Again, filters are getting expensive and DO NOT buy the cheap ones online because most of them are too thick and will ruin your HVAC system, compressed air in the opposite flow direction to get any large debris out and make your own judgement call on if it needs changed or not.

Brake fluid: 30-40k. 50k max.

ATF: 30-40k. 50k max. same time I do brake fluids. Given the Maverick has an internal filter, I'll likely flush every 30k.

RDU/PTU: Initial drain at first normal oil interval around 3-5k (your mileage may vary). Every 20k after. The PTU is in a terrible location for heat and there is not a lot of fluid in there.

Coolant: 40-50k. 60k max.

Valves: 50k max. I'll be walnut blasting my valves since it's an EB every 50k.

Spark plugs: 50-60k. Same time I do the coolant flush.

Check pulleys and belts every 50k. I've personally already got the belts needed for a change so I'll likely just change at 50k. General rule for belts is 50-100k. Thermostat... eh... if it's still working I'm not changing it. Coolant changes should help the life of your thermostat. General rule for those is around 100k as well. Power steering was something I would do along the same time as brake and tranny fluid as well, but one less fluid we have to worry about

I'm sure I'm missing something... Either way, this is just MY schedule. I'd rather side on the "replacing fluids is cheaper than replacing parts" side of things than to have a failure due to not changing them enough. Fluids are generally cheap, and IMHO - if you can't afford fluid changes for your vehicle often enough to keep them fresh and from breaking down, then you can't afford your vehicle.

Lastly, change the air in your tires and your blinker fluid regularly.

Agree. Depending on where you are, the cabin filter and engine air filter can get dirty fast. On the cabin filter, don't go too fancy with one of the really thick pleated aftermarket filters. Many of these reportedly restrict airflow. Just get a cabin filter similar to the OEM one with relatively thin media on the pleats.

 

[Montana]

Agree. Depending on where you are, the cabin filter and engine air filter can get dirty fast. On the cabin filter, don't go too fancy with one of the really thick pleated aftermarket filters. Many of these reportedly restrict airflow. Just get a cabin filter similar to the OEM one with relatively thin media on the pleats.

Yea I made that mistake on the Maverick. It really messed with the HVAC system. Turned around and just bought a couple OEM filters. None of the brick and mortars around me ever have filters in stock. Oil filters maybe, but never air filters.

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